Oblinger has Research Campus job

The top two administrators at N.C. State University who were unseated for their roles in hiring former first lady Mary Easley have returned to teaching — one at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday that former Chancellor Jim Oblinger and former Provost Larry Nielsen are now professors for the state's largest research university.

Oblinger left the Raleigh campus and began work a little more than two weeks ago at NCSU's building on the Research Campus, the paper reported. The former food science professor is expected to conduct research, develop distance-learning classes and help with N.C. State's strategic planning.

According to the News & Observer, Oblinger said he thinks he'll be a good fit in Kannapolis, where the university studies, among other things, how to make fruits and vegetables more nutritious and healthy.

Oblinger has long been involved in efforts to interest more children in pursuing science and engineering careers. He said that's something he'll be doing in Kannapolis, and he is already serving on a planning committee for the school system there.

Nielsen is teaching a new conservation course in NCSU's forestry and natural resources department.

The pair resigned last year over their roles in the university's hiring Mary Easley, a role they initially denied.

Each received a six-month leave to prepare for rejoining the faculty after being away from their areas of scientific expertise for years.

The spring semester that just began marks their first back in their roles as professors.

Interim NCSU Chancellor Jim Woodward, a former longtime chancellor at UNC-Charlotte, was involved in the initial planning for the Kannapolis campus. He said that even though it has been held back by the poor economy and state budget problems, it has huge potential to be a boost to the state's economy.

Woodward said he expects results from Oblinger's work in planning for the research campus and that Oblinger must file a written progress report at the end of six months, the News & Observer reported. After a year, university leaders will evaluate his assignment and decide whether to continue it.

Oblinger has not begun teaching yet, but he is preparing a distance learning course tentatively called Food Safety and Consumer Protection.