A great honor was given to one of Marion's most established educators this month, on the eve of his retirement.

Dr. Brian McEnnis, Ph.D. of The Ohio State University at Marion, has been honored with the school's 2013 President and Provost's Award for Distinguished Faculty Service during a surprise ceremony last Friday on campus.

A throng of staff members and students presented the award to Dr. McEnnis during his afternoon calculus class. A native of New Zealand, McEnnis has been teaching mathematics at OSU-Marion since 1978, becoming a full professor in 1992.

In addition to teaching and researching, McEnnis spearheaded the popular Science Cafe which is held monthly in Marion--the idea of which is to promote academic discussion in a very informal pub-like atmosphere.

The Distinguished Faculty Service Award is given out up to three times per year by the Ohio State University. A formal ceremony honoring Dr. McEnnis and other OSU faculty members will be held on April 2nd at the Longaberger Alumni House on the Columbus Campus. McEnnis has said he plans on retiring at the end of this school year.

Pictured from left: Michael J. Boehm, Vice Provost for Academic and Strategic Planning at The Ohio State University, McEnnis’ wife Rosalie McEnnis, and Ohio State Marion Professor of Mathematics, Brian McEnnis.