Family education legacy faculty:
Marjorie M. Brown
Marjorie M. Brown was a member of the University of Minnesota faculty beginning in 1959 until her retirement in 1979. Among her many contributions, she is credited with introducing perennial family problems as the basis for the selection and organization of home economics curriculum. Always concerned with rational thought processes and thoughtful, reflective decisions and conclusion, Dr. Brown also placed a high priority on human concerns and the quality of interpersonal relationships. Her students, now located around the world, developed a strong sense of loyalty and dedication to similar principles including a keen interest in research and a commitment to education that serves the interests of families.
While at the University of Minnesota, Professor Brown provided significant and unique leadership in home economics education in many areas. For example, she urged the use of a scholarly approach in determining what home economics education is and what it should do. She also introduced and utilized new knowledge and modes of inquiry from other traditions, most notably, critical inquiry. She introduced and applied these in her work by using them to examine questions, beliefs and practices; as frameworks for designing unique courses and programs; and as bases for many publications, such as What is Home Economics Education?, Home Economics: A Definition, and Home Economics: Its Conceptualization and Practices. Brown is perhaps best noted for her emphasis on developing students’ abilities to be autonomous and responsible in thought and action. In her final years at the University, Brown was responsible for leading the development of a Ph.D. program in Education in the Vocational Education Department.
The Marjorie Brown Graduate Assistantship was created in 1988 and has been used to support graduate assistants since 1993.
