Date
June 11, 2025
Best moments of Reunion 2025
Thousands of Brown alumni came back to College Hill for one of the most well-attended Reunion Weekends ever.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/70rCi73-viY
Brown Reunion 2025
One weekend. A lifetime of memories.
There’s nothing quite like College Hill during Reunion Weekend. From the main green to the Van Wickle Gates to Thayer Street, there's a palpable energy and joy in the air.
That was certainly the case for Brown Reunion 2025—one of the most well-attended in years. More than 5,800 alumni and guests gathered on May 23–25 to celebrate classes ending in 0 and 5 as well as recent graduates.
“I feel very nostalgic being back," said Rachel Alexander Levy ’95. “It’s really fun to walk around and see all the new buildings, go to some of the lectures, and just be on the main green, remembering 1995.”
Brunonians arrived on campus ready for a busy calendar of events—from class receptions to dance parties to academic forums and more. Alumni from across generations came to relive their days on campus, share their memories with loved ones, reconnect with old friends and make new ones, and celebrate their Ever True connection to Brown.
“Returning to Brown feels like coming full circle.”
– Lisa Loeb ’90
A special homecoming to College Hill
While alumni classes typically celebrate their Reunions every five years, this year’s cohort returned to College Hill after a longer hiatus. Their last Reunion, scheduled for May 2020, was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A decade is a long time to wait, and an even longer time to be apart. For these Brown alumni, finally returning for Reunion brings it all rushing back. It’s a weekend full of celebration, nostalgia, and meaningful connections, both old and new. Being back on campus, especially as a new graduating class takes part in Commencement, offers a powerful sense of continuity and connection across generations.
As the high attendance numbers show, these classes were ready to get back to Brown.
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Smiles and hugs were all around as alumni came together to reconnect and reminisce during Reunion Weekend.
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Bruno was around campus to officially welcome alumni back to College Hill!
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Brown Reunion 2025 was filled with joy—many alumni were back for the first time in a decade, since Reunion 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic.
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Events throughout the weekend gave Brunonians opportunities to catch up and make new friends with fellow alums.
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Members of the Class of 1975 were greeted with archival photos from their time at Brown while entering the special reception for their signature 50th Reunion.
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Generations of Brunonians were part of the weekend's festivities, from those celebrating their 75th Reunion to those celebrating their first.
“The last Reunion I came to was our fifth, so it’s been 25 years. I was going to come back in 2020, but obviously the world had other plans. It’s great to be back on campus—it’s bringing back a ton of old memories and reminding me of all of the wonderful friends that I made here. I feel committed to coming back to more Reunions in the future.”
—Sally Robinson Oerth ’95
Joining in beloved Brown traditions
Reunion Weekend is an opportunity for alumni to participate in favorite traditions—some that have been around for decades, and some that are new favorites from recent years. The weekend is designed to bring Brunonians together and offer something for everyone.
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Brunonians of all ages—including alumni, students, faculty, and staff—came together for Campus Dance on the main green.
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Bruno high fives and several kid-friendly activities throughout the weekend kept the youngest Brunonians entertained.
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A line-up of food trucks—including some local favorites, like Blount and Del’s—brought the crowds to Bruno’s Block Party.
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Unity Funk Nite—always a favorite Reunion event—kept Brunonians dancing late into the night to the best music of the ’70s through today.
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Alumni from each Reunion class walked in the Commencement Procession, making their way through the Van Wickle Gates, cheered on by the graduating students and administrators waiting on the other side.
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After processing through the Van Wickle Gates, alumni from the Reunion classes lined the street to cheer on the Class of 2025 graduates as they passed by.
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The Procession is a special moment for generations of Brunonians to welcome the new graduates to the vast alumni community.
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The Class of 2025 passed through the Van Wickle Gates—an important tradition at Brown. Students only walk through the gates twice in their time at Brown—in during Convocation, and out during Commencement.
“#BrownReunion was a blast! 🎉 Thrilling to see so many folks from all over the world at Commencement. 🥳 Especially enjoyed the generations of classes clapping during the march through the Van Wickle Gates and down College Hill. 👏 The Commencement Procession felt like a village of elders acknowledging and propelling us onwards while we do the same to newer generations. So grateful for the community of learners and doers who strive to improve our world, in whatever place we inhabit. Congrats to the class of 2025! ❤️”
—Quyên Trương ’05 on LinkedIn
Celebrating shared bonds
Alumni come to Reunion Weekend to not only to celebrate their connections to Brown, but also their connections with each other.
“This is my first time coming back for Reunion,” said Harry Lampiris ’80. “The cool thing is recognizing people that I haven’t seen in 45 years—and we just pick up where we left off. We’re all at the exact same stage of life, just like the way we were in college, except it’s over 40 years later. It has reminded me how formative Brown was for me—this is where I developed my identity.”
Dozens of events throughout the weekend gave Brunonians a chance to engage with affinity group communities and meet others who shared the same academic interests, student activities, or military affiliation. Alumni were also able to welcome new members of the graduating class into the alumni community, celebrating their shared experiences.
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The Brown Annual Fund’s Young Alumni Social brought together more recent graduates for frosé and photo shoots just before Campus Dance.
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Alumni affinity group leaders came together at the Unity Celebration on Friday night, which included food, music, and dancing.
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An event organized by the Asian/Asian American Alumni Alliance (A4) offered student group performances and a chance to congratulate this year’s recipients of the annual A4 Community Contribution Award.
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The Brown Daily Herald brought together its alumni so they could meet the 135th Editorial Board and connect over their shared experience working at the paper.
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Alumni from across the years connected at the family breakfast event held by the Brown University Latino Alumni Council (BULAC).
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The Class of 1990 held a memorable concert with Lisa Loeb ’90 and Elizabeth Mitchell ’90, who were matched as first-year roommates in Room 222 of Emery Woolley Hall. The event was an unforgettable afternoon of music, nostalgia, and camaraderie—a perfect way to celebrate the class’s 35th Reunion. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Loeb)
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The Brown Alumni Pride Association (BAPA) held a brunch and reception for graduating students and their families, as well as alumni, faculty, and staff, at the brand new location of Brown’s LGBTQ Center at Stonewall House.
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Current and former student-athletes mingled with one another at the Brown Bears Social, held on Friday night.
“Some of my best friends are Brown University alumni! And some of the most transformative experiences I’ve ever had were at Brown University. I am forever grateful for how my life trajectory and perspective has been influenced by being in connection with the brightest, bravest, kindest Brown-est people I’ve ever known. Shout out to my Brown University Class of 2000 village for being ever true then and now… 🫶🏾”
— Daphnée Saget Woodley ’00 on Instagram
Other Weekend Highlights
Alumni & Friends
Medical Reunion celebrates community in a milestone year
On a weekend filled with tradition, The Warren Alpert Medical School held its first 50th Reunion, honored standout alumni, and celebrated its newest graduates.
- Brown President Christina H. Paxson presided over the 257th Commencement on Sunday, May 25. Speaking to the 1,904 undergraduates of the Class of 2025, Paxson asked that they continue to carry their ideas, passion, and love for community and humanity to their new homes, workplaces, and schools. “We love you because you achieve the highest standards of excellence in all you do, and you support your peers so they can do the same,” Paxson said.
- This year’s Baccalaureate address was delivered by Allyson Felix, a five-time Olympian and the most decorated American track and field athlete in history. Felix urged the graduates to find meaning in every step of their journeys. "You've already climbed mountains just to sit here today, and now it's time to step forward," Felix said. “However your race unfolds: Run it boldly. Run it with integrity. Run it with compassion. Run it with courage to pause, to pivot and to stand up for what is right.”
- Including Felix, Brown conferred honorary doctorates on seven candidates who have achieved great distinction in their fields: Jon Batiste, Grammy award-winning musician; Eileen Hayes, social services leader; Suleika Jaouad, author, artist, and advocate; William Kentridge, renowned artist; Timothy Snyder ’91, a prominent historian; and Kevin Young MFA’96, award-winning poet.
- Brown alumni understand the importance and impact of philanthropy. This fiscal year, as of early June 2025, Reunion classes ending in 0 and 5 have raised more than $19 million in gifts and pledges for the Brown Annual Fund. Their comprehensive gift—gifts to all Brown priorities over the last five years—totals $193 million.
Stay connected long after Reunion Weekend
Our BrownConnect+ platform brings Brunonians of all generations together for community-building, networking, mentorship, volunteerism, and connection.
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