Read the College’s message to the associate professor emeritus of chemistry
Professor Charles F. Nutaitis, the College community is so grateful for the commitment to teaching and its effectiveness that you have brought to Lafayette. You received your Ph.D. from Dartmouth College. You joined the College in 1987 as an assistant professor of Lafayette’s Department of Chemistry and were tenured and promoted to associate professor in 1993.
Throughout your career, Professor Nutaitis, you have been a challenging instructor who commonly has taught introductory to advanced organic chemistry courses. Whether in the classroom or in the laboratory, students respect the knowledge that you convey.
As a staunch defender of no more than four bonds to carbon, your research in the area of organic synthesis has resulted in at least 22 Lafayette-based publications, almost all of them with Lafayette student coauthors.
Professor Nutaitis, you have made service contributions to your department, the College, and your professional community. Notably, you served as the Chemistry Department’s safety officer for 29 years. You also served on the Academic Research Committee, the Academic Progress Committee, and as a member of several faculty and staff search committees. For your profession, Professor Nutaitis, you have served as a referee for scholarly journals and as a member of the editorial board for Arkivoc, a free global online journal of organic chemistry.
Charlie, as the only member of the Chemistry Department with bingo caller experience and who regularly wears a tie, your favorite role in the department has been one that you most recently held, assessment coordinator. What some may not know is that outside the confines of the College, you are a renowned BBQ chicken chef at the Plainfield Farmer’s Fair, and you have been known to display your culinary talents at other local fairs. Charlie, as an avid bowler and golfer, please know that you will be missed by your colleagues, who hope to catch up with you during your retirement at the bowling alley or on the golf course. Go Eagles! Go Colts!