Timothy R. Brown, a senior project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is the recipient of the 27th Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA), to be conferred at the annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Global Competitiveness Conference in Washington, D.C. Feb. 7, 2013. Brown is responsible for leading interdisciplinary project delivery teams in the execution of large scale civil works projects.
The Black Engineer of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious and competitive honors in science, engineering and technology management. The STEM Conference is a talent-rich environment for recruitment, networking and professional development. College representatives and thousands of elite professionals and students from across the country representing the upper echelon of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines and careers attend the event.
Thousands of America's most creative and innovative engineering professionals have been nominated for this nationally recognized honor, yet in its 27-year history, fewer than 700 have achieved the distinction of being a Black Engineer of the Year honoree.
Statistics show that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics enrollments are declining in our country, at precisely the moment when the global economy is driving up the demand for STEM professionals.
"A STEM scholarship helped me through college," said Brown." "If it wasn't for me accidentally finding out about the scholarship, I probably wouldn't be here today."
Brown said that he almost had to drop out of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1998 because of a lack of funds. Luckily, he overheard a fellow student in the hallway talking about losing his scholarship due to bad grades.
"Since I had good grades, but no money, I ran over to the admissions office and asked about the scholarship the other guy lost, and I applied for it and received it! It saved me," Brown said.
The STEM scholarship was called the Florida-Georgia Alliance for Minority Participation Project (FGAMP). The FGAMP project is the product of a group of universities committed to increasing the production of minority graduates in science, engineering and mathematics.
When the Black Engineer of the Year Award was launched by Dr. Tyrone Taborn, there were few role models for students of color in STEM. Taborn, chief executive officer of Career Communications Group, which publishes U.S. Black Engineer & IT magazine, joined with the engineering deans of Morgan State, in Baltimore, Md., and Howard University in Washington, D.C., to change that.
"That is why this award is sentimental to me," said Brown. "If not for them, I might not be here today. I might not be an engineer. I might not have been able to finish my degree. Tyrone Taborn is one of the good guys. He's one of the people who really gives back to the community and the things he does make a difference in people's lives."
Brown will receive his Special Recognition Award at the Dean's Breakfast.
Like his mentor, Brown now gives back to the community by serving his community as a mentor and tutor, and by providing lawn care service for the elderly. He received the Jacksonville District Community Service Award in recognition of his selfless service. He volunteers at local elementary schools, serves as head coach for youth sports teams, is a merit badge leader for Boy Scout troops and co-chairs the father's auxiliary of the Jacksonville Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc., a non-profit youth leadership organization.
Brown also received the BEYA STEM Modern Day Technology Leader award, NATO International Security Assistance Force Service Medal, two Commander's Awards for Civilian Service, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
"I know how STEM impacted my life," said Brown. "Getting an award like this from this group means a lot to me on a deep personal level and I hope to continue to keep giving back and investing in people."
Social Sharing