A group of UCA Alumni & fraternity brothers of the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha have created a scholarship in honor of fallen Navy SEAL, Adam Brown. Adam was a college friend and attended UCA in the late 90’s.
Adam overcame a history of drug addiction to become a member of the elite Navy SEAL Team SIX and was deployed overseas in the Global War on Terror.
During Adam’s final mission to capture or kill a high-level Taliban target, he was shot and killed.
Beyond his sacrifice for this country, Adam left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
John Roach ‘98 met Adam through his roommate, Heath Vance, who was also Adam’s childhood friend. Adam later pledged Pi Kappa Alpha where he met several others who are now creating this scholarship fund in his memory.
“Even though he was the Superman of the group, he didn’t have to prove that. He never wanted to show it, and he made you feel like Superman,” said John.
Adam’s personality and moving story has already been immortalized in print. Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team Six Operator Adam Brown, written by Eric Blehm, was published in 2012.
Boyd Campbell ‘02 never met Adam but after reading Fearless, he knew immediately that a scholarship was the perfect way to continue Adam’s legacy. Says Campbell, “Adam Brown was an incredible and inspirational figure. He overcame interminable odds. He became an American Hero.”
Campbell contacted James Welch ‘98, a friend and fraternity brother of Adam, with his idea. Welch’s contacts proved useful as now many have voiced their support in creating a scholarship fund.
Welch said, “We really want to make an enduring scholarship that can have a positive impact on UCA students for years to come.” The goal is two-fold, he says. “We’re going to be able to honor Adam’s memory and also help out UCA students so that maybe they can follow Adam’s example and give back to others in a meaningful way.”
The ideal candidate of the scholarship is an individual that has overcome adversity.
“We’re certainly looking for somebody that has overcome obstacles… that has had their own battles that they fought. Someone that’s a striver. A survivor, so to speak,” said Jason Miller ‘00, close friend of Adam’s.
There’s no doubt in any of the group’s minds that creating a scholarship would be what Adam would want. Tony Snyder ‘00, fellow Pi Kappa Alpha brother, said, “[the scholarship] is exactly what he would do to be able to help other people. That’s what it’s all about because that’s what Adam was about.”
The scholarship fund was created with the goal to endow it and select a scholarship recipient for the 2017-18 academic year. If you would like to make a donation to the Adam Brown Memorial Scholarship you can do so by giving online or mailing a check to the UCA Foundation (memo: Adam Brown Schol.) UCA Box 4986, Conway, AR 72035.