David G. Brown, 1958
B.A., Denison University
M.A., Princeton University
Ph.D., Princeton University
Citation awarded June, 1983
A Phi Beta Kappa economics major at Denison, Dr. David Brown was recognized early for his unique talents and leadership qualities, receiving the Tanner Award for excellence for his inspirational teachings of the undergraduate students while at the University of North Carolina. He was identified by Change in 1978 as one of the “100 Young Leaders in Higher Education.”
David assumed the presidency of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1982. At the age of 34, he was the youngest person to be appointed provost and executive vice president for the academic affairs office at Miami University of Ohio. He was 31 when appointed provost of Drake University. He also served as professor of economics at both institutions and as associate and assistant professor of economics at the University of North Carolina.
In addition to his administrative and teaching duties, he has written extensively, including three books. He has held a number of national, state, and local offices including national chairmanships of the American Association for Higher Education, National Council of Chief Academic Officers, and the Council of Chief Academic Officers of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. In 1980, he was one of 20 delegates from the United States sent to the International Association of Universities in Manila. A frequent speaker and workshop leader, he has also served as a consultant for more than a dozen educational, governmental, and industrial agencies, and he has held research grants from the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Science Foundation, and the U.S. office of Education, as well as Princeton University Industrial Relations and the Harold Dodds Fellowships.
