July/August 2016

What You Thought

Readers weigh in on diversity, Barrett Hazeltine, Brown's rescued herbarium, and more.

Beach Reads

What are you reading this summer? Is it a “beach read”? What is a beach read, anyway? We asked some acclaimed Brown authors—including Jeffrey Eugenides ’82, Rick Moody ’83, Lois Lowry ’58, and Meg Wolitzer ’81—what they're reading this summer. And being Brown alums, a few even deconstructed the whole idea of a beach read.

Too Big a Heart

For 51 years Michael Harper did all he could to help his students while quietly becoming one of America’s great poets.

Before Orlando

A 1988 campus publication demonstrated that for Brown the struggle for LGBT acceptance begins at home.

From the President July/August 2016

President Paxson began her time at Brown with the arrival of the class of 2016. In May, she bid them adieu.

Brown, Time and Again

A photo in the room of an undergraduate reminds her of the connection between her parents, their friends, Brown, and her.

Key Security

A Commencement forum debate over whether the FBI or Apple is the bad guy when it comes to iPhone privacy.

Our Newest Officers

Among the graduating seniors in the class of 2016, four received military commissions from ROTC.

A Revolution in Stroke Care

Med school professor Karen Furie ’87, ’90 MD explains the latest on how to prevent a stroke and how to treat it once it happens.

Spreading Viruses

When it comes to the spread of infectious diseases, we're doing all the wrong things, according to researchers from the School of Public Health.

Same Old, Same Old

Think this year's presidential race is the most polarized in U.S. history? Think again, says political science prof. Wendy Schiller.

Urban Art

Honorary degree recipient and AS220 founder Umberto Crenca on how to welcome artists to the inner city.

History Lessons

Baccalaureate speaker Kevin Gover challenged graduates not to let their ideas cloud their view of the past.

Out of the Spotlight

Unveiling a portrat in Sayles Hall, Thomas J. Tisch ’76, Brown's biggest benefactor, steps down after 9 years as its chancellor.

Med School

Sara Rhoads was one of 116 new medical doctors to emerge from the Alpert Medical School Commencement ceremony.

Welcome Home

Thanks to a new library archive and a dogged Brown writer, alumni Vietnam vets told their 
stories on campus after 50 years.

Camera Activists

Women documentarians Betsy West ’73, Marcela Gaviria ’91, Alison Klayman ’06, and Debbie Lum ’91 tell their own stories.

Student Orators

Commencement orators Jamelle Watson-Daniels and Sabrina Imbler spoke about identity and change.

Honorary Roundup

An artist, a Nobel economist, a doctor, and a Native American leader were among this year's honorary degree recipients.

Out Through the Gates!

This year's Commencement weekend—which created 2,630 new alums—put every facet of Brown's character on display. 

Our Bodies, Our Selves

A debut novel by Mona Awad ’14 MFA argues that sometimes losing weight can mean losing your self.

Fresh Ink

A literary thriller, tips for improving your home, and why Republicans turned from green to mean.

Unheroic Hero

A new history from Nathaniel Philbrick ’78 asks: is Benedict Arnold’s treason behind the success of the American Revolution?

Summer Food

Holly Peterson ’87 asks chefs from around the country for recipes you can cook up on the grill.

Camera Person

Cameraperson, a new documentary by Kirsten Johnson ’87, reflects on her 25-year career filming human suffering.

Fashion Forward

As curator of costume and textiles at the RISD Museum, Kate Irvin ’93 showcases innovations in fashion.

Getting Even Better

Model and actor Yaya DaCosta ’04 is ER nurse April Sexton on NBC's Chicago Med, from legendary producer Dick Wolf.

What a Weekend!

Couldn't make it to Commencement? We put together a slide show to make you feel as if you were there.