Dr. Delgass has authored more than 120 archival journal publications, and served as US Editor (1994-98) of the flagship journal of his field - Journal of Catalysis. He has graduated 39 PhDs and is currently chairing or co-chairing 12 PhD student committees. He is the leader of the multidisciplinary Center for Catalyst Design effort, and has been successful in attracting major funding, including a current multimillion dollar grant from the Dept of Energy and a $500,000/year grant from ExxonMobil. An exceptionally effective teacher, he has received the School's Shreve Award seven times, more than anyone in the School's history. He has also received the CoE Potter and University-level Murphy teaching awards, is a member of the Purdue University Teaching Academy, and entered the PU Book of Great Teachers in 2003.

As a mentor, he has received the inaugural CoE Mentoring Excellence Award (2003), and this year is a member of the team that will soon receive the 2007 CoE Team Excellence Award. He has also received a variety of external recognition, including ASEE's AT&T Foundation Award (1990) and, most recently, the 2006 Excellence in Catalysis Award from the New York Catalysis Society. Finally, he has provided exceptional service to the School and College in a variety of ways, including serving as Associate Head for the School during 1996-2003.

The Nichols Professorship was established in 1998 by Dr. D. Edward Nichols in honor of the memory of his wife, Maxine Spencer Nichols (BSChE, 1949).