A Montana State University senior, Max Demarais, has been awarded the $10,000 Schweiger Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is funded by Advanced American Construction of Portland, Oregon and is designed to support college undergraduates, apprentices, and military veterans pursuing careers in the construction industry.
Flynn Murray, assistant teaching and research professor of civil engineering at MSU and Demarais’s mentor, commented on Demarais’s achievements. “Max is an exceptional student who stands out not only for his academic excellence, but also for his leadership, resilience and compassion,” Murray said. “He has a remarkable ability to uplift those around him, whether mentoring younger students, leading peers or contributing to the construction industry through hands-on experience. His grit, humility and drive inspire everyone who has the privilege of working with him, and I have no doubt he will make a lasting, positive impact in his field and in his community.”
Murray holds the Mitchell Professorship in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. The professorship was established earlier this year with a $1 million private donation intended to support research focused on removing barriers for students with disabilities in STEM fields.
During his time at Montana State University, Demarais has received several scholarships and honors. These include another $10,000 award from the Beavers Charitable Trust as well as being part of the team that won the 2025 Associated Schools of Construction’s Regional Estimating and Bidding Competition in Reno.
Demarais expressed gratitude for these recognitions: “I feel a deep sense of pride in the honors I’ve earned,” he said. “This [Schweiger] recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence and to uphold the values that guide me.”
Originally from Butte, Demarais is an MSU Hilleman Scholar—a program supporting Montana residents with strong academic potential—and serves as a student ambassador for MSU’s engineering college. He also participated in the Engineering Peer Academic Leaders club for three semesters.
After graduation, Demarais plans to work for a heavy civil contractor in Montana. He added: “Grad school is also on my mind,” he said. “But I want to get into the workforce for a few years to see what I really like to do.”
