Bruce Runberg retired as associate vice chancellor of facilities services at UNC-Chapel Hill Oct. 1, 2015, after 23 years of service to the University.
“Bruce’s dedication to the University through many years and challenges is inspiring,” says Matt Fajack, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “The role of his department and staff has been critical during decades of unprecedented growth at Carolina. His retirement is truly well-deserved.”
From 2000-2010, better known as the “dynamic decade,” Runberg led a design and construction team to execute the Higher Education Bond Program and other projects, totaling more than $2.3 billion. This was the largest capital program ever launched in school history. Under his overall leadership, the University has almost doubled in size from 10.5 million square feet to 20 million square feet.
Runberg managed more than 1,000 full-time employees in UNC’s Facilities Services. His staff worked in areas of facilities planning, design, construction, engineering information systems, facilities operations, utilities and historically underutilized businesses. Runberg was also responsible for coordination of projects and planning with local community officials and neighbors.
Runberg served as president of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club and was a member of the Town of Chapel Hill’s Planning Board and the Community Home Trust’s Board of Directors for six years. In 2011, he was awarded the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce’s Town and Gown Award.
A native of Minnesota, Runberg earned his BS in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He earned his MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota and his MS in Management from Salve Regina in Newport, RI. He is a registered Professional Engineer in State of North Carolina. In 2000, the University awarded Runberg the prestigious C. Knox Massey Award that honors recipients for their superior service to the University.