The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has named Robert “Bob” Blouin, longtime dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, to serve as provost and executive vice chancellor of the University. Blouin will succeed Jim Dean, who will step down in September after serving four years in the position.
“When I thought about who could fill this role, it was clear that we already had the best candidate at the University, Bob Blouin, who could begin working immediately to ensure we maintain momentum as we enter the new academic year,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt, Ph.D.. “As director of the UNC Eshelman Institute for Innovation, Bob has led a cutting-edge effort to find creative ways to accelerate change in education and health care. This experience is exactly what Carolina needs as we implement the University’s strategic framework. One of our core pillars is Innovation made Fundamental, and I am confident that Bob will play a key role in leading our efforts across the University.”
The University’s Board of Trustees approved Chancellor Folt’s recommendation effective Sept. 18.
“I am honored to be the University’s next provost and to continue forward with the important work already underway for the Blueprint for Next and the launch of our capital campaign, among other priorities,” Blouin said. “I hope that I can apply what we’ve learned at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in finding creative ways to accelerate innovation in education and research.”
Blouin, the Vaughn and Nancy Bryson Distinguished Professor, is a well-respected educator, researcher, innovator and administrator across campus and throughout higher education. Under his leadership since 2003, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy has become an internationally recognized leader in pharmacy practice, education and research. The school rose to be ranked number one in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. He also oversaw an impressive increase by School faculty in growing the research portfolio from $2 million in 2002 to $36 million in 2016, ranking second among the nation’s pharmacy schools. Under Blouin’s leadership, the UNC Eshelman Insitute for Innovation was established based on a $100 million commitment from Fred Eshleman, Pharm.D. – the largest gift from an individual in the University’s history. As director of the Eshelman Institute for Innovation, Blouin has led a cutting-edge effort to find creative ways to accelerate change in education and health care.
Before coming to UNC, Blouin was a faculty member and administrator at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy from 1978 to 2003. Blouin last served as professor and associate dean for research and graduate education from 1997 to 2003 at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. His responsibilities as associate dean included overseeing the development and expansion of the Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, a multimillion-dollar cGMP drug formulation and manufacturing facility. As the executive director of the Office for Economic Development and Innovations Management, he served as the College of Pharmacy representative on all issues external to the University of Kentucky and those relating to economic development of the pharmaceutical sciences. He represented the college on several statewide biotechnology initiatives and has worked to advance faculty-based intellectual property.
Dhiren Thakker, Ph.D., will serve as the interim dean of the School. He has been on the School’s faculty for over 20 years and has served as associate dean for research and graduate education and for entrepreneurial development and global engagement.
A committee will be formed to oversee a nationwide search for the next dean of the School. Details will be made available as soon as possible.