Haymaker Histories: Highlighting Richard Brown, ’68

Recently, many Phillipians shared their stories with us as part of the PU Oral History Project. The following is one of these special stories from Richard Brown, a 1968 graduate.

In retrospect, my time at Phillips University was truly remarkable. As a biology major with a business minor, I found the faculty in both departments to be outstanding and deeply committed to the success of their students. My faculty advisor, Dr. Cecil Williams, played a pivotal role in guiding me towards a fulfilling career path. With his invaluable guidance, I was able to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare administration at Washington University in St. Louis, which set the foundation for my long and successful career in the healthcare industry.

Over the years, I have held various leadership positions, including my current roles as the chairman and CEO of a research institute, as well as the chairman of American Century Investments. I have been able to seamlessly combine my background in biology, business, and healthcare, all of which can be traced back to my experiences at Phillips University.

One of the highlights of my time at Phillips was my participation in intramural sports. I was a member of the Independents, and we took great pride in our ability to compete against and defeat the organized clubs in various sporting events. Overall, I can confidently say that the education I received at Phillips University was of the highest quality, and it has served as a solid foundation for the success I have achieved throughout my career. While I have not remained in touch with anyone from my time at the university, the memories and the impact of my education there will always hold a special place in my heart.