Charles “Chuck” Hart, Ph.D., CIH, CSP, RS, DLAAS, dedicated his career in public health to safeguarding environmental health and safety.
Hart was recruited to Kent State in 2012 to be the director of the Bachelor of Science Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) concentration, bringing with him more than 35 years of professional and academic expertise. Previously Hart worked as an EHS director at two universities, as a county health commissioner and environmental health director, as a registered environmental health specialist, as an environmental health consultant, and as an associate professor of environmental health sciences.
At Kent State, the former BS concentration is now a minor in Environmental Health Sciences, and EHS for natural sciences and non-natural sciences majors, but the commitment to improving environmental health remains. Students in the EHS minor will have open positions waiting as there is a critical shortage of environmental health specialists in Ohio and across the country. To learn more about the role of an environmental health specialist, click here.
When Hart saw the College of Public Health’s 2023 Giving Tuesday Environmental Health Pathways Fund, he was intrigued and reached out to CPH Dean Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., to learn more. Hart and his wife Christine, a retired third grade teacher, are strong supporters of education and student development.
During the campaign, the Environmental Health Pathways Fund was generously supported by many individuals, and far surpassed its original goal of $5,000. Hart inquired on whether the fund was endowed, knowing an endowment would be able to make an impact on students in perpetuity. When he found out it was not, he shared that he and his wife Christine would like to fund the difference in the amount funded by the campaign to bring the fund to the endowed level of $25,000.
The Harts stated: “We are pleased to be able to support environmental health education at Kent State. We urge all EHS professionals in Ohio and nationwide to support EHS scholarships at their local universities and nationally. We also urge all science-minded students with an interest in the environment and a desire to serve their community in an important way to seriously consider a career in the exciting field of environmental health and safety!”
Currently, the Environmental Health Pathways Fund is listed on ScholarshipUniverse, a search portal that helps match students to scholarships, and will provide scholarship support to a student this fall.
“Hart remains a champion of environmental health. His desire to continue to impact the field for future generations is truly inspiring. His support will have a lasting value and positive impact on environmental health and on Kent State students,” said CPH dean Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D.
Students interested in becoming environmental health specialists are encouraged to with CPH Ambassadors to learn more about academic requirements. For more information, click