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Progress and Possibility in The Renaissance Era: Dr. Brown's Second Anniversary as President and CEO
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Progress and Possibility in The Renaissance Era: Dr. Brown's Second Anniversary as President and CEO
02 July 2026
3 minute read
Dr. and Mrs. Brown with Library staff in front of a Booker T. Washington quote.
Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Keeping with a solemn tradition he holds dear, Dr. Mark A. Brown began the day on July 1 – the second anniversary of his tenure as Tuskegee’s president and CEO, and the first alumnus to hold this role – with a prayer service at the University Chapel. The event began with a rendition of “Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord” as Dr. Brown was joined by First Lady Gwendolyn Jackson Brown and members of the presidential cabinet.
Dr. Brown was both joyful and introspective about this milestone, and what he describes as the uniquely special calling of an HBCU president.
“Today I thank God for bringing me this far along this journey,” said Dr. Brown. “I am grateful that God allows me to be imperfect as I do my very best every day to rise to this calling.”
“An HBCU president is more than the head of a university. An HBCU president is called to be a leader of people, to address the wide-ranging and complex realities of our communities, to make an education an accessible pathway to a measurably better future, a powerful tool that changes the trajectory of economic mobility in the lives of our people.”
Dr. Brown pointed to important benchmarks that the university has reached in pursuit of those goals, particularly a recommitment to a students-first mindset and a sharp focus on global workforce readiness. Those priorities were recently evidenced by graduation outcomes that point to what the university is getting right in preparing students to enter the daunting job market: 70% of the Class of 2026 graduates crossed the stage either already employed, entering graduate school, or off to serve our nation as newly commissioned military officers through Tuskegee's ROTC program.
“That is what Booker T. Washington wanted for Tuskegee University and that is what we are striving to do in Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era,” said Dr. Brown adding “If not us, then who?”
Noting that Tuskegee will celebrate its 145 founding anniversary on July 4, as the nation celebrates its own 250th milestone, Dr. Brown challenged his senior leaders to persevere with a clear understanding that the rapid transformation underway at Tuskegee University is hard and deeply purposeful work that will result in consequential outcomes for generations that will outlive them.
“When America celebrates its 300th anniversary, students we have equipped with a world-class education will be the architects of that future – not merely participants in it,” said Dr. Brown.
Later in the day, Dr. and Mrs. Brown spent a few hours expressing their gratitude across the campus, delivering customized Tuskegee University cookies and visiting with faculty and staff – and some students: Tuskegee has more than 25 summer enrichment programs on campus this summer.
The impromptu visits sparked genuine joy throughout the university ecosystem, including Financial Aid, Admissions, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Architecture and Construction Science, the Facilities Management plant, the Tuskegee Athletics Department and the University Library.
Dr. and Mrs. Brown’s easy accessibility signals a “true paradigm shift” from some past administrations, noted one employee. “You are our president,” said another.
“Every single person on this campus brings the Renaissance Era to life, regardless of role or title, and I thank them all. We are all responsible for carrying forward Booker T. Washington’s charge that through education this university must ignite the head, the hand and the heart to improve the human condition,” said Dr. Brown.
Keeping with a solemn tradition he holds dear, Dr. Mark A. Brown began the day on July 1 – the second anniversary of his tenure as Tuskegee’s president and CEO, and the first alumnus to hold this role – with a prayer service at the University Chapel. The event began with a rendition of “Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord” as Dr. Brown was joined by First Lady Gwendolyn Jackson Brown and members of the presidential cabinet.
Dr. Brown pointed to important benchmarks that the university has reached in pursuit of those goals, particularly a recommitment to a students-first mindset and a sharp focus on global workforce readiness. Those priorities were recently evidenced by graduation outcomes that point to what the university is getting right in preparing students to enter the daunting job market: 70% of the Class of 2026 graduates crossed the stage either already employed, entering graduate school, or off to serve our nation as newly commissioned military officers through Tuskegee's ROTC program. 
“When America celebrates its 300th anniversary, students we have equipped with a world-class education will be the architects of that future – not merely participants in it,” said Dr. Brown.
