Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓
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Spring 2026 | Issue 36
Dear Brown Parents and Family Members,
As the academic year comes to a close, we want to acknowledge the many experiences that have shaped this year for our community, moments of joy and accomplishment, alongside moments of reflection and resilience.
Spring at Brown is often filled with energy and anticipation. Across campus, students are gathering on the College Green, presenting performances and creative work, preparing for Commencement, and reflecting on all they have experienced this year. There is much to celebrate, especially as we prepare to honor the accomplishments of the Class of 2026.
At the same time, this has been a deeply challenging year for many in our community. The events of Dec. 13 remain with us, and for many students, families, faculty and staff, this season brings continued reflection alongside celebration. In the months since, we have seen students support one another, create spaces for healing, and continue showing up for their community with empathy, creativity and resilience. Throughout this newsletter, you will see examples of that spirit in action.
Thank you, as always, for the encouragement, partnership and care you provide your students throughout their time at Brown. We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming many of you to campus in the weeks ahead.
Warm regards,
Patricia Poitevien Mikele St-Germain
Vice President for Campus Life Director of Parent and Family Engagement
What Students Say About…
their favorite sights and sounds of spring at Brown.
Inderjot Nijjar, 2029
"The trees are colorful, just like the students. And when the sun is out, so are they.”
Berenika Zemanova, 2029
"The magnolias! You'll see people climbing them on the main green, having picnics underneath them, and incoming freshmen taking pictures. It's all so spring! The trees are so beautiful in fact, they make me want to spend more time outdoors, even during finals season.”
Brown's 258th Commencement
Join us for Commencement and Alumni Reunion Weekend at Brown, from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, 2026. We come together to honor a range of important milestones, celebrating the accomplishments of our undergraduate, medical, and graduate students while also reflecting on the year behind us. It’s a meaningful and festive occasion for graduates, families, friends, and alumni.
Are you planning to be part of the celebration? Families with graduating students should visit Brown’s Commencement website for detailed visitor information, including a new ticketing and wristband policy that outlines how guests will access ceremonies and key venues throughout the weekend.
Refer to the checklist for parents, families, and guests to help you plan and make the most of your visit. Click the button below for your copy!
Did You Know?
Former Providence Police Department Chief will lead public safety and emergency management.
Brown has appointed Hugh T. Clements Jr. as vice president for public safety and emergency management and chief of police, following several months in an interim role. A longtime leader in community-oriented policing, he will guide the University’s ongoing efforts to strengthen campus safety and support community well-being.
Brown Ever True coordinates resources and a "roadmap to recovery" after the tragic events of December 13.
The Brown Ever True initiative has brought together campus-wide support, information, and programming designed to help students, faculty, staff, and families navigate healing in the aftermath of violence that deeply affected the community. By uniting resources and amplifying shared efforts across the University, the site serves as a guiding hub for resilience, remembrance, and the collective work of moving forward.
Paul McCartney presented a free screening of "Man on the Run" to the Brown community.
Music legend Paul McCartney joined the Brown community for a screening of “Man on the Run,” followed by a live conversation with filmmaker Morgan Neville, moderated by President Christina H. Paxson. Held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, nearly 2,000 attendees were treated to a rare look at McCartney’s post-Beatles journey and his personal reflections on creativity, reinvention, and artistic resilience. Read the full story in News from Brown.
Two seniors have been selected to address their fellow graduates at Commencement.
Continuing a long-standing Brown tradition, two members of the senior class have been chosen to deliver orations at the University’s Commencement ceremony on the College Green. This year’s speakers, Caelle Joseph and Zein Faheem, will reflect on their experiences at Brown and encourage their classmates to carry forward a shared commitment to building community.
Fashion@Brown’s annual show premiered at the Lindemann Performing Arts Center.
Fashion@Brown’s annual runway show reached new heights this spring, debuting in the Lindemann Performing Arts Center. With its state-of-the-art staging and elevated catwalk, the venue brought a new level of professionalism to the student-led event, showcasing original collections designed and created by students from Brown and RISD. Designers presented everything from sophisticated gowns to belly-baring beach outfits to futuristic workwear. More than 150 students collaborated across design and production to bring the show to life.
Political science professor Melvin Rogers has received a fellowship from the Carnegie Corporation.
Melvin Rogers has been named a 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellow, earning a prestigious $200,000 award to support his research on political polarization and democracy in the United States. Rogers’ project explores how shared civic narratives shape democratic life and contribute to divisions within American society. The fellowship will also support collaborations with scholars examining the power of storytelling in public life.
On the Horizon
May 6-15 |Final Exams 
May 22 | Campus Life Awards Ceremony |
May 15-21 |Senior Week 
May 22-24 | Commencement & Reunion Weekend |
May 16 | Move Out, Non-Graduating Students 
May 25| Move Out, Graduating Students |
Slice of Life
"Thank You PVD" - Benefit Concert
A student-led effort, the “Thank You PVD” benefit concert brought together Brown students and the Providence community for an evening of music, healing and gratitude in the wake of the Dec. 13 tragedy. Featuring performances by student musicians and local artists, the event created space for collective healing while celebrating the deep ties between Brown and the city it calls home.
Held Friday, March 6, at the Strand Ballroom and Theatre, the concert was organized by sophomore Theodore Coben and senior Ellison Mucharsky as an expression of gratitude and an opportunity to give back. With support from nearly 75 volunteers across Brown, Providence and the national student mental health nonprofit No Empty Seats, the event raised approximately $20,000 for local nonprofit partners through the Brown Loves Providence initiative, turning appreciation into meaningful action.
Photo by Nick Dentamaro.
Links and Resources
for Families
