Rutgers-Camden Loses Esteemed Labor Management Scholar

CAMDEN –  Charles J. Coleman, professor emeritus of management at Rutgers University’s School of Business—Camden, died on Jan. 21. The Haddonfield resident was 76.

Instrumental in helping to establish the Rutgers School of Business—Camden, Coleman began his esteemed career at Rutgers–Camden in 1971. He published six books, including Labor Arbitration in America: The Practice and the Profession (Praeger Press, 1992); Managing Labor Relations in the Public Sector (Jossey-Bass Inc., 1990); and Personnel – An Open System Approach (Winthrop Publishers, Inc., 1979). A longtime arbitrator and mediator in labor negotiations, having authored some 1,000 arbitration decisions, Coleman served as president of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the Industrial Relations Research Association and editor of the Journal of Individual Employment Rights.

 “Charlie was a preeminent scholar of labor relations who brought great distinction to Rutgers–Camden, where he was highly respected by his colleagues and adored by his students. His contributions to his field and to the school will be felt for many years to come,” says Rayman Solomon, acting dean of the Rutgers School of Business—Camden. 

Coleman was heralded by colleagues for his steadying demeanor and quick wit. The recipient of several outstanding teaching awards, Coleman is remembered by his former students for his enthusiastic lectures and contagious curiosity.

“Charlie was the first person to greet me when I started at Rutgers in 1984. He was a friend, a colleague, and a mentor throughout my time at Rutgers,” says Samuel Rabinowitz, associate professor of management and associate dean at the Rutgers School of Business—Camden.  “There are probably thousands of students out there who benefited from Charlie’s wisdom. We all just resonated toward him.”

Rory “Cal” Maradonna is one former student who recalls fondly Dr. Coleman’s engaging lectures.

“His courses were the most fun to attend because he brought real-world experiences into the classroom.  I can’t say they were always easy, but they were always worthwhile,” notes Maradonna, a ’74 and ’79 alumnus of Rutgers–Camden, where he also served as dean of students.

Coleman received his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College, two master’s degrees – one in industrial relations from Cornell University and one in business administration –from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he also earned his doctoral degree.

He joined the management faculty at the Camden Campus of Rutgers, The State University on New Jersey, as an assistant professor in 1971. Promoted to associate professor in 1974, Coleman was named full professor in 1992. He retired in 2001.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Gulick, an assistant dean of arts and sciences at Rutgers–Camden.  He also is survived by five children (Elisa Mlynar, Maureen Caton, Charles Coleman Jr., Lauren Adejuwon, and Benjamin Coleman) and six grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made in Coleman's name to the Gulick/Coleman Scholarship through the Rutgers University Foundation, c/o Doreen Wheeler, Development Assistant, College of the Arts and Sciences Development Office, located at 411 Cooper Street, Second Floor, Camden, NJ 08102.