Dear Assumption Community,
The Mathematics and Computer Science Department informed me of the recent passing of Professor Emeritus Charles Brusard.
Prof. Brusard earned a master’s degree in Mathematics at Boston College. He taught at Assumption from 1968, rising to the rank of Associate Professor, and retired from full-time teaching in 2009. Prof. Brusard continued to teach individual courses for the department as Professor Emeritus until 2017.
He gave generously to the department and Assumption, serving in the roles of Chair of the Math and Computer Science Department; Chair of the Evaluation Committee; and President of the Faculty Senate - each on more than one occasion. He had a legendary memory for recalling the proceedings of previous meetings, and was often called upon for this resource.
Prof. Brusard co-founded the Alpha Chapter of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics National Honor Society at Assumption, and served as host of its annual student induction ceremony for 51 years.
He was a nurturing and genial colleague. One member of the department shares that it was his strong support that encouraged her to write and publish her book, A Beginner's Guide to Teaching Mathematics in the Undergraduate Classroom.
Prof. Brusard loved classical music - he enjoyed attending concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall, especially on Saturday afternoons when the box office offered their last-chance unsold tickets for a discount(!). He was the primary donor of the 9-foot Steinway Concert Grand Piano that graces the stage in the Curtis Auditorium.
He loved his Catholic faith and attended the Sunday Latin Mass in Boston's downtown, and he routinely attended the 5 p.m. weekday services on Assumption's campus.
And Prof. Brusard shared a dry-witted humor. Before delivering a speech, he would tap and blow on the device in front of him: "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a dusty microphone".
Please join us for a Memorial Mass for Prof. Brusard to be held on campus early in the fall 2023 semester. Information regarding the Mass will be forthcoming.
Sincerely,
