Larry K. Monteith
Encyclopedia
Larry King Monteith is a North Carolina
electrical engineer and academic leader. He retired from North Carolina State University
following a distinguished career of leadership positions, culminating with service as the university's eleventh chancellor from 1989 to 1998.
In 1960, Monteith graduated from North Carolina State University
with a B.S.
in electrical engineering
. He later earned a M.S.
and Ph.D.
from Duke University
, also in electrical engineering.
After serving as a research scientist at the Solid State Laboratory of the Research Triangle Institute, Monteith joined the faculty of the NCSU Department of Electrical Engineering in 1968. He was later appointed Department Head (1974) and Dean of Engineering (1978). As dean, Monteith lead the engineering faculty to a top 30 ranking among all engineering schools in the nation and to a major increase in members of the National Academy of Engineering. Following the resignation of then-chancellor Bruce Poulton
in 1989, Monteith was named interim chancellor, a position that he was thereafter named to on a permanent basis. He inherited an intercollegiate sports program in turmoil that had been recently penalized by the NCAA. By the time he completed his service as chancellor, the program was stable and graduation rates of student-athletes had increased dramatically.
In spite of difficult statewide budgetary conditions throughout his chancellorship, Monteith presided over a strong period of growth and advancement at NC State. The university's research campus, the 1000 acres (4 km²) Centennial Campus, grew from a single building housing the university's College of Textiles to a multi-tenant campus housing academic, corporate, and government researchers. Plans were developed then for a public golf course and executive center, as well as a new alumni building. Under Monteith's leadership, the office of the provost (chief academic officer) underwent major changes, resulting in significant new responsibilities and power. Academic honor programs were also enhanced, with the addition of a First Year College, a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and the Park Scholarship program, a prestigious full-expense merit scholarship, similar to the Morehead Scholarship at sister institution UNC Chapel Hill
. He led the transformation of the university library, dramatically improving its ranking among research libraries from next to last place to 32nd the year he left. In addition, the College of Management was established during his tenure and NCSU also became the first Atlantic Coast Conference member to become accredited by the NCAA.
On his retirement, Monteith was succeeded as chancellor of NCSU by Marye Anne Fox
. The Engineering Graduate Research Center on centennial campus was renamed Monteith Research Center in his honor by the university trustees.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
electrical engineer and academic leader. He retired from North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
following a distinguished career of leadership positions, culminating with service as the university's eleventh chancellor from 1989 to 1998.
In 1960, Monteith graduated from North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
with a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in electrical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
. He later earned a M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, also in electrical engineering.
After serving as a research scientist at the Solid State Laboratory of the Research Triangle Institute, Monteith joined the faculty of the NCSU Department of Electrical Engineering in 1968. He was later appointed Department Head (1974) and Dean of Engineering (1978). As dean, Monteith lead the engineering faculty to a top 30 ranking among all engineering schools in the nation and to a major increase in members of the National Academy of Engineering. Following the resignation of then-chancellor Bruce Poulton
Bruce Poulton
Bruce Poulton was born in Yonkers, New York in 1928. He was educated at Rutgers University, where he received a Ph.D. in endocrinology in 1956....
in 1989, Monteith was named interim chancellor, a position that he was thereafter named to on a permanent basis. He inherited an intercollegiate sports program in turmoil that had been recently penalized by the NCAA. By the time he completed his service as chancellor, the program was stable and graduation rates of student-athletes had increased dramatically.
In spite of difficult statewide budgetary conditions throughout his chancellorship, Monteith presided over a strong period of growth and advancement at NC State. The university's research campus, the 1000 acres (4 km²) Centennial Campus, grew from a single building housing the university's College of Textiles to a multi-tenant campus housing academic, corporate, and government researchers. Plans were developed then for a public golf course and executive center, as well as a new alumni building. Under Monteith's leadership, the office of the provost (chief academic officer) underwent major changes, resulting in significant new responsibilities and power. Academic honor programs were also enhanced, with the addition of a First Year College, a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and the Park Scholarship program, a prestigious full-expense merit scholarship, similar to the Morehead Scholarship at sister institution UNC Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. He led the transformation of the university library, dramatically improving its ranking among research libraries from next to last place to 32nd the year he left. In addition, the College of Management was established during his tenure and NCSU also became the first Atlantic Coast Conference member to become accredited by the NCAA.
On his retirement, Monteith was succeeded as chancellor of NCSU by Marye Anne Fox
Marye Anne Fox
Marye Anne Payne Fox is a physical organic chemist and university administrator. She was the first female chief executive of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. In April 2004, Fox was named Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego.-Early years:Fox was born in...
. The Engineering Graduate Research Center on centennial campus was renamed Monteith Research Center in his honor by the university trustees.
Sources
- NCSU Libraries. Biographical Note on Larry K. Monteith Collection. Retrieved February 17, 2006 from http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/mc00262/#d0e214.
- NC State Chancellor Larry Monteith Announces Retirement. Retrieved June 4, 2004 from http://www.ncsu.edu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/97_09/300.htm.