When students think about Haverford, many think of a student in the midst of their educational journey, learning new concepts and becoming men of character.
What is often understated is the great impact teachers have on these boys. No person exemplifies this more than Mr. Donald Brownlow.
Born in 1923 in nearby Germantown, Brownlow attended the Tredyffrin-Easttown High School, better known today as Conestoga High School. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania, but it would be only a year before he enlisted to fight in Europe.
Beginning at The Haverford School in 1951, Brownlow quickly became a beloved member of the faculty.
He deployed at Utah Beach on D-Day and survived one of the bloodiest days in U.S. history. As American troops moved into the heartland of France, so did Brownlow. He was captured by elite German Schutzstaffel troops in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, yet escaped a mere two days later.
His heroism is not to be downplayed. Brownlow would earn an array of prestigious military awards: the Purple Heart after being injured by shrapnel fired from a German tank shell, a Bronze Star for dismantling several Nazi minefields, and the Croix de Guerre from the French government. During his time in Europe, he managed to come into contact with the very silverware used by German dictator Adolf Hitler, as well as several items from the Nazi headquarters known as the Brown House.
After returning from Europe, Brownlow entered a new chapter as an educator. Beginning at The Haverford School in 1951, Brownlow quickly became a beloved member of the faculty. He regularly attended sporting events and pep rallies, embracing the community almost instantaneously. He was also a wrestling coach.
“You can’t appreciate the history of Europe in the 20th century if you don’t know the smell of gunpowder.”
Mr. Donald Brownlow
On campus, he was known for his annual firing of a cannon on the football field, now known as Sabol Field.
“You can’t appreciate the history of Europe in the 20th century if you don’t know the smell of gunpowder,” Brownlow often remarked.
Despite this new job, he never forgot his campaign in Europe, making sure to visit France and Germany with students on exchange trips and let them see what he had seen in the war.
Donald Brownlow left an immense impression upon all those he taught.
During his teaching, he also managed to publish several books about World War II and European history. His genuine passion for history and teaching made him beloved by both students and faculty during his 55 years of teaching.
Brownlow also became an advisor to several government officials. He corresponded with Jawaharlal Nehru, the former prime minister of India, discussing the PRC’s influence on Pakistan. Brownlow wrote to the director of Central Intelligence, Allen Dulles, about the importance of defeating the Soviet Union, and provided advice regarding Soviet and Chinese expansion during Cold War times, continuing to impart what he learned in his time as a soldier.
Donald Brownlow left an immense impression upon all those he taught. It was for this reason that his death in January 2006 was so poignant to the school. In memory of the teacher, the Donald Brownlow Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the members of the Class of 1959 and received significant aid from the Class of 1963. The fund is designed for “boys who have demonstrated a love of history that Don inspired and nurtured during his 55 years in the classroom.”
Continuing the school’s tradition of excellent instruction honors the work of people like Mr. Brownlow, whose excellence continues to impact students to this day. As a school, we should continue to prioritize excellence in teaching.
You must be logged in to post a comment.