 | JOAB LANGSTON THOMAS |
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1983.
Joab Langston Thomas was born February 14, 1933 at Holt, Alabama. He attended Harvard University, earning the
B A. degree in 1955; the M.A. degree, 1957 and the Ph.D. degree in 1959.
He was a teaching fellow at Harvard, 1955-1959. He was cytotaxonomist at the Arnold Arboratum of Harvard,
1959-1961. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Alabama in 1961, Associate Professor in 1962 and Professor of
Biology in 1966. He was appointed Assistant Dean College of Arts and Sciences in 1964. He was appointed Dean of Student Development
in 1969 and Vice President for Student Affairs in 1974.
He was appointed Chancellor, North Carolina State University in 1976 and returned to the University of Alabama as
its president in 1981.
He has served as director of several organizations: Alabama Association of Colleges and Universities; Alabama State
Chamber of Commerce; the University of Alabama Aboratum; Biological Station at Tanglewood; College Football Association; Blount Inc.;
and the Gorgas Scholarship Foundation.
He is co-author of four books: Plant Biology Exercises; Wildflowers of Alabama; Adjoining States; and The Rising South.
He is either author or co-author of some thirty published papers.
He enjoys memberships in Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Zeta, Alpha Lamda delta,
Jasons and Sigma Xi.
He is listed in Who's Who in America.
He married Marly Dukes of Boise, Idaho on December 22, 1954, and they have four children: Catherine, David,
Jennifer. and Frances.
Updated: March 14, 2007