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| Photo by Stacey Bowcott |
By: Stacey Bowcott, Leesburg campus
You’ve probably seen him on campus; if you’ve been to a campus sponsored event, chances are you’ve had an encounter with him. His picture is scrolling across the Lake-Sumter State College website. He is Richard L. Brown, II…Brownie as he prefers to be called.
Brownie is involved in numerous clubs and activities on campus. Current activities include: Phi Theta Kappa president, SGA senator, Captain of the All-Academic Team, Brain Bowl, S.A.F.I.R.E., Nature Club, sports writer for The Angler, and the newly formed Veterans group. He has previously been involved in SGA as the treasurer and he was the assistant district coordinator for FCSSGA.
He is majoring in Elementary Education, specifically Exceptional Education. “I’ve always wanted to help people, especially special needs people,” he said. He volunteers with the North Lake Miracle League which is an organization that gives people with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball.
Brownie’s plans are to receive his A.A. in spring 2013 and transfer to UCF. However, he plans on taking his UCF classes here at the Lake-Sumter Leesburg campus.
Growing up in Ohio, Brownie said, “I briefly attended Ohio State and tried my hand at football.” He was injured and decided to join the United States Navy. He was enlisted from 1997 until 2001 when he was given the option to leave. He was a sniper in the Navy, and his spotter had just been killed. He chose to leave the military and return to Ohio. He experienced being homeless and decided that it was too cold in Ohio and chose to move to Florida.
Once he was in Florida, he eventually became a Lake County Deputy Sheriff. He was dually sworn, which meant he could perform deputy sheriff duties, and also work at the jail and courthouse. Brownie admitted that this job was very stressful and time consuming and he began to dislike the person he had become. He had always wanted to help people, which is why he joined the sheriff’s office, but he felt that he had become mean. A life-threatening health condition eventually made him resign.
Diagnosed in 2009 with congestive heart failure (CHF), Brownie realized his life was in danger. The day he was diagnosed is the day he met his current wife, Eve. Living with a medical condition, and unsure of his future, he knew he wanted to make a difference. He had the chance to get an education, so he enrolled at LSSC and started in fall 2011.
Brownie carries a full case load, taking about 12 credit hours per semester. He credits his wife, Eve, and daughter, Geri-Anne, with helping him balance all of his activities. He says that they all look at his education as his job and that he tries to involve them in school activities as much as possible. LSSC Professor Jacklyn Pierce said, “It’s impressive that he’s able to devote real time, yet he’s involved in so many leadership roles on campus.”
Brownie likes to be involved on campus, crediting school with relaxing him. He says: “The simplest thing you can do every day is smiling and saying hi to somebody. The nicer I’ve been to people, the better my condition [CHF] got. This place has given me emotion.” Outside of school, Brownie says he prefers to be by himself.
Even though Brownie is heavily involved in so many things at LSSC, he doesn’t recommend others do the same. Being involved is good, but only “to the capacity that it doesn’t interfere with school,” he said. “I have a lot of heart to go around.”
You’ve probably seen him on campus; if you’ve been to a campus sponsored event, chances are you’ve had an encounter with him. His picture is scrolling across the Lake-Sumter State College website. He is Richard L. Brown, II…Brownie as he prefers to be called.
Brownie is involved in numerous clubs and activities on campus. Current activities include: Phi Theta Kappa president, SGA senator, Captain of the All-Academic Team, Brain Bowl, S.A.F.I.R.E., Nature Club, sports writer for The Angler, and the newly formed Veterans group. He has previously been involved in SGA as the treasurer and he was the assistant district coordinator for FCSSGA.
He is majoring in Elementary Education, specifically Exceptional Education. “I’ve always wanted to help people, especially special needs people,” he said. He volunteers with the North Lake Miracle League which is an organization that gives people with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball.
Brownie’s plans are to receive his A.A. in spring 2013 and transfer to UCF. However, he plans on taking his UCF classes here at the Lake-Sumter Leesburg campus.
Growing up in Ohio, Brownie said, “I briefly attended Ohio State and tried my hand at football.” He was injured and decided to join the United States Navy. He was enlisted from 1997 until 2001 when he was given the option to leave. He was a sniper in the Navy, and his spotter had just been killed. He chose to leave the military and return to Ohio. He experienced being homeless and decided that it was too cold in Ohio and chose to move to Florida.
Once he was in Florida, he eventually became a Lake County Deputy Sheriff. He was dually sworn, which meant he could perform deputy sheriff duties, and also work at the jail and courthouse. Brownie admitted that this job was very stressful and time consuming and he began to dislike the person he had become. He had always wanted to help people, which is why he joined the sheriff’s office, but he felt that he had become mean. A life-threatening health condition eventually made him resign.
Diagnosed in 2009 with congestive heart failure (CHF), Brownie realized his life was in danger. The day he was diagnosed is the day he met his current wife, Eve. Living with a medical condition, and unsure of his future, he knew he wanted to make a difference. He had the chance to get an education, so he enrolled at LSSC and started in fall 2011.
Brownie carries a full case load, taking about 12 credit hours per semester. He credits his wife, Eve, and daughter, Geri-Anne, with helping him balance all of his activities. He says that they all look at his education as his job and that he tries to involve them in school activities as much as possible. LSSC Professor Jacklyn Pierce said, “It’s impressive that he’s able to devote real time, yet he’s involved in so many leadership roles on campus.”
Brownie likes to be involved on campus, crediting school with relaxing him. He says: “The simplest thing you can do every day is smiling and saying hi to somebody. The nicer I’ve been to people, the better my condition [CHF] got. This place has given me emotion.” Outside of school, Brownie says he prefers to be by himself.
Even though Brownie is heavily involved in so many things at LSSC, he doesn’t recommend others do the same. Being involved is good, but only “to the capacity that it doesn’t interfere with school,” he said. “I have a lot of heart to go around.”
Probably one of the nicest and most honest person you will ever meet. A true life long friend.
ReplyDeleteI was in the Library at LSSC's Leesburg campus when I saw "Brownie" collecting business cards that read 'Student Work' and 'Apply at www.workforstudents.com.' I heard him tell another student that the job opportunities were a scam. They always sounded like telemarketing gigs to me and I never pursued them. Thanks to "Brownie," I and other students won't be wasting our time and, no doubt, what little money most of us have.
ReplyDeleteGood looking out, Brownie! I've seen you around campus before, but I didn't know who you were until I saw your picture and read about you in December's issue of The Angler.