Dr. Roselyn Elizabeth Brown-Hammond

ROSELYN ELIZABETH BROWN HAMMOND, affectionately known as “Rose”, was born in Grambling, Louisiana on January 1, 1939 to Robert A. Brown, Sr., Superintendent of Instruction Education, Bienville Parish, Louisiana and Dr. Alma Josephine Farrar Brown, Educator and Principal of Grambling College Laboratory School (Later renamed the Alma J. Brown Laboratory School). They had two children, Rose, their only daughter, and a son, Dr. Robert A. Brown, Jr., an Internist at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, who preceded her in death in 1971. She was educated in public schools of Grambling, LA where she excelled in science. Following her graduation from Grambling High School, she attended Grambling College and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. She received a full academic scholarship to Ohio State University in Ithaca, NY where she earned her Ph.D in Science Education. She continued her education by attending numerous summer workshops and programs affiliated with the National Science Foundation and various universities across the nation. It was at Morgan State University that she met and subsequently married her husband, Ernest C. Hammond, Jr. (Physics Department) on August 19, 1973. Their mutual interest in the sciences, classical music and gathering with friends made for thirty-eight years of companionship, intellectual compatibility and love. She was a faithful, devoted wife and tireless caregiver to her husband. Rose’s early Christian experience began at Lewis Temple C.M.E. Church in Grambling, LA. Rose was a member of Douglas Memorial Community Church since June, 2000. She had a deep and abiding faith, and she was a faithful, active Steward. Because of her piano talent, she was often asked to provide the music accompaniment for special events and a supportive member of the church choir. She also was a member of WANA (We Are Not Alone). Rose comes from a family of educators. She took pride in her profession and was a mentor and role model to many students. She touched their lives, inspired them to set and achieve high goals. She made learning challenging and rewarding to her students. Many of her students said Dr. Hammond was not only the best teacher they had, but she was like a mother to them. It was evident that she really cared about them and took an interest in their lives. After completing her B.S. Degree in Biology from Grambling College, she began her teaching career at Grambling High School in 1961, teaching science classes until 1967. Roselyn accepted a faculty position at Morgan State University in September, 1970 and retired on July 1, 2011. She was Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. Rose was the founder of the Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair in 1988 and was an active member of the Fair’s steering committee until her retirement. She had several published works and received many awards, certifications of appreciation, accolades and citations. Her personable manner and leadership skills consistently propelled her into positions of responsibility as an officer or chairperson of the various professional and social organizations of which she was a member. Rose was fifty years member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She first joined the Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. at Grambling College: later, The Epsilon Omega Chapter in Baltimore, MD; The Baltimore City Chapter of Links, Inc. (Past President; Public Relations Officer; Arts Facet Co-Chairperson); The Pierians, Incorporated, Baltimore County Chapter ( Corresponding Secretary); The Philomathians (Recording Secretary; Co- Chairperson of the Philomathians 75th Anniversary Steering Committee; Historian); The Morgan State University Women (Past President; Historian); The Librans; The Coronas( President)and The Bannister, Lewis, Tanner Circle of the Walters Art Museum (member). Rose’s musical organizations included: The Community Outreach Committee for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (Member); and The Community Concert Choir of Baltimore Auxiliary (member). Rose was also an engaged member of academic organizations: The National Association for Research In Science Teaching; Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society; Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society; and The Ernest E. Just Biology Club (Co-Advisor). Rose was the epitome of an elegant lady in her style and manner. She was often complimented on her fashion sense. She often showed compassion and kindness to many. She was fun to be around and humorous. She loved the arts, to dance, and appreciated beauty in all of its manifestations. She was generous with her wisdom and friendship. She leaves to mourn her passing, husband, Ernest; nephews, Robert A. Brown III (Robin) of Atlanta, GA and David P. Brown of Chicago, IL (both of whom she loved as her own children and who made her exceptionally proud); great-nieces, Isabela and Elena; devoted cousin, Gwendolyn Knighten-Smith of Oakland, CA; extended family, longtime friends, many former students; and other relatives.

Tributes

Dr. Roselyn Elizabeth Brown-Hammond

January 1, 1939 - September 3, 2011