Montclair State graduate turns tragedy into triumph

Kirsten Brown, a novelist who uses the pen name Kae Brown, has channeled her pain from personal tragedies into success as an ambitious author.  Brown, the senior speaker at this year's Commencement ceremony, graduated with a bachelor's degree in speech communications. Already, she has published two books, Me in Me and How Blind is Love...Really! under her independently owned small press publishing company, My Father's Child Publishing.

Growing up in Vauxhall, Brown honed her skills for a vivid imagination by creating characters and making up stories to accompany them. After graduating from high school and attending Howard University, Brown's life changed dramatically when her grandmother became ill.  Unable to finish college, she settled for a full-time position in a bank with hopes of getting through her pain. "Death in my family and also losing two friends during the 9/11 tragedy was too much for me to bear," she said. Brown was laid off after eight years at the bank and took it as a blessing in disguise.

"The time I had after I was let go from my job allowed me to write my first book and also let me get closer to finishing my requirements for a college degree," she said. Brown was excited about giving her speech.

"Being selected as the senior speaker is phenomenal.  I hope I can make everyone in the crowd understand my emphasis on life being too short and to live every moment," she said.  "I remember how surprised I was when I got the letter stating that I was chosen as the senior speaker. Words can't explain how good it feels to be graduating after starting my college career 12 years ago."

Brown, who now resides in Union, credits much of her success to MSU's faculty and staff. "Taking classes at MSU enabled me to get a better hands-on experience in regards to interpersonal skills, intercultural skills and group skills.  I will miss coming to classes, and most of all I will miss the great professors in the speech communications department."

While her schedule is busy, she still finds the time to create new ideas for future novels that focus on today's society. Her third book, Destiny's Diamond, is expected to be released this month. Aspiring to be a teacher, Brown is enrolled in New Pathways to Teaching, a program designed to increase the number of certified teachers in New Jersey.

Click here to read Brown's commencement address