Brown Alumni & Friends

10/21/2026

We spoke to Dean of Faculty Leah VanWey to get her insights on the arts and humanities at Brown—including how Brown’s distinctive approach provides students with the critical thinking skills to navigate major technological changes.

“In today's world, especially with AI, there's so much focus on getting an answer as opposed to the process of learning and the process of thinking. In our arts and humanities courses, there are no shortcuts to get to the answer because it’s not about the answer. The process and the thinking is the outcome.”

Read our Q&A deep dive with Dean VanWey: bit.ly/4ypPiGl

10/19/2026

Proof that autumn light on College Hill never misses. 🌞✨

10/15/2026

Remember stepping onto campus for the very first time—figuring out how to navigate classes, make lasting friendships, and find the best late-night dining spots?

Current Brown University seniors recently shared the wisdom, campus hacks, and perspective they’ve gained since their first year on College Hill. 💭 Here are a few highlights:

Q: What do you wish someone had told you as a first-year student?

“Figure out what in your life is 'glass' and what is 'plastic.' Plastic are the things you can drop, and glass are the things you really need to hold onto.” — Bryson Boone (Psychology & Biology)

Q: What's the secret to making friends on campus?

“No fear freshman year! Just go up and say hi. You have nothing to lose...There are three people I met my freshman year who are still my friends today.” — Griffin Cherniss (English / PLME)

Q: Which campus resources were you glad you found?

“Some of my best resources have been upperclassmen peers. 99% would be overjoyed to help you if you ask for advice over coffee or a meal—especially if you swipe for them in the Ratty!” — Soni Chawla (Neuroscience & Public Health)

Alumni: Looking back on your own time on campus, how would you answer these questions? What advice would you offer to current students? Drop your wisdom in the comments below. 👇

Four years of exploring courses and activities, building friendships and finding their way have given these seniors plenty of perspective — here’s what they want to tell the newest students on Brown’s campus.

10/13/2026

Dual MPH/MPA student Aidan Choi ’26 is building a career in public service by bringing together his interests in art, policy, public health, and urban and ethnic studies.

As an undergrad, Choi’s work included a public art project in Providence and a book-length comic exploring the history of the city's former Chinatown, its Chinese communities, and issues of class, racism, and gentrification. Choi says Brown’s Open Curriculum allowed him to make deep connections across different academic areas—and helped inspire him to pursue the MPA/MPH degree offered through Brown’s School of Public Health and Watson School of International and Public Affairs.

“I would describe the Brown educational experience, in and out of the classroom, as transformative,” said Choi, who received Brown’s Royce Fellowship for community-engaged research in 2025. “It allows us to go through many iterations of ourselves.”

Read more about how Choi uses art as a vehicle for storytelling, advocacy, and building community: https://bit.ly/4yyKfEg

📷 Image credit: Nick Dentamaro

10/09/2026

Thank you to the thousands of Brown alumni, parents, students, and friends who made a gift for Bruno Gives Back Day! Together, you showed your indomitable spirit, raising more than $5.2 million for our Brown Bears student-athletes.

Check out the results and leaderboard from the giving day: https://bit.ly/479hbaA

10/06/2026

Two Brown alums have joined The Watson School as senior fellows for the 2026-27 academic year: Jaykumar Menon ’90, an international human rights lawyer and social entrepreneur, and David Rohde ’90, the Senior National Security Reporter for MS NOW.

The Senior Fellows program brings leading policy practitioners to College Hill to offer students insights on pressing global issues through small study groups, public lectures and symposia, and mentorship and networking opportunities.

“We are honored to have Jaykumar and David return to Brown as senior fellows, where they can serve as inspiration to the next generation of exceptional Brown leaders,” said Watson School Dean John Friedman.

The two other new senior fellows this year are Gina Raimondo, former Rhode Island Governor and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and Iván Duque, the former President of Colombia.

https://bit.ly/4jz19Om

The Watson School welcomed four notable policy leaders to its Senior Fellows program this fall: former Rhode Island Governor and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo; former President of Colombia Iván Duque; Senior National Security Reporter for MS NOW, David Rohde; and international human rig...

10/01/2026

Bruno Gives Back Day is one week from today! 🐻

For volunteer Molly Hawksley Murphy ’09, who was on Brown’s track and field team, Bruno Gives Back Day is a special day for the athletic community.

“It is so inspiring to see the power of the Brown community and the outpouring of support generated in a single day! It demonstrates the unmatched Brown experience, and a little friendly competition across programs never hurts!”

As a volunteer, Murphy gives back well beyond the annual giving day. She wants future Bears to continue to benefit from Brown’s holistic development and support of student-athletes.

We connected with Murphy to learn more about her reasons for volunteering. Read the Q&A: https://bit.ly/4yiW8ya

09/29/2026

Brown earned top marks across major higher education guides and rankings this year—including for alumni career success!

LinkedIn placed Brown at No. 12 on its “Top Colleges 2026” list, drawing on career outcomes for alumni. In the “Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.” list, Brown was noted among the top schools recognized for boosting graduates’ earnings beyond baseline expectations and quickly repaying the cost of their degree. And Money gave Brown its maximum five-star rating on its “Best Colleges in America 2026” list, which assesses financial aid, graduation rates, and alumni career success.

Check out more of the ways Brown scored for its alumni success, along with its world-class academics, high-impact research, commitment to community engagement, and more:
https://bit.ly/47hWOYB

Across U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, LinkedIn, TIME and other higher education guides and rankings, Brown earned top marks for academic innovation, student experience, affordability and workplace excellence.

09/24/2026

Cheers to another unforgettable Bruno on the Vineyard! ☀️

Last month, the fifth annual Bruno on the Vineyard brought together over 240 Brunonians and friends for an afternoon of community, connection, and celebration. “This event was an exceptional example of what happens when community and philanthropy come together,” said Grace Moore ’25.

Read about this year’s unprecedented fundraising success and hear from more of the alums and students who attended: https://bit.ly/46Igncm

09/22/2026

Welcome to the MD Class of 2030!