The memory of Carl F. Braun, industrialist and engineer, generous benefactor of Occidental College, is perpetuated in Braun Hall, built as a residence for 109 students in 1970.

Mr. Braun, born in Oakland, California, in 1884, was founder and president of C F Braun & Co of Alhambra, an engineering firm that became one of the nation's largest companies building oil refineries and chemical plants. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and throughout his life maintained a strong interest in higher education at his alma mater and other institutions as well. While heading his large industrial corporation, he wrote a score of books dealing with management, leadership, and human relations. For all of his achievements combined with his generous support of literary, educational, and cultural programs Occidental conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon him in 1953.

During his lifetime dating back to the 1940s, Carl Braun and his company were generous donors to Occidental College, and after his death in 1954 the benevolence continued through the Braun Trust Estate, established for the benefit of his widow Winifred Braun, and to provide for charitable and educational purposes at the discretion of the trustees. Thus at Occidental in addition to Braun Hall will be found the Braun Fine Book Room in the Mary Norton Clapp Library and the Carl F. Braun Professorship in Chemistry. In addition to the named gifts, countless other enhancements of the College's physical facilities and educational program were made possible by Braun generosity.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Braun had three sons, C. Allan, an Occidental trustee from 1959 until his death in 1999, John G., and Henry A.

By Jean Paule