Brown Alumni & Friends

06/24/2026

While Commencement has come and gone, the next chapter for our newest alumni starts with staying connected. Whether you graduated in May or just a few years ago, the relationships built at Brown are worth holding onto.

06/24/2026

In an important step toward creating a new, unified home for its world-class Department of Economics, Brown University has selected Höweler + Yoon as architect.

The selection of the architect launches a multi-year planning and design process.

Brown selected the esteemed, Boston-based practice for its experience designing spaces that encourage innovative research and teaching, and its impressive portfolio of projects in historic urban contexts.

06/22/2026

A Brunonian is headed to the professional ranks.

Brown women's hockey player Jade Iginla ’26 was drafted by the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Hamilton team in the second round of the 2026 PWHL Draft.

Photo credit: Joe Ruzicka/Brown Athletics

06/18/2026

Generations of Brown astronomers have experienced the wonders of the night sky from Brown’s historic Ladd Observatory, a beloved landmark on the East Side of Providence.

Did you know that initial plans called for construction of the Victorian-era observatory on the College Green?

According to University records, the site at the corner of Doyle and Hope Streets, one of the highest points in Providence, was ultimately chosen due to the dark skies associated with the (then) rural area of Providence.

06/15/2026

“I was not looking for an echo chamber of like-minded professionals. I wanted diverse perspectives from across the globe.”

Even with a wealth of experience in media, Brian Norris EMBA’16 felt there was still more to learn and discover in this rapidly changing landscape. Through the IE Brown Executive MBA (EMBA) program at the Brown University School of Professional Studies, he expanded his global perspective and took his career to the next level.

Following graduation, he was promoted to head of sales at the Dish Network. Shortly after, he was recruited by NBCUniversal to lead a team focused on advertising solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.

Today, he serves as executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Scripps, overseeing the media company’s revenue strategy across its portfolio of national television networks and local television stations.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3RJoqkY

06/15/2026

Two alums who returned for their 40th Reunion last month had extra reason to be excited—it was also their wedding.

Mary-Jo Haronian ’86 and Scott Joy ’86 met on their very first day on campus as next door neighbors in the Champlin dorm. They were friends through their first year, but then lost touch—until Brown brought them back together decades later.

As two active Brown volunteers, Haronian and Joy reconnected leading up to their 25th Reunion, then were both involved in planning their 30th, and by their 35th Reunion in 2021 they were taking the lead as co-chairs. It was virtual because of the pandemic, so they got together to host the weekend’s events through a live-stream. They decided to take their first bike ride together—their first unofficial date—and the rest is history.

Haronian and Joy knew they wanted their wedding to have a connection to Brown, and figured what better time to do it than their 40th Reunion?

“Our alumni class leaders have been so excited for us since our engagement a year ago,” Haronian said. “They had seen us fall in love almost thanks to them. Reunion co-chair Cristina McQuiston practically served as our wedding planner, and our classmate Sean Keepers designed a custom t-shirt logo for us. Classmates are a key part of our ceremony as we share our happiness with Brown and family, exactly what we pictured when we chose our Reunion union.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/3RrAKpP

06/13/2026

We invite the Brown community and our friends around the world to join together in observing a moment of silence to mark six months since the shooting that occurred on our campus on December 13, 2025.

We acknowledge the void left by the two members of the Brown family we lost, and the pain that our entire community has carried since that day. We recognize our community’s grief and its resilience, and the continued healing that is part of our shared experience.

We are ever true.

06/09/2026

Earlier this spring, students, faculty mentors, alumni, and families gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Royce Fellowship—a long-running undergraduate research initiative established in 1996 through the generosity of Charles (Chuck) Royce ’61 P’91 P’94 P’08 GP’26.

Members of the 2026 Royce Fellowship cohort pose with Brown University President Christina H. Paxson, Royce Fellowship founder and donor Chuck Royce, and Royce Fellowship Director Grace Argo.

06/09/2026

The prolific and preeminent historian of the American Revolution who taught at Brown for nearly four decades died on Sunday, June 7, at age 92.

06/08/2026

It’s National Best Friends Day, Brunonians!

Years may pass, but friendships made at Brown stand the test of time.

Tag a Brown University friend who made College Hill feel like home and tell us where you met on campus.