The National Weather Association (NWA) awarded long-time meteorology professor Charles “Chuck” Graves with the Lifetime Achievement Award at their 50th annual meeting on Monday, Sept. 8. 

A wonderful surprise, the award celebrated his contributions to the field of meteorology locally and nationally through innovation, research and, most of all, teaching. 

Graves said that the award was a nice cap to his career, which he described in just five words: people, passion, fun, learning and friends. 

“I was really excited to hear about his nomination, but when he actually won the award, it was so great,” said Linda Warren, chair of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geospatial Science. “He does so much for the meteorology students, past and present.”

Graves arrived at SLU in 1992 as a researcher and professor of climate science. 

While at SLU, Graves has taught and mentored many successful meteorologists who have gone on to work with the National Weather Service and NASA, and in the emergency management and broadcasting fields. 

“I see my students like my kids,” said Graves. “So seeing them succeed is very similar to seeing my own kids succeed.”

Within SLU’s meteorology community, students consistently praise and seek Graves’ mentorship and guidance. SLU graduate alumnus and current lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in St. Louis, Matt Beitscher, said Graves has a special ability to connect and communicate with his students. 

“[Graves] is one of those rare souls who’s just uniquely kind and generous with his time,” said Beitscher. “He comes at things with a level head, which I have learned from that example.”

In April, it was announced that the meteorology program at SLU would be closing in 2029. 

Upon learning this, Beitscher decided to nominate Graves for the Lifetime Achievement Award. He reached out to 16 other alumni and asked them to help write the NWA a letter in support of Graves being honored. 

“My first thought was ‘he needs to be recognized’ because one of the things about Chuck is that he will never talk about himself and is extremely humble,” said Beitscher. “It was the least we could do for the contributions that [Graves] has given to the meteorology field, society and the NWA.” 

At the NWA conference, Beitscher presented the award to Graves himself.

Graves, known for his humor, commented on how the award made him feel. 

“I guess this award officially means I’m old,” Graves said. 

But for those who had the opportunity to be taught by him, this award means much more. 

Saira Uddin, senior meteorology and emergency management student, expressed her happiness for Graves, especially in the midst of learning that the meteorology department is closing. 

 “He does so much for his students and the weather community. It was nice going to the conference and seeing him get rewarded for what he’s done for this program, no matter where it ends,” said Uddin.

This news shocked current and former students and faculty. Reflecting on the closure and his career, Graves said that while he is saddened, he focuses on what the department has accomplished. 

“Personally, I’m struggling. I have been in this department for more than half my life. So to see it go away is very sad,” said Graves. “Now I spend more time and effort on where we’ve been and what the department has accomplished.” 

In 2000, Graves and his friend and colleague Jim Moore created the Cooperative Institute for Precipitation Systems, which helps meteorology researchers and professionals’ further understanding of significant precipitation events. 

“I would not be where I am today without Jim Moore,” said Graves. “The passion and respect he had built within the meteorology community was just inspiring.”

Warren explained that the department’s closing comes amid a wave of faculty retiring and a lack of funding, due to the SLU budget cuts, to hire new professors. 

“We are deeply grateful to the faculty, alumni, and students who built and sustained this program and take pride in the impact they’ve made locally, nationally, and globally,” said Gregory Triplett Jr., Dean of the School of Science and Engineering.

Graves admits that this is a tough time for higher education and for the field of operational meteorology, but he has hope for the future.

There is, however, a light at the end of the tunnel for Graves: retirement. 

Graves is looking forward to spending time with his family – especially his grandchildren – and working in his woodworking shop. 

Beitscher and Uddin wish Graves well in his future retirement in the coming years. 

“Even when a meteorologist retires, they continue to be ‘weather nerds,’ so Doc I say to you: don’t ever stop stoking the passion of meteorology and giving your wisdom to students,” said Beitscher. “Retirement doesn’t mean the end of doing what you love.”