As Dr. Tom Bowling emailed to the entire Frostburg community on Thursday afternoon, “I am extremely saddened to share with the campus community that Dr. Megan Bradley, a valued and cherished member of the Department of Psychology faculty, passed away yesterday afternoon following a brief illness.”

Bradley was given countless awards through her graduate school and teaching career including the 2010 Regent’s Award in Teaching from University System of Maryland, the 2010 Redesign Scholar for National Center for Academic Transformation, and the 2009 Faculty Achievement Award: Academic Accomplishment from FSU. She worked to help re-design many courses in the Psychology department where she worked.

Megan Bradley is survived by her wife, Cindy Hay, who works in the Office of Information Technology staff, and her son Bryce.

Dr. Jennifer Flinn, Chair of Frostburg’s Psychology Department, had the following to say:

“Dr. Megan Bradley was an amazing professor and a wonderful member of the Psychology Department. She started working at FSU in 1999. Over her years in the department she taught a number of classes, but her primary area of interest and study was Infant and Child Development. She also served as supervisor for the General Psychology course and the Undergraduate Learning Assistants leadership program. Her teaching work was exemplary, and she was honored with the FSU Faculty Achievement Award and the USM Board of Regents Faculty Award for Teaching. She helped mentor many new faculty members and was always interested in exploring new and effective methods for teaching. She was focused on how to make the class experience the best it could be for students.

“If there has been a common theme in the comments I’ve heard from faculty and students, it’s that she inspired and encouraged people. Many of our undergrads have shared about how Dr. Bradley encouraged them to learn, to pursue their interests, and to push themselves to beyond what they thought they could do. For some students this meant learning more about children and development, for others it meant considering graduate work, and for some it meant learning about how to be a leader. One of Dr. Bradley’s goals was to use her knowledge of child development to help families, and she did this in many ways. She was always the “go-to” person for questions about kids whenever someone had questions or concerns. Dr. Bradley taught classes that informed students and community members about developmentally appropriate care for infants. She was so excited about being a mom herself and used that as an opportunity to connect with other moms she met. Finally, she went above and beyond to help students – time spent talking to advisees, helping students participate in research, supervising internship and experiential learning opportunities. She loved teaching and working with students.

“Dr. Erica Kennedy pointed out that Dr. Bradley liked to wear t-shirts with the logo “’Life is Good.’” Dr. Kennedy said she felt it was a good way to sum up Dr. Bradley’s positive attitude and happy perspective on life.”

Over the last few days, as the department and its students has come to terms with this difficult time, many have posted on the professor’s personal Facebook account, including words from two future students.

“Megan was the first individual I spoke with in the psych dept, was my advisor, encouraged me to become a ULA and also supported me in getting my Masters,” said Laura Miller who had Dr. Bradley as an undergraduate and graduate student. It is individuals like her that inspire others to become their best. She will be missed.”

“Dr. Megan Bradley, you were one of the sweetest and happiest people I have ever met,” said Theresa Leasure, an alum of FSU. “I owe receiving my graduate teaching assistantship and fellowship to you and your letter of recommendation. You inspired me more than you’ll ever know.”