Provost's Award for Exemplary Service and Fidelity to the Public Land Grant Mission of Montana State University: Rob Maher, Founders Day Faculty Awards, Academic Year 2022-23. Portrait of Rob Maher.

Rob Maher

Rob Maher, a professor in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, has received the Provost’s Award for Exemplary Service and Fidelity to the Public Land Grant Mission of Montana State University. The award recognizes a faculty member who advances the mission of the public land-grant institution – including dedication to educating students, creating knowledge and art, and serving communities throughout the state – through sustained commitment to higher education in Montana. The award is given by the Office of Academic Affairs and includes a $2,000 honorarium. 

Maher joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2002 and served as department head from 2007 to 2017. His teaching focuses on acoustics and audio, digital signal processing, electronic circuits, and engineering ethics. He is particularly passionate about inclusive instruction involving hands-on laboratory experience, according to award nomination materials.  

Maher has been drawn to the important role of academic advising. He was a member of the original MSU Academic Advising Council and is a current member of the Campus Advising Action Team, of which he has been a “dedicated member and key contributor,” Chris Kearns, vice president for student success, wrote in a letter supporting Maher’s nomination. Among other efforts, the team has worked to roll out DegreeWorks, CatCourse Scheduler, streamlined advising flowsheets, the Sophomore Surge program and many other student-focused initiatives at MSU.  

“In each of these areas (and many more), Rob brings an indispensable faculty perspective, keen systemic intelligence, the very highest academic standards and a nuanced understanding of the importance of the student experience both inside and outside the classroom to student and institutional success,” Kearns wrote.  

Maher also volunteers as a faculty visitor to many MSU Alumni Foundation chapter events around the United States, wrote Kerry Hanson, vice president of engagement with the MSU Alumni Foundation, in her supporting letter.  

“The Alumni Foundation considers him to be among the institution’s most reliable and influential spokesmen, and we love having him on our team because of his sincerity, integrity and personal stewardship,” Hanson wrote.  

In addition, Maher and his wife, Lynn, have established several student scholarship funds, including the Maher Family Hilleman Scholarship endowment fund.