[6] In 1887, he was appointed by the newly formed Massachusetts Board of Health to a landmark study of sanitary quality of the state's inland waters.

As consulting chemist to the Massachusetts State Board of Health, he was in charge of the famous Lawrence Experiment Station laboratory conducting the water sampling, testing, and analysis.

There he sought to broaden and deepen the offerings, increase the quality and quantity of laboratory space, equipment and apparatus, as funding permitted.

Additionally, and in consultation with the faculty and the board of trustees, he created many new tiers of teaching, including the associate and assistant professorships.

During his tenure, the university's first emeritus professorship was granted (Harding of Physics), and first doctorate awarded (Joseph W. Richards).

Dr. Drown eventually gained in popularity on campus, with his forward ideas, success, idiosyncratic pince-nez glasses and mustache.

Unfortunately, T. M. Drown would not live long enough to see all his ideas to fruition, as he died in office, following abdominal surgery, November 16, 1904, effectively ending his term.

[9][10][11] Williams Hall (1903), a Beaux Arts inspired Brick structure, was erected to house the growing departments of Biology and Geology, among other functions.