Dr. Harold Thomas Brinson

Dr. Harold Thomas Brinson, former president of Southern Arkansas University, died Friday, May 18, 2018. The son of the late Emmitte and Hazel Brinson, he was born on Jan. 22, 1930 in Harper Springs, Howard County, Ark. Brinson graduated from DeQueen High School in 1947. He joined the Arkansas National Guard and began playing football for Magnolia A&M Junior College (now Southern Arkansas University). Brinson transferred on a football scholarship to Tulane University in New Orleans, La. where he earned a bachelor of education in health and physical education with a science minor. After graduation in 1951, Brinson was honorably discharged from the Natl. Guard to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He married Nelda Gene Lee in Huttig, Ark. on December 29, 1951. Brinson served two years active duty in the Marine Corps and was transferred as a second lieutenant to the reserves unit in 1953. He retired as a Lt. Col. from the Marine Reserve in 1976. Brinson earned a master of education from the University of Texas-Austin in 1953 and began coaching football, track, and teaching science in Texas at Levelland and Abilene high schools. He was hired as assistant principal at AHS in 1965. In 1970, he graduated with a Ph.D. in education administration from UT-Austin, and was hired as assistant superintendent for the Abilene school district. After four years, Brinson stepped into the superintendent's position. Brinson moved to Arkansas in August 1976 to assume presidency of Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, his alma mater. He served as president for 15 years, raising money and building programs for the university, which included finishing and funding the new bell tower with a 14-bell chime; building a vocational agricultural building and improving the sports complexes. While president, Brinson guided the name change to Southern Arkansas University (1976); and directed reorganization of the university into four schools: business, education, liberal and performing arts, and science and technology (1977). He began the Southern Arkansas University Foundation (1981) and the SAU Student Foundation. Brinson organized improvements at both SAU-Tech (Camden) and SAU-El Dorado during those years. In 1991, Brinson retired as president and was named president emeritus. He taught classes and continued to raise money for the University. In 1992, the new art building, funded and built under his direction, was named after the Brinsons. Active in many organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa and Rotary International, he served as district #6170 governor of Rotary for two years. Dr. Brinson is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nelda Gene Lee Brinson of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; daughter, Kathryn Ann Brinson Martin of Hot Springs, Ark.; sons, Max Harold Brinson and wife, Johanna, of Dingmans Ferry, Penn.; Paul Thomas Brinson, and wife, Peggy, of Irving, Texas; grandchildren, Andrew Thomas Martin of New York City, Benjamin Luke Martin of Hot Springs, Lovisa Ljundquist Brinson of Dingmans Ferry, Penn.; and Stephen Paul Brinson of Irving, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Howell Brinson of Paducah, Texas. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. at Caruth-Hale in Hot Springs Village. A second visitation is planned at 9 a.m. Thursday morning, at Balboa Baptist Church, followed by the funeral service at 10. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Arkansas or Southern Arkansas University. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.