Carlos Gutierrez ’71

Carlos Gutierrez ’71 was named 2005 Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. A recipient in the area of Outstanding Master's Universities and Colleges, Gutierrez has taught organic chemistry at California State University, Los Angeles, since 1976.

Gutierrez has worked to foster undergraduate interest in science, especially among underrepresented minority groups. He is the director of three research training programs that each year fund and support the work of minority students in 25 labs – with the result that most students go on to enter graduate programs. He has published numerous articles, all with student co-authors, and has served on several standing and ad hoc peer review committees of the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Four university and college professors were selected as national winners. The professors, who each receive a $5,000 prize, were selected for their outstanding commitment to teaching undergraduate students and their influence on teaching.