Dr. John J. Theobald was the second President of Queens College, serving from Fall 1949 through Spring 1958.
“Dr. John J. Theobald, dean of administration at City College and a strong foe of left-wing campus activity, was elected last night by the Board of Higher Education to the presidency of Queens College. His election brought to an end a controversy in which Mayor O’Dwyer at one time took a hand.
Dr. Theobald, who is 44 years old, will assume his new office on July 1.
...Henry Schultz, chairman of a five-man committee of board members named to nominate a candidate for president of Queens College, said he had recommended the City College educator at last night’s meeting, and that Dr. Theobald’s name was the only one voted on.
‘I am sure,’ Mr. Schultz said, ‘that the people of Queens will appreciate President Theobald’s fine qualities and that the college will progress with assurance under his administration.’
...Dr. Theobald was born in this city on Sept. 9, 1904. He was graduated from Columbia University in 1925, and received his Ph.D. in political science from Columbia in 1935. From 1928 to 1932 he served as superintendent of public works at Lawrence L.I. He became an instructor in civil engineering at City College in 1941 and later was an associate professor. He was named Dean of Administration there in 1946.
As assistant to Dr. Harry N. Wright, City College president, Dr. Theobald has had occasion more than once to take a stand against left-wing activities. In October, 1947, he barred Arnold Johnson, a Communist party leader, from speaking at the college.”
“Deputy Mayor John J. Theobald was the subject of renewed criticism yesterday by a student newspaper at Queens College.
Dr. Theobald has been on leave as president of the college to serve as Deputy Mayor. Last week The Crown, one of the two student weeklies, charged that he was using his college post ‘to further his political aspirations.’
In an editorial yesterday the paper said it was ‘unethical’ for Dr. Theobald to become Deputy Mayor ‘without renouncing his position at the college.’
Last night, the college public relations office issued the following statement from Dr. Theobald: ‘I have repeatedly indicated that until Jan. 1, 1958, I am Deputy Mayor of New York City. I have taken no steps to change that situation.’
Dr. Theobald has been mentioned as a favorite candidate for the new post of chancellor of the city colleges and more recently has been reported in line for Superintendent of Schools.”
“The Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting tomorrow afternoon to elect Dr. John J. Theobald Superintendent of Schools.
...As early as last spring it was reported that Dr. Theobald, who is on leave as president of Queens College, was in line for the superintendency. The only question was whether he might take another high position—that of chancellor of the city colleges.”
“The Board of Higher Education has set in motion the machinery for selecting a new president of Queens College.
Gustave G. Rosenberg, chairman of the board, said yesterday that a nation-wide search would be made for candidates for the $25,000 a-year post. The board must find a successor to Dr. John J. Theobald, who will be leaving the municipal college next summer to become Superintendent of Schools.”