Physics Professor, Former Dean and STEM Day Founder Retires After More Than 24 Years of Service to AAMU

Alabama A&M University recently celebrated the retirement and distinguished career of Dr. Matthew Edwards, a longtime physics professor, former dean and founder of AAMU STEM Day whose commitment to teaching, research and mentorship has spanned more than five decades.

Edwards officially retired July 1 after more than 24 years at AAMU and 51 years in higher education. Colleagues, students, University leaders, family and friends gathered Sept. 22 to recognize his contributions to AAMU and the broader scientific community.

“Mostly, I enjoyed seeing my many old and new friends, colleagues and associates at AAMU and interacting with them,” Edwards said of the celebration.

During the celebration, AAMU President Dr. Daniel K. Wims presented Edwards with a resolution recognizing his contributions to the University and scientific community, including the idea that led to the establishment of AAMU STEM Day in 2006. Edwards also received recognition from the Faculty Senate and his department for his teaching, research, service and mentorship.

Edwards joined AAMU on Jan. 1, 2002, as a professor of physics. He served as dean of the former School of Arts and Sciences from 2007 to 2011 and has remained closely involved with STEM Day, an annual outreach event established in 2006 through his vision and leadership to introduce young students to opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

During his tenure at AAMU, Edwards guided eight students to advanced degrees in physics, including five who earned doctorates and three who earned master’s degrees. He served on more than 20 thesis and dissertation committees, published 51 refereed papers and delivered more than 60 conference presentations.

His research has included electro-optics of microemulsions and crystals, solitons wave dynamics, dielectric and pyroelectric properties of organic thin films and quantum physics. Edwards said working with students and colleagues, conducting research and helping establish STEM Day are among the experiences he has valued most at AAMU.

“I will miss most my many aspiring students in the sciences,” Edwards said, along with “the academic camaraderie with friends, colleagues and associates at AAMU.”

His career in higher education began in 1975 and included appointments at Spelman College, the University of Pittsburgh, Fayetteville State University and Howard University before he joined AAMU.

Edwards has also watched Alabama A&M undergo significant changes during his tenure. He pointed to expanded academic programs, research activity, campus facilities and the University’s growing visibility through its academic, athletic and musical programs.

His contributions to physics extend well beyond campus. In 2025, Edwards was named a Fellow of the National Society of Black Physicists, becoming the first AAMU faculty member to receive the lifetime honor. The recognition placed him among a select group of physicists honored by the organization for distinguished contributions to physics and the scientific community.

Edwards has also served as president of the Alabama Academy of Science (AAS) and maintained involvement with the National Society of Black Physicists, the American Physical Society (APS) and SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics. Additionally, Edwards was named a fellow of the Alabama Academy of Science in 2022.

Retirement will not mean leaving Alabama A&M behind.

Edwards will remain in the Huntsville area and continue teaching one physics course each semester at AAMU while pursuing research in quantum physics, quantum computing, quantum gravity and the effects of dopants on the electrical responses of organic thin films. He also hopes to complete one or two delayed books, remain involved with AAMU STEM Day and expand his financial support of student scholarships.

After more than half a century in higher education, Edwards said the timing was right to step away from full-time work and focus more intentionally on selected professional and personal pursuits, including research, travel, scholarship support and his science think tank, Dynotech and Science II.

For Edwards, his career has also been a tribute to his parents, Offie Collin Edwards and Carlena Coor Edwards, neither of whom graduated from high school in eastern North Carolina. His family includes his wife, Glenda Robinson Edwards; son, Matthew Edwards Jr., and his significant other, Sharon Johnson; daughter, Natasha Hall, and her husband, Daniel Hall; adopted grandson, Nicholas Cutler; and four granddaughters, Megan Edwards, Misty Edwards, Kaylie Jones and Alexis Sellers.

Edwards said that throughout his career, his overarching goal was to represent his parents, family and other loved ones positively while living “a positive and productive life.”

“I have lived up to this goal to my very best,” Edwards said.

And after 24 years of teaching, research, mentorship and service on The Hill, Edwards offered a fitting final message to the University community.

“Go Bulldogs!”