By Maria DeLorenzo
City Times
After 32 years of dedication to San Diego City College, Vice President Larry J. Brown, has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 22.
Brown began at City College as a teacher/coordinator in 1974, teaching leadership and problem solving courses for San Diego Evening College.
He moved on to Associate Dean, then became Dean for District Student Services, and in 1987 he took on his current position as Vice President.
“I believe he is the longest serving administrator within the entire community college district,” said City College President Terry Burgess.
“I’ve actually spent half my lifetime in the City College district,” said Brown, “and I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time.”
Brown was instrumental in securing and applying three major grants, totaling about $4.5 million, geared toward providing additional support services such as counseling, financial aid, study groups and tutoring.
“I think we have probably the largest tutoring program here at City College than anywhere in Southern California,” said Brown. “I would say also that our financial aid program is the largest in San Diego county, and the third largest in the state.”
Brown has also helped City College achieve good accreditation.
“I’ve been part of and led two successful accreditation systems, and we have had excellent accreditation,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of that.”
“He is going to be hugely missed. He is widely respected and recognized up and down the state because he has been working in the community college district for so long,” said President Burgess.
Throughout his educational career, Brown has just about done it all. He has taught biology in the K-12 system, he has worked in public schools and at the University level. He has been a teacher, a counselor and for the greater part, an administrator.
Brown says he feels lucky to have been in the community college system for so long.
“I have really found great enjoyment in the community college district. I am extremely grateful for what it has given me,” said Brown. “Just to be able to serve others, and help people grow and develop and achieve their academic goals.”
His colleagues are also grateful.
“He is extremely knowledgeable and he’s been a tremendous resource for me and my colleagues and the district overall,” said Mario Chacon, Dean of Student Affairs. “We are certainly going to miss him.”
“Larry is a wonderful human being, caring and kind, and he keeps student well-being at the top of his agenda,” said President Burgess. “He won’t be replaced, because he is irreplaceable.”
So what’s next for Larry Brown? Retirement definitely doesn’t seem like it’s going to slow him down. He plans to go back to school for landscape design and horticulture.
“I thoroughly believe in lifelong learning,” said Brown. “I am excited about the time I have to take classes.”
He’s also looking forward to having more time with his family, but says he will certainly miss City College.
“I will miss greatly the great faculty, my colleagues and friends, and being able to talk with the students about their goals and ambitions,” said Brown.
