Chuck Lewis, a 1975 graduate of the University of Delaware who majored in political science and international relations, has led a distinguished career as an investigative reporter for ABC News and as a producer for the CBS program 60 Minutes. In 1990, he founded the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C. The center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that investigates and analyzes important national issues such as the politics of airline safety, the food industry's impact on lawmakers, and the government’s regulation of toxic chemicals. In June 1998, Lewis was selected to receive a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as "the genius award."
Recently, Lewis created a fellowship at the center in honor of James R. Soles, Alumni Distinguished Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, who has served as a mentor to Lewis. Soles has been on the UD faculty since 1968 and has twice received the University’s excellence-in-teaching award, as well as the excellence in advising award.