Establishing a Student Lounge and Study Area in Honor of Dr. Pat Brown

On April 12, 2005, the following letter was sent to Siena alumni to solicit donations fto construct an addition to the Morrell Science Center that will create an area for biology and other students to study, converse and relax.  Should you wish to contribute to this effort, please contact the Siena College Development Office at 518-783-2432.

Exterior Views            Interior Views

As a former student of Dr. Patricia Brown, we know that you share our sadness at the news of her death.  Dr. Brown died of breast cancer on November 13, 2004.  The purpose of this letter is to announce an effort to establish an appropriate lasting memorial in her honor.

   Pat Brown was not just an outstanding teacher and scientist; she was mentor, friend and confidante to all of her colleagues here in the Biology Department at Siena College .  Pat was often in a position of leadership and we looked to her to guide us as we developed, both as a department and as professional educators.  Pat was a friend who gave advice wisely and passionately; who listened quietly and sincerely; who laughed often and faced life head-on and realistically.

   Dr. Brown’s dedication to her students during her 35 years at Siena is legendary.  As you no doubt are aware, she personified excellence and perseverance and pushed her students to achieve at the highest level.  At the same time, she genuinely cared for and about students.  Dr. Brown made it her mission to know each student as an individual, connecting with them on a personal level.  As often as they depended on Pat for guidance in the classroom, students sought her out for advice and wisdom in dealing with their everyday lives or personal adversities.  She was there for them.  Pat Brown believed in her students so that they could believe in themselves. 

   Those of us whose lives were touched by Dr. Patricia Stocking Brown will never forget her.  We feel it is important to honor Pat by building a room dedicated to her memory and designed especially for “her” students.  This will be a space where biology students can gather to study, discuss research, or to relax.  It will be located at the center of our Department facilities in the Morrell Science Building and equipped with computers, dry erase boards, tables, lounge chairs, etc.  Architectural drawings of the room are enclosed for your review.

   Our goal is to raise $300,000 to complete the construction of this room during the coming year.  All amounts raised in excess of the goal will be used to endow a scholarship in Pat’s name for students majoring in Biology.  In the unlikely event that we fail to meet our goal of $300,000, then we will use the proceeds to endow that scholarship.

    Given her unselfish dedication and commitment to students at Siena, Pat left $25,000 to the college with the directions that the money be used for “faculty/student” research.  It is now time for us, her fellow faculty and the many students whose lives she has touched to show our appreciation for all that Pat has given us.  Please take the time to consider the impact that Pat has had on your life.  We then ask that you consider a gift of $5,000 or $2,500 towards this memorial.  Gifts of all amounts will be deeply appreciated.

     We have enclosed a pledge card and self-addressed return envelope.  We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the dedication of this room in 2006.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. George Bazinet               Dr. John Hayden           Dr. Andrea Worthington          

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Last Modified: 03/29/2006
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