Editor’s note: The following message was sent to the CSU community on Monday, April 1.
Dear Colleagues:
It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Jeffrey L. Collett, Jr. in the Department of Atmospheric Science in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering has been appointed to the rank of University Distinguished Professor. This distinction recognizes excellence in research, education, and service and is the highest honor bestowed upon a tenured faculty member at Colorado State University. The title of University Distinguished Professor is reserved for CSU faculty who have demonstrated creative excellence and made major discoveries and achievements in their field.
Dr. Collett is internationally recognized for his research on cloud and precipitation chemistry, the sources and effects of atmospheric nitrogen pollution, the chemistry of atmospheric aerosols and their contributions to regional haze, and the air quality impacts of oil and gas development. He has provided outstanding service to the research community and to CSU, including serving as head of CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science from 2011-2022. In addition to being named a University Distinguished Professor, Dr. Collett has received other campus awards including the Abell Outstanding Faculty Research Award in the College of Engineering, Outstanding Professor of the Year in the Department of Atmospheric Science, and Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.
The importance of his work has been recognized by professional organizations, funding agencies, and his peers in atmospheric science and air quality. Dr. Collett is an American Meteorological Society Fellow and received the organization’s STAC Outstanding Service Award in 2022. He has served on Colorado’s Regional Air Quality Council since 2019 when he was appointed by Governor Jared Polis. Dr. Collett also has served as a member of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force within the US Department of Agriculture; he was appointed under two different presidential administrations.
Dr. Collett has published nearly 240 refereed papers and several book chapters throughout his academic career, and has served as PI or co-PI on more than 90 funded projects totaling $34.7 million. During his 30 years on faculty at CSU, he has collaborated with dozens of colleagues at CSU and other institutions, inspired hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students through his mentoring and teaching, and advised 18 Ph.D. students, 33 M.S. students, and 20 postdocs. Dr. Collett’s students and postdocs have gone on to have impactful careers as academic faculty, scientists and decision makers at state and federal agencies and labs, and as scientists in air quality consulting and in private industry.
Although the review of nominations and the selection of new University Distinguished Professors are the privilege of the active and emeritus UDPs, new UDPs are appointed by the provost and executive vice president with approval by the president. Dr. Collett will be honored next week at the Provost and Executive Vice President’s Celebrate! Colorado State Awards luncheon along with other 2024 Celebrate! recipients.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Collett on this significant achievement in a career marked by invaluable contributions that have elevated our academic and research enterprises at CSU, advanced the scientific community, and improved quality of life across the state and around the globe.
Sincerely,
Marion K. Underwood, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President
