Colorado State University Announces $1.5 Million Albert I. Meyers Chair in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Colorado State University officials announced the establishment of the Albert I. Meyers Chair in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at today’s Celebrate Colorado State! Luncheon. The $1.5 million endowed chair is named in honor of Albert Meyers, a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus who served at Colorado State for more than 30 years, and recognizes his outstanding contributions to the Department of Chemistry and ensures that his tradition of outstanding leadership continues at the university.

"Synthetic organic chemistry has been an internationally recognized and respected area in the chemistry department for the past 30 years, and until his retirement last year, Dr. Meyers was the hub of this program," said C. Michael Elliott, chair of the chemistry department. "Establishing the Albert I. Meyers Chair is a very appropriate way for Colorado State to honor someone who is not only is a superb and renowned scholar but also who has worked tirelessly to build the university’s organic chemistry program into what it is today."

The new endowed chair, the second in the chemistry department, celebrates Meyers’ scholarship and success while also providing funds to enhance teaching, research and industry outreach. Income from the chair will provide additional resources to enhance the program and fund research, conferences, distinguished visitors and graduate and undergraduate support.

"Maintaining our prestigious program in synthetic organic chemistry requires Colorado State to find a professor worthy to follow in Dr. Meyers’ footsteps – an individual of distinguished academic stature who is also an inspiring teacher," said Rick Miranda, dean of the College of Natural Sciences. "The Albert I. Meyers Chair will be the catalyst for the college’s efforts to continue as a center of excellence in this field while also improving our research, teaching, outreach and relationships with industry."

Meyers also held the prestigious position of John K. Stille Professor of Chemistry at Colorado State until his retirement and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Other awards and special recognition include the Colorado State University Foundation Researcher of the Year, Andrew G. Clark Award for Excellence in Research, Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award, Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award, American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and several others.

Meyers earned a bachelor’s and a doctoral degree in chemistry from New York University in 1954 and 1957 and served as a postdoctoral Special NIH Fellow at Harvard University. He taught at Louisiana State University and Wayne State University in Michigan before joining the Colorado State faculty in 1972. Meyers has authored more than 500 peer-reviewed journal articles, has directed doctoral theses of over 80 students and postdoctoral research for over 200 doctoral students. He has served as a consultant to several leading companies including Glaxo-Smith Kline Beecham, Bristol-Myers and Roche.