LJWorld.com weblogs Heard on the Hill
Posted
by Matt Erickson
June 10, 2013 at 1:29 p.m.
Professor killed in Oklahoma was former KU doctoral student
Advertisement
Here's a piece of KU-related news that we'll present on its own, because it's quite sad.
A Northeastern State University professor found dead in Tahlequah, Okla., at the end of May was just four years removed from earning her doctorate from KU.
Tiffany Maher, 38, was an assistant professor of chemistry at NSU, and authorities say she was the victim of a homicide. She and four cats were found dead in her home after a fire that police say was arson. No arrests had been made in the case as of Friday.
Maher studied at KU for five years before earning her Ph.D. in chemistry in 2009, and the Tulsa World extensively quoted her dissertation supervisor, associate professor Mikhail Barybin, in a story on the aftermath:
"She was an extremely gifted teacher," he said. "I'd say she was probably a rare example of a graduate student who had equally impressive contributions in research, teaching and service to the community here in Lawrence.
"She was very well-liked by the departmental faculty, her peers, graduate and undergraduate students - and she taught many of them. She has been a great mentor to the undergraduate students."
The KU chemistry department will have a memorial service for Maher this weekend in Wescoe Hall, according to this note on its website.
More LJWorld KU News Coverage
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Owner of janitorial service seeks seat on Lawrence City Commission January 12, 2015 · 63 comments
- With looming cash crisis, GOP leaders see need to fix Kansas budget quickly January 28, 2015 · 14 comments
- Letter: Climate politics January 28, 2015 · 22 comments
- New two-lane Wakarusa roundabout may be a little confusing at first, but it's safer, city official says January 27, 2015 · 33 comments
- Wicked Broadband pulls request for $300,000 loan guarantee January 27, 2015 · 29 comments
- Senate bill would repeal Common Core standards January 27, 2015 · 25 comments
- Lawrence voters overwhelmingly approve keeping local option budget at 33 percent January 27, 2015 · 27 comments
- Letter: Shakespeare slight January 28, 2015 · 8 comments
- Kansas City area to get 1,001 electric car chargers January 27, 2015 · 29 comments
- Kansas geologist says fracking not the cause of earthquakes January 26, 2015 · 30 comments
- With looming cash crisis, GOP leaders see need to fix Kansas budget quickly January 28, 2015
- Lawrence school board members defend recess August 3, 2014
- New two-lane Wakarusa roundabout may be a little confusing at first, but it's safer, city official says January 27, 2015
- Memorial for homeless resident turns ends in rall September 11, 2001
- Weddings August 4, 2001
- Senate bill would repeal Common Core standards January 27, 2015
- Three KU students from Lawrence among 20 sophomores honored January 27, 2015
- Groups holding workshops on restoring Kansas prairies January 28, 2015
- Kansas geologist says fracking not the cause of earthquakes January 26, 2015
- Kanwaka couple lose home, cat to fire December 29, 2014
Comments
friendlyjhawk 1 year, 7 months ago
For goodness sake, why is this important? Friends of this poor lady have been notified, whole group of people who read the LJW don't need to know.
hedshrinker 1 year, 7 months ago
I'm so sorry you feel that way; people other than the immediate circle around Professor Maher are interested in learning of her passing and the apparently tragic circumstances. It sounds like she had a tremendous impact in her short life and was an inspiration to many. Does anyone know if there is a memorial fund in her honor, perhaps at KU or at Northeastern State where she was a professor? I would be interested in making a contribution.
TalkSense 1 year, 7 months ago
Dr. Tiffany Maher received Northeastern State's "Circle of Excellence" award for teaching in April, the university's highest faculty honor. She said at the time: "I define learning as the process by which students integrate new information into their everyday lives and use new knowledge to adjust their understanding of past experiences and events. I teach to encourage life-long learning and appreciation of science. My primary goal as an instructor is to provide the base knowledge so that future experiences can be fundamentally understood. I also want to improve the communication of science among the general public and get more people interested in pursuing careers in sciences, particularly, chemistry." An inspiring statement from a young professor with KU ties whose life has ended tragically and too soon.
verity 1 year, 7 months ago
Wonderful statement. Thanks for posting.
Erin Graham 1 year, 7 months ago
hedshrinker- From my understanding, KU and NSU both are setting up scholarship funds in her name. I'm not certain where NSU is in their process of setting up a fund, but was informed that, for the moment, you can make a donation through KU Endowment to the Chemistry Department at KU and make a note of "In memoriam of Tiffany Maher". A formal fund is in process of being set up. If anyone else can provide additional insight, please add to this.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.