You revisited the old times. You reveled in the new. Relive the standout moments of Reunion Weekend 2019.
For some it had been a hot minute. For others it seemed just like yesterday. For thousands of Brown alumni, it didn’t matter how much time had passed since their last time on campus: they were home.
These Brunonians—along with their families—returned to their old stomping grounds for Reunion Weekend (May 24–26, 2019). It was three days of festivities filled with reconnecting with old friends, celebrating the next generation of Brunonia, and carrying on some of Brown’s most beloved traditions.
Commencement and Reunion Weekend is a uniquely Brown event, where the Brown community comes together to celebrate what it means to be part of the Brown family.
Temps in the 70s-80s throughout the weekend provided a perfect backdrop for the hundreds of activities taking place across campus.
Ursa Minors Concert: The all-female a cappella celebrated their seniors in their final performance.
Unity Celebration: President Paxson raised a glass to Brown’s alumni leaders and graduates in recognition of their accomplishments.
Brown University honored a champion of campus diversity, Mercedes Domenech, at Friday night’s Latinx Legacy Community Celebration at the Brown Faculty Club.
The classes of 2014 and 2009 kicked off the weekend at a joint reception at Alumnae Hall Friday night before heading over to Campus Dance.
At Friday night’s Campus Dance, ~14,000 revelers swayed to the rhythms of the Duke Belaire Orchestra, Kiwii Sour and richard under hundreds of paper lanterns and starry skies.
Commencement Procession: It’s one of Brown’s oldest and most beloved traditions. As graduating students march through the Van Wickle Gates, they're welcomed by hundreds of cheering alumni, faculty, friends and family—as they begin their own lifelong connection to the Brown alumni community.
Alumni returned to the classroom for forums led by faculty, alumni, and special guests on a wide range of topics such as the lasting effects of the Vietnam War, how to leverage biotechnology in modern medicine, and reflections on the Open Curriculum.
Alumni Field Day featured a brand new food-truck-themed tent as well as a steel drum and Calypso party band and, of course, the rare chance to jam out to classic Dave Binder tunes.
“ It’s amazing how many memories live in people’s faces, the buildings, and the passageways across campus. I stayed up way too late, reconnected with old friends, made some new ones, and reflected on my Brown experience continues to unfold in my life. #brunopride #brownreunion #partylikeits1999 #20threunion ”
“ TSA stopped me to search my bag because it was stuffed full of Meeting Street cookies. #BrownReunion #EverTrue ”
Reunion at Brown is just as much about connecting with Brown’s past as its future. Year after year, Reunion classes have fortified this connection by paying it forward for the next generation of Brunonia. This year, the Reunion classes ending in 4s and 9s gave more than $12.2 million to the Brown Annual Fund. Their comprehensive gift (representing gifts to all Brown priorities over the past five years since their last reunion) totaled $142,148,517.
Get ready to relive one magical night
Watch short video highlights of the "big three"—Campus Dance, Alumni Field Day, Procession—on the Brown Reunion 2019 Youtube playlist.