Academic and fiscal strength are two of the hallmarks of Arnold Weber's tenure as CU's 13th president. A nationally renowned labor economist who was provost and a professor at Carnegie-Melon University before joining CU, Weber oversaw significant increases in financial support for all of CU's campuses while also advancing the university's leadership in space science. 

In Weber's first three years as president, Norlin Library experienced a 65 percent increase in purchasing resources while faculty salaries also increased, raising standards and attracting outstanding professors.

Weber was instrumental in creating the multi-disciplinary Office of Space Science and Technology and saw CU become the first university with its own satellite managed by undergraduates. Weber also helped drive the establishment of the Rio Abiseo Research Project in Peru.