FGCU associate professor resigns amid investigation into alleged misconduct

The conductor of the Florida Gulf Coast University Wind Orchestra — who has been under investigation by the school for roughly two months —  resigned his job last week. 

Rod Chesnutt, who was an associate professor and head of instrumental studies, was sent a letter on Aug. 25, notifying him that the school had received information suggesting he may have engaged in unprofessional and unethical behavior. Chesnutt was asked to meet with then-FGCU Provost Ron Toll to discuss the allegations.

When Toll and Chesnutt met three days later, Chesnutt "gave a general admission to several acts of misconduct," according to an Aug. 29 letter The News-Press obtained. 

Chesnutt, who worked at FGCU's Bower School of Music and The Arts, was placed on paid administrative leave on the same day that he received the letter. He emailed Cathy Albergo, the music school's director on Oct. 11, resigning his position.

"After much thought and conversations with my physicians, I am resigning my position at FGCU effective Friday, October 13, 2017," Chesnutt wrote in the email. "I believe this to be in the best interest of all concerned."

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The letters sent to Chesnutt on Aug. 25 and 29 do not include details of the allegations that have been made against him. 

"We will not be commenting on the nature of the investigation ... until its conclusion," said Susan Evans, who is FGCU's spokeswoman and chief of staff.

Troy Jones, the assistant director of bands at FGCU, is temporarily leading the Wind Orchestra and helping its student members prepare for its next performance on Oct. 23.

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Chesnutt began working at FGCU as an associate professor in August 2006. When he was hired, his salary was $57,000. Chesnutt's salary at the time of his resignation was $67,415.11.

Under Chesnutt's leadership in 2015, the Wind Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall's Isaac Stern Auditorium on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage.

Chesnutt came to FGCU from the University of Northern Iowa, where he was chair of the Division of Ensembles and Conducting from 2002 to 2006. He was director of bands at Mississippi State University from 1999 to 2002, and he held the same position at the State University of West Georgia from 1998 to 1999.

Chesnutt was an assistant director of bands at the University of Nebraska from 1995 to 1998. He has held other positions in his career, including director of bands and instrumental music coordinator at two high schools in Arkansas. 

Chesnutt has three degrees —  a bachelor's degree in music education from Tennessee Tech University, a master's degree in trombone performance from Arkansas State University and a doctor of philosophy in music education from Florida State University.

He could not immediately be reached for comment on the allegations against him.