Purdue News

December 9, 1997

Former Purdue vice president and dean of academic services dies

Brown was appointed vice president in 1980. His duties included overseeing Continuing Education Administration, the Office of Instructional Services, the Office of Instructional Materials Development, the Office of Special Academic Services, the Telecommunication Center, radio station WBAA, Teacher Education Services, the Computing Center, Purdue Libraries and Audio/Visual Services.

"Don Brown was a gifted teacher and scholar," said Robert L. Ringel, executive vice president for academic affairs. "His knowledge of statistics and research design was extensive, and he enjoyed sharing his expertise with students. He gave strong leadership to Purdue Libraries, the Computing Center and areas of continuing education. His ability to identify critical issues and plan for their solution will be missed."

Brown stepped down as vice president in 1993 but continued at the university as professor of psychological sciences and educational studies. He also was director and founder of the Policy Center for Lifelong Learning. His major research interests were in human visual pattern perception with applications to problems in reading. One of his projects, Genesis 21, was a collaboration with the Gary Community School Corp. to try to improve that city's schools.

Born in Evansville, Ind., in 1935, Brown was valedictorian of his senior class at Cynthiana High School in Cynthiana, Ind., in 1953. Brown received all of his college degrees from Purdue -- a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1957, a master's degree in experimental psychology in 1959, and his doctorate in the same field in 1961.

After one year on the faculty of Ohio State University, he returned to Purdue in 1962 as assistant professor of psychology. He was promoted to professor in 1968. From 1967 to 1970, he served as associate head of the Psychology Department and as assistant dean of the Graduate School. In 1971 he was appointed assistant provost, serving in that capacity until 1976, when he was named associate provost and dean for academic services.

Brown served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1957 to 1964, and was on active duty in the artillery corps at Fort Sill, Okla., from 1959 to 1960.

A private family service will be held this evening (Wednesday, 12/9) in Florida, with internment of the ashes slated for this spring near West Lafayette.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Purdue Undergraduate Library through the Purdue Foundation. Checks payable to the Purdue Foundation may be sent to the University Development Office, 1136 Terminal Building, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907.

Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-9723; e-mail, beth_forbes@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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