Fabulous 50: Schaub Hall

Dedicated 50 years ago on 26 Nov. 1968, Schaub Hall was originally known as the Food Science Building, and it was built specifically to house the teaching, research, and extension operations of the Dept. of Food Science (now the Dept. of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Science).  During its history, the building has contained classrooms, offices, and laboratories, as well as a library, dairy, smokehouse, and food processing facilities.

Schaub Hall Loading Dock, 1970.

According to the university’s official publicity for the dedication (reported in the 22 Nov. 1968 Technician), the $3.5 million, 96-000 square-feet facility opened with “the avowed goal of helping to feed American stomachs and North Carolina’s economy.” The building was expected to spearhead “a new thrust by North Carolina to become a major food producing state.”  Dept. head William M. Roberts stated, “It is our goal to make this facility a primary source of technical information and assistance to the food industry of North Carolina.”  With the new structure, the food science faculty could all be located in one building.  Previously, the professors and researchers had been scattered around campus.

William M. Roberts

William M. Roberts, Food Science dept. head, 1961-1980

The Food Science dept. head at the time of the Schaub Hall dedication was William M. Roberts (1914-2005).  He  joined the NC State faculty in 1943, first teaching in the dairy manufacturing program.  He became the first head of the Food Science dept. in 1961, serving in the role for nearly 20 years until his retirement in 1980.  Roberts was also a pioneer in the development of aseptic processing and packaging technology.

I. O. Schaub

I. O. Schaub, Agriculture Dean, 1926-1945

I. O. (Ira Obed) Schaub (1880-1971), who had a long history with NC State.  The Stokes County native was a student at NC State from 1896 to 1900, earning a BS degree in chemistry.  After graduate work at Johns Hopkins University and employment in other states, he returned to North Carolina from 1909 to 1913 as the state's first 4-H club agent.  He is best known for the three major positions he held at the university:  Director of the Agricultural Extension Service (1924-1950), Director of the Experiment Station (1937-1940), and Dean of the School of Agriculture (1926-1945).

More information about the history of Schaub Hall, NC State's food science program, and the Dept. of Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Science can be found on the NCSU Libraries Historical State website.