Plymouth State University mathematics professor Brian Beaudrie has been selected as the recipient of the Ed and Marilyn Wixson Endowed Professorship of Mathematics. The Wixsons, both retired PSU mathematics faculty members, established the professorship last fall. Beaudrie, who has taught at PSU for five years, is the first Wixson professor.
“I was stunned,” said Beaudrie, who learned he had won the award in a meeting with President Sara Jayne Steen. “I was taken completely by surprise. There was no expectation whatsoever.”
Ed and Marilyn Wixson created the endowed professorship to celebrate and recognize faculty in the Department of Mathematics who are exemplary models of teaching, scholarship and service, or who show strong promise in these areas.
Beaudrie began teaching at PSU just as the Wixsons’ long and distinguished teaching careers were winding down. “Both were very knowledgeable and dedicated, and both were accomplished educators,” said Beaudrie. “Creating this [professorship] shows so much dedication to the University.”
“I was very pleased that Brian was the recipient,” Ed Wixson said. “In addition to his excellent teaching, I was impressed by how quickly he became involved with the New Hampshire Impact Center, which provides in-service education for mathematics and science teachers around the state. It is the dedication Brian has shown since being here at PSU that Marilyn and I had in mind for the professorship.”
In addition to teaching and working with the Impact Center, Beaudrie has more than 40 publications and presentations to his credit, largely focusing on the use of technology in math education and preparing elementary school teachers.
As the Wixson professor, Beaudrie will receive an annual financial award for three years and will be expected to give an inaugural public lecture during the first year of his professorship.
“I hope I can live up to the expectations,” Beaudrie said. “I want to make the name proud, and live up to the Wixsons’ achievements.”
2 Dedicated PSU Faculty + 1 Shared Vision = An Extraordinary Gift to Plymouth State University
“Throughout my career, I’ve wanted to do something for faculty,” said Ed Wixson, PSU emeritus professor of mathematics. Recently, Ed and his wife Marilyn, also a longtime PSU mathematics teacher, created the Ed and Marilyn Wixson Professorship of Mathematics. The professorship celebrates mathematics department faculty—particularly new faculty—who exemplify excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
“I’ve heard young faculty express how difficult it is to balance the demands of teaching and the expectation for scholarship,” said Ed. “It’s also very challenging financially. We wanted our endowment to favor faculty who are early in their careers.”
More than a gift to mathematics faculty, the professorship is a meaningful contribution to PSU, a place that means so much to the Wixsons.
“As we reflected on our careers, we saw what a great place PSU has been to work,” said Marilyn. “And we wanted to give something back.”
To learn how you too can support Plymouth State University, contact the Development Office at (800) 772-2589.
