Charles A. Wight

Charles A. Wight
President of Weber State University
Assumed office
2012
Preceded by F. Ann Millner
Personal details
Born Glen Cove, New York
Nationality American
Residence Utah
Alma mater University of Virginia, California Institute of Technology
Occupation University administrator, chemist
Website chuckwight.org
Scientific career
Fields propellant chemistry
Institutions University of Utah
Thesis Chemical applications of infrared laser photochemistry (1982)
Doctoral advisor Jesse L. Beauchamp

Charles A. "Chuck" Wight is the 12th president of Weber State University, a master's-level university located in Ogden, Utah.[1][2]

Biography

Born in Glen Cove, New York,[3] Wight earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Virginia ('77) and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech),[4][5][6] where his advisor was Jesse L. Beauchamp. After completing postdoctoral work for the University of Colorado, he spent nearly three decades as a chemistry faculty member then administrator at the University of Utah before coming to WSU. His roles at the U of U included dean of the graduate school, assistant vice president of Continuing Education and others.[7]

Presidential tenure at Weber State University

On Oct. 9, 2012, the Utah State Board of Regents selected Wight as president of Weber State University.[8] He officially took over for President F. Ann Millner on Jan. 1, 2013, with an inauguration celebration on Oct. 22 of that year.[9] During his inaugural address, Wight outlined five priorities: keeping college affordable, beautiful and sustainable campuses, innovative teaching, increasing campus diversity, and increasing connections between the university and community.[10] Toward those ends, his tenure has included the creation of a chief diversity officer position within the university,[11] the establishment of a college town charter[12] between the university and Ogden City and the creation of the university's largest solar array.[13] For the aforementioned college town charter and associated relationship, Ogden City and WSU received the 2015 Larry Abernathy Award from the Clemson Joint City University Board. The award, which recognizes excellent college town relationships, is given at the International Town & Gown Association's annual conference.[14]

Academic emphasis

Wight has expertise in the chemistry of explosives, particularly the decomposition and combustion reactions of high explosives and propellants. His research has developed computational models of propellant combustion and detonation for use in simulations for the now-decommissioned Center for Simulation of Accidental Fires and Explosions (C-SAFE).Wight served as deputy director of C-SAFE from 2002 to 2010.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Wood, Benjamin (October 9, 2012). "Charles Wight named 12th president of WSU". Deseret News. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  2. ↑ Maffly, Brian (October 10, 2012). "U. of Utah's Chuck Wight selected to lead Weber State". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ Hendricks, Amy. "The Chemist Who Became President". Wildcat Magazine. Weber State University. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Wight, Charles Albert (1982). Chemical applications of infrared laser photochemistry (Ph.D.). California Institute of Technology. OCLC 436995385 – via ProQuest. (Subscription required (help)).
  5. ↑ "CHARLES A. WIGHT". Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  6. ↑ Wight, Charles. "Chuck Wight LinkedIn Page". LinkedIn. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  7. ↑ Hendricks, Amy. "The Chemist Who Became President". Wildcat Magazine. Weber State University. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "Charles A. Wight Named New WSU President Beginning Jan. 1". www.weber.edu. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  9. ↑ "Inauguration". www.weber.edu. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  10. ↑ "Inaugural Address". www.weber.edu. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Chief Diversity Officer". www.weber.edu. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Shaw, Mitch. "Ogden OKs College Town Charter". Brandon Erlacher. Standard-Examiner. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  13. ↑ Badali, Rachel. "WSU Unveiling University's Largest Solar Project". www.weber.edu. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  14. ↑ Barlow Hess, Allison. "WSU, Ogden Partnership Honored Internationally". Weber State University. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  15. ↑ Wight, Charles. "Chuck Wight". chuckwight.org. Retrieved 14 November 2016.

Official website

Academic offices
Preceded by
F. Ann Millner		 President of Weber State University
2012 –		 Succeeded by
–
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