Colorado State University Appoints New Director of Honors Program

Colorado State University has appointed Robert R. Keller as the new director of the University Honors Program.

Keller is an economics professor at Colorado State, and has been interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts since November 1997. He will begin his duties as director of the Honors Program July 1.

"Bob Keller brings to the position a career-long commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and a wealth of administrative experience," said Provost Loren Crabtree. "Under Bob’s capable leadership, the Honors Program will become the premier integrated learning community on campus."

The University Honors Program provides participants a challenging undergraduate curriculum that incorporates experiential learning, study abroad, undergraduate research experiences, academic advising and tutoring for post-graduate fellowships.

"I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead efforts to build on the foundations of excellence first established in the 1950s by the founder of the University Honors Program, Willard Eddy," Keller said. "The goal is to develop a challenging and nurturing program by bringing together academically superb students who embrace intellectual life with faculty who are outstanding teachers, scholars and mentors."

Keller received his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State College, earned his master’s in economics from the University of California-Los Angeles and earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Wisconsin. Keller taught at the University of California-Davis and California State University-Long Beach and joined the Colorado State faculty in 1972. At Colorado State, Keller has served in many roles, including chairman of the economics department and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Keller also served as a member of the Honors Program Council and has been an active advisor to Honors students for many years.

During his tenure at Colorado State, Keller has been honored with the Oliver P. Pennock Award and the "Pat on the Back" award, both for excellence in teaching. Keller also was selected for the "25 Best Advisers" award.

Keller has authored many journal articles and made numerous professional presentations. He is a member of the American Economic Association, the Association for Evolutionary Economics and the Economic History Association. He serves on the board of trustees of the University Press of Colorado and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Economic Issues.