Jean Garbe Brown graduated from Hamline University in 1959 with a BA in elementary education, and embarked on a life involved in education. Teaching elementary and pre-school, tutoring, serving on the District 833 School Board, District Six Director of the Minnesota School boards Association, member of the Federal Relations Network and boards relating to Arts in Education and year-round school are examples. She was named to the 2001 All State School board. She was a founder of the South Washington County Schools Education Foundation and Woodbury Community Foundation. Community and church are important to her, having chaired building the new sanctuary at Woodbury United Methodist Church, named 1993 Woodbury Citizen of the Year, Southeast Area YMCA board member, AAUW Education Committee, and Washington County Historical Courthouse Advisory Board. She always enjoyed time devoted to Hamline University. Some activities were serving as a class agent, a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1986 – 1993, including two years as chair. She is married to Rufus Brown and has two sons, Daniel ’86 and David ’00, daughter-in-law Heidi, ’86, and grandchildren Hannah, Wesley, and Meghan.
Jean Garbe Brown's Acceptance Speech:
I'm very honored to be the recipient of this award. I remember as a student at Hamline University, there was and still is an emphasis for each of us to do what we can to make the world a better place now and for future generations.
I was an elementary education major. Therefore, I became very active in the education area. However, I wanted to show my appreciation to Hamline, and give something back. I felt I had been very well prepared for my professional field, as well as life in general.
I really have enjoyed being active in different activities at Hamline. Some examples are: Alumni Board (serving as president for two years), Parents' Council, Class Agent, and when Dana Johnson ’69 (Fund Development Director, Athletics) called, my husband and I even did some painting at Hutton Arena.
Hamline University has been very good to our family. Our children and daughter-in-law have graduated from Hamline. Now our grandchildren get excited to come to the Hamline campus... so we will see what happens in the future.
Also, it is great to get a personal telephone call from a present student, telling how she/he has benefited from something I have done.
Thank you again. I look forward to continuing my support of Hamline University.
