Retired Electronics Technology Professor Steve Rice passed away Saturday, September 1, 2012 due to complications from cancer. Professor Rice served as a faculty member at The University of Montana College of Technology for nearly 27 years. He was a tremendous teacher known for his "hands-on" approach in instructing students. As Director of the Electronics Technology Program, he mentored many individuals in the design and construction of electronic circuits. He supported career technical education as a means for individuals to gain jobs. Thanks to the tutelage of Professor Rice, his students were always well-qualified in their trade. His teaching practices reinforced a "student-centered" approach to education. He was always an advocate for the student.
In addition to his successful teaching career, Professor Rice excelled in research. He was a member of the innovative and highly-publicized UM research team which taught bees to detect land mines. Professor Rice was credited as the chief architect for the "Electronic Beehive", a key component in the success of the project. The team was able to transfer the technology from its UM research into the highly successfully private company
Bee Alert Technologies.
Steve was a dear friend and colleague.
