One year older, and perhaps one year wiser.

Following the first anniversary of Chancellor James Oblinger’s installation as the 13th chief officer of the University, he reflects on his past year — recalling lessons learned and how he manages the institution.

As he strolls into Holladay Hall at close to 6:30 a.m., Oblinger says he enjoys being one of the first people in the office and getting an early start on his day.

The large office at the end of the hall, complete with plush carpeting and ‘Wolfpack water’ for guests, has become Oblinger’s home away from home over the past year.

The chancellor’s residence, however, is approximately 350 feet away — located on Hillsborough Street. He said this is the biggest perk of his job, but added that the relationship building and entertaining involved in his job is another benefit he enjoys.

“It’s not a perk, but more of a credit I get as a result of being at the helm of such an institution,” he said. “That’s a great feeling to get to represent that totality.”

Oblinger’s wife, Diana Oblinger, is an adjunct professor of crop science, and all four of his sons have attended N.C. State.

Before being installed as chancellor, Oblinger worked as provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. He was dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and associate dean and director of academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Oblinger said his greatest accomplishment from the past year deals with economic development initiatives, and cited the partnership with Dole Food Company in Kannapolis, N.C. as well as working with UNC President Erskine Bowles to strengthen educational endeavours from grades K – 12 as being beneficial to the University.

The initiative involves the elementary education program set to start in the fall, but spans to include reaching out to existing teachers and connecting them to the University through training in specialty areas such as science and math.

The state’s problem with teacher retention is something that will be addressed in a variety of programs and majors — including physical and mathematical sciences and the Kenan Fellows program, Oblinger said.

He cited the success of the capital campaign, which has raised more than $900 million, as another gain for the University. The campaign completed the 4-year silent phase last fall and was announced then presented to the campus, alumni and affiliates.

The quality of faculty and staff employed by the University is another area of pride for Oblinger, including the opportunity for students to work with faculty in research projects in many different disciplines.

“That’s a hallmark of a large institution that really values the individual,” he said.

According to Oblinger, managing his time is the biggest obstacle he has encountered over the past year. He said he has learned to cope by prioritizing within his demanding schedule, and admitted that his job is very much a “24/7” career.

He admitted that he sometimes works through lunch, but is often involved in luncheons or dinner engagements tied to the University.

The other challenge he faces deals with the University’s budget — determining how to provide the best possible program while remaining cost effective.

While he said it was a difficult decision, he touted NCSU’s ranking as the country’s second best-valued public institution by the Princeton Review as evidence that despite tuition and fee increases the students are being offered an excellent education at an affordable price.

Oblinger said he meets with his executive officers at least every two weeks, sometimes once a week, to stay on top of the many different issues and programs on campus.

“You have to have the best people possible and get out of the way,” he said. “As a person who hates surprises I hate to feel out of touch, and I seldom feel out of touch.”

His biggest surprise after becoming chancellor, aside from the extreme demands on his time, stemmed from the types of e-mails he gets — particularly related to Athletics.

“There’s an intensity greater than I thought it would be,” Oblinger said, citing messages related to the search for a new basketball coach.

But he said going to special events and meeting people, as well as attending Athletic events were among his favorite activities as a chancellor.

“Sometimes I go to Clark Dining Hall with Tom Stafford to interact with students,” Oblinger said.

Stafford, vice chancellor for student affairs, has worked with four other chancellors and one interim before working with Oblinger.

“He’s a very effective leader, but he’s a heck of a lot of fun to work with,” Stafford said.

He pointed to Oblinger as someone who relates well to all University constituents, including the Board of Governors, staff, faculty, Board of Trustees, alumni and the General Assembly.

“When he’s around students, I think they always come away from that interaction with him with a really positive feeling,” Stafford said.

His personal interaction with Oblinger has also taught him a great deal about food and the nutritional value of things he eats and drinks, Stafford said with a laugh.

Although he admitted that he could have retired five years ago, he said he stays because he loves his job, working with both staff and students, and he loves working with Oblinger.

“I just hope he doesn’t retire before I do,” Stafford said.

Forrest Hinton, a junior in mathematics education and political science, said he has enjoyed working with Oblinger over the past year when he was the Student Senate president.

“Jim Oblinger is really a product of N.C. State,” he said. “He has tremendous character, he’s laid back and he’s very approachable. He also takes pride in listening to other people — before he makes a decision he wants to listen to every perspective.”

He said his only criticism of Oblinger would be his delegation of authority in certain areas.

“Other people under him are often in charge,” Hinton said.

Overall, he said he is very pleased with Oblinger’s style of leadership and is looking forward to what he has to offer in the coming years.

Chris Mangieri, a junior in biological sciences, worked with Oblinger over the past year through the Chancellor’s Liaison, which gathers student leaders across campus to discuss issues and offers a forum for student opinion.

He said he has enjoyed working with the chancellor and was impressed with his laid-back leadership style and appreciated the way he related to students as equals.

“It speaks volumes to how he approaches student leaders,” he said.

Mangieri recalls sending the chancellor an engraved badge welcoming him to his new role with the University. He said the chancellor sent a hand-written ‘thank you’ note back to the fraternity thanking them for their contribution to NCSU.

“That really impressed me. He seems like a real quality character,” Mangieri said.

In the future, he said he hopes to see Oblinger encourage the University to develop more of a student experience — offering additional ways for students to develop themselves as people.

“Right now, the student experience is not even here. I’ve gotten a world-class education, but there is a lot more involved in college,” Mangieri said.

He predicts that Oblinger will foster this development and hopes to see NCSU offering a student experience comparable to neighboring universities.

Oblinger said his plans for the future include building on existing initiatives and he stressed the importance of heightening awareness of the University in the international and national arena.

He said he hopes to build on the accessibility of NCSU and will continue to strive for the best educational programs while meeting the needs of the University and the students, faculty and staff.