Dawson and Marie Trine
Dawson and Marie met in fourth grade in Dodgeville, WI. They graduated from Dodgeville High School in 1948. After graduating from high school, Dawson worked for a distribution company 55 hours a week for $32.00 a week. Marie worked in a newspaper office. Dawson then decided it was important to get a college degree. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, commuting from Dodgeville the first two years, taking courses to major in Mathematics and Chemistry and minor in Physics. Dawson took a full load of classes while working jobs to support his wife and family.
After Dawson’s sophomore year the family moved to Platteville. They lived in a trailer in Davison Park, where married students could rent for $27.00 a month, sharing a common building for laundry and bathrooms. Davison Park was located in the area of Royce and McGregor Halls. After a day of classes, Dawson worked the evening shift of 3:30-12:00 midnight at the Burgess Battery Plant, then located on the corner of Third and Mineral Streets.
Dawson graduated from UW-Platteville in 1953, and the family moved to McHenry, IL, where Dawson began his teaching career in McHenry High School with a salary of $3300 — a good salary at the time. He later taught at the high school in Arlington Heights, IL. During these years Dawson commuted to UW-Madison taking courses to obtain his Master of Science Degree. In 1958, the Trine family returned to Platteville where Dawson began teaching Mathematics at UW-Platteville. He continued his graduate work and received his PH D in Mathematics Education from UW-Madison in 1965. Dawson taught Mathematics at UW-Platteville thirty-seven years and was chairman of the Department of Mathematics for thirteen of those years.
In 1958, Marie enrolled at UW-Platteville and their sons attended the UW-Platteville Laboratory School. Marie continued taking classes part-time while balancing the responsibilities of being a mother of four sons. She completed her Elementary Education degree in eight years. Marie graduated from UW-Platteville in 1966, and within a few months the Platteville superintendent of schools called to inquire if Marie would teach third grade in Westview Elementary School. Marie accepted the offer and taught there for 23 years. Dawson, Marie and three of their sons, Rick, Larry, and David, graduated from UW-Platteville. Their fourth son Bob took four classes at UW-Platteville during his senior year at Platteville High School. He enrolled at UW-Platteville for one year before transferring to Stanford University on a scholarship, where he completed his degree. Bob also participated in two drama performances at UW-Platteville.
Dawson was serious about his academics and athletics and enjoyed band and choral groups. Dawson must have been greatly impressed with this Cardinal Principle of Education: ……”The worthy use of leisure time,” because he played tennis, golf, pickleball and other sports well into his 90’s. He was a fan of the Badgers and Packers, and he enjoyed working Sudoku puzzles. Dawson sang in church choirs for about 70 years.
Dawson and Marie believe UW-Platteville has had a positive effect on their family, and throughout their life they enjoyed the activities offered by the University. In appreciation for the opportunities afforded them by the university, they are establishing the Dawson and Marie Trine Family Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics.
Dawson passed away in 2024.