Commencement

News and Events

Brown confers honorary doctorates on eight distinguished leaders

May 26, 2024

During its 256th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 26, Brown University bestowed honorary degrees on a diverse group of business leaders, artists, writers and scholars.

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News and Events

Build communities to challenge, inspire and uplift each other, speakers urge at Commencement

May 26, 2024

In Commencement celebrations on Sunday, addresses from Brown’s senior orators and University president noted the graduates’ strong bonds formed during challenging moments and how those have prepared them for the future.

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News and Events

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir: ‘It’s always worth making the leap that scares you’

May 25, 2024

With advice from the astronaut and Brown alumna, the Class of 2024 celebrated the Baccalaureate with a lively service marked by wisdom, hope and gratitude.

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News and Events

Brown to confer 3,244 degrees at 256th Commencement

May 24, 2024

On Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, the University will confer a total of 3,244 degrees in all categories — undergraduate, graduate, medical and honorary.

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News and Events

A spirited celebration: Sights, sounds and stories from Commencement and Reunion 2024

May 23, 2024

Brown’s big weekend offers graduation ceremonies, alumni reunions and a multitude of other opportunities for graduates, alumni, family and friends to honor accomplishments and reunite.

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News and Events

Brown medical school graduate to offer pandemic-informed perspective of the study and practice of medicine

May 16, 2024

At the Commencement ceremony for the Warren Alpert Medical School’s Class of 2024, Sudheesha Perera will reflect on how training during COVID will help future doctors adapt to a new era of health care.

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News and Events

Brown faculty to confer highest honor on renowned obesity and diabetes scholar

May 16, 2024

Rena R. Wing, a longtime medical school professor who focuses on prevention and treatment for obesity and related health complications, will receive the Rosenberger Medal of Honor during Commencement and Reunion Weekend.

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News and Events

Brown University’s 256th Commencement set for Sunday, May 26

May 15, 2024

Sunday's procession and University Ceremony on the College Green will cap Brown's three-day celebration of Commencement and Reunion Weekend 2024.

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News and Events

NASA astronaut and Brown alumna Jessica Meir to deliver Baccalaureate address

May 9, 2024

Meir, a graduate of Brown’s Class of 1999, will return to the University during Commencement and Reunion Weekend to share insights from her record-setting experiences and advice for the Class of 2024.

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News and Events

‘This is no small feat’: Celebrating Brown’s first graduating cohort of Indigenous studies scholars

May 7, 2024

The first five graduating seniors in the critical Native American and Indigenous studies concentration shared reflections on their research and expanding a community of scholars.

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News and Events

Graduate student speakers will offer insights at Commencement on navigating setbacks to reach goals

May 7, 2024

As Brown celebrates its 256th Commencement, Nadia Tsado and Deanna Stueber will address their peers in separate master’s and Ph.D. ceremonies on College Hill.

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News and Events

Brown to confer honorary degrees on nine distinguished leaders at Commencement 2024

May 2, 2024

The University will bestow honorary degrees on a diverse group of business leaders, artists, writers and scholars during its Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 26.

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News and Events

Senior orators to extol community, collaboration and care at Brown’s 256th Commencement

April 30, 2024

In keeping with a Brown tradition that dates back more than two and a half centuries, seniors Marielle Buxbaum and Caziah Mayers will address their fellow graduates on Sunday, May 26.

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News and Events

Ahead of ceremony, Midyear Completion speakers urge others to extend empathy, commit to community

November 29, 2023

Brown’s annual Midyear Completion Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 2, will celebrate the achievements and unique paths of “.5ers,” who complete their degree requirements this month.

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News and Events

Gina Raimondo calls on Brown’s Class of 2023 to ‘make our democracy stronger’

May 28, 2023

During impromptu Commencement remarks, the U.S. secretary of commerce and former Rhode Island governor praised graduates’ talents, encouraging them to contribute locally and nationally.

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News and Events

Brown president implores new graduates: ‘Never forget that your humanity is your greatest asset’

May 28, 2023

In her annual Commencement address, Brown University President Christina H. Paxson asked the Class of 2023 to bring a “discerning humanistic lens” to everything they do, particularly in a technology-dominated world.

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News and Events

Student orators urge Brown’s Class of 2023 to explore, experiment and take risks

May 28, 2023

In a sunshine-filled Commencement celebration on the College Green, graduates Kailiang Fu and Margherita Micaletti-Hinojal addressed their peers, family members and friends, offering advice as they forge into the future.

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News and Events

Brown confers six honorary doctorates

May 28, 2023

During its 255th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 28, Brown University bestowed honorary degrees on a diverse group of business leaders, public servants and scholars.

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News and Events

At Brown’s Baccalaureate, an opportunity to rejoice and reflect

May 27, 2023

Seniors who will graduate with the Class of 2023 celebrated the Baccalaureate with joyful performances, faith traditions from across the globe, and remarks that encouraged graduates to put action behind ideas.

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News and Events

Brown to confer 2,921 degrees at 255th Commencement

May 26, 2023

On Sunday, May 28, the University will confer a total of 2,921 degrees in all categories — undergraduate, graduate, medical and honorary.

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News and Events

A celebratory weekend: Sights, sounds and stories from Commencement and Reunion 2023

May 25, 2023

Packed with graduation ceremonies, alumni reunions and other celebrations, the weekend offers countless chances for graduates, alumni, parents, friends and guests to honor accomplishments and reunite.

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News and Events

An economic boom for many local businesses during Brown’s Commencement and Reunion Weekend

May 24, 2023

From University spending on goods and services to help make events happen, to travel spending by the tens of thousands who visit Providence to stay, dine and shop, the weekend energizes many Rhode Island businesses.

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News and Events

Brown University’s 255th Commencement set for Sunday, May 28

May 17, 2023

Sunday's procession and University Ceremony on the College Green will cap Brown's three-day celebration of Commencement and Reunion Weekend 2023.

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News and Events

Class of 2000 graduate Carlos Lejnieks to deliver Baccalaureate address during Commencement 2023

May 11, 2023

The youth development leader and president of the Brown Alumni Association will return to his alma mater to deliver the Baccalaureate address on Saturday, May 27.

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News and Events

In student address, Brown medical school grad to reflect on openness, flexibility and ‘learning loosely’

May 10, 2023

At the Commencement ceremony for Warren Alpert Medical School’s Class of 2023, John Johnson hopes to bolster his fellow graduates’ confidence in themselves as physicians, teachers and leaders.

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News and Events

Brown to confer six honorary degrees at Commencement 2023

May 4, 2023

The University will bestow honorary degrees on a diverse group of business leaders, public servants and scholars during its Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 28.

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News and Events

At Commencement, Graduate School speakers will reckon with the past to build a better future

May 4, 2023

As Brown celebrates its 255th Commencement, Kathryn Thompson and Hamidou Sylla will address their peers in separate Ph.D. and master’s ceremonies on College Hill on Sunday, May 28.

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News and Events

In upcoming Commencement speeches, senior orators to champion lifelong curiosity, openness to risk

April 26, 2023

In late May, Class of 2023 members Kailiang Fu and Margherita Micaletti-Hinojal will encourage their peers to explore widely and take chances after graduation, just as they did as Brown students.

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News and Events

Two accomplished leaders recognized with highest honor a Brown president can bestow

June 16, 2022

Brown University President Christina H. Paxson honored Jonathan M. Nelson and Dr. John Nkengasong with President’s Medals in recognition of their achievements at Brown and beyond.

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News and Events

In three ceremonies, medical, doctoral and master’s graduates celebrate hard-earned degrees

May 29, 2022

In addresses at Brown’s Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 29, student speakers entreated their peers to make a positive impact using lessons they had learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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News and Events

Student voices shine as Brown commemorates Class of 2022

May 29, 2022

In a sunny, spirited celebration, three Brown graduating seniors addressed Class of 2022 members, encouraging their fellow graduates to honor their roots while forging new paths ahead.

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News and Events

Brown confers nine honorary doctorates

May 29, 2022

During Commencement and Reunion Weekend, the University bestowed honorary degrees on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Dr. Seth Berkley of the Vaccine Alliance, recording artist Shaggy and six other accomplished leaders.

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News and Events

With advice from Pelosi, Paxson and peers, Brown’s Class of 2022 celebrates Commencement

May 29, 2022

A weekend packed with graduation ceremonies and alumni reunions offered a return to normalcy and a chance to experience Commencement and Reunion in-person, for both first-timers and graduates from across generations.

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News and Events

At Brown’s Baccalaureate, students make room for gratitude and grief

May 28, 2022

The Class of 2022 celebrated the Baccalaureate with joyful performances, reflective remarks and prayers from faith traditions across the globe — holding space for both celebration and sorrow.

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News and Events

In return to Brown, 2020 doctoral and master’s graduates reflect on two years of perseverance

May 28, 2022

Alumni who received their doctoral and master’s degrees in 2020 experienced Commencement and Reunion the way they’d long hoped to — across multiple days, in-person and surrounded by loved ones on College Hill.

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News and Events

Two years later, Class of 2020 undergraduate alumni reunite for ceremony, spirited celebrations

May 28, 2022

Brown University welcomed back its 2020 graduates, who missed their in-person Commencement when COVID-19 arrived their senior year, for the full, traditional experience of Commencement and Reunion Weekend.

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News and Events

Brown to confer 2,788 degrees at 254th Commencement

May 27, 2022

On Sunday, May 29, the University will confer a total of 2,788 degrees in all categories — undergraduate, graduate, medical and honorary.

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News and Events

One-of-a-kind Brown Commencement and Reunion Weekend set for May 27 to 29

May 23, 2022

The University will celebrate its Class of 2022 graduates, members of the Class of 2020 who missed their in-person Commencement experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and alumni from across the generations.

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News and Events

2020 doctoral and master’s degree speakers to return to College Hill for in-person addresses

May 19, 2022

Mira Nikolova and Abdullah Shihipar, who respectively earned a Ph.D. and master’s from Brown in 2020, will return to campus to address their fellow alumni during a dedicated Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 28.

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News and Events

Graduate School speakers to embrace vulnerability, the unexpected at Commencement

May 17, 2022

As Brown celebrates Commencement 2022, Jiuyang Bai and Amelia Spalter will address their peers in separate Ph.D. and master’s ceremonies on College Hill on Sunday, May 29.

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Health and Medicine

In student address, medical school graduate to reflect on finding strength in uncertainty

May 16, 2022

Adriel Barrios-Anderson, who served as a student orator upon earning his bachelor’s degree from Brown in 2017, hopes to inspire newly minted M.D.s to feel confident about embracing the uncertainty of the future.

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News and Events

Two years later than planned, Class of 2020 graduates to address peers at Commencement

May 12, 2022

Brown alumni Sydney Lo and Dhruv Singh will return to campus to deliver Commencement speeches to the Class of 2020 on Saturday, May 28, with a focus on the importance of community.

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News and Events

Senior orators to impart advice, bid farewell to Class of 2022 members during Commencement

May 12, 2022

In keeping with a Brown tradition that dates back more than two and a half centuries, seniors Kaitlan Bui, Alexandra Ali Martínez and Michelle Liu will address their fellow graduates during Commencement 2022.

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News and Events

Brown to confer nine honorary degrees during Commencement and Reunion Weekend

May 6, 2022

The University will bestow honorary degrees on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Dr. Seth Berkley of the Vaccine Alliance, recording artist Shaggy and six other accomplished leaders.

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Arts and Humanities

Miguel Gutierrez: Coming full circle, from an unexpected angle

October 4, 2021

As a member of the Class of 2021, award-winning performer and choreographer Miguel Gutierrez completed the Brown degree he had begun 31 years before, finding unexpected peace while fulfilling his parents’ dream.

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News and Events

Brown awards six honorary doctorates during Commencement

May 2, 2021

During its 253rd Commencement on Sunday, May 2, Brown University bestowed honorary degrees on a diverse group of business leaders, educators, scholars and scientists.

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News and Events

Brown faculty confers highest honor on public health, dance scholars and educators

May 2, 2021

At the University’s Commencement 2021 celebration, the Brown faculty presented their peers Vincent Mor and Julie Strandberg with Rosenberger Medals of Honor, awarded just 33 times in more than a century.

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News and Events

Student speakers take center stage at Brown’s Commencement

May 2, 2021

George Kubai and Siddhi Nadkarni, Brown’s undergraduate student orators, encouraged classmates to work toward a better and more equitable future for themselves and those around them.

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News and Events

In spirited celebration, Brown community commemorates Class of 2021’s resilience, ability to improvise

May 2, 2021

In two College ceremonies on Sunday, Brown President Christina H. Paxson and other speakers lauded graduates who, by successfully finishing their degrees during a pandemic, have proven they can handle whatever comes next.

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News and Events

Reunion events, Commencement forums capture, virtually, the spirit of community celebration, intellectual discovery

May 2, 2021

A fully virtual Reunion Weekend, featuring longstanding traditions and unexpected twists, and a series of remote Commencement forums complemented in-person events taking place on College Hill from April 30 to May 2.

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