Ian W. (Doc) Brown: 1932 - 2015

The Algoma University community is mourning the passing of Dr. Ian Brown.

Brown, affectionately known as "Doc Brown" by Algoma students, staff and faculty, passed away surrounded by his family Wednesday in Charlottetown, PEI, at the age of 83.

Flags on campus are flying at half-mast in honour of Brown, a history professor who also served as principal of what was then known as Algoma Unversity College from 1968 to 1973.

Brown taught history at Algoma from 1968 until his retirement in 1990.

"Ian Brown was the heart and soul of Algoma University College, which became Algoma University, and he charted the course which the institution was to follow for the next 40 years," said Jim Gibson, retired Algoma University English professor who taught at Algoma from 1968 to 2010.

"Ian believed in a student-centred, small liberal arts university which includes the sciences and he was delighted to see the expansion of the sciences as well as the other subjects at the university," Gibson told SooToday.

"He believed in a student-centred institution where the professors focused on excellence in teaching and it was a privilege to be his friend and mentored by him in my early years of teaching, he was an excellent teacher himself."

"I know he was much loved by his students as well as those of us (professors) who arrived in the early years and looked upon him as the leader of the institution," Gibson said.

Brown was a key player in moving the institution from its first site at Sault College (then known as Cambrian College) to its current site on Queen Street East.

He worked hard to ensure Algoma University College secured the former Shingwauk Indian Residential School site as its new home, after the residential school closed in 1970.

"Administration was very small (in those days)," Gibson recalled, consisting of Brown, his secretary, a retired public school principal who served as registrar, an accountant and a chief librarian.

"That was the entire administration…faculty did a lot of the load of administration, we were all expected to be on a wide range of committees and participate in the creation of policies and procedures for what was to become Algoma University," Gibson said.

"He provided the leadership that allowed us to succeed when things looked difficult for us in those early years, we were a new brand in the community."

"He never lost interest in the university, I spoke to him early this year and as always he wanted to know what was happening at Algoma…he may have left here more than 20 years ago but he never lost his interest in Algoma University."

Gibson said Brown was "delighted" at Algoma's growth in physical expansion and the number of students over the years.

"I have really fond memories of him as a wonderful man with a great, wry sense of humour and I'm enormously sad to have lost such an important person in my life," Gibson said.

"Those of us who taught with him will be feeling it (sadness) at this moment because he was our leader, an inspiration and a magnificent friend."

The Doc Brown Lounge, in Algoma University's east wing, is named after Brown.

(PHOTO: Dr. Ian Brown, photo supplied by Algoma University)