West Long Branch, NJ (August 2, 2013) Dr. Paul R. Brown, a respected academic leader and scholar, began his new role as president of Monmouth University on Thursday, August 1. Brown succeeded Paul G. Gaffney II, who retired on July 31 after ten years of strong leadership.
“It is with tremendous excitement that I join the Monmouth University community as its eighth president. The University’s enthusiasm and commitment to making its mark on the higher education landscape is palpable across Monmouth’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff. It is my honor to serve them, our wonderful students, and members of the wider community in an effort to reach new heights of excellence,” Brown said.
Brown stated that his initial areas of strategic focus will include expanding opportunities for global education at the undergraduate level, and aligning graduate programs with the economic opportunities in the New York – Philadelphia business corridor. “I believe higher education has a higher calling than just mapping a four year degree to a job,” Brown said. “But universities should also be held accountable in terms of what they’re doing for their students.”
During his first few weeks on campus, Brown will be meeting with members of his cabinet, faculty and staff, student leaders, alumni, and local elected officials.
Brown and his wife, Joan G. Fishman, live on campus in the presidential residence, Doherty House. Their daughter, Emma, is a student at Franklin & Marshall College. “We are thrilled to be part of the Monmouth University community. The warm welcome we have received from the campus and our new neighbors has been wonderfully inviting,” Brown said.
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Brown’s appointment on February 26. He comes to Monmouth University from Lehigh University, where he served as dean of the College of Business and Economics. Under Brown’s leadership, the College of Business and Economics completed a transformative and wide-sweeping strategic plan. Brown also managed historically-high levels of enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate programs and recruited and hired faculty at an unprecedented pace. During his time at Lehigh, he raised over $40 million for endowed faculty chairs and unrestricted funds.
Before joining Lehigh, Brown spent more than twenty years at New York University’s Stern School of Business where he held a variety of senior academic and administrative positions including associate dean of NYU Stern’s executive MBA Programs, and chair of the Department of Accounting, Taxation and Business Law.
Brown also served on the faculties at Yale University’s School of Management, the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), and the International University of Japan, as well as guest lectured at universities in China, Singapore, and Brazil.
Brown graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Franklin & Marshall College where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He received both his Doctor of Philosophy and his Masters of Professional Accountancy degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.
For more information, visit President Brown’s web page.
About Monmouth University
Monmouth University is a leading private institution that offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The University provides students with a highly personalized education that builds the knowledge and confidence of tomorrow’s leaders. Located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, Monmouth University’s magnificent and historic campus is approximately one hour from both New York City and Philadelphia and is within walking distance of the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Monmouth University is listed in U.S.News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” and the Princeton Review’s The Best 377 Colleges, and is recognized by the latter as one of the country’s top “green” colleges. To learn more, visit us at www.monmouth.edu.