Donald “Donnie” L. Brown, Class of 1951 became a Championship swimmer, Coach, Educator, Peace Corps Worker and real Estate Developer.

Born in Burlington, Colorado, Don Brown moved to Colorado Springs where he attended Helen Hunt Elementary School, South Junior High School and Colorado Springs High School. He made history by winning every event he entered in swimming competition and became the first swimmer to gain All American in CSHS history. Teamed up with the late Harry Ebeling, Don and Harry became part of the first male cheerleaders team, where their tumbling and gymnastics added a new dimension to cheerleading.

After his graduation in 1951, numerous scholarships offers came from universities where swimming was a major sport including Michigan State, Iowa University and Minnesota University. However Don chose to remain in his native state where he enrolled in Denver University. His swimming career there was filled with victory after victory and set many new records. His undefeated record at CSHS and four years at DU resulted in his being rated as ALL American in five different swimming venues during 1954-1955.

Don entered the U.S. Army after his graduation from DU and served three years with a rank of Lieutenant. He received paratrooper training and was selected to coach the All Army swim team. His team toured Europe for a year and in 1957 won the All Service and All Army Championships.

After his army duty was complete, he returned to coach the swim team at CSHS. In 1959, his team tied with South Denver High for the Scholastic Sanctioned State Championship. He was also a teacher in the science, health and Physical education departments 1957-1959.

Armed with his BA in education and his Masters in Administrative Higher Education, Don entered the field of College Administration.

Hired as Vice President of Development and Assistant Professor by Loretto Heights College in Denver, CO, Don directed a successful capital fund drive which resulted in the raising of $14 million dollars. He also served as a Board trustee, member of the Faculty Senate and Director of Physical Education.

Upon leaving Loretto Heights, Don became the youngest Vice President of any private college in the US, when he was hired as Vice President of Development and Planning for the United States International University in San Diego, CA. Working with a staff of 27 and a budget of 1.3 million dollars, Don efforts saw an increase charitable flow by 213% during his first year at the college. He and his staff completed seven international campus development programs in Mexico, Kenya, England, Oregon, Colorado and California at a cost of 58 million dollars.

Don received a Presidential appointment as one of four Directors of the Peace Corps and was in charge of Region 1X, headquartered in San Francisco, CA This region included California, Arizona, Nevada Hawaii, Guam, Samoa and Micronesia, where he worked with 128 Civil Service workers and a $10 million plus budget to provide leadership planning, contract and grant management for 23,216 full and part-time volunteers. This brought added responsibility when he was appointed Regional Director of the Action Agency as well.

Since 1969, Don has been involved in real estate development which has usually included golf courses and condominiums, a testimony to his entrepreneurial skills. He has also served on numerous boards for colleges, universities and the National YMCA.

Don is dad to three children, Ashley, Cortney and Brandon who is present today with his wife and three granddaughters to cheer and be proud. He also has a grandson.

His awards and accolades are numerous, including Presidential-Elect Transition team for President Reagan, All American Masters Swimming, and Third Army Champion Triathlon Qualified for Olympic Pentathlon Trials, Qualified Paratrooper and Master Jumper and Olympic Finalist in Swimming.

His life is a prime example of dedication to giving one’s best in the pursuit of excellence and service.