BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Eric Marland, professor emeritus in the Appalachian State University Department of Mathematical Sciences, is the recipient of the 2025 Doug Faires Lifetime Achievement Award from the Consortium of Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP). He was presented with the award at the Joint Mathematics Meeting in Washington, DC, in January 2026.
The Faires Award recognizes individuals for their many years of service or who in one special year made outstanding contributions to mathematics education in the spirit of Doug Faires, a gifted teacher and mathematics educator. The recipient is acknowledged as emulating Faires, who as a dedicated teacher believed in the power of mathematical modeling to motivate students at all levels and to lead them on a path to life-long learning.
As detailed in the COMAP blog post, Marland has dedicated his career to advancing mathematical modeling across biology, environmental science, and education. His research, which spans forest dynamics, climate policy, and mathematical biology, has often involved undergraduate collaborators, reflecting his deep commitment to mentorship and student engagement.
Marland earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Virginia Tech and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Utah. After post‑doctoral work with the Institute for Theoretical Dynamics at the University of California, Davis, he joined App State in 2000. His research has been supported by agencies including NASA, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Science Foundation. A dedicated teacher, mentor, and campus leader, Marland served as chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences from 2017 to 2023 and received the College of Arts and Sciences’ Jimmy Smith Outstanding Service Award in 2015. He retired emeritus in December 2025 after 25 years of service.
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About the Department of Mathematical Sciences
The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in mathematics, with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching. Learn more at mathsci.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
February 3, 2026
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Eric Marland is a professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Mathematical Sciences. Photo by University Communications
Dr. Eric Marland is a professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Mathematical Sciences. Photo by University Communications