Everyone's mentor: a tribute to Herbert "Chuck" Chermside, CRA (1937-2006).

Herbert "Chuck" Chermside entered the emerging profession of research administration after attending his first Society of Research Administrators (SRA) meeting in 1969. The meeting was held one month prior to the completion of his bachelor's degree. The former Marine used his G.I. Bill and six years of his life working toward that degree (M. Chermside, personal communication, June 29, 2006). He used his degree intentionally to seek out a job in research administration and begin a personal journey touching the lives of thousands. He worked not only to develop his own career, but also to establish research administration as a distinct genre in the broad field of administration. Chuck's death left a sharp void in so many of us who considered him "Mentor." His life, however, serves as a role model and clarion call to those who learned from him to fill that void. We, as a group, must take up his mantle and carry forward as a network of mentors as an honor and as an obligation to continue his quest on behalf of our emerging profession,. To do this, we must simply follow his path.

To say Herbert "Chuck" Chermside was well known to the research community is an understatement. One need only go to the Guestbook pages of the Richmond Times-Dispatch (2006) to see how far-reaching Chuck's influence extended. There are entries from hundreds of people, from three continents and almost every State in the Union. Many claimed to have considered him their mentor, although they may not have had the privilege of actually meeting him in person. I read and re-read those Guest Book entries and numerous articles on mentoring excellence while planning this tribute. My conclusion: Chuck's life is the embodiment of what it means to be a mentor. Chuck was a mentor as much as he was a man, a native Virginian, a brunette, a Chermside ... it was just what he was. He did not have to decide to be mentor; others only had to decide to be his mentee. It was in his genetic code. Mentoring was not a learned skill for Chuck; it was a God-given, natural talent.

We can learn to be good mentors by practicing the mentoring skills Chuck bestowed upon us. There is certainly a mentoring void with Chuck's passing; and knowing Chuck, he would prefer that we fill it rather than feel it. He had a mission, a life purpose that was to share what he had learned with anyone and everyone that might benefit from that knowledge. It was important to him to see research administration advance as a profession. Even after retirement as Emeritus Director of Sponsored Programs from Virginia Commonwealth University, he spent his time reading regulations, answering the Research Admin Listserve questions, and giving presentations at professional meetings. Chuck's participation in the leadership of the Research Administration Certification Council at the end of his career was not to benefit himself, but to share with others and encourage them toward excellence.

The Times-Dispatch Guestbook displays a continuous flow of certain descriptive words and phrases. These heartfelt expressions came from people who worked with him for years on a daily basis. These words were from those who enjoyed seeing him once or twice a year at professional meetings; those who had only spoken with him by phone; and those who never interacted with him but saved his answers to questions on the Research Admin Listserve. The words used to describe Chuck from various points of the globe were consistent. They were the description of what it means to be a good mentor. Repeatedly we read:

* Chuck was a wealth of knowledge. Chuck made it his business to know the regulations, the guidelines, the principles and even the history of our profession (as well as botany, ballroom dancing, and scouting, which were his other passions).

* Chuck was generous. Chuck did not hesitate to share his knowledge with anyone who sought an answer from him. He respected every human being and did not show favoritism. He did not share to impress; he did not share to advance himself. He shared because he genuinely enjoyed the act of sharing his knowledge.

* Chuck was kind. Chuck always seemed to appreciate being asked a question. It did not matter if he had just answered it a few minutes before in a presentation he was giving, or if the question seemed so basic that anyone should be able to answer it through common sense. Chuck answered with kindness and always made the individual feel as if they had honored him by seeking his advice.

* Chuck had a great wit and sense of humor. For those of us who were fortunate enough to know him, it is easy to picture his face in our minds. That face always has a smile. Chuck was ready to laugh, find the humor in a situation, and resolve differences in a genial manner.

* Chuck has left a great void. Another individual person cannot fill this void. This is why we must all work together to take up the mantle to serve others, to share what we have learned, to research thoroughly before we give an answer, and to be kind and generous to those that seek our help. None of these things can replace our beloved friend and mentor; but these things will honor Chuck and continue his mission. I urge you to learn one more lesson from Chuck by going to the Guest Book and reading the entries there (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2006). They are a lesson in excellence in mentorship.

Chuck was active in Scouting for 25 years. He went to scouting camp every year to work with the boys, and this year was to be the same. Ken Lyons, Reservation Director at Camp Powhatan, Virginia, wrote in his guest book entry "We will leave an open bunk." There will be an open bunk in many hearts and minds for years to come as we miss Chuck and think about his example. He was truly Everyone's Mentor for research administration. Finally, to quote Bob Killoren of Penn State, let us all say with our hearts and our actions "Chuck, I salute you."

References

Chermside, M. Personal communication to Jennifer Shambrook and Kobby Hoffman, June 29, 2006.

Richmond Times-Dispatch (2006). Herbert B. Chermside Obituary and Guestbook, Richmond Times-Dispatch, retrieved August 31, 2006 at http://www. legacy.com/TimesDispatch/Death-Notices.asp?Page=Lifestory &PersonId=18221439

Jennifer Morgan-Shambrook, M.H.A.

Medical University of South Carolina