Andrew F. Brimmer

Andrew F. Brimmer, PhD is Chairman of the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees.

"While serving in the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1963, Dr. Brimmer prepared the Testimony presented to Congress which demonstrated the burden of racial segregation on interstate commerce. The U.S. Supreme Court cited the testimony in its unanimous decision upholding the constitutionality of the Public Accommodation's section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"One of Dr. Brimmer's career milestones occurred in 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Dr. Brimmer to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, making him the first African American to serve in this capacity. After 8½ years, Dr. Brimmer resigned.

"Throughout his career, Dr. Brimmer has been deeply engaged in matters pertaining to national, economic, and fiscal policy. In 1974, he authored a letter to President Gerald Ford that originated the suggestion of a 10 percent rebate of 1974 personal income taxes to stimulate the economy and to help end the 1973-75 recession. After modification, Congress enacted the provision which accounted for the $8.1 billion tax reduction passed in early 1975.

"In 1965, Dr. Brimmer joined the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees. After the retirement of University President Luther Foster, Dr. Brimmer chaired the search committee that eventually recruited and hired Dr. Benjamin F. Payton to be the fifth President of Tuskegee University.

"Then, in 1982, Dr. Brimmer was voted Chairman of the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees. In this capacity, Chairman Brimmer has been actively engaged in supporting the policies and vision recommended by President Payton, which have led to the transformation and growth of the University.

"During his tenure as Chairman, Dr. Brimmer has supported many important initiatives that were spearheaded by University Benjamin F. Payton. Dr. Brimmer supported initiatives to renovate, remove, and construct the new physical infrastructure of campus. A number of old, dilapidated buildings were removed, making room for the construction of the General Daniel "Chappie" James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education and new apartments for students.

"The James Center allowed Tuskegee University to develop an Aerospace Science Engineering program. In 1987, U.S. President Ronald Reagan dedicated the James Center and served as the commencement speaker.

"Other capital improvements included the construction of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, the renovation of White Hall, the construction of apartment-style housing for students, and the construction of the new College of Business and Information Science, to which Dr. Brimmer made a personal donation and is named in his honor.

"Dr. Brimmer also supported efforts aimed at enhancing the academic prowess of the University, including the initiative to create a School of Business and, then College of Business. In response to President Payton's initiative, Dr. Brimmer led the Trustees in the bold move to transform and rename Tuskegee Institute into Tuskegee University.

"During the 26 years that Dr. Payton and Dr. Brimmer have led the University, Tuskegee has experienced strong fiscal growth and stability and academic excellence. Tuskegee's first Ph.D. programs were approved during this period and the entire academic program was restructured and enhanced.

"Dr. Brimmer holds a B.A. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Washington and earned a Ph.D. in Economics at Harvard University in 1957. He was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to India in 1951. Dr. Brimmer has been presented with 24 honorary doctorate degrees and numerous awards of distinction, including the Tuskegee University President's Distinguished Service Award."

• Director, Leon H. Sullivan Foundation
• Emeriti Director, National Bureau of Economic Research

Resources and articles

Related Sourcewatch articles

• Fulbright Program