Robert Byrd Jordan, III

Robert “Bob” Jordan III was the thirty-third Student Government vice president. He was active in several other campus organizations, and served as Archon of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During Jordan's term as vice president,administrators announced Dr. Carey Hoyt Bostian as the seventh chancellor of North Carolina State College. Prior to serving as chancellor, Dr. Bostian served as the associate dean of the School of Agriculture and as a professor of zoology. In October 1953, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people attended a ball at Reynolds Coliseum to welcome and meet Chancellor Bostian and his wife. The _Technician_ called the ball the “largest social affair in college history." Jordan graduated from NC State with honors 1954.

More materials related to Robert Byrd Jordan, III are available via NC State University Libraries' Rare and Unique Digital Collections website.

Images

Years at State

Student Body Vice President, 1953-1954

Accomplishments

During his term, Jordan chaired the Athletic Seating Committee. One of the committee’s primary concerns was allowing students’ wives to use their husbands’ unused tickets to gain entrance to athletic events. The Technician praised the change, and most of the student body welcomed the revised rule.

Jordan was one of the school’s most ardent supporters of the campus Blood Drive. The Military Department sponsored the event.

Currently

Jordan went on to serve in the North Carolina State Senate from 1976 until 1984, and later as Lieutenant Governor of the state from 1985 until 1989. After his term in office, he served on the North Carolina Board of Education, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the North Carolina Economic Development Board, and the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees.

Jordan Hall on Central Campus is named after Mr. Jordan and his family, all of whom have been instrumental in NC State’s development.

Citations

Technician (6 November 1953)