LC Meridian

Issue date: 9/1/08 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Tom Stoelker Alpha Browne at the class of 2008 commencement ceremony.

It was very clear that Alpha Browne was proud of his accomplishment. At the 2008 commencement ceremonies he approached a photographer from across the south field and politely requested, "Please take my picture."

Then, adjusting his cap and gown he stood in a dignified pose and smiled. Browne would only admit to being somewhere in his seventies. He had just completed his bachelor's degree. But while he may have been reluctant to discuss his age, he was more than happy to talk about his three children (two girls and one boy) and his six grandchildren. He and his wife Anestha placed a premium on education in their household and all three of their children completed college, with one of his sons going on to become a surgeon. Now after years of raising children and supporting his family, it was Browne's turn to march to Pomp and Circumstance.

Browne, who is from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, began his college career in 1990 at Medgar Evans, but had to stop so that he could help his children with the cost of their college education. Upon returning to school at Lehman he majored in political science. When asked if he has any advice for those following him here, he responded that the students of Lehman need to be more involved with their surrounding community.

"These young people need to band themselves together and reach out," he said. "Lehman as an institution needs to get out there and encourage this."

After over forty years of marriage, Anestha said that she was very proud of her husband and admitted that it was a bit of a struggle to make it happen.

"It's a sacrifice, but it's worth it. In order to stay where you are you have to keep running," she explained.

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