Channing Brown

2013 Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Channing Brown received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois in 1980. He went on to earn a master’s in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982. Upon graduation, Brown moved to New Jersey, where he worked for Telcordia Technologies (formerly known as Bellcore, now a part of Ericsson) as a senior software engineer. 

After living and working in New Jersey for 23 years, Brown relocated to Champaign in February 2006. He developed sports and recreation software at Greencourt Software, work he has enjoyed off and on since 1996. For a short time (November 2007 through September 2008) he worked part-time in software development (telecommuting) for Telcordia Technologies. In January 2009, Brown began work part time for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, primarily writing software to support a research project. He retired in March 2013.

Brown has been a loyal alumnus for many years. He was first active in the New York chapter of the Illinois Alumni Association. Since returning to Illinois, he has been an exhibit judge at the Engineering Open House since 2008; he mentors students in the Illinois Promise scholarship program; and he serves as a conversation partner for students in the Intensive English Institute. He endowed the Channing Brown Scholarship in the CS Department to support undergraduates. He also supports the work of the Women in Computer Science student organization.