Two people who were at the forefront of making Arkansas Tech University the modern, regional comprehensive university it is today will receive the institution’s highest honor this spring.
Dr. Robert Charles Brown, 11th president of Arkansas Tech, and his wife, Jill Lestage Brown, will be inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction under the Distinguished Service category during spring commencement at John E. Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, May 10.
The Browns were elected to the ATU Hall of Distinction by vote of the ATU Board of Trustees during its meeting on Friday, Feb. 28.
Over his 21 years as president, Brown transformed Arkansas Tech from a small college into one of five universities in the state with more than 11,000 students, oversaw the addition of more than 50 new programs of study and led an investment of $260 million in new facilities, renovated facilities and campus infrastructure.
Enrollment at ATU topped 12,000 students during the fall semester following Brown’s retirement from the presidency as part of 17 consecutive years of school record enrollments through fall 2015.
Among every degree that was earned at Arkansas Tech during its first 105 years, 61 percent were conferred during the Brown presidency.
Brown announced on Aug. 23, 2013, that the 2013-14 academic year would be his last as president. He retired from the active presidency on June 30, 2014, and has held the titles of president emeritus and distinguished professor of economics at Arkansas Tech since July 1, 2014.
“Arkansas Tech University is privileged to have the opportunity to honor Dr. Brown and Mrs. Brown with induction into the ATU Hall of Distinction,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president. “The positive outcomes of their efforts on behalf of Arkansas Tech are easy to see and continue to benefit our students. I look forward to a celebration of their achievements at spring commencement.”
The Browns have been married since 1968. They have three adult children — Hugh, John and Martha — and five grandchildren.
“I was fortunate enough and blessed enough to find a life partner who not only had the intelligence and the drive, but she also has a diplomacy and a smoothness that I am lacking,” said Brown when asked about his wife at the time of his retirement in 2014. “It’s been a great advantage to me, not only in the personal dimension, but quite frankly in the professional dimension. Jill had a great career of her own going as an elementary teacher, and she gave that up to help me. I am very grateful to her. She knew that I was going to need her help to get this job done.”
Mrs. Brown’s volunteer service to ATU is celebrated on an annual basis when the Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award is presented to a senior student.
Established in 1964, the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction recognizes the accomplishments of Arkansas Tech alumni and friends in four categories: Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna, Distinguished Alumni Service, Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna and Distinguished Service (non-alumnus).
Nominations for the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction may be made by any graduate of Arkansas Tech, any current or former member of the faculty or administration of Tech, any currently enrolled full-time student at Tech or any member of the Hall of Distinction. Nominations may not be made by a family member of the nominee.
The nomination deadline is Oct. 1 of each year. Honorees are selected by the ATU Board of Trustees.
No incumbent member of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees, faculty, staff or administration is eligible for nomination for any category of the Hall of Distinction.
For more information about nominating an individual for the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction, visit www.atualumni.com, call (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.
