By Sarah Carlson, Arts Editor

The Department of Education will award Frances (McBroom) Thompson, class of ’63, with the Morlan award, which recognizes distinguished alumni from the department, on April 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Teague Special Events Center.

Dr. Jerry Whitworth, professor of education, said the committee that chooses the recipient of the award chose Thompson because of her work in the state of Texas with math education.

“The award recognizes one outstanding alumnus who has made a contribution to the field of education,” Whitworth said.

Thompson is a professor of mathematics at Texas Women’s University in Denton. Whitworth said during her career she has worked to develop techniques to help students better understand math concepts, publishing several books on the subject such as Hands-On Math and Five-Minute Challenges, as well as developing training modules for Texas Education Agency. Thompson was awarded in 1998 with a Distinguished Alumni Citation for her work in education.

The Morlan Award, which is given annually, is named after Dr. Grover C. Morlan, chair of the department in 1934-58. Morlan also penned the university’s alma mater, O Dear Christian College, soon after he became a faculty member in 1916.

According to Dr. John C. Steven’s book No Ordinary University, Morlan adapted the alma mater from a college song used at Highland Park College in Iowa, where he was an undergraduate. In 1934, Leonard Burford, long-time chair of the Department of Music, rearranged Morlan’s adaptation, which has served as the alma mater ever since.

Also at the awards dinner, more than 20 education students will receive award scholarships based on academic achievements, service and financial need, Whitworth said. Students must be at least juniors to be eligible and have already been notified of the award. The dinner is invitation only, Whitworth said, but if any are interested in attending, they can contact the Education Department at Ext. 2112.