Dr. Richard Donovan has been with Montana Tech for 11 years. 

During this time he has championed the concept of hands on learning for students and has established a strong industrial outreach program to Montana Industries. This program has provided excellent real world experience to these young engineers.  From chicken cutters to rocket science these students have seen it all.  The high point included a launch of some of their creations aboard a Kazakhstan rocket, followed shortly thereafter by a thunderous crash in the down range Mongolian desert.  The students claim they had nothing to do with the disaster.  More down to earth projects include advance airport security systems for the Transportation Security Administration and an innovative precision manufacturing program involving HAAS Automation and the NSF.

He has received over $4,000,000 in grants and is key contributor to the Deep Computing proposal.

One of his major efforts has been the involvement of students in engineering and manufacturing research projects.  He has mentored over 20 students and has five active Undergraduate Researchers Projects.  

He is a graduate of the University of Texas and Montana State University and holds a PhD degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from University of Wyoming.