Date June 10, 2024
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Photos: Relive the moments of Reunion 2024

From newly-minted alumni to seasoned Reunion-goers, Brunonians from across the globe—and generations—returned to College Hill for Brown Reunion.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1WoM9DucM3s

Reunion Weekend 2024

 

The hugs, the high-fives, and the happy moments from this year's celebration.

During Reunion Weekend, Melissa Barkin Scheinfeld ’04, Duckworth Mittleman ’04, and over a dozen of their friends stayed in a residence hall on Wriston Quad for old times’ sake. 

“We brought in boxes of pizza and all of us just crammed into one of our dorm rooms!” said Mittleman. “It was like we were back in college.”

Spending time with her former classmates reminded Barkin Scheinfeld what made her Brown experience so special. “It’s a culture we get to rekindle at Reunion,” she added.    

The ’04 friends were among the 5,169 alumni and guests who returned to College Hill on May 24-26, 2024 for Reunion events celebrating classes ending in 4 and 9 and recent grads. With plenty of sunshine to go around, Reunion Weekend included an array of class receptions, dance parties, affinity and multicultural programming, and other events. At these gatherings and more, alumni rekindled old friendships, developed new connections, and shared their Brown experience with their families and loved ones.

The ties that bind Brunonia

There’s a reason Brown holds Reunion and Commencement during the same weekend: it is the embodiment of the intergenerational community that is Brunonia. From the Class of 2024 to those celebrating their 80th Reunion, alumni, graduates, and their families came together for a weekend to remember. “The friends that I made at Brown remained friends throughout my entire life,” said Sandy Hollander ’54, P’81, P’89, who was celebrating his 70th Reunion.

Bruno was on hand to welcome alumni and their families back to campus during check in.
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Bruno was on hand to welcome alumni and their families back to campus during check in.

Two alumni celebrating their 50th Reunion embrace in a hug.
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Whether it had been only weeks or many years since their last encounter, the weekend was a time for reconnection.

Brunonians standing on a rotating photo booth while laughing.
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The smiles were nonstop at events like the Brown Bears Social, where current and former student-athletes gathered together.

Three Brown women from across the generations taking a selfie.
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Events like Commencement Procession brought together alumni from across generations, including those serving as aides and marshals.

Lillian Affleck, left, greets her friend Marian Stewart Wenzel.
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Lillian Affleck ’44 (left), who returned to campus to celebrate her 80th Reunion, greets Marian Stewart Wenzel ’49, who was celebrating her 75th Reunion, during the Commencement Procession.

“Being embraced by those who cleared this path before us is to be home. To avail ourselves to the next generation beckons us to expand our own flights for those to follow. Yet imprinted in our memories today, there is no greater gift than to share our Brown experience together.”

– Dara Huang ’99 MMSc’04 MD’04 on Instagram

Carrying on the traditions

Reunion is host to some of Brown’s most beloved traditions. This year was no different as Brunonians partook in longstanding events like the Commencement Procession, Unity Funk Nite, and Campus Dance—the latter of which saw 13,000 attendees enjoying a magical evening under the paper lanterns.

Alumni from each Reunion class made their way through the Van Wickle Gates as their fellow Brunonians cheered them on. Alumni
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Alumni from each Reunion class made their way through the Van Wickle Gates as their fellow Brunonians cheered them on.

The Class of 2024 stepped through the Van Wickle Gates, becoming the newest members of the Brown alumni community.
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The Class of 2024 stepped through the Van Wickle Gates, becoming the newest members of the Brown alumni community.

Alumni lined the streets of College Hill to congratulate and greet the Class of 2024.
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Alumni lined the streets of College Hill to congratulate and greet the Class of 2024.

Groups of people dancing under the lights in front of Sayles Hall during Campus Dance.
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During Campus Dance, 13,000 attendees danced under twinkling stars and paper lanterns.

Alumni celebrating their 50th Reunion paused to view the archival photos and class-themed decor at their class reception.
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Alumni celebrating their 50th Reunion paused to view the archival photos and class-themed decor at their class reception.

Alumni dancing under the tent at Unity Funk Nite.
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Unity Funk Nite, a fan favorite among alumni of all ages, moved outdoors this year.

Representatives from across affinity groups pose for a photo at Unity Celebration.
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Alumni affinity group leaders gathered to present gifts to representatives of the graduating Class of 2024 and raise a glass to their accomplishments at the Unity Celebration.

…and creating new ones

While Reunion Weekend honors many longtime traditions, it is certainly not defined by them. New additions to the weekend slate of events offered a little something for everyone.

Alumni pose for a photo in front of the Bruno sand sculpture at Bruno's Block Party.
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Bruno’s Block Party drew a crowd with food trucks, family-friendly activities (including a sandbox area featuring a large-scale Brown-themed sand sculpture), a 21+ beer garden, and more.

Alumni pose with the Bruno mascot in front of food trucks at Bruno's Block Party.
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Alumni enjoyed food truck fare, music, and family activities, at Bruno’s Block Party.

Alumni gather under the tent at Bruno's Pub Night.
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Alumni celebrating 5th and 10th Reunions and recent graduates got together for an evening of music, dancing, lawn games, and more at Bruno’s Pub Night.

Alumni gather at the Alumni Memorial Garden.
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Alumni and University leaders gathered for a memorial honoring former Brown Alumni Association president and Corporation member Galen Henderson MD’93 in the Alumni Memorial Garden next to Maddock Alumni Center. Throughout the weekend, alumni were encouraged to visit the garden to light a candle in remembrance of Brunonians who are no longer with us.

One of the main reasons why I came to Reunion is because I wanted my daughter to see Brown. She was quite surprised that there were activities here for kids. Bruno’s Block Party was the highlight of the day for her.

Glenda C. Wrensford ’94
 
Glenda C. Wrensford ’94 with her daughter holding Brown pennants during Reunion celebrations.

Celebrating Brown’s diverse communities

Beyond their connection to Brown, alumni engaged with each other around their shared cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and disability identities through Brown’s multicultural and affinity group communities.

Native American Brown Alumni members pose together.
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Native American Brown Alumni (NABA) welcomed the members of the Class of 2024 with a special dinner and stole presentation.

Attendees at the Brown University Latino Alumni Council breakfast during Reunion.
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The Brown University Latino Alumni Council (BULAC) welcomed alumni and members of the Class of 2024 with a family-style breakfast.

Performers during a percussion performance at the A4 event.
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Members of the Asian/Asian American Alumni Alliance (A4) welcomed the Class of 2024 with music and performances.

Attendees at the DNAC event under the tent.
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Alumni and new graduates gathered at the inaugural Disability and Neurodivergence Alumni Collective (DNAC) reception.

IPC President Andrea O'Neal behind a podium speaking during the IPC Reception.
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Inman Page Black Alumni Council (IPC) President Andrea O’Neal ’03 spoke at the group’s annual meeting and reception over the weekend.

Alumni and graduating students gathered at Stonewall House for brunch and a reception hosted by the Brown Alumni Pride Association (BAPA).
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Alumni and graduating students gathered at Stonewall House for brunch and a reception hosted by the Brown Alumni Pride Association (BAPA).

Other Reunion highlights

https://www.youtube.com/embed/t2zJHAut_d4

Jessica Meir ’99

 

“It is always worth making the leap that scares you.”

  • NASA astronaut Jessica Meir ’99 told Brown’s newest alumni that it is “always worth making the leap” that scares them as they depart for the world beyond Brown in a heartwarming Baccalaureate address marked by wisdom, hope, and gratitude.
  • During Commencement celebrations on Sunday, May 26, Brown President Christina H. Paxson remarked on the graduates' experiences at Brown and their resilience in the midst of significant global challenges, which will equip them to "live and lead through momentous times certain to come."
  • Brown conferred honorary doctorates on eight candidates who have achieved great distinction in a variety of fields, including graphic design pioneer Tom Geismar ’53, P’85; education and equity scholar Pedro Noguera ’81 AM’84; playwright and poet Sarah Ruhl ’97 MFA’01, P’28; business leader Jerome C. Vascellaro ’74, P’07; and accomplished community leader Mary Elizabeth Vascellaro ’74, P’07. 
  • Medical alumni of The Warren Alpert Medical School returned to Brown for Medical Reunion Weekend. Along with mixing and mingling, alumni celebrated the contributions of their peers with award ceremonies and dove deep into topics like RNA during thought-provoking lectureships.
  • In addition to reconnecting at class receptions and dinners, alumni also joined forces to give back to their alma mater. This fiscal year, classes ending in 4 and 9 raised more than $11 million for the Brown Annual Fund. All in all, their comprehensive gift (representing gifts to all Brown priorities over the last five years since their last Reunion in 2019) totaled $213 million.
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