93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Visitation is Monday afternoon for one of the Columbia College’s longest-tenured presidents. Dr. Gerald Brouder died Wednesday in Columbia, at the age of 79. Dr. Brouder served as Columbia College’s president from 1995 until 2013, where he became just the second president in college history to receive emeritus status.
He helped create the college’s graduate programs in 1996, and the school had record enrollment growth in its adult higher education division. One of Dr. Brouder’s main goals in 1995 was strengthening the sciences on campus. The state-of-the-art Gerald and Bonnie Brouder Science Center opened in 2013, just months after he retired.
His theme was simple: we respect teaching and learning. President Brouder also started the popular December Holiday lighting tradition.
Columbia College says he had an immeasurable impact on Columbia College and on the community as a whole.
Visitation for Dr. Gerald Brouder is today from 4-7 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral services are tomorrow morning at 10 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Columbia.
