July 22, 2022

In Memoriam: Dr. Mike Maher, Haskayne School of Business

Campus flag lowered July 22, 2022
Michael Maher portrait

The Haskayne School of Business is saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr. Mike Maher, PhD, who was the dean of the Faculty of Management (now the Haskayne School of Business) at the University of Calgary from 1981 to 1999 over four terms and a total of 18 years.

During Maher’s tenure as dean, the business school reached many important milestones, including establishing a full suite of business programs, building a significant endowment fund and realizing expanded support from the private and government sectors.

The Faculty of Management applied for and gained full accreditation from the Association to Advance of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) under his leadership, only the second Canadian business school at the time to have acquired this rigorous accreditation.

Scurfield Hall opened in 1986 and Maher was a driver behind this building project, creating a home for the Faculty of Management at the University of Calgary.

International leadership was a focus for Maher while with the Faculty of Management. As dean, he supported affiliated teaching, infrastructure development, capacity building, and academic and business exchanges in over 25 countries.

Maher became a faculty member at Haskayne once his term as dean was completed. He taught at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels and researched in the areas of corporate governance and strategic management.

His vision and drive helped grow the former Faculty of Management into today’s well-regarded Haskayne School of Business. In recognition of his outstanding service to the University of Calgary, Maher was inducted into the Order of the University of Calgary on June 14, 2013.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in North Battleford, Sask., with Father Sebastian Kunnath as celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Battleford City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit at the Battleford Union Hospital or to the Mike and Illa Maher Bursary at the University of Calgary.

Learn the full details of services and read his obituary.

Campus flag will be lowered at the south entrance to main campus near the red arch.