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MCC Daily Tribune

Professor Emeritus John W. Brown, Jr. (Business Administration)

MCC fondly remembers Professor Emeritus of Business Administration/Economics John W. "Jack" Brown, Jr. who passed away peacefully on October 15 at the age of 99. His funeral was held in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Professor Emeritus Brown was a decorated U.S. Army officer who served in World War II and Korea. His military decorations include a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for Valor with two Oak Leaf Clusters. After successful military and business careers, he taught business and marketing courses at MCC for 20 years, retiring as professor emeritus in 1991. 

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, and his wife of 68 years, Jean Levering Brown. He is survived by his children Nancy (Owen Hughes), John, James (Susan), and Andrew (Lorie); seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He studied at Rutgers University prior to his military service and, ultimately, earned an MBA in sales and marketing management from the Harvard School of Business

According to his obituary, “On Thanksgiving Day 1944 he shipped out to France, where the 63rd Infantry Division sent him directly into the Battle of the Bulge. He served as infantry platoon leader, company commander, battalion staff officer and on General Clay's staff for the Military Government of Germany.” He also served as a captain in the Korean War.

His business career included working for national corporations such as RCA, American Standard, Xerox and Bausch & Lomb. He graciously shared his experiences and expertise with MCC students during the next chapter of his life.

Professor Emeritus Brown joined MCC in 1971 at the rank of associate professor in the Business Administration Department where he taught Consumer Behavior, Marketing Management and Introduction to Business courses. His pioneering work included televising his Principles of Marketing course, resulting in increased student access and enrollment. He also incorporated writing-intensive practices in his courses. He was promoted to professor in 1977. 

He led popular student trips to Europe, Mexico, U.S.S.R. and China. He also took the time to support the success of students for whom English was a second language. In addition to reviewing text books, Professor Emeritus Brown developed an instructor’s manual to support the Introduction to Business course that was inspired by the League for Innovation in the Community College and made possible by an instructional development grant. He continued to teach as an adjunct professor following his retirement.

His many contributions also included serving as a member of New York State Education Department’s task force to evaluate college-level credit courses. He was active in the Association of Marketing Educators, Harvard Business School Club of Rochester, the American Marketing Association, and the Genesee Valley Conservation League. Boy Scouts, Church of the Incarnation, Sodus Bay Yacht Club, American Legion and Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Professor Emeritus Brown will be deeply missed by his family, friends and former colleagues.

DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Office of the President
11/03/2021