STUDENT LIFE I INTERNATIOANL I SOCIALCLUBS I ACADEMICS I PEOPLE I LEADERSHIP I ATHLETICS I ORGANIZATIONS MARKETING, MARATHONS & MARRIAGE Dr. Rich Brown, chair of the marketing department, and his wife, Laura Beth Brown, took on new experiences during their semester abroad. D r. Rich Brown, professor of business administration and chair of the marketing department, led students to NewZealand, Australia, India, Cambodia and Thailand on the Harding University in Australasia (HUA) study abroad program for the second time in fall 2018. Brown's wife, Laura Bech Brown, accompanied him on the trip as an assistant professor of marketing. While on the trip, Rich Brown participated in a marathon in Bangkok, Thailand. He had run close to 100 marathons, and he said this one was different because it began at midnight due to heat, smog and traffic concerns. "[The conditions] were miserable," Rich Brown said. "Many people needed medical attention on the course. I have never seen a marathon course with so much medical support. ... I was just happy to finish without walking or needing an IV." To add to the complication during the 26.2 miles, the heat index was 95 degrees, it was very crowded and he could nor talk to other runners due to the language barrier. "[It was] just like running anywhere else except I could nor talk with anyone," Rich Brown said. "[I] did not really need to until the end when I was trying to find our where to get the finisher medal and shirt." Laura Beth Brown was unable to attend because she was with a sick student, but she was still proud of her husband. "I am always proud of Rich when he runs a race," Laura Bech Brown said. "It was special for him to be able to run in Bangkok." Rich and Laura Bech Brown did more than teach and explore; they also immersed themselves in the cultures they came across. Their original wedding was in Searcy, Arkansas, on Nov.13, 1987, but while in India, they participated in a mock traditional Punjabi ceremony, an Indian wedding, in Amritsar, India. The couple dressed in Punjab wedding clothes, made a processional en trance with a parade and participated in a recessional and parade exit. "The students and other people at the resort really enjoyed it," Rich Brown said. "Laura Bech and I did, too." The recreation of a traditional Punjabi ceremony happened on a special day to the Browns. "It was a coincidence. That [day] was our 31st wedding anniversary," Laura Bech Brown said. "We will never forget it!" SophomoreJack Brower was on the HUA trip with the Browns and was inspired by their Christ-centered marriage. "I'm getting married soon, so I want to treat my wife the same way he treats his," Brower said. "He sees her like an angel and truly sees her that way." Rich Brown said the HUA program exceeded his expectations. "I'malways amazed at how alike people are all over the world despite the obvious differences in cultures," Rich Brown said. "I love seeingthe great creativity of God on the Earth." story by Wesley Bryant Dr. Rich Brown, professor ofbusiness administration and chair ofthe marketing department, and his wife, Laura Beth Brown, participate in a mock Indian wedding ceremony on Nov. 13, 2018, in Amritsar, India. The ceremony took place on their 31st wedding anniversary. I photo courtesyofjacob Wilkerson On Oct. 30, 2018, Brown and the HUA students visit Humboldt Falls in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand. Throughout the semester, the fall 2018 Harding University in Australasia (HUA) students andfaculty traveled through countries such as Australia, Cambodia, India, Japan, New Zealand and Thailand. I photo courtesy of Jacob Wilkerson 213 I FACULTY & STAFF FEATURE
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