During his life, Lauren Pringle Brown (born September 2, 1905, died February 3, 1982) served Michigan State University in many capacities. He entered the school in 1926 and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Science in June of 1931. During this time, he held positions as Manager of the Spartan Gridiron (now called the Spartan Stadium Sideliner), and head of the mimeograph department. After graduation he immediately accepted a position as Cross Country and Freshman Track Coach. He left coaching in 1947 to devote more time to mimeographic services (later called University Printing). Brown ran this department until his retirement in 1970.

Brown was a noted athlete during his college years. A champion cross country runner, he was voted Spartan All American for his record in distances in 1928. Elected captain of the cross country team in 1929, he retained this title until he graduated. In 1930 he was awarded a varsity letter and gold track shoes for being unbeaten for three consecutive years in dual track meets.

Track was not the only activity in which Brown was involved. In 1928 he became a member of the Trimoria Fraternity which merged in 1937 with the Phylean Literary Society to form the Beta Kappa Fraternity. He served as Treasurer in 1931. He also became a member of the Varsity Club in 1929 and was elected Secretary. One of Brown's highest honors was being elected into Excalibur during his senior year. Membership in this organization was awarded as recognition of rare qualities of leadership and service to the college.

After college, Brown was just as successful. As coach, his cross country team won the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America Championship for five consecutive years, a feat never before accomplished. Brown served as Secretary/Treasurer of the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association (1945-1949). In the 1950s Brown was involved in numerous organizations including charter member of the National Office Management Association, charter member of the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen, charter member of the Alumni Association of Sigma Chi Fraternity (Secretary for the first three years), and a participant on the games committee. In 1951 he became the scorer for track, swimming, and cross country and in 1956 he devised the scoring system for NCAA Cross Country championships.