Distinguished Alumni

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Mr. Gregory Osberg,
Honor Alumnus, College of Business

B.S. Business Administration, Colorado State University, 1979
B.S. Marketing, Colorado State University, 1979
Since his graduation from the College of Business at Colorado State University with degrees in both Business Administration and Marketing, Gregory Osberg has made a big name for himself among several reputable companies. Starting in 1990, Mr. Osberg worked for Newsweek magazine as Vice President/Associate Publisher until 1997 when he left to become President of Sales and Marketing for CNET. There he directed product development, advertising sales, business development, and marketing for both CNET: The Computer Network and CNET’s online service, SNAP! Online. In 1999 Mr. Osberg accepted another presidency, this time becoming the executive of Kaplan Professional and thereafter was named the founding president of the company, BrassRing.com.

He rejoined the Newsweek family in 2000 and filled the post of Executive Vice President/ Worldwide Publisher. In this position Mr. Osberg manages—among many things—the online business operations of Newsweek.com on MSNBC. His leadership in this area helped Newsweek make Advertising Age’s, annual list of top 10 magazines in 2002.

Mr. Osberg has brought his extensive experience in the world of business and publishing back to his Alma Mater. In 2003, he became a member of the Colorado State University College of Business’ Global Leadership Council. This organization is instrumental in securing new funding for the College of Business as well as developing new programs and opportunities for the College’s faculty and students. With the help of Mr. Osberg’s collaboration, the College of Business continues to advance towards becoming a world-class business institution.

James R. Smith,
The Jim and Nadine Henry Award

B.S. Business Administration, Colorado State University, 1967
M.S. Economics, Colorado State University, 1969
M.S. Business Administration, Colorado State University, 1971
In 1963 James Smith joined the football team as a walk-on and has been carrying on the CSU torch ever since. Mr. Smith was instrumental in the founding of the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame. As the co-chair of the Proud Futures Campaign he helped raise $8.6 million dollars for Colorado State University athletic facilities. James is also responsible for organizing the Former Athletes Association and served as President for the first two years of its existence.

When Mr. Smith left Colorado State University in 1971, he had earned his Masters of Science Degree in Economics and Business Administration and had managed to teach business classes at UNC. In 1972 he became a securities broker for Boettcher and Company, followed in 1979 by a commodity research analyst for C.P.M. In 1980, he launched Smith Investment Inc, and continues to this day as the company's president and CEO.

Though his career has taken him far, Smith's heart is still close to his alma mater and the athletic program where it all began. He played a key role in the development of the Former Athletes Association and establishing the Colorado State University Sports Hall of Fame. He served as the FAA president and for the first two years of its existence and chairman of the sports hall of fame for the first three years. In addition, while serving as chairman of the Proud Futures Campaign, Smith helped raise $8.6 million for CSU Athletic Facilities.

In addition, Smith has endowed a scholarship to be given each year to an athlete studying Business or Economics and funded an endowed scholarship in memory of his good friend Chet Smith. Jim was instrumental in starting the "Ram Masters" which produces scholarships and funding for the CSU golf team

In service to the University, Jim has taken the time to teach classes for the College of Business He is currently a member of the Dean’s Global Leadership Council and has served on the Advisory Board for the Center for Entrepreneurial and Family Business.

In and around the Fort Collins community Mr. Smith has made his presence felt. He has been a member of the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce as well as an active member of the John XXIII Catholic Church. He also lends his experience in real estate to the community at large as a member of both the Fort Collins Board of Realtors and the Fort Collins Apartment Association.

See all of the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients