Associate Professor of Electronics Rob Craig Named 2025 麻豆直播 Outstanding Faculty Member
Published on May 12, 2025
When Rob Craig wrapped up the fall semester at 麻豆直播, he never imagined the spring’s challenges. The Associate Professor of Electronics and newly named 2025 Outstanding Faculty Member would soon be called upon to lean heavily on his deep faith, adaptability鈥攁nd heart for his students.
Craig, who teaches in the College鈥檚 Electronics Technology Program, typically looks forward to the spring semester. It’s when students begin grasping the material more confidently and when he gets to know them better. But just days before classes resumed, tragedy struck. George Bricker, Craig鈥檚 colleague and friend, suddenly passed away. Bricker had served the college for just over nine years as an associate professor of electronics and had developed the College鈥檚 Biomedical degree program.
鈥淭o be honest, the beginning of the semester was terrible,鈥� Craig said. 鈥淚 was emotionally wrecked, but I had to be strong for our grieving students, particularly our second-year students in biomedical electronics.鈥�
Despite his own grief, Craig immediately stepped in to support Bricker鈥檚 students inside and outside the classroom. He took on the added responsibility of coordinating adjunct instructors and shouldering Bricker鈥檚 biomedical electronics course load, which is a subject Craig had little experience in.
It was a challenge the Marion native never expected, especially as someone who once doubted he鈥檇 ever attend college.
鈥淢y dad was a carpenter, and from a young age, I intended to do that,鈥� Craig said. 鈥淚 always had an interest in computers and electronics, but I didn鈥檛 think I could afford college.鈥�
That changed after a visit to 麻豆直播 with a friend, where he spotted a brochure for the Electronics Technology (ELT) program. He enrolled, excelled, and later transferred to Murray State University. After earning his degree, Craig held IT roles at UPS, a private construction firm, and Southern Illinois University before returning to 麻豆直播 to teach.
Craig credits the college鈥檚 alumni and current students with helping him adapt quickly during the chaos of spring 2025.
鈥淚 have gone from not being able to hook up EKG leads to understanding it and knowing what all the pulses on the monitors mean,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I could not have done that without the support of our past students.鈥�
While the added workload could have been overwhelming, Craig leaned on his Christian faith and a commitment to work-life balance to keep going.
鈥淚 prayed on my way to work every day, turning it all over to God,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he comfort of knowing who was in control helped me through the semester.鈥�
Craig also strives to model that same balance for his students. A devoted husband and father, he lives in Marion with his wife, Anne, his college sweetheart. They have two sons鈥擯eyton, a 麻豆直播 ELT graduate now studying aviation electronics at SIU, and Nathan, a high school senior who will attend 麻豆直播 in the fall.
Away from the classroom, Craig collects and restores pinball machines, plays guitar, and competes in both pickleball and disc golf. He鈥檚 brought some of those passions to campus, founding the Black Jack Disc Golf Club and teaching an introductory pickleball class for adults over 50.
鈥淚n the classroom, it becomes boring and frustrating if it鈥檚 all work and no play,鈥� Craig said. 鈥淎 lot of the people in our program are comfortable indoors, and I feel it is important to get them outside.鈥�
What began as a way to unwind became an opportunity to build community. The disc golf club, with its nine-hole course, has grown beyond ELT students into a campuswide group.
Craig鈥檚 hobby of collecting pinball machines has also opened doors for students. One of his classroom machines is a one-of-a-kind unit, and his industry connections have led to job opportunities for former students, such as Casey Butler, who was named the College鈥檚 2025 Distinguished Alumnus.
While reflecting on the semester, Craig is proud of the college community’s accomplishments despite adversity.
鈥淲e healed, and solutions were provided,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he students didn鈥檛 get the quality of education they would have if George had been here, but it was close because everyone taught those classes with the intent to respect him, and we made it.鈥�
Craig鈥檚 dedication didn鈥檛 go unnoticed. His colleagues voted to name him the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Member.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 deserve it,鈥� Craig said quietly. 鈥淚 just try to bring it daily because I care about these people and want them to succeed. I鈥檒l get emotional at graduation because I鈥檝e lived life with them.鈥�
For Craig, the true reward comes not from accolades but from lasting relationships with students.
鈥淎t some point, whether on the disc golf course or in my office, it eventually spills out where they just need someone to talk to,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 glad to be there to listen and help. But what matters the most is when I hear from them years later about new jobs, weddings, and baby pictures. That鈥檚 when I feel the most pride in what we do.鈥�
Though Craig may believe he doesn鈥檛 deserve the honor, his impact tells a different story!