John Brown University

The third in a founding generation of university leadership, John Brown III was a natural choice for the third president of JBU. Growing up in Siloam Springs as the son of the then-president and the grandson of the founder, Brown was surrounded by JBU. In 1971, Brown graduated from JBU with a degree in business administration, and in 1974 received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The same year, Brown began to work with development, administration and legal affairs for JBU. Two years later, he was elected vice president of the University and secretary for the Board of Trustees. Brown assumed the presidency at JBU in 1979, also teaching criminology and business classes. Like his father's term at the University, Brown's presidency was characterized by a period of growth, in which the enrollment grew more than 30 percent and $14 million of construction was completed. In 1979, a new wing was added to the Mayfield women's residence hall, and by 1980, the Learning Resource Center Complex was completed. The $6 million Walton Lifetime Health Complex opened in 1988. Under Brown's leadership, an entrance plaza was erected in 1982, a monument representing "the founder's dream of building a college where Christian truth and the ideals of responsible citizenship would serve as the foundation for educating the 'head, heart and hand.'" In 1985 Brown helped usher in the Walton Latin American Scholarship program (now the Walton International Scholarship Program) which has continued to bring 60 full scholarship students to JBU every year. The founder's grandson was also concerned about the community. His involvement in Siloam Springs and the surrounding areas included writing a column for the local newspaper, serving on the Kiwanis Service Club and the United Way board. Additionally, Brown was a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Christian Legal Society. In 1993, Brown decided to go deeper into public affairs. He left the presidency at JBU and accepted a position as executive administrator for the newly formed Windgate Foundation. By 1995, he began the first of two terms serving as state senator from the 34th district of Arkansas. Brown continues to be actively connected to the institution that his grandfather founded, serving on the board of trustees and occasionally teaching political thought courses. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of higher education by John Brown University in 1993. John Brown III of Brown's major objectives toward academic excellence was accomplished when JBU received accreditation from the North Central Association (now the Higher Learning Commission) in 1962. Brown also had new athletic facilities built, including tennis courts and a soccer field, and in the late 1950s, introduced varsity sports. He also built a stronger relationship between the campus and the community by encouraging students to get involved in Siloam Springs and by holding several local offices himself, including Rotary Club president and Chamber of Commerce president. John Brown University | 100 Years 7

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