Paul and Jean Brown

The Jean E. Brown Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Paul Brown was born on July 25, 1921 in Flushing, Michigan and grew up in the Flushing and Flint area. He graduated from Central Michigan University where he met and married Jean MacFarland, who was from Saginaw. They celebrated 60 years of marriage. Paul served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, then returned to Saginaw in 1946 where he began his career as a research chemist for the brand-new Dow Corning Corporation in Midland. In his 40-year career, he was awarded over 40 patents for his research. Jean was a distinguished educator who devoted over thirty years of her life to teaching in the Saginaw Township and Saginaw Public School Systems. She earned her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, and her master's degree from the University of Michigan.

During their 60 years of marriage, they raised their three sons, Craig, Randy, and Mark. They were active in their church and community activities. Paul was also a passionate volunteer, craftsman, and world traveler.

Two years after Jean’s passing in 2002, Paul established The Jean E. Brown Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Education in her memory to assist junior and senior teacher education students from Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. Since that time, the scholarship has provided over $58,000 in scholarship funds to nearly 60 SVSU students. Sadly, Paul passed away this past February, just a few months short of his 100th birthday. In keeping with his generous spirit and his commitment to preserving Jean’s legacy among the educators of tomorrow, Paul made an estate gift to SVSU to increase the endowment so even more aspiring teachers will receive scholarship support in the years to come.