On May 15, 1993, a family in Joplin, Mo., was gathered in its basement when the phone rang.
Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees Chairman Johnny Morgan was on the other end of the line with a job offer that would lead to one of the greatest success stories in the history of higher education in Arkansas.
Four days later, Dr. Robert Charles Brown was formally introduced by the ATU Board of Trustees as the 11th president of Arkansas Tech.
Brown and his wife, Jill Lestage Brown, were inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction under the Distinguished Service category during spring 2025 commencement at John E. Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, May 10.
Over his 21 years as president, Dr. Brown transformed Arkansas Tech from a small college into a modern, comprehensive regional university. He oversaw the addition of more than 50 new programs of study and led an investment of $260 million in new facilities, renovated facilities and campus infrastructure.
Enrollment at Arkansas Tech grew from 4,500 students at the time of Dr. Brown’s appointment as president to more than 12,000 students during his final year of responsibility.
Arkansas Tech achieved 17 consecutive years of school record enrollments through fall 2015.
Dr. Brown’s partner, advisor and confidant not only during his presidency, but throughout their 57-year marriage, has been Mrs. Jill Lestage Brown.
Mrs. Brown was noted as the foremost volunteer and advocate on behalf of Arkansas Tech and its students throughout her 21 years as first lady.
Dr. Brown spoke about the role Mrs. Brown played in his presidency at the time of his retirement in 2014.
“I was fortunate enough and blessed enough to find a life partner who not only had the intelligence and the drive, but she also has a diplomacy and a smoothness that I am lacking,” said Dr. Brown. “It’s been a great advantage to me, not only in the personal dimension, but quite frankly in the professional dimension. Jill had a great career of her own going as an elementary teacher, and she gave that up to help me. I am very grateful to her. She knew that I was going to need her help to get this job done, and she is the most dedicated person to the students on this campus of any I know.”
Mrs. Brown’s volunteer service to Arkansas Tech as its first lady is recognized by the Jill Lestage Brown Service Leadership Award, which is presented to a graduating Arkansas Tech senior on an annual basis and is one of the top three student awards at ATU.
Established in 1964, the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction recognizes the accomplishments of Arkansas Tech alumni and friends in four categories: Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna, Distinguished Alumni Service, Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna and Distinguished Service (non-alumnus).
Nominations for the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction may be made by any graduate of Arkansas Tech, any current or former member of the faculty or administration of Tech, any currently enrolled full-time student at Tech or any member of the Hall of Distinction. Nominations may not be made by a family member of the nominee.
The nomination deadline is Oct. 1 of each year. Honorees are selected by the ATU Board of Trustees.
No incumbent member of the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees, faculty, staff or administration is eligible for nomination for any category of the Hall of Distinction.
For more information about nominating an individual for the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction, visit www.atualumni.com, call (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.
