George Thompson Brown, JR. ’67
(Awarded--2007) The John W. Kuykendall Award is presented to an alumnus in recognition of extraordinary service to his community, demonstrating leadership through servanthood in the spirit of Davidson’s fifteenth president. Raised in Korea as the son of Presbyterian missionaries, George Thompson Brown has spent his life following the model set by his parents in reaching across borders and bridging cultural divides to strengthen ties between the United States and other countries. As a student at Davidson, George was already exhibiting leadership and a commitment to community. A political science major, he was captain and most valuable player of the soccer team, a member of the chorus, ROTC, the Westminster Fellowship, the D Club, a recipient of the Charles A. Dana scholarship, and a member of the International Relations club. His excellence in the classroom, outstanding contributions on the soccer field and leadership among his classmates gained him membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, the honor society for academics and service. While at Davidson, George was one of six students nationwide selected to participate in a tour of the Far East, sponsored by the National Student Association and financed by the U.S. State Department. Exchanging ideas and comparing experiences with students from Japan, Korea and Hong Kong reinforced his belief in the commonality of mankind. Following studies at the University of Virginia, which culminated in a Ph.D. in international relations, George spent two years as a foreign liaison officer with the Army. He then served as a professor of international relations at University in Columbus, Ohio. In 1978, George was called to lead Villa International Atlanta, an ecumenical guest house that provides services to international public health specialists at the Centers for Disease Control. In 1983, he began a five year stay with Friendship Force International, a nonprofit international cultural exchange organization that strives to build relationships among citizens of the world. He left Friendship Force to serve as director of the Global Awareness Program at Agnes Scott College and then as executive director of the Georgia Council for International Visitors. In 2004, George rejoined Friendship Force International as its president and chief executive officer. Through his journey with each of these organizations, George has focused on the power of interfaith and intercontinental friendship as a force for change. Because he has forged bonds to promote peace and understanding; because his path has led him across oceans and over continents to share laughter, tears and life with former strangers; because he understands that a world of friends can and should be a world of peace; and because, as the son, brother, and father of Davidson graduates, he has emulated and demonstrated a life of honor, leadership, and service in keeping with the finest traditions of alma mater; the Davidson College Alumni Association is proud to present George Thompson Brown, Jr., Class of 1967, with the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service on the occasion of his 40th reunion on this day, April 28, 2007.
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