Retirements
Kurt O. Brown, the Art and Design Department’s beloved, award-winning instructional support technician III for photography and video — a dear friend, mentor, and confidant to so many — retired at the end of December 2018. Brown began his career in November 1984 in the Art and Design Department, working as a temporary equipment technician. He was subsequently hired full-time as an Instructional Support Technician I in February 1985 and has been an invaluable colleague ever since.
Over the years Brown has fostered relationships with hundreds of students that have gone through the program, from art and design majors to those taking photography and video classes as either GEs or electives. He further helped bridge lasting relationships with many others throughout the campus community and always enhanced the Learn by Doing philosophy at Cal Poly with his generous assistance and support to students, faculty and staff. For the department’s photography and video concentration, Brown implemented systems and protocols for seamless lab operations that are widely used by alumni in their own practice. He was also influential in generating thousands of dollars in equipment donations as well as funding for equipment through his alumni connections.
As a testimony to his unparalleled skills, uncompromised work ethic, and overall congeniality, Brown received the Staff Award for Continuing Excellence from the College of Liberal Arts in 2000, and the college recognized him again in 2017 with the Career Achievement Award.
Brown retired from his position to focus on his health and his family. His ubiquitous smile and compassionate heart will be greatly missed. The department wishes him the happiest of retirements.
Retirement Celebration Feb. 23
Everyone — faculty, staff, alumni, students — is welcome to attend a retirement party celebrating Kurt and his 35 years at Cal Poly.
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 23
- Time: 2-5 p.m.
- Where: Business Silo (3-213) on campus
- RSVP: Please reserve your spot.
If you have any photos of Kurt through the years, please upload them here. Please be sure that they are 2,000 pixels in the largest dimension and saved as JPGS.