Family and Friends of Dr. Megan E. Bradley and Dr. Jason H. Edwards
The family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Megan Bradley and Dr. Jason Edwards have established a scholarship to honor their memory. Megan and Jason were both professors of Psychology at FSU, and were close colleagues. Great losses were suffered by many when they passed away. Megan passed away in 2016 after a brief illness. Jason passed away in 2017 after living with ALS for more than a year and a half.
They were both award-winning professors with great passion for helping students and teaching about children and families. As excellent researchers and pillars of their community, Megan and Jason left an indelible impact on their department, inspiring and influencing countless students during their years at FSU.
Megan was a Developmental Psychologist, and Jason was a Clinical Psychologist with a focus on children and families. Their common interests lead them to co-found Frostburg’s Center for Children and Families; they remained co-directors until they passed. The Center allowed each professor to contribute distinctive yet complementary expertise, providing countless opportunities and experiences for students in education, research, and community service.
In addition to founding the Center for Children and Families, both professors served FSU and the community in numerous ways. Jason made his mark as the original coordinator of Frostburg’s Undergraduate Child and Family Psychology Certificate Program (now an emphasis program). He was awarded the FSU Faculty Achievement award in Academic Achievement, as well as the Frostburg State Institute for Service Learning Unsung Hero Award. Jason was a dedicated researcher; he involved dozens of undergraduate and graduate students in many publications and presentations and was on the editorial board of numerous national journals. He was a member of many committees including serving as chair on the Internal Review Board. His students described him as a mentor who was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. He was known for his ability to both motivate and challenge his students, as well as for his enthusiasm and calming presence.
Megan distinguished herself through her campus leadership in the Regent’s Course Redesign Initiative, through which Frostburg’s General Psychology course was redesigned, improving student learning and earning national recognition. She also was active in providing free infant massage classes to the community and was a board member for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children. Megan’s students greatly appreciated her ability to inspire them with her true love of learning. She believed in her students and would go out of her way to help them to excel, guiding and motivating them on their career paths.
While Megan and Jason were very accomplished professionally, their greatest dedication was to their families, as they were both known to talk about their families in class to illustrate key concepts. Jason was very active within the community, coaching sports for many years. He also enjoyed traveling to national parks, hiking, camping, biking, and going to Orioles and Wizards games with his family. Megan enjoyed gardening and doing all things with her family. She cherished her son and passed along to him her love of Mr. Rogers’ positive and caring messages for children and adults alike.
The Psychology Department Memorial Scholarship will assist students majoring in Psychology with an interest in working with children and families. In doing so, it will carry forth the legacy of two devoted professors who were tragically taken before their time.
Jason and Megan would have been so honored for their memories to continue helping Frostburg students who share their mutual professional passion.
(Submitted by Cindy Hay and Susan Keller, spouses of Megan Bradley and Jason Edwards)