Norwich professor, friend dies

Edwin Marsden, a well-known and respected Norwich University mathematics professor, passed away unexpectedly in early June. The announcement, delivered through the Norwich University website, shocked and saddened the campus community.

"I was shocked," said Cathy Frey, dean of math and sciences. "I didn't know Edwin Marsden had any health problems."  

Frey said that when Marsden had not been heard from for a few days in June, the math and science department asked the Northfield police to check his house.

The police found his body on his porch. According to Frey, the cause of death was "a major cardiac event."

Marsden started his teaching career at Norwich in 1961 and later attended the University of Massachusetts to pursue his PhD. He returned to the university as a professor in 1971 and eventually became the chair of the Mathematics Department from 1992 to 1999.

Along with his responsibilities as a professor, Marsden was a member of the Academic Assessment Advisory Committee (AAC), the University Licensure Committee and co-founder of the Vermont Math Initiative.

His work as the assessment committee representative for the math and science department was invaluable, said Frey. "Edwin was the one in math-sciences that coordinated all of our assessment efforts," she said.  The AAC collects and assesses data which demonstrates that students are learning and understanding the course work. The committee is also in charge of assessing the math content of an undergrad degree.

This work is done in preparation for the visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which provides accreditation to schools and universities throughout New England. Re-accreditation happens every 10 years and this year is Norwich's turn for a visit from NEASC.

Frey remembers how she felt prior to her assessment meeting with the NEASC team, a meeting she usually delegated to Marsden. "I thought, gee, I should spend an hour with him (Marsden) before I go to this assessment meeting with NEASC, so I have a better understanding," Frey said, "but he wasn't there."

Marsden has been credited with several initiatives in and outside of the university's math department, like starting an open-door policy for students that still exists today. He would often roam the halls of the Cabot building during the evening hours and would assist students who needed help with math, whether or not they were in his classes.

Marsden, along with Kenneth Gross, a University of Vermont mathematics professor, founded the Vermont Math Initiative (VMI). VMI is a state-wide program designed to improve mathematics instruction. The program teaches elementary school teachers to better grasp the concepts of math and how these concepts are used in higher-level math.  

According to Frey, their program was recently purchased and adopted by the Cincinnati Schools System, and is now known as The Cincinnati-Based Vermont Math Initiative.  For information on this initiative, go to www.uvm.edu/~vmi.

Over his many years teaching at Norwich, Marsden earned the respect and admiration of peers and students alike.

George LaVarnway, the chair of the mathematics department, had a unique relationship with Marsden, beginning first as his student and later as his colleague.  

"I first met Marsden in the fall of '74, when I was a freshman," LaVarnway said. "I'm one of the few people that probably knew him from both sides of the desk." As a student, LaVarnway remembers Marsden as someone who "reached out to students" and who was passionate about his craft.      

Marsden was a fan of contra dance, a traditional New England dance, and would often invite his students to join him, said LaVarnway.

"In fact, I just got an email from a student that graduated probably 10 years ago," LaVarnway said. "She was sad to hear the news, but she still remembered him taking her (to the dance) and what a great time they had."

Along with teaching in the classroom, Marsden also wanted to expose his students to "culture they wouldn't necessarily get on campus," said LaVarnway.

While Marsden's passion for teaching made a positive impression on current Norwich students, his love for teaching extended beyond the gates of campus

Kevin Hoerold, a 20-year-old sophomore business management student from Niskayuna, N.Y., was impressed by Marsden's teaching style. "He would always walk into class ready to go," said Hoerold. "I think that it is important to emphasize his enthusiasm, the way he walked into the classroom; he was always focused on everyone getting a good grade."

Hoerold also recalled Marsden's flexibility and availability to the students. Marsden would hold three to four study sessions a week to help his students, often late into the evening or whenever the students could find the time. Hoerold also remembers that an hour into their final, Marsden stopped everyone and offered his assistance to students; "that's the kind of person he was."

Diane Byrne, associate professor of education and psychology, colleague and long-time friend of Marsden's, remembers the first time she worked alongside him

In 1999, the Vermont State Department of Education was requiring teachers and students to have a portfolio, so that both teachers' and students' progress in math could be assessed. "At that time, I taught fourth grade and I wanted the children to have additional expertise in problem solving," Byrne said.  

What was supposed to be a one-time class turned into a once-a-week class for a whole year. "The kids loved him," Byrne said, "He grew to love the class as much as I did."

According to Byrne, Marsden also "resurrected" the math course MA360, a math methods required for elementary and middle school teachers. The math course was needed in order for the university's teacher licensure program to be accredited.

LaVarnway also noted this achievement: "Without Ted Marsden, we wouldn't have a teacher licensure program for our math teachers here at Norwich, he was instrumental in keeping the program in the department where students could get certified to teach public schools mathematics."

LaVarnway said that "without a shadow of a doubt" Marsden's largest impacts were in teacher education and assessment of the math program.

Marsden's death, along with the highest influx of students in the university's history, has proved to be a challenge for the math department.   

According to Frey, the math and science department was already "in a bind" with scheduling prior to Marsden's death; "Even without his death we had to hire over the summer." The department hired Victoria Green; Elisabeth Gambler, who used to be part-time and is now a full-time professor; and a couple of adjunct staff "to cover the rest."  

The department is conducting a national search to fill Marsden's position.

Marsden was also in charge of looking over transfer credits for math. According to Frey, "He did it as department chair, when I became department chair I convinced him to do it."  

Frey praised his thoroughness in this area.  Professor Robert Poodiack has taken over the job.

Marsden leaves a legacy at Norwich. The university has set up a scholarship under his name, The Professor Edwin "Ted" Marsden Scholarship Fund. Marsden's family donated half the royalties paid to him by the Cincinnati School System.  Marsden's VMI partner, Gross, also donated his half of the royalties to the scholarship fun.

The award recipient is determined by a student's overall performance in math and is chosen by the professors in the mathematics department.  This year, the $1,000 scholarship was given to Antonio Diaz, a 20-year-old sophomore major in mathematics from Pittsford, Vt., during the convocation ceremony.

Diaz said the nomination for the scholarship was a complete surprise, "I had no idea that I received anything," Diaz said. "The day before convocation I saw the e-mail, it was very shocking."  He also met members of Marsden's family along with Gross.

While Diaz never took one of Marsden's classes, he did know him from the math department.

"I just met him on occasion," Diaz said, "he was a very nice man."  

Diaz is grateful for the scholarship; when asked how the scholarship will help him this semester, Diaz said, "probably more ways than I can possible rattle on." Diaz has used the scholarship money to buy textbooks and cover other school-related expenses.

Marsden's death has left a void among his colleagues and students, and many will remember him the same way that Byrne does, as a "mentor in math, a colleague and a friend."

To view Marsden's obituary go to https://my.norwich.edu/Lists/Norwich%20Announcements/DispForm.aspx?ID=1438.