Karl M. and Jill C. Maurer
Dr. Maurer earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel
University in Philadelphia, PA, followed by master’s and doctoral degrees in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. He came
to NDSU in 1967 and served as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
and Applied Mechanics and as Assistant Dean for the College of Engineering and
Architecture. In 1970, Dr. Maurer became Chairman of the Mechanical
Engineering and Applied Mechanics Department. He retired from NDSU in 1993.
Under Dr. Maurer’s leadership, the department gained a strong reputation for
providing quality education which became widely known in industry and
educational circles. Dr. Maurer played an active role in establishing the
cooperative education program at NDSU; he also created the Department of
Mechanical Engineering Endowment Fund for the benefit of the university and
students. Dr. Maurer was honored by the ASME and Pi Tau Sigma student
organizations for his contributions to the department. Mrs. Maurer was known
for her joyous attitude, sweet German dialect, and hosting of an elaborate
annual Mechanical Engineering Department Christmas party for NDSU faculty
and staff.
Apart from engineering, Karl and Maria both greatly enjoyed and supported
music at NDSU and in the Fargo-Moorhead community. They were regular
attendees at many student and faculty recitals, concerts, and other live
performances at the various campus venues. They believed in a well-rounded
education, to include STEM related fields, music, foreign language, and travel as a
means to broaden and enrich one’s life. Their three children earned bachelor’s
degrees in Mechanical Engineering at NDSU paired with minors in music
performance. Two of them also completed master’s degrees in Mechanical
Engineering at NDSU.
By creating this endowment, it is the family’s wish to continue our parents’
mission of supporting future NDSU students in obtaining well-rounded
educations by encouraging them to pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree
while participating in the Challey School of Music at NDSU. We are proud of our
parents’ legacy and the Maurer family’s association with NDSU.