Awards from Walter Scott Jr., College of Engineering Spring 2026

Our department had four award winners at his week’s Walter Scott Jr., College of Engineering All-College meeting, where staff and faculty were recognized for their achievements! Here are the award winners and the descriptions for why they were recognized for these awards.

 

Outstanding Researcher Award – Steve Saleeby: For pioneering advances in high-resolution atmospheric modeling, foundational contributions to the NASA INCUS mission, leadership of DoE model intercomparison initiatives, success in securing major NASA and DoE funding, and exceptional mentorship in advanced modeling.

Conversation Starter Award – Phil Klotzbach: A senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science who has been with CSU for 25 years. His Atlantic basin hurricane forecast, originally pioneered by the late William Gray, and his numerous interviews before and during hurricane season are featured in tens of thousands of global news stories each year. He routinely brings international recognition to Colorado State University, the college, and the department.

George T. Abell Outstanding Early-Career Faculty Award – Maria Rugenstein: For fundamental contributions to our understanding of the key physical processes that govern climate change.,

George T. Abell Outstanding Faculty Research Award – Russ Schumacher: For exceptional work improving the prediction of heavy precipitation and floods while serving the people of Colorado as an exceptional State Climatologist.

Congratulations to all of our award winners and thank you to our awards committee as well as individuals who led nominations for their hard work!