Brown Earns Center for the Performing Arts Distinguished Service Award
May 11, 2007
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State has named Richard Robert Brown, a longtime financial supporter and friend of the fine arts presenter, as recipient of its 2007 Distinguished Service Award.
Brown, who is retired, spent most of his career working for Ford Motor Company in suburban Detroit. He continues to live in Ann Arbor, Mich.
In 1960 Brown, a native of Titusville, graduated with a bachelor of science in metallurgy from Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. He later earned a master of science and a master of business administration, both from Eastern Michigan University.
The Richard Robert Brown Program Endowment, which Brown established at the Center for the Performing Arts in 1999, helps to promote the engagement of Penn State students with the performing arts by making performances more affordable and accessible. His endowment helps to connect students to performances by funding artist workshops, receptions and other activities.
Brown travels to State College several times a year to attend performances, especially those he has sponsored. He often uses the complimentary tickets that he receives as a sponsor to invite students to attend performances with him.
"Dick's hope is that students will have enriching experiences at performances and continue, as he has, to attend and support the performing arts after college," says George Trudeau, director of the Center for the Performing Arts. "We at the center truly appreciate and are inspired by Dick's passion to support the arts and introduce students to the concert experience."
In recent years, Brown has sponsored performances including Rent, the Beijing Modern Dance Company, L.A Theatre Works in The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial and the Actors‚ Gang production of 1984. He is also a Director‚s Circle member of the center.
Brown also financially supports and volunteers his time to Atlanta's Carter Center in its efforts to improve conditions for refugees in Darfur, the region of western Sudan plagued by war and genocide.
Contact: Laura Sullivan, 814-863-6379