Newspaper Article

HENRY LABRIE LIVES A DOUBLE LIFE AS FARMER AND COLLEGE PROFESSOR

Kindleberger, R S

1984

Overview

Melvin B. Miller, a BU trustee and publisher of the Bay State Banner, remembers that when he went to the library years ago for material on the black press, \"it seemed that all the important works were authored by LaBrie.\" Miller got in touch with LaBrie and they became friends. When the job opened up at BU, Miller urged LaBrie to apply. Miller, who was himself criticized for bringing LaBrie to BU, praises LaBrie as open, honest and committed and argues that too much is made of him being a Maine farmer. \"He's been around cities,\" Miller said. \"It's not like he's a hick.\" LaBrie in fact was born in Brooklyn and lived there and nearby in New Jersey through high school. Despite his dubious reception at BU, LaBrie has gone on to make his mark. He has gained a reputation as a tough grader and effective teacher. \"He's a real tough professor but I think he's very good because he has real high expectations for his students,\" commented Karen Davis, a junior from Connecticut who took introductory news writing from LaBrie last year. \"A lot of students thought he was too tough,\" she added.

• Publisher: Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC
• Subject: LaBrie, Henry G / Miller, Melvin B