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Staff Writer
Salisbury University is lamenting the loss of Professor Homer Austin, a 30 year professor of mathematics at SU, who died Friday, March 6 at the age of 70.
Austin joined the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at SU in 1983 after earning tenure at James Madison University, and was known among his colleagues for his passion, good nature and excellence as an instructor.
“Dr. Homer Austin was a wonderful, kind man. He made mathematics accessible to thousands of students over the years,” said Janet Dudley-Eshbach, president of SU. “Students were fond of him, and he was a role model for other Salisbury University faculty.”
Austin, who earned his Ph.D. at the University of Virginia in an interdisciplinary program combining applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, and mathematics education, was a widely-published expert in his field, with his work appearing 27 times in various mathematics and education-based journals.
While teaching at SU, he was awarded the Distinguished Faculty award in 2003, the John Smith Award for Distinguished College/University Teaching in 2004 and the Alumni Faculty Award for Henson School of Science and Technology in 2010.
Michael Bardzell is a mathematics professor and the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at SU. He expressed the loss his department faced with Austin’s passing.
“Homer was near and dear to all of us,” Bardzell said. “He was a staple to this department since he joined us in 1983… a jack-of-all-trades who taught mathematics, statistics and was heavily involved with math education efforts.”
Austin, alongside Robert Tardiff and the late Robert Ehrlich, began the Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition 31 years ago to promote mathematics among high school students. Tardiff, long-time friend and colleague of Austin’s and current professor at SU specializing in probability and statistics, said Austin was a gracious man, a challenging but loved teacher, and an invaluable facet of their department.
“He was the guy you could count on. He was what you call a go-to guy,” Tardiff said. “If you wanted insight into some particular issue… or how you’d do something, he was the guy you’d go to.”
Randall Groth, an associate professor of mathematics education at SU worked alongside Austin on numerous projects related to math and education. Austin was someone that didn’t seem of age to retire, Groth said, such was the passion that he brought to his work.
“I think for those that knew him, it’s just very sad,” Groth said. “And for future students that would have had him (as an instructor), they’re missing out on someone that brought a lot of enthusiasm and energy to the table.”
Casey Lake, 19, a freshman at SU, was studying statistics under Austin this semester, and says that his classroom attitude was one of good humor and sincere caring for his pupils.
“He was always very concerned with everyone. Even for the kids that were struggling – me for example – if I was late on work he’d allow me some leeway,” Lake said. “And he would always have funny stories to go along with whatever he was teaching, and it really helped me understand.”
Austin is survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda B. Austin, his children Hollie Austin and Jathan Austin, an associate professor of mathematics education, teacher education and number theory at SU, and his brothers Vaughn Austin, Boyce Austin, Calvin Austin and Joe Austin.