November 15, 2005

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—Dr. Alan Brown, Professor of English at the University of West Alabama, was recently named the 2005 Developmental Educator of the Year by the Alabama Association of Developmental Education (ALADE). Brown, who also serves as the Director of the West Alabama Writing Center, received the award at the annual ALADE conference held this month in Huntsville, Ala.

Developmental education promotes the cognitive and affective growth of all postsecondary learners, at all levels of the learning continuum. It is sensitive and responsive to the individual differences and special needs among learners. Brown, a founding member of ALADE nearly 20 years ago, helps bridge the gap for UWA students between high school English classes and the rigors of college writing through his work in the Writing Center.

Pam Hall, UWA Student Support Services Assistant Director, nominated Brown based on his contributions to developmental education at UWA and statewide.

“Alan Brown has helped countless students at this regional university,” said Hall. “As he helps under-prepared college students acquire the basic writing foundation they need to succeed at the college level, Dr. Brown develops and uses many innovative approaches that he then shares with ALADE and other educational organizations.”

Brown, who lives in Meridian, Miss., has published numerous papers, covering many topics relevant to his profession. In fact, he has presented his work at each of the 19 ALADE annual conferences.

After holding ALADE offices and contributing so much to the field, Brown said he was still surprised by the award.

“It is the first state award I have ever received,” Brown said. “It is such an honor, and I must confess that I am pretty proud of it.”

In addition to his work in developmental education, he has researched and authored several books about Southern ghost lore. Brown has also served as a Lecturer for the Alabama Humanities Foundation for several years.

Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Millikin University, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and a doctorate from Illinois State University.