Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, February 6, 2006

"He wasn't a very big man. But when we looked at him, we all knew he meant ... Education," remembered Carletta Bayne, a 1932 graduate of Ouachita High School.

While Timothy Oscar Brown was indeed not a very big man — Dr. Rodney Cline described him in 1969 as a "wisp of a man," he stands as one of the giants of Louisiana education and as the foundation of so much we see today.

T.O. Brown was born in Waverly, Tenn., on July 2, 1865. He started his career by teaching in a country school near his birthplace. In 1899 he arrived in Monroe to become principal of the parish high school after teaching at the Louisiana Male and Female College in Arcadia. He soon became superintendent of schools and served until his death in 1943.

Though the incredible progress of the parish school system under his leadership could easily fill several volumes, it is felt by many that his greatest achievement was the establishment of Ouachita Parish Junior College. As early as 1922, Brown began to explore the idea of a junior college, and his tireless efforts came to a crucial point in 1927 when he and Judge Percy Sandel approached the Monroe Kiwanis Club with a plan. With the support of Kiwanis and other civic organizations, the citizens of Ouachita Parish approved a tax to support a junior college. OPJC opened on Sept. 28, 1931 to 416 students.

In spite of such accomplishments, Brown was very modest. When other men might have stepped forward to take credit for the founding of a college, Brown refused the suggestion that the college be named after him. He did allow in 1932 the football stadium to be dedicated in his name.

Brown died on Oct. 17, 1943 at the age of 78. Despite failing health, he was involved in his duties as superintendent to the last. In honor of his memory all parish schools, including the then-Northeast Junior College of LSU closed that day at noon.

He was survived by his wife, Florence; a son, O. Wharton Brown; a daughter, Mrs. James (Annette) Drew and several grandchildren. And in a sense, by all who have attended OPJC, Northeast Center, Northeast Junior College, NLSC, NLU and ULM.

In October of 1944, the Administration Building on campus was named T.O. Brown Hall. Among the many speeches that day were some short remarks by OPJC President C.C. Colvert, "The main building, the first to be constructed, was erected with ideas. It is filled with ideas. For the leadership and inspiration which came from him who had the vision of the junior college on our campus, we have cause to be carved into the stone "T.O. Brown," who was a great man, a great Christian, educator and a friend to man."

Fittingly, ULM was proud to honor Nan Salisbury and Carrie Ann Jones, his granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter recently at our 75th anniversary celebration.

Have a great day at ULM!

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor

-Sara Palazzo contributed to this column

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