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(1913) B.E. from Central State Teachers College, Wisconsin; M.A., North-western University, Illinois; Ph.D. in sociology at Catholic University of America. He spent most of his academic career at Catholic University of America (1945-1981) as a member, and later chair, of the sociology department, as Dean of the School of Social Science, as Executive Vice President, and as Provost. President, American Catholic Sociological Society, 1954.

Nuesse has been a member of numerous national and international professional committees and has been appointed to public office in several spheres of service, including UNESCO and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. His published works have ranged over education, history, international relations, religion, and sociology of religion. One of his books, The Sociology of the Parish coedited with Thomas J. Harte, C.Ss.R. (Bruce 1951), was one of the earliest on the sociology of American Catholicism published by a member of the American Catholic Sociological Society. In its Introduction, Samuel Cardinal Stritch of Chicago voiced the prevailing concern of many members of the American hierarchy: "The fault in much of sociological studies of our times is a failure to grasp the importance of religion in society. . . . The purpose and the end of all sociological studies is the betterment of society" (p. ix).

Nuesse's ACSS presidential address reflected his concerns about the lack of "a genuine corporate concern on the part of American Catholic agencies and institutions for the support of social research." He called upon graduate departments of sociology to enhance their efforts and upgrade their demands in academic and research achievements.

—Loretta M. Morris

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