NORMAN BROWN’S LEGACY
The Legacy of Norman Brown
Who Was Norman Brown?
Norman Brown began his career at IU Indianapolis as an admission counselor in the early 1970s, when the admissions office was located on the campus’s original East 38th Street site. He went on to serve as associate director of admissions, spending decades helping students find their way to college.
In 1988, he founded the scholars program that now bears his name. In 2005, the program was renamed in his honor for his contributions to IU Indianapolis and the surrounding community. Today it is the Norman Brown Leadership Scholars Program. For more than three decades, it has opened doors to academic success, leadership development and community engagement for generations of scholars.
Program photo of Norman Brown.
In His Own Words
“I am also the founder of the Norman Brown Scholars Program, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.”
— Norman Brown, Office of Undergraduate Admissions (retired), writing for the IUPUI 50th Anniversary “Your Stories” project
In the same short account he describes starting as an admission counselor around 1973–74, when the admissions office sat on East 38th Street south of the State Fairgrounds and shared its building with the Registrar, Continuing Studies and Financial Aid. The program he later founded grew out of that work: years spent helping students find a way in.
The Program’s Story
Early 1970s
Norman Brown joins IU Indianapolis as an admission counselor, working out of the campus’s original East 38th Street offices. He goes on to serve as associate director of admissions.
1988
Brown founds the scholars program, built to bring high-achieving students from communities with less access to higher education to IU Indianapolis — and to support them once they arrive.
2005
The program is renamed in his honor, recognizing what he built for the campus and the surrounding community.
Today
Scholars receive tuition and housing support, renewable for up to eight semesters, alongside mentoring, leadership training, service projects and career preparation. The commitment runs both ways: scholars are expected to keep their grades up, lead, serve and graduate on time.
What the Program Stands For
Opening Doors
Bringing high-achieving students from communities with less access to higher education to IU Indianapolis.
Supporting Success
Encouraging academic achievement through recognition, mentoring and support.
Growing Leaders
Building leadership skills, community involvement and an understanding of different perspectives.
Preparing for What’s Next
Guiding scholars toward timely graduation and strong career readiness.
THE PROGRAM TODAY
Carrying the Work Forward
Danielle McMillan leads the Norman Brown Leadership Scholars Program as Director of Special Programs in the Division of Undergraduate Education at IU Indianapolis. She came to this work through the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program, where as student coordinator she built a partnership with the Central Indiana Community Foundation that grew enrollment two years running — the same work Norman Brown did, finding students who belong in college and clearing the path.
She holds a B.A. in psychology and interpersonal and public communication and an M.S. in speech communication and dramatic arts, both from Central Michigan University, and teaches communication as an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech Community College.
Her commitment to Indianapolis extends past her office. She volunteers with New Era Church, IPS School #42, the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and the Dungy Family Reading Foundation — showing up for the city in exactly the way the program asks its scholars to.
[Danielle McMillan, Director of Special Programs, Division of Undergraduate Education.]
What she has meant to my time in the program
[Something Mrs. McMillan has said or done that stuck with you. A piece of advice, a push, a door she opened.]
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Every scholar adds to what Norman Brown started. Answer as many of these as you want — and come back to them each spring. Your answers should change as you do.
1 · The goal that means most
Opening doors, supporting success, growing leaders, preparing for what's next — which one means the most to you, and why?
[Your answer]
2 · Who opened the door
Who opened doors for you on your way to college? Name them.
[Your answer]
3 · The door I'm holding
Who are you opening a door for right now? It can be one person.
[Your answer]
4 · What I'm building
What do you want your part of the Norman Brown legacy to be by the time you graduate?
[Your answer]
5 · The thank-you I owe
Norman Brown spent a career helping students find their way to college. Name one person at IU Indianapolis who has done that for you — and write what you’d say to them.
[Your answer]
6 · The scholar in my seat
What would you tell the scholar who has your seat four years from now?
[Your answer]
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