Get ready for “KellerFest.”

The Department of Economics is inviting the University community to join them for “KellerFest,” an April 26 retirement reception in honor of Professor Bob Keller, who has served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and director of the Honors Program.

The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in LSC Ballroom 350-D.

Keller has been a distinguished faculty member of the Department of Economics since his arrival at CSU in 1972 as assistant professor (and concurrently assistant chair of the department). After promotions to associate and then full professor, he was named chair of Economics for one term starting in 1983. He was associate dean of CLA from 1992 until serving as interim dean from 1997 to 1999.

He directed the University Honors Program from 1999 to 2012, designing key elements of the Honors curriculum before returning to the Department of Economics faculty.

Honors and service

Among his many accomplishments, Keller has earned outstanding teaching awards, has written publications in leading journals in the area of economic history, and has served on many committees at various levels of the University, including chairing the Committee on Budgets and Financial Planning.

Keller’s teaching and advising in and outside of the classroom has been personally meaningful to many over the more than four decades that he has been at CSU. His service in administration has influenced the directions of the department, college and University.

“Professor Keller has been a wise and gracious mentor in my own career since I walked into the Clark Building 11 years ago as an assistant professor myself,” says Anita Alves Pena, interim chair of Economics. “I sincerely hope that Professor Keller’s many students, friends and colleagues from all around and beyond the University will join us at this event to honor him and to share some time celebrating the many accomplishments of his 45-year career here.”

No RSVP is required to attend the event.