Click to view full screen
Audio
Transcript
- Title:
- James Brown interview
- Interviewee:
- Brown, James F., 1935-
- Interviewer:
- Williams, Charles Thomas
- Date Created:
- 2018-05-29
- Role:
- Faculty
- Department:
- Liberal Studies; School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Science; Academic Affairs
- Subjects:
- Vicky Carwein Jack Keating Donna Kerr Debra Friedman higher education liberal education interdisciplinary education academic administration academic affairs diversity community engagement Jesuit
- Biography:
- James F. Brown (b. 1935) is professor emeritus at the University of Washington Tacoma School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. He earned his master’s degree as a Jesuit in philosophy and theological studies. He completed his PhD in philosophy at New York University in 1974. Employed by the State of New Jersey, he taught at the New Jersey City University, as well as at Seton Hall University and Saint Peter's University. In this period, his interest in interdisciplinary studies grew, and he was involved in curriculum planning and redesign. He and his family moved from New Jersey to Tacoma, Washington, when he joined a cohort of UW Tacoma founding faculty in 1989. During his tenure at the University, he was a professor, scholar, and administrator. He served as the interim director for Liberal Studies for one year and Associate Dean for Academic Programs for four years. He was active in the community and was a board member of the Tacoma Art Museum for two terms and of the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. He retired in 2000.
- Description:
- At the start of this session, Jim Brown recalls the unique interview process to recruit founding faculty at the University of Washington Tacoma and the curriculum planning meeting that took place later, in April 1990. He discusses the risks and unknowns involved in the adventure of building a new institution, noting his initial hesitation toward accepting the position. He shares his impression on the initial group of faculty assembled at the historic Perkins Building, remarking on the diverse academic backgrounds, interests, and personalities, as well as a strong sense of mutual respect for one another. The interview session then moves into the topic of leadership and faculty relationship with the administration. Brown recounts the somewhat unexpected departure of former dean Jack Keating, which led to Brown’s own involvement in the University’s administration and a national search that resulted in Vicky Carwein becoming the new chancellor. In the second half of the interview, Brown discusses the move to the permanent campus and some of the oppositions against UW Tacoma during this time. He characterizes the students in the early years as dedicated and eager to learn. He delves further into the evolving culture and structure on campus, noting a shift under former chancellor Vicky Carwein’s leadership. Toward the end of the interview, Brown expresses the importance of outreach, praising former chancellor Debra Friedman’s commitment to fostering community relationships, as well as commenting on the efforts to diversify the campus population, particularly faculty and staff.
- Location:
- United States--Washington (State)--Tacoma United States--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Type:
- Sound; Text; StillImage
- Format:
- cpd
- Preferred Citation:
- University of Washington Libraries, University of Washington Tacoma Library, UWTOH201809