Glen Browder has bridged the gap between classroom civics and real-world government during an extensive career as college professor and public official.

Now, as Eminent Scholar in American Democracy at Jacksonville State University, Browder is combining his broad academic and governmental experience to promote democracy here and abroad.

Browder's extensive public career--covering 14 years in elective office as a U. S. Congressman, Alabama Secretary of State, and Alabama State Legislator and spanning several decades as a political science professor--has been directed toward political reform and adjustment to a changing world. He has won recognition as a positive and effective public servant throughout that career.

As Eminent Scholar at Jacksonville State University (1999-present)--with responsibilities for teaching, research, and public service--Dr. Browder focuses on "The Future of American Democracy."

In the U. S. Congress (1989-96), Browder served on the House National Security Committee and the House Budget Committee. He led a Special Inquiry — "Countering the Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat in the Post-Soviet World" (1993) — which resulted in strengthening of the U. S. military's CB defense program into an integrated and coordinated effort. His defense subcommittee work involved military readiness, installations, research and development, investigations and oversight, and morale-welfare-recreation responsibilities; he was chairman of the Military Depot Caucus and the Military Base-Closure Fairness Network. As a result of his HNSC experience, he developed substantial expertise and influence on issues involving chemical weapons and defense infrastructure. His Budget Committee work focused on balancing the federal budget; and he was a founding leader of the "Blue Dog" Democratic movement emphasizing both strong defense and fiscal responsibility.

Over the years, Browder has contributed — as a lecturer, writer, and consultant — to a wide-range of public issues. He has participated in a variety of international programs — sponsored by such institutions as the U. S. Congress, the State Department, the Defense Department, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, the NPS Center for Civil-Military Relations, and Harvard University's JFK Institute of Government. His publications include The Future of American Democracy: A Former Congressman's Unconventional Analysis (2002); "Congress and the Pentagon: Civil-Military Relations for a New Millennium", in Inside the House: Former Members Reveal How Congress Really Works (2001); and "Toxic Politics: Alarm Bells for Chemical Weapons", in International Herald-Tribune (July 5, 2004).

Browder was born in Sumter, South Carolina, and attended Presbyterian College (BA in History) and Emory University (MA and PhD in Political Science). His occupational background includes work as Distinguished Visiting Professor at Naval Postgraduate School, Investigator with the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, and Public Relations Assistant for Presbyterian College. His primary occupation prior to entering politics was teaching as Professor of Political Science at Jacksonville State University (1971-86) in Alabama.

Browder, a Democrat, served one term in the Alabama House of Representatives (1982-86) before being elected statewide as Alabama's Secretary of State (1986). He won a special election to the U. S. House of Representatives in 1989 and served in Congress until an unsuccessful run for the U. S. Senate in 1996.

Browder, 62, and his wife, Becky, have been married for 38 years and they are the parents of Jenny Rebecca.