Dr. Brian W. McEnnis, Professor of Mathematics at The Ohio State University at Marion was awarded the 2013 President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service during a surprise ceremony in Ohio State Marion’s Morrill Hall on Friday, February 22, 2013.
The award was presented by Michael J. Boehm, Vice Provost for Academic and Strategic Planning at The Ohio State University, during Professor McEnnis’ Friday afternoon calculus class with students, faculty, and staff in attendance.
The President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service recognizes up to three Ohio State faculty members annually whose contributions to the development and implementation of university policies and programs through non-administrative roles have been extensive and have made a documentable impact on the quality of the university.
According to Ohio State Marion Dean & Director, Gregory S. Rose, McEnnis’ commitment to Ohio State over the past 35 years has been exemplary through his work on several committees, including the university’s Quarters to Semesters Conversion Committee, and as a representative on the University Senate. That commitment also extends beyond the walls of the university through his dedication to programs such as the Marion Area Science and Engineering Fair, North Central District Science Day, and Science Café.
“Dr. McEnnis’ service contributions to Ohio State are both extensive and varied,” said Rose. “He has worked tirelessly to extend the reach and visibility of The Ohio State University into our communities.”
Professor McEnnis’ long term dedication to Ohio State and the Marion campus are also echoed in statements garnered from his faculty colleagues during the award nomination process.
McEnnis’ colleague and fellow Distinguished Faculty Service Award winner Dr. Gordon Aubrecht has worked with the professor for the past three and a half decades and felt such an honor was more than deserved.
“Professor McEnnis embodies the qualities of a person who has contributed mightily to the betterment of his campus, his department, his university, and his community,” Aubrecht said.
“I am proud to count him as a colleague and a friend,” he added.
He has made a career teaching, researching, and engaging the community, but McEnnis’ involvement university-wide did not go unnoticed by fellow professors.
In keeping with the primary mission of Ohio State’s regional campuses, McEnnis teaches predominantly remedial and first year mathematics courses, often including evening sections. He is highly regarded by students, as is reflected in three decades of high ratings by students on the university’s student evaluation tool.
“Indeed not all professors have an interest in helping young people learn to love math, but Brian is really good at this,” said Ohio State Professor of Music and University Senate Secretary, Tim Gerber.
“Brian McEnnis has distinguished himself, his department, and his campus as a selfless contributor to the greater good of the university,” Gerber echoed.
A faculty member from the Ohio State Department of Mathematics, Dr. Daniel Shapiro, noted McEnnis’ significant impact on mathematics instruction at Ohio State not only in the classroom, but through his work on policy committees.
“Course policies crafted and implemented by Brian McEnnis have had positive effects on thousands of students and instructors throughout the OSU system,” he said.
Dr. Lynn Elfner, Chief Executive Officer of The Ohio Academy of Science, who has known and worked with McEnnis over the past 20 years, lauded the professor’s professionalism, as well as his ability to be articulate and prepared when it comes to working on North Central District Day and at state level meetings for the Junior Academy Council.
“He has contributed directly and substantially in negotiating on behalf of the Academy in major science education standards decisions of the State Board of Education,” explained Elfner.
McEnnis joined the Ohio State Marion faculty in 1978 as a tenure track assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 1984 and to full professor in 1992. Originally from New Zealand, McEnnis and his wife Rosalie are residents of Marion, Ohio, where they have lived, worked, and raised a family since his hiring at Ohio State Marion.
Dr. McEnnis and other university award winners will be honored at an official ceremony Tuesday, April 2 at the Longaberger Alumni House on the Columbus campus.
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