Plymouth State University (PSU) is proud to announce the establishment of the Colonel Craig Souza ’87 Endowed Professorship in Meteorology, made possible through a generous gift from Craig Souza, Colonel (Retired), United States Air Force, and PSU alum. Pictured above (L-R): Air Force Colonel Eric McKinley, Joseph Zabransky, Ph.D., former PSU professor, Craig Souza and retired Army Lt. Colonel James Koermer, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Meteorology at PSU, at the Hall of Heroes in Washington, D.C. (2009).

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth State University (PSU) is proud to announce the establishment of the Colonel Craig Souza ’87 Endowed Professorship in Meteorology, made possible through a generous gift from retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Craig Souza, a PSU alum. Souza served most of his career supporting the U.S. Army, including serving as the senior Air Force meteorologist supporting the Army and its Chief of Staff’s weatherman. Souza credits his illustrious career to his time at PSU. The purpose of the endowment is to celebrate and provide financial support to a deserving PSU faculty member who will research and present on the value of “functional meteorology.”

“PSU’s Integrated Clusters learning model emphasizes the interconnectedness of traditional industries in today’s society, and this new position reinforces that model by supporting an interdisciplinary inquiry into functional meteorology,” said Ann McClellan, Ph.D., PSU Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “The recipient of this endowed position will enrich the experience of PSU students and faculty in majors outside of meteorology by sharing his or her research with our community on an annual basis.”

“Functional meteorology” is the use of meteorological information to support decision-making or add value to an automated process. Possible topics that could be further explored in this field include how integrating meteorological information or meteorological education in any major or discipline can improve an individual’s decision-making process throughout their career; how to incorporate meteorological impacts on a business into a business strategy and business planning; how to add “meteorology” and meteorological impacts to decision support services; and how to enhance the general public’s understanding of meteorology and the impact it has on our day-to-day lives. Souza hopes this gift will inspire professors and students across all disciplines to explore the ways in which meteorology can impact daily decision making and improve business processes.

“I am honored to be able to pay back what the University has given to me. I have always been fascinated by meteorology. PSU provided me with the opportunity to learn from others in a multitude of disciplines,” said Souza. “Meteorologists need to be able to communicate in the language of other disciplines in order to be effective. It is my hope that this gift will help us all become better cross-disciplinary communicators.”

Souza graduated from PSU with a degree in atmospheric science and served an internship with the National Weather Service. The Meteorologist in Charge of the Office, an Air Force veteran, recommended he gain field experience in the Air Force, and Souza signed-on to the Air Force’s delayed entry program and left for Officer Training before Plymouth State’s graduation day.

During his career, Souza was stationed around the globe from Vicenza, Italy, to the Pentagon, to name just a few locations. For his distinguished service, he earned dozens of medals, awards, and commendations, including the Defense Superior Service and Bronze Star medals.

Souza’s generous, continued support of the University also includes the Colonel Craig Souza “That I May Serve” Scholarship, which supports an undergraduate or graduate student who has performed a heroic act as a civilian, as a current or former member of the military, or as a member of a military family.

“We are thankful and honored that such a distinguished alum as Colonel Souza credits the education that he received from our program for his outstanding career as a meteorologist in the United States Air Force,” said Lourdes Avilés, Ph.D., Professor of Meteorology and Climate Studies Program Coordinator. “The use of meteorological information to support decision-making is one of the most important new roles that professional meteorologists fulfill in the modern world. This professorship will support and encourage work by our faculty and their students in related areas, and we look forward to seeing what innovative, interdisciplinary work is produced as a result of this opportunity.”

Nominations for the professorship, which will be awarded for a three-year term, will open in fall 2021. Full-time PSU faculty are eligible, with preference given to faculty members in the Meteorology program or the Exploration and Discovery Cluster.

For more information about Plymouth State University, visit www.plymouth.edu.