Francis H. Brown

The University of Utah’s highest award for excellence, the Rosenblatt Prize, was awarded during the 2001 Commencement ceremonies to Dr. Francis H. Brown, professor of geology and geophysics and dean of the College of Mines and Earth Sciences. The $40,000 gift is presented annually to a faculty member who displays excellence in teaching, research and in administrative efforts.

University President J. Bernard Machen introduced this year’s winner by stating, “I have selected a scholar whose abilities in the areas of research, teaching, and administration show an unparalleled devotion to his profession and to his University. He is a scientist about whom one can speak in superlatives without fear of exaggeration.”

Brown received his B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the U of U faculty in 1971 and has been a full-time professor of geology and geophysics since 1980. He served as chair of his department from 1988 to 1991, and has been dean of the College of Mines and Earth Sciences since 1991.

It’s staggering to receive an award for doing what you love best, commented Brown. “I am very honored and would like to thank President Machen and the Committee for their faith in me.” His efforts as a geologist working on Early Man sites have led to some of the most important discoveries of our time and to international renown. “His dedication and breadth of knowledge have inspired scores of students and led to the advancement and academic prosperity of his college,” added Machen.

Brown is perhaps best known for his work in Africa that focuses on the ages of hominid fossils, showing how human evolution can be advanced by geologic studies. Most recently, he co-authored a paper in the journal Nature announcing the discovery of a 3.5-million-year old human skull in Kenya. Brown was part of a team led by paleoanthropologist Meave Leakey of the National Museums of Kenya. Brown’s extensive fieldwork and innovative lab work in stratigraphy have enabled discoveries in related disciplines around the world.

Brown is a past recipient of the University’s Distinguished Research Award and recently promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor. He has been the recipient of his college’s and department’s teaching awards – the latter four times. This year he also received the Departmental Distinguished Research Award.

According to President Machen, “As a teacher, his concern for students is legendary; as dean, his unselfish leadership and his support of his faculty have earned widespread admiration.”

The coveted Rosenblatt Prize was established in 1983 by members of the Rosenblatt family to honor Nathan and Tillie Rosenblatt, the family’s first Utah immigrants. It recognizes, encourages and honors excellence in teaching, research and administrative efforts on behalf of the University.

The late Joe Rosenblatt (Nathan and Tillie’s son) continued the passion of his parents. According to Brown, “Joe’s greatest passion was to build a bridge that would cross the chasm between those who have and those who have not. He knew that the differences in status came through access to opportunities.” Brown has directed the University to place the $40,000 award in an endowed fund to help make Joe’s wish to bridge the chasm a reality, while at the same time acknowledging his deep love for the school. Details about the fund will be finalized soon.

Rosenblatt Prize winners are selected by the University President from a list of nominees submitted by a faculty committee chaired by David Chapman, dean of the Graduate School.

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