Obituary of MALCOLM LOUIS STURCHIO

Malcolm Louis Sturchio, who in his 57 years as a professor of chemistry and science education at Fairleigh Dickinson University taught tens of thousands of chemistry students and trained thousands more science teachers, passed away on April 30, 2009, after a courageous battle with primary liver cancer. He was 77 years old and lived in Montville. Malcolm Sturchio was born in Newark, NJ, the son of Louis Sturchio and June Martin. After graduating from South Side High School(now Malcolm X Shabazz High School) in 1948, he attended Rutgers University (B.A., 1952) and Seton Hall University (M.A., 1954). He taught chemistry at Rutgers (Newark, NJ) and Panzer College (East Orange, NJ) from 1952-54, at the same time that he began a career-long association with Fairleigh Dickinson University(FDU), starting in 1952 as a Lecturer in Chemistry and gaining promotion steadily through the ranks to Professor of Chemistry (1973). He became emeritus professor in 1997, but continued active association with FDU, as executive director of the Math/ Science Institute, director of the MA in Science program's teaching concentrations and chair of the University's Korean Programs. Retirement was hardly in his character. In his long career ay FDU, Dr. Sturchio directed the admissions department, served as acting dean of two colleges, chaired two academic departments, administered the continuing education program, created programs for high school science students, and served on just about every departmental, college, campus and university committee at one time or another. Malcolm Sturchio demonstrated leadership in chemical education as a dedicated teacher and trainer of other teachers. Together with Howard Nechamkin and Harry Dorfman (a childhood friend and long-time colleague), he wrote the textbook Chemistry: Principles and Concepts (1966), and also published other workson laboratory techniques in general chemistry and articles on chemical education. He extended his influence to science education in NJ and nationally (having led the NJ State Science Day and NJ Science League for decades and held leadership positions in the NJ Science Teachers Association, the NJ Science Supervisors Association, and the NJ Science Education Leadership Association, as well as National Science Teachers Association). For his record of success and spirited service to the University community, he received the FDU Distinguised Faculty Award for Serviec in 1995, and a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from FDU in 1998. Dr. Sturchio also played an important role in international relations in chemistry and education, particularly in his close relationship to the Korean chemical community and involvement in introducing modern science curricula to Korea following an appointment as Senior Fullbright Scholar at Seoul National University in 1965-66 (the first FDU faculty member to be chosen for this honor). He also served as science education advisor to the Korean Ministry of Education (1967-68) and as a member of the ROK- US Science Council, as well as a consultant to the Regional Center for Science and Mathematics, South East Asia Ministers of Education Secretariat (SEAMES) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In addition to his efforts in support of chemistry, and science education in Korea, Dr. Sturchio served as director of Peace Corps training programs on FDU Campus (1969-72) and director of a number of academic programs between FDU and Korea sponsored by Kyungnam University amd the Korean Ministry of Education. In recognition of his long dedication to Korean-American educational exchange, he received honorary doctorates from both Kyung Hee University (1971) and Kyungnam University (1989). In addition to his extensive teaching, consulting, and international activities, Malcolm Sturchio was a fixture among the leadership of the North Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society, which he joined in 1950. He held nearly every office in the Section, edited its monthly bulletin, The Indicator, and served it well in multiple terms as a Councilor and Alternate Councilor. He was a valued and reliable member of a number of national and divisional ACS committees, including the Committee on Teaching Chemistry of the Division of Chemical Education and the ACS International Activities Committee. During a leave of absence from FDU, Dr. Sturchio also gained private sector experience at ARAMCO in Uthmaniyah and Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, as supervisor of gas plant training (1981-82) and superintendent, Southern Area maintenance training (1982-83). Malcolm Sturchio's lifetime of service extended well beyond the university and his professional accomplishments. He was actively engaged in the community, including, for example, terms as executive director of the Parents League of American Students of Medicine Abroad (PLASMA, 1973-81); a member of the Board of Education, Millburn, NJ (1972-75, 1976-77); a trustee of the Lady Liberty Academy Charter School in his home town of Newark; and President of the Montville Chapter of UNICO National, an Italian-American service organization (2006-07). Dr. Sturchio also served as president of the NJ Liver Transplant Association (2000-02)and the president and founder (2003) of Liverable People, a support group for people who have received liver transplants. His willingness to give unstintingly of his time and counsel was matched by his generosity and steadfast support for his family and wide network of friends and colleagues around he world. Malcolm Sturchio is survived by Maria, his wife of 32 years; his brother Rodney and his wife Mary; six children od a prior marriage, Jeffrey and his wife Rebecca, Neil and his wife Dolores, June, Malcolm II and his wife Helen Graves, Glenn and his wife Catherine, and Eva; and six grandchildren, Jeremy, Angelica, Jennifer, Matthew, Nova, and John. The family is establishing the Malcolm Sturchio Scholarship in Chemistry at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Meomorial Services will be at the University on Saturday, May 30, 2009. The time is to be announced.