MC community remembers the late William Dent, long-time math professor
The Maryville College community is mourning the death of Dr. William H. Dent ’57, professor emeritus of mathematics, who passed away Dec. 7 in Maryville. He was 86.
Dent, who graduated from Maryville College in 1957 and returned to teach at his alma mater in 1964, earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Tennessee. He earned grants from the National Science Foundation and other entities to continue his education.
An expert in the mathematical field of topology, Dent taught an introductory course in the subject at Maryville College, as well as the calculus sequence from precalculus through calculus III, linear algebra, differential equations, numerical analysis, complex variables and statistics. Later in his teaching career, he added computer programming to his areas of expertise.
Dr. John Nichols ’65, who taught with Dent for nearly 40 years, described his colleague, mentor and friend as “an excellent teacher and advisor,” adding that he was “loved and praised by his students. Honesty, integrity, love of family and MC were some of his greatest qualities.”
Dent was the second MC professor to ever be elected “Chair of the Faculty,” and he served as chair of the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science from 1980 until 2000. In those 20 years, he led the expansion of the division, introducing several new majors, including Computer Science/Mathematics, Computer Science/Business and the dual degree in Engineering.
“Prior to the 1970s, the statistics courses were taught within other disciplines, like Psychology, Business, Chemistry and Biology,” Nichols explained. “Bill developed courses within the division to serve all disciplines. He was instrumental in bringing a statistics course into the core curriculum.”
Dr. Jeff Bay, professor of statistics and current chair of the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science, joined MC’s faculty in 1997 and said Dent fostered “an atmosphere of collegiality, integrity and kindness,” and successfully advocated for increased support for the applied areas of the mathematical sciences.
“That has only increased over time,” Bay added, pointing to the Business Analytics major and Data Analysis minor that were added to the College’s catalog in 2017 and 2020, respectively.
Dent retired from the College in 2002 and was recognized during the 2002 commencement exercises.
“His students know him for his great depth of knowledge, masterful skills in articulating mathematical concepts and immense patience with neophytes to the abstract realm of mathematics,” Vice President and Academic Dean Dr. Robert Naylor said during the ceremony. “His colleagues are grateful for the years of penetrating insight and quiet expressions of wisdom, his resolute dedication to the College and its mission and, particularly, his model of indefatigable integrity.”
Survivors include sons William Dent III ’82, Richard Dent, John Dent and their families.
Services are planned for 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, in the Samuel Tyndale Wilson Center for Campus Ministry (CCM) on the Maryville College campus. The lives of both William and wife Margaret Jones Dent ’57 will be celebrated. Margaret passed away on Nov. 2, 2020, but services were not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interment of ashes will be in the College Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider making donations in William and Margaret’s name to the Blount Memorial Foundation Cancer Patient Assistance Fund (907 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804) or Maryville College (Advancement Office, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804).
