Steven E. Brown has been selected as Penn State’s 2015 Renaissance Fund honoree.
Brown is the President and CEO of Mount Nittany Health. He will be recognized in November at the 39th annual Renaissance Fund dinner.
Brown said he was overwhelmed by the honor.
“My first thought was ‘I can’t believe they’ve chosen me,’” Brown said. “I got invited to a breakfast here with members of the committee who make the selection. I wasn’t sure why I was there. When they told me, I couldn’t believe they were honoring me with this.”
Each year, the Renaissance Fund honors an individual or couple who, through a lifetime of service, has contributed greatly to the Penn State and State College communities. In its selection process, the fund’s board of directors seeks to recognize individuals who have deep roots in the Centre Region, close relationships with civic and University leaders, and a commitment to philanthropy.
Brown will be honored at a recognition dinner on Thursday, Nov. 19, at The Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel on the University Park campus. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 7.
“Steve’s investment in patient care, community service, and medical education in the region is outstanding,” George Henning Jr., president of the Renaissance Fund’s board of directors, said in a release. “He has united local and University communities in a way that is enhancing the quality of life for many. Steve exemplifies thoughtful leadership, and is a great choice for this year’s award.”
Brown has been a member of the State College community since 2010, when he arrived at Mount Nittany Health.
His resume is impressive.
Brown was the first in his family to go to college. He studied biology and natural science at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. At the suggestion of a close friend, he decided to pursue a graduate degree in health care administration. In 1977, he earned a master of public administration degree in health services administration from Penn State.
After working as the director of ambulatory services at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Brown continued his career through senior leadership positions at Akron General Medical Center in Ohio and Inova Health System in Northern Virginia. Prior to landing at Mount Nittany Health, he served eight years as CEO at Evergreen Healthcare in Kirkland, Wash.
To say that Brown is humbled by the award would be an understatement.
“I don’t see myself at that level with the other folks who have been honored with the Renaissance Award over the years,” Brown said. “I’m more of a back row kind of guy. I like to support and celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of others.”
The Renaissance Fund is a highly visible example of Penn State’s efforts to ensure student opportunity through scholarship support funded by private philanthropy. The annual dinner raises money in the name of the honoree. Those contributions are used to endow Renaissance Fund scholarships, which are awarded to academically talented Penn State students who have great financial need. Since the fund’s inception in 1969, the Renaissance Fund endowment has grown to more than $11.3 million. During the 2014-15 academic year, 475 students received Renaissance scholarships totaling $687,460.
Brown said that he realizes the significance of the award.
“It is probably one of the most significant and deepest honors I’ve ever received,” Brown said. “It is a deep, deep honor. I’m very humbled by all of this. I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s a humbling thing when people want to recognize things that you’ve done. I just see it as the things that I do.”
Brown said that the award is not only a reflection of the work he’s been able to do at Mount Nittany Health, it’s a reflection of the work his team has been able to do.
“I think proud is the word there. I’m proud of the people here, what they have done,” Brown said. “I’m proud of the levels that we’ve taken Mount Nittany Health to. I’m very proud of those. We’re in the people business. That takes the whole team. We’re taking care of this community’s friends and neighbors. That takes the entire team.”
