Biographical Text
Professor Emerita of Mathematical Sciences Theresa Ellen Early (October 17, 1947-), was born in Old Fort, North Carolina, to Genevieve Calloway and William Bryant Early. She graduated from Old Fort High School in 1966. In her undergraduate studies, Early first attended Appalachian State University from 1966 to 1968. She then transferred to Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, where she completed her B.A. and M.S. degrees in mathematics in 1971. Her Ph.D. in mathematics from Florida State University was awarded in 1976. Dr. Early joined the faculty of Appalachian State University in the fall of 1976 and spent her entire teaching career at Appalachian State. In 1980, she married Dr. Rudy L. Curd, a fellow professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Early was very active professionally. She served for three years on the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), served for nine years on the Executive Committee of the Southeastern Section of the MAA, and served as editor of the Newsletter of the Southeastern Section of the MAA from 1994 to 2000. Early was president of the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics, from 1986 to 1991. In her university governance activity, Dr. Early was chair of the Faculty Senate, chair of the Graduate Faculty, a member of the Faculty Assembly of the University of North Carolina, a long-standing member of the Athletics Council, and a member of numerous other university committees and councils. Awards received by Dr. Early include: Outstanding Service Award from the Southeastern Section of the MAA, 2004; College of Arts and Sciences Academy of Outstanding Teachers, 1999; the Rankin Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education given by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1995; nominee for Arts and Sciences Teacher of the Year, 1993-94, 1997-98, and 1998-99; and Outstanding Teaching Award, Appalachian State University, 1980. Dr. Early designs and makes art quilts and has had her work shown in numerous exhibits. She and Rudy live in their over one-hundred-year-old house on their farm in Ashe County. Source: Appalachian State University files. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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