College mourns loss of Alumni Hall of Fame member, creator of Hardwick Teaching Awards

Three years ago, Chuck Hardwick made a $450,000 philanthropic investment to create four teaching awards that paid forward, as he said, his debt of gratitude to "the teachers who meant so much to me."
Photo by Kallen M. Lunt/College of Business Click to enlarge

With sadness, the Florida State University College of Business announces the passing of Charles Leighton “Chuck” Hardwick, a 2005 alumni Hall of Fame member and the namesake of the  Charles Hardwick Teaching Awards. He was 83.  

“We mourn the loss of a genuine giant in the lives of our faculty members, our students and our College of Business family,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the college. “We always will deeply appreciate and cherish Chuck’s generosity and contributions to our preeminence.” 

Hartline added: “Chuck’s passing is deeply personal for me as he was not only an alumnus and friend; I also consider him to be one of my most influential mentors. We extend our deepest condolences to Chuck’s family and the many people who knew him as a friend. He will be truly missed.” 

Three years ago, Hardwick made a $450,000 philanthropic investment to create four teaching awards that paid forward, as he said, his debt of gratitude to "the teachers who meant so much to me." That marked the second significant gift to the college from Hardwick, a retired Pfizer senior executive and former New Jersey assemblyman who earned a bachelor's degree from the college in 1962, then an MBA in 1964.  

The college will honor him next month when it presents the Charles Hardwick Teaching Awards during its annual faculty and staff awards and Charles A. Rovetta Faculty Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Royal Poinciana Chapel, 60 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, Florida. 

Please see his obituary for more information.