A Timeline of Brown College History
For 60 years, Brown College in Minneapolis has been a recognized leader in private post-secondary education, enjoying great success training students in broadcasting, design, technology, and other in-demand career fields. Here’s how the school has evolved:
1946
Helen & Richard Brown found the American Institute of the Air, training students for a career in Radio Broadcasting.
1954
Television Production added to the Broadcasting curriculum. Electronics programs were added, a precursor to Brown's current technology offerings. The school's name changed to Brown Institute to reflect the growing program options.
1959
Computer Programming was introduced to meet demand for technicians in this fledgling industry.
1977
The school is purchased by CBS.
1978
Richard and Helen Brown retire.
1979
The National Education Center purchases Brown Institute.
1986
Brown Institute moves from a seven-building campus on East Lake Street in Minneapolis to the corner of Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue.
1988
Brown Institute adds the Advertising Design program, which has evolved into the Brown College School of Design, including Visual Communications, Multimedia, Graphic Design and Interior Design.
1994
Richard and Helen Brown pass away.
1994
The first programs in Personal Computers and Local Area Networks (PC/LAN) are added to the curriculum.
1995
The school is purchased by one of the largest providers of private, proprietary post-secondary education. This ushers in an era of unprecedented program growth and expansion.
1997
Continuous growth prompts Brown's move to the current main campus in Mendota Heights.
1999
Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Program is added to Brown's curriculum.
2001
The school's name is changed to Brown College to reflect the school's expanded program and degree offerings. The first Bachelor program is added: the Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, to help enhance opportunities available to Radio Broadcasting and Television Production students.
2002
The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program is added.
2003
Bachelor of Science programs are added in Interior Design, Business Management and Criminal Justice.
2004
Richard and Helen Brown are inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
2004
Digital Photography, Massage Therapy, and Game Design & Development programs are added, rounding out the list of 16 distinct Bachelor's and Specialized Associate's degree programs offered.
2006
Brown College celebrates its 60th anniversary and "The Year of the Graduate".
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