Brian Alexander

Professor, Museum Administration

The Cooperstown Graduate Program honors the memory of Professor Brian Alexander, who dedicated 12 years as a Visiting Professor of Museum Administration, leaving a lasting legacy with the program. With a career marked by prestigious roles such as President & CEO of the National World War I Museum and Executive Vice President & Director of the Shelburne Museum, Professor Alexander's wealth of knowledge and experience greatly enriched the program and its students. Brian established the Snowed-In Soirée, the strategic planning class, and he instituted the coveted Golden Flamingo Award (with a trophy wearing a bow tie) for the best CGP student budget presentation. Brian’s passion for teaching and mentoring future museum professionals left an indelible mark on the program. Professor Alexander's dedication to the museum field and his unwavering commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of learning from him. 

Brian’s dry sense of humor was renowned throughout the program; he often came off as stern and professional, but as students came to know him, his kind and funny personality became clear. Many students who took classes with him walked away with fond memories of the stories he used to tell from his time as a museum CEO. He loved a good cigar or pipe and a glass of single malt Scotch sitting on the porch of his Cooperstown home. Brian will be remembered fondly by all the students whose lives he changed.