Some of the most interesting people at Plymouth State University are those who have come from other countries and had many experiences elsewhere. Marie Gardner is one of many intriguing professors that students can attest to.
Gardner has been teaching at Plymouth State University for 18 years. She was a part time professor after retiring from Dover-Sherborn high school in MA and became a full-time professor only five years ago.
“I had enough with high school students…period,” Gardner said. “There is a big difference between the college students and the high school students, but also with the administration. There is more freedom here, you can do your own thing and not be harassed, if you will.”
Gardner feels that there are more leniencies with working for a university rather than a high school. She is not “drowning in meetings” here as she was in lower levels of education. Parents are not on her back as they almost always are in the high school levels.
Marie Gardner was 21-years-old when she picked up and moved from France to the United States during World War II. Despite her parents’ disapproval of the move, she called herself the “free spirit” of the family. “It was definitely a bumpy road when I moved here,” she said. “But I made it. Ha!”
While she was in France, Gardner received her Bachelor Degree in Philosophy at the University of Paris. When she came to the States she went to Boston College and received another B.A. and Masters in French Literature. “And now, I will be getting my Certificate of Advanced Studies very soon,” Gardner said. “This will lead to getting my doctorate specializing in French and Canadian Linguistics.”
Students love Gardner’s ability to make class fun. “I think Madame is great, she makes the class that much more interesting for me,” said Lauren Heil, one of Gardner’s students. “I did want to minor in French, but I’m a senior and it’s too late. I’m glad I got to take the class, it was an elective for me.”
Gardner has seen many transitions at the University. “The one big this that I have noticed over the years is the students’ seriousness and the goals and commitment so many of the students have,” she pointed out. “They are so much fun and they keep me so young!”
Gardner stands by the fact that she keeps a good rapport with all of the students. She is up front and forward about what needs to be done in the class, while keeping it upbeat and interesting.
Besides teaching at Plymouth State, her hobbies include gardening, swimming and reading publications like Yankee Magazine and National Geographic. She also loves to continue her ongoing research on French literature in the 17th century as well as the linguistics of the language.
“I am also a very good poker player, a card shark if you will. I am a very competitive person,” she laughed. Although she says she is very good, she will only play for nickels and dimes. “I went to Las Vegas once many years ago,” she said. “It was fun, but it was too fake for me. I would only play for $20. If I won, good for me, if I lost, it’s okay, bye-bye.”
Gardner lives with her retired husband, who used to be an English teacher. The two live 15 minutes away from the University in the village of Hebron, right along the shores Newfound Lake. She has three grown daughters, two of who have taken on speaking the language, the other, Madam Gardner said, “is like me, she is a free spirit.”
She has no intention to ever retire, but when she has to, she will continue her research of the linguistics of the French language. She says she does not wish to return to France anytime soon. “After the passing of my sister, France just never seemed the same,” Gardner said. “I will and have continued to stay in touch with my childhood friends that I grew up with.” Gardner is very happy just being here and enjoying life in the States.
What Gardner wants all her students to know from her experiences and from observing them is to pursue dreams, finish education, and complete as many goals as possible.
“I would like to see students learning more languages,” she explained. “Not just French of course, but as many as possible. Traveling and understanding people that are only different by culture and nothing else. This is becoming more and more important as generations continue. I would like to see it passed on to the children too, It becomes almost like a snowball effect.”