Sarah Brown, '95 and Bert Brown, '90

Sarah Brown, '95 and Bert Brown, '90

May 24, 2013
A pair of Spiders reflect on their time at UR and beyond

Sarah Brown majored in Sociology and graduated in 1995. Bert majored in Political Science & Rhetoric Communication as an undergraduate in 1990 and continued on to earn his MBA in 2005. The couple met post-graduation while volunteering for UR’s Development Office.

Why did you choose to attend University of Richmond?

B: It was an easy decision for me. I was looking for a smaller, selective school and after visiting campus, it just felt right. I applied early admission and never looked back.

S: I remember telling my high school college counselor what type of college I was looking for (smaller school, bigger city, liberal arts and someplace that might snow - I'm from Florida) and his response was "I know the perfect school, but there's no way you can get in." Not one to back down from a challenge, I was originally interested in UR to prove him wrong, but after visiting the campus, I was hooked. And, he was right. It was the perfect school for me. 

Were there any significant others that came into your life during your time here?

S: Of course! In addition to meeting life-long friends, I met Ellen Bradley, my sorority advisor and UR alum. She hired me as her intern in the UR Publications Office, helped me get my first job at VCU's Massey Cancer Center and introduced me to Bert.

How did they influence you?

S: Ellen was my first role model and mentor. She helped put me on my career path of communications and public relations, and taught me the importance of details and the value of relationships.

How did your experience at the University of Richmond influence the person you have become today?

B: During the summer between my junior and senior years, I had an internship with the UR Facilities Department, helping manage construction activities on campus. That summer, I worked with a great team and realized that construction management and real estate was the perfect career path for me.

What makes you most proud to be a UR alum?

B: I'm always impressed with the caliber of recent graduates. The University does a great job of evolving and improving while staying true to the core foundations of the school.

What was the most significant change you saw in yourself during your time here?

B: The University provided the perfect environment and leadership opportunities for me to become more outgoing and confident. Through my involvement with the Richmond College Senate and being an Orientation Co-Chair, I was able to work with a diverse set of students and faculty to build my skills as a leader.

S: I loved that Richmond was small enough to feel like a family, but large enough to provide plenty of opportunities for learning and leading.

What was your proudest achievement at the University of Richmond?

B: As an employee, I had the opportunity to oversee some impressive construction projects that changed the face of the campus - including the construction and renovations of the Modlin Center for the Arts and the move of the Bottomley House that later became the backbone of the Alumni Center. Professionally, these were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, but personally, I was honored to be able to help build facilities that will continue to enhance my alma mater for years to come.

Have you had any additional connections with the University of Richmond since you have graduated?

B: Yes, after graduating in 1990, I began working in the Facilities Department as a construction project manager, and worked there for eight years. After a short break, I came back to the Alumni Office for two years, coordinating alumni chapter activities around the county. Currently, I am serving as the President of the UR Alumni Chapter in Jacksonville.

S: Yes, I volunteered with UR’s Development Office, where I was lucky enough to meet Bert, who was also volunteering. In addition, I served as the chair of the Young Graduate Steering Committee, where I planned events for the alumni office. I also served as the chapter advisor for my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG). Currently, I serve on the Alumni Recruitment Committee. We just can’t stay away from the university!


At present, Bert is the Vice President of Meadows Inc., a real estate company and Co-Chair of UrbanPlan, a program that teaches students about land development. In 2011, Sarah was approached by ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and asked if our chapter would provide pro-bono public relations support for a local house build.

Sarah shares, “I jumped at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and served as the chair of the public relations committee for the build in Jacksonville. I was at the build site every day, coordinating the local media who was covering the event.”

Sarah recently received Jacksonville Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” award for her work, and she has worked in communications at Capital One since 2001.