Colorado State Supporters Jud and Pat Harper Endow Chair in Chemical Engineering Dept.

Longtime Colorado State supporters Jud and Pat Harper have named Colorado State University the beneficiary of a $1 million life insurance policy to partially fund a new $1.5 million endowed chair of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Jud Harper’s long, distinguished record of service at the university includes serving as interim president from July 1989 through June 1990 and as vice president for Research and Information Technology from 1982 to 2000. Previously, he served as professor and department head of Agricultural Engineering (later Agricultural and Chemical Engineering) from 1970-1982.

In 2000, Harper accepted a part-time appointment as Special Assistant to the President under Al Yates until he fully retired in 2003. He has served on the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board and the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board.

Pat Harper has also been a strong ambassador for the university through such groups as the Colorado State University Women’s Association.

"The Harpers have a long and impressive track record of generosity at Colorado State University," said Sandra Woods, dean of the College of Engineering. "We will always be grateful for their support and love of the university. This gift will enable the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering to remain competitive and attract some of the nation’s finest faculty."

"Jud and Pat Harper’s generosity is deeply appreciated," said David Dandy, Interim Department Head of Chemical and Biological Engineering. "We will use this chair to recruit a top-notch faculty member in bioengineering."

Harper helped create the chemical engineering major that exists in the college today. A portion of the foothills research campus was designated as the Judson M. Harper Research Complex by the Board of Governors in 2000 in recognition of his long service and contributions to the university.

"Chemical and Biological Engineering at Colorado State is in a unique position to conduct research and educate engineers who contribute to economic opportunity by solving national problems associated with sustainable use of resources, environmental quality, renewable energy and meeting global problems of hunger," Jud Harper said. "The endowment will assist the department in attracting and retaining quality faculty who teach and do research, which is fundamental to its ongoing quality and impact."

Harper is a member of eight professional societies and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute of Food Technology.  He has received a number of recognitions including a Fulbright Hayes Award, the 1983 Food Engineering Award, the Professional Achievement Citation from the Iowa State University Alumni Association, and the 1990 International Award from the Institute of Food Technology.  He is also the recipient of the Charles Lory Public Service Award from the Colorado State University Alumni Association.

In retirement, Harper has been actively engaged in consulting with special emphasis on patent litigation. He and his wife enjoy traveling and visiting their three sons and six grandchildren. Their hobbies include gardening, skiing, reading, tutoring Poudre R-1 students, attending Colorado State athletic events and committee and service work through their church and Rotary International.

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