Departing CSU Pueblo President Dr. Timothy Mottet Awarded Emeritus Status

PUEBLO, COLORADO – The Colorado State University System Board of Governors unanimously approved President Emeritus status for CSU Pueblo President Dr. Timothy Mottet. The motion was made during the monthly board meeting held at the CSU Spur campus in Denver last week. Emeritus status is the highest honor conferred by the university to show respect for a distinguished career. Dr. Mottet announced his retirement from the university in May and is the first president in the university’s 90-year history to receive this honor. He became CSU Pueblo’s 15th president in 2017.

“President Mottet dedicated seven years to being the leader of CSU Pueblo, and during that time he not only shifted the tide of the university, but he also invested deeply in the community of Pueblo,” CSU System Chancellor Dr. Tony Frank said. “CSU Pueblo has made great strides during his presidency, and Tim and his leadership team laid the groundwork for future successes that will serve students for many years to come.”

Upon arriving in 2017, Dr. Mottet implemented a bold strategy for the University. Titled Vision 2028, the plan ensured the full renovation of the Psychology building into the Center for Integrated Health and Human Inquiry (CIHHI), the creation of a campus wide partnership with Canvas Credit Union, and the development of the Southern Colorado Transportation Technology Institute (SCITT). Dr. Mottet’s legacy also includes navigating the University through a global pandemic without a reduction in personnel, returning the commencement ceremony back to the campus, the establishment of a university advancement team responsible for raising over $3.5 million in the first two years, and creating new community-facing spaces to enhance the student experience including The Patio and The Rooftop. Mottet concludes his presidency with record student enrollment growth over the fall semester with over 900 incoming freshman students.

While it is uncommon for a university’s president to earn Emeritus status, the Board of Governors unanimously supported the honor for President Mottet. John Fischer, Chair of the Board of Governors, noted, “President Mottet’s vision and leadership brought CSU Pueblo to new heights, and we wish him well on his next chapter and extend our deepest gratitude for all he has brought to CSU Pueblo and to the entire CSU System. He is the epitome of a servant leader, and he will be greatly missed.”