Dr. Chester Rogers
Dr. Chester Rogers
Time at Western Michigan University: 1966-2004
Dr. Rogers taught in the Department of Political Science, directed the graduate studies program, and served as department chair from 1992-1997. Eventually, Rogers found himself working in administrative roles and retired as the Associate VP and Director of Academic Collective Bargaining.
During his Western Michigan University tenure, he played an active role in discussions between faculty and administration. He chaired the Blue Ribbon Task Force that examined planning processes at WMU and looked at the future of the university– fund reductions and communication patterns. In 1999, he was WMU’s Director of Contract Administration. As the chief negotiator he worked with President Elson Floyd, faculty, and the WMU Board of Trustees to determine a faculty contract. One of his greatest accomplishments was developing a fair and just faculty contract before his retirement.
Similar to other political science professors he promoted critical thinking and adapted his lectures to current events. Dr. Rogers took students on exchange seminar programs to Great Britain to learn the differences between the two governments. The students realized the British government censors their media and Americans take their rights for granted. When the Iranian-Contra arms scandal happened in the late 1980s, Rogers lectured students on the US/Iran connection and, using his expertise in congress, the congressional-presidential relations. In 1990, he coordinated WMU students, staff, and community members in a SimSoc or Simulated Society exercise simulating the problems of establishing and maintaining order in society as part of Kalamazoo College’s celebration of Black History month. During this event, many who participated learned about the struggles minority groups face.
Dr. Roger’s friend and colleague, Howard Wolpe, decided to run for Kalamazoo commission in 1972. Afterwards, Wolpe served in the state house of representatives with aspirations of moving on to the national level. Rogers was Wolpe’s campaign manager in the election of 1978 for his US representative race. Wolpe defeated then Rep. Gary Brown and traveled to Washington D.C. Rogers served on his staff as chief administrative assistant for two years taking leave from his academic roles. Wolpe continued his political career for many years while Rogers returned to his professorship at WMU in 1980. Rogers and former Rep. Wolpe remained friends until Wolpe’s untimely passing in 2011.
“Dr. Chet Roger’s classes instruct, stress campaign ethics, and give the student the rare opportunity to apply their learning in real political situations.” Paul Seigel, WMU Student, letter to editor of Western Harald 1978.
The Chet Rogers Endowment is awarded to a faculty member who displays outstanding departmental citizenship and service.