Brown, of Alum Relations Office, To Leave Exeter
After 25 years of dedicated work at the Academy, Executive Director of Alumni Relations and International Gifts Harold Brown will begin working at the Salisbury School. He served as the director of alumni affairs for most of his tenure and the director of alumni and parent relations for three years.
At the Salisbury School, Brown will be the director of development and responsible for supervision and oversight of all fundraising activities. “For many years it has been my desire to direct a fundraising operation,” he said.
When Brown graduated from Exeter in 1974, he did not have plans to work for the school. In his first 10 years as an alumnus, the only Exeter-related event he attended was his fifth reunion. In 1988, Wick Sloane ’71 contacted Brown and requested he help organize a welcome dinner for Kendra O’Donnell, Exeter’s 12th principal, in Hartford, Conn. Shortly after, classmate David Henderson asked Brown to lead a fundraising project to paint a portrait of English instructor and admissions officer William Bolden, one of the first faculty members of color at the Academy.
“My time at Exeter, man and boy, has been an immeasurably transformative and rewarding experience—all of it because of extraordinary people.”
Brown became more involved with projects at and around Exeter, and eventually became an official staff member of the Academy. Recruited by classmate Linda Lanton, Brown participated in a program initiated by O’Donnell to promote cultural diversity at Exeter.
This work led to an appointment on the Board of Directors of the General Alumni Association, and in 1991, Director of Development Jim Theisen recruited and O’Donnell appointed Brown as the Director of Alumni Affairs.
Brown’s colleagues in the Office of Institutional Advancement described Brown as a kind and passionate leader and friend whom they will all miss seeing at work.
Christine Fell, the assistant to the Executive Director of Alumni Relations and International Gifts, worked alongside Brown for twenty years. She said that Brown always motivated others to embrace their potential because it made him happy.
She will miss hearing him encourage the Alumni Relations staff and say, “That lights me up.” He created a friendly and humorous environment in Nathaniel Gilman House. Alumni Relations Program Manager Dawn Perkins said that in addition to the positive energy, thankfulness and goodness he provided, she will also miss his invaluable and knowledge of Academy history, names and events. Answering questions from The Exonian by email, Brown said he was thankful for the atmosphere in the office that his colleagues and close friends provided.
Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Programs Michelle Curtin worked for Brown for eight years, and she found his “energy, enthusiasm for work and his ability to always see the picture” remarkable and qualities she will surely miss. “He has a huge heart and truly cares for the people he works with on both a professional and personal level,” she said.
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Benita O’Connell agreed with Curtin, saying that Brown’s dedication to keeping the relationships of the alumni as his top priority exemplified an Alumni Relations professional. “He has been a joy to work with,” she said. O’Connell explained that while she will miss working with him in their office, everyone is very excited for him to have a new opportunity to share his talents with a different school and alumni network.
Curtin and O’Connell were thankful that Brown, as an alum of Exeter, will remain a fundamental part of the school and cross paths in the future at events both on and off campus. “As an alumnus of PEA, he will continue to be involved and we look forward to having his support as a volunteer, again,” O’Connell said.
Although Brown’s role at the Academy was primarily involved with alumni communication, the students in Merrill Hall knew him as a supportive dorm affiliate since last year.
Senior Yoshiko Lynch said that although she only knew him for one year, she felt that he was a brother because of his genuine kindness and care. “I love having conversations with him because you can tell that he’s really interested in what you have to say,” she said. Lynch recalled a moment at the senior and alumni dinner when she felt awkward and alone, and once she saw Brown, she felt instant relief. “He came right up to me, hugged me and introduced me to these two [alumni] that I had a great conversation with,” she said.
When Brown was on duty on Tuesday nights, the students enjoyed listening to his stories and advice in the common room. Upper Jayleen Jaime explained that Brown became an integral part of Merrill and his storytelling on duty became a tradition. When dates arrived before Evening Prayer, Jaime explained that Brown would “take the role of the dad of Merrill” and give their dates a hard time. He also provided Jaime with wise advice on getting through Exeter as a student of color.
Brown will miss all of the people he has become close to during his time at Exeter. “My time at Exeter, man and boy, has been an immeasurably transformative and rewarding experience—all of it because of extraordinary people,” he said. He acknowledged the impact of many of his former teachers and additional faculty whose “work and character have been mentors and role models” for him.
He said that he will miss witnessing and experiencing the “immense generosity that exists within the Exeter community” after being involved with alumni relations at Exeter for 25 years.
He will also miss seeing the multitude of alumni and parents worldwide who have become closer through Exeter. “In all of this and even more, my Exeter experience has been a rich blessing for which I am and will forever be thankful,” Brown said.
Looking forward, Brown expressed excitement towards contributing to a different school in a new environment, with a similar mission.
“The Salisbury School is an excellent school and aligns well with my values about secondary school education.” he said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to help advance its mission.”