ECU Plans to assess research organization

Dr. Tom Feldbush, vice chancellor for research, economic development and community engagement at East Carolina University, has announced that he is resigning his administrative position and will return to the faculty.

Feldbush, 65, who holds a tenured faculty position in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Brody School of Medicine, came to ECU in 1995 as vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate school. Since his arrival, grants and contracts awarded to the university have increased from about $7.1 million in 1994-95 to about $28 million for 2002-2003.

Chancellor Bill Shelton said, “I am very appreciative of Tom Feldbush’s service to the university. Under his leadership, the activities of his division have expanded significantly. We now need to build on this foundation.”

Shelton added that Feldbush first discussed his move with the chancellor’s office several months ago. “I am confident that Tom’s faculty colleagues and the students who take his courses will greatly benefit from his new role,” Shelton said. Shelton said he will take this opportunity to assess the alignment and organization of the Division of Research, Economic Development and Community Engagement.

“Clearly both research and economic development have emerged as vital arenas for East Carolina,” Shelton said. “It may be that we need to separate the two functions to provide proper emphasis and focus for both.”

He cited the growth in grants and contracts, the arrival of faculty members who already have ongoing programs, and the expansion of Ph.D. offerings as evidence of ECU’s increased strength in research.

“At the same time,” Shelton said, “it is very clear that eastern North Carolina looks to this university to lead the economic revitalization of this region.”

He said he will announce new leadership for research and economic development soon.