Hall Renamed for Joab Thomas

South Gardner Hall was renamed Thomas Hall on Nov. 19, in honor of Dr. Joab L. Thomas, NC State’s ninth chancellor. Thomas Hall is home to faculty and labs in life-science disciplines, including entomology, genetics, microbiology, plant biology and plant pathology. Thomas, who was chancellor from 1976-1981, is a biologist.

Under Thomas’ leadership, NC State increased its student and faculty populations, started the John T. Caldwell Merit Award program, improved its facilities and broke ground on the College of Veterinary Medicine. Thomas served as a professor and administrator at the University of Alabama before becoming chancellor at NC State. He then served as president of the University of Alabama and president of Penn State University. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala.