Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 March 2002 — Page 42

The Muncie Times, March 7, 2002, page 42

BROWNELL FROM PAGE 1 visit to the center. Brownell and his wife arrived to a marquee, welcoming them as if they were heads of state visiting the small MOM building at 2023 E. Highland Ave. Indeed, some of the children had a hard time separating Brownell from the president of the United States. “Do you work in Washington, D.C.?” one child asked. 1 “Do you control the whole wide world?” asked another. Brownell laughed and explained that he did not work in Washington, D.C., or even control a part of the whole world. Jima, as well as two other children, Tyler Jenkins and Charles Bates, offered gifts, which included the children’s handmade invitations to MOM’s 15-year celebration. What Brownell did not see was Jima’s proud ear-to-ear smile as she returned to her desk, after successfully completing her presentation. Asked if he worked hard, Brownell answered that he started early, attended “lots” of meetings and talked to many people. The hardest part of his job, he said, is making difficult decisions. One boy asked, “When you wake up at first, are you very lazy?” “Sometimes,” Brownell answered. All the adults in the room laughed and photographers snapped pictures. Brownell, who received a Ph.D. in history from Purdue University, said he never planned to be a college president. He told the children that they should be prepared for opportunities by reading, writing and getting a good education. His travels have taken him all over the world: Europe, Asia, Brazil, Mexico and Canada. For a short while, he taught in China. However, when he and his wife were young, they had the chance to go to Spain. They boright ;q refrigerator instead. He

said they don’t remember the refrigerator, but they do know they have not seen Spain. “If you get the opportunity to travel,” he said, “you should take it.” When the children finished asking Brownell questions, MOM Program Director Juanita Crider turned to the tutors, •primarily Ball State students, and asked if they had any questions for their president. “Now’s your chance,” Crider said. One student asked when the parking situation would improve. After more laughter, Brownell talked about plans for a new parking garage that should ease the parking situation. Then he asked the children how they liked the MOM tutoring and enrichment program. The response seemed overwhelmingly positive. “We learn a lot from our tutors and it’s really fun,” said one of the children. Brownell responded by saying that when the child grows up and becomes a college president, he can come back to the center and visit. “Then everyone who had a part in it will feel so good,” he said. Mrs. Brownell stepped up to read, “My Best Shoes,” while more cameras flashed. “We get photographed all the time,” she said, trying to reassure the children. Mrs. Brownell seemed at ease reading the book, commenting on the pictures and talking to the children. “I want to see the picture, too,” teased her husband, sitting off to the side. One child asked Mrs. Brownell if her life was as busy as her husband’s. She said her life as a wife of a college president was a full one, but not quite as busy as her husband’s. A tutor, commenting on the program, said she like being able to bring a smile to the face of a child. The classroom then broke into one-on-one tutoring. The Brownells ended the afternoon by touring the facility and shaking children’s hands.

Mrs. Brownell reads to MOM audience including her husband.

Tyler Jenkins shows Brownell the book of his choice.

iVIOM students are all ears. May I see the pictures too?