By Gerard Flanagan, lead writer and communications specialist, Office of Marketing and Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The winding road of life can lead back to familiar places.
Thirty-five years later, life has brought Tom Brown back to Campbellsville University—as director of CU’s Conover Education Center in Harrodsburg.
“I am very excited to renew my association with Campbellsville University,” Brown said. “The Conover Education Center is a vital part of a thriving Harrodsburg community. We hope that we can add to this growing educational center.”
Brown returns to CU after previously serving on the first football staff of what was then Campbellsville College. The Fighting Tiger football team was reborn in 1987.
Brown takes over as the Conover Education Center director following an extensive career in school systems across Central Kentucky. His three most recent positions were interim principal at Marion County High School in Lebanon, interim superintendent at Nelson County Schools in Bardstown and superintendent of the Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Lexington. He’s also served as principal at Boyle County High School in Danville (1993-2000), in Centre College Athletics (2001-2007) and at Bethlehem High School (2007-2013).
Brown took over as director of the Conover Education Center on July 29.
“I became interested in this position because of the unique opportunity it allowed,” Brown noted. “Most of my career has been in public and private secondary education. This was a different type of challenge. The opportunities here are very interesting and different.
“My first goal is to get to know everyone and learn about Campbellsville University – Harrodsburg. After that we want to emphasize customer service, enrollment and retention, and making the Conover Education Center a destination place to work.”
Brown holds a Bachelor of Science from Murray State University and a Master of Education from Western Kentucky University.
“Campbellsville University is excited to have Tom Brown join the CU Conover Education Center in Harrodsburg,” Dr. Donna Elkins, CU’s associate vice president for regional administration, said. “Mr. Brown brings a wealth of leadership experience from area school systems and higher education settings.
“As a long-time resident of the area, he knows the needs and community around the Conover Education Center. He will be a great advocate for growing academic opportunities and community engagement in Harrodsburg.”
CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins also touted Brown’s history of leadership in school districts across the region.
“What a gift to welcome Tom Brown to the CU administrative team,” Hopkins noted. “An impressive record of leadership in schools and districts across the region prepares him to guide the next phase of growth at the Conover Education Center.
“I am delighted by his commitment to community, partnerships, and creating needed educational opportunities for the Commonwealth.”
Brown and his wife, Peggy, have two children: Neal, who serves as head football coach for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team and his wife, Brooke; and Beth, who recently retired as a judge advocate officer for the U.S. Air Force and who serves as a lawyer for the Department of Defense. Brown and his wife also have three grandchildren.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
(Gerard Flanagan, Lead Writer and Communications Specialist – Office of Marketing and Communications)