Office of the Registrar, John C. Weldin (Rec. Gr. 7.1)

Historical note

John Chilcote Weldin served as Registrar of the University of Rhode Island from 1946 until his retirement in 1957, ending a thirty-year career with the University. He was born in Washington, Iowa, on August 4, 1891. From the elementary and secondary schools of his native state, Dr. Weldin went on to Iowa State College from which he graduated with high honors in 1916. Following a period of war service, he returned to Iowa State and earned an M.S. degree in 1923, and a Ph.D. in Bacteriology in 1926. While in graduate school, he established himself both as an outstanding student and also as an excellent instructor in bacteriology.

John Weldin came to URI in September of 1927 to serve as Professor of Bacteriology and Chief of the Division of Animal Breeding and Pathology, Experiment Station. He would serve as Professor of Bacteriology until, in 1939, rapidly increasing administrative duties pulled him away from the classroom. In 1932, while still serving as Professor of Bacteriology, he was appointed Chairman of the Freshman Advisors Committee and in August of 1933 he was appointed Vice-Dean of Freshmen. In 1935 he was named Director of Summer School. By September of 1938 his appointment had been changed to Dean of Freshmen and Professor of Bacteriology and by the fall of 1939 he became Dean of Administration, at which time he relinquished his teaching duties. In 1946 he would agree to accept the demanding duties of Registrar and was appointed Dean of Administration and Registrar, the post he would retain until his retirement in 1957.

Throughout the thirty-year span of his career at URI, Dean Weldin played a significant and inspiring role in the social and intellectual life of the University. He guided the Registrar's Office through the growing pains of development from a small college to an expanding University. As Dean of Administration, he served on numerous committees (see Series II), skillfully bridging the gap between the opposing interests of diverse groups, earning him the title "Mr. Committeeman." Known for his extraordinary patience and sense of humor, he openly welcomed students and their problems. He constantly offered his assistance to the University honor societies in their recognition of worthy students (see Series IV.)

Illness would force his retirement from University service in 1957. He was subsequently accorded the title of Dean of Administration and Registrar, emeritus, in May of 1957 and in May of 1958 he received the URI Award. Further honors bestowed upon him include a scholarship cup in his name presented annually by Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for academic excellence, and the dedication of a residence hall built in October of 1963 as Weldin Hall.