Campaign Surpasses 88% of Goal
Despite tough economic times, Brown alumni, parents, friends, faculty, students, and staff rallied to support excellence in education. This fiscal year, tens of thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations contributed $239.3 million to Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment. With the addition of these gifts, the campaign soared to just over $1,240,600,000 on June 30—88.6% of our $1.4 billion goal.
Highlights of this year’s giving included:
- The Brown Annual Fund (BAF) reported a record $35.1 million from almost 33,500 donors. The Million Dollar Month Participation Challenge—sponsored by an anonymous reunion alumnus and members of the Brown Annual Fund Leadership Council—encouraged well over 5,000 donors to give to the Annual Fund. The $500,000 Jim Burke ’73 P’05, P’06, P’10 GOLD Challenge promoted giving by our most recent graduates. More than 800 Brown Annual Fund Leaders (donors of $10,000 or more) contributed $25.1 million, an increase of 7.1% over last year.
- Not to be outdone, a record six reunion classes raised more than $1 million for BAF (including two that raised over $2 million), six classes set BAF reunion giving records, and six classes set records for giving to all purposes. In response to a challenge from an anonymous donor, an incredible 72% of the senior class gave to the Annual Fund.
- The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) enjoyed a record-breaking year in a number of areas. Annual giving for our 37 Varsity and 7 Club Sports increased by 21% to $3.6 million, BUSF comprehensive cash increased by 9.2% to $11.8 million, the number of Drive for Five donors ($5,000+) rose by 5%, and Leaders-on-the-Rise ($1,000-$4,999) grew by 9%.
- The Brown Medical School Annual Fund also recorded a record $770,000 in gifts during the fiscal year; giving to the Division of Biology and Medicine increased to $18.8 million
These gifts, pledges and challenge grants from across the country and around the globe will enhance the academic environment on College Hill for students and faculty today and for years to come: Newly-endowed professorships will expand the faculty. New scholarships will sustain Brown’s dramatically expanded financial aid program. New capital gifts will help renovate historic buildings and construct new academic and athletic facilities. And gifts to the Brown Annual Fund provide the unrestricted resources to move decisively toward ever-greater excellence.
De Ciccio Family Auditorium Dedication
On June 18th, President Ruth J. Simmons formally dedicated the De Ciccio Family Auditorium with a champagne toast. The event, held in the foyer of the Richard and Edna Salomon Center for Teaching, recognized the generosity of Donald R. De Ciccio ’55 and Sandra L. De Ciccio. Family, friends, and fellow alumni were on hand to help celebrate the occasion.
The newly-christened auditorium (formerly Salomon 101) is one of the best-known venues for lectures, discussion panels, performances and presentations on campus. Scholars and newsmakers from all walks of life including, this past year, legendary news anchor Tom Brokaw, Bolivian President Evo Morales, and award-winning author Edwidge Danticat MFA ’93, have engaged in dialogue with the Brown community from its stage.
Its name “honors all members of this family,” explained Don, the youngest of eight children. “I particularly wanted to thank my brothers and sisters for their guidance and support after our mom died. Although our father provided stability, they were very instrumental in raising me. ” His brother Eugene, in turn, praised Don for “his accomplishments as an athlete, scholar, businessman, family man and philanthropist. This dedication…is a perpetual reminder…that success and good deeds are attainable and expected.”
Don, an Air Force veteran, spent more than 40 years as a manufacturing owner and executive. He turned a small, bankrupt manufacturing company into a profitable, diversified public company and later owned Concord, Massachusetts-based Atlantic Pre-Hung Doors, Inc. He and his wife share an interest in the arts, and—together with Joseph Bologna ‘56 and his wife Renee Taylor—produced a Broadway play entitled “If You Ever Leave Me, I’m Going with You.” He has been a class officer and served on multiple gift committees, most recently for his 50th reunion. In March, Don hosted a golf event in Naples, Florida for the 25th Anniversary of the Brown Sports Foundation.
President Simmons noted that by virtue of their generosity, the De Ciccio family is creating a legacy that will signify a love of learning and an unwavering commitment to the ideals that make Brown University unique in the realm of higher education.
Son Honors His Father's Legacy
On a business trip to Providence in 2003, the son of Paul F. Maeder Ph.D. ’51, P’70 was moved to see a picture of his father, Chair of the Division of Engineering in the 1960s, hanging in Barus and Holley. Dr. Maeder was awarded the first engineering Ph.D. ever granted by Brown; at age 30, he became the youngest tenured professor in Brown’s history.
And engineering is by no means the only area where Dr. Maeder left his mark. He led Brown through many tumultuous eras: as Associate Provost in 1969, his diplomatic skills brought peaceful resolutions to many student protests, and as VP for Finance and Administration in the 1970s, tough decisions he made helped restore the University to financial stability. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment during these pivotal times was his role in negotiating the open curriculum. Says Ira Magaziner ‘69: “Without Paul Maeder, there would be no ‘new curriculum’ at Brown.”
On May 26th, family and friends of Dr. Maeder convened at the Hope Club to celebrate the creation of the Dr. Paul F. Maeder Graduate Fellowship, a gift by his son, Paul A. Maeder, to honor his father’s Brown legacy. This fellowship enhances the University's ability to recruit outstanding graduate students who, like Dr. Paul F. Maeder, will contribute to Brown's culture of innovative learning and research.
Dr. Maeder’s son explained his decision to honor his father’s legacy with this fellowship: “Brown graduate studies gave my father an entry into the world that eventually became his entire career. As I benefited from my father's success, it's only fitting that future grad students might benefit from what I have been lucky enough to be able to contribute.”
New Campaign Benchmark Reached
Gifts and pledges from the entire Brown community helped boost the Campaign for Academic Enrichment to a record $1.2 billion of its ambitious $1.4 billion goal. In the announcement made on Commencement Weekend, Elizabeth Z. Chace '59, Matthew J. Mallow '64, P '02, and Jerome C. Vascellaro '74, P '07, campaign co-chairs, stated that this milestone is evidence of the hard work and generosity of many in the Brown family.
Recent leadership gifts totaling nearly $20 million in support of several campaign priorities included:
- A gift from an anonymous donor establishing two endowed medical scholarship funds.
- A gift from former Professor of Anthropology Louise Lamphere, ADE '80 hon. establishing a visiting assistant professorship.
- A bequest from the estate of W. Duncan MacMillan '53 LLD '99 hon. GP'07 for W. Duncan MacMillan '53 Hall.
- Gifts supporting the renovation of Faunce House, the Creative Arts Building, and the new natatorium.
- A gift from the Suna and Inan Kirac Foundation establishing the Suna Kirac Fellowship and Research Fund in Molecular Biology and the Suna Kirac Fund for Brain Sciences.
All gifts in support of the $1.4 billion campaign goal help set new benchmarks for excellence in teaching, learning, and innovation at Brown.
Campaign Reception Honors Faculty
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On May 1st, some 150 faculty and faculty emeriti joined President Ruth J. Simmons and members of the Faculty Committee on the Campaign to-according to the invitation-"Celebrate the excellence of Brown's faculty, honor the enduring strength of Brown's legacy, and secure the bold promise of Brown's future."
The festivities began with a reception in Alumnae Hall, segued to a presentation of the Boldly Brown campaign video, and ended with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres under a tent on Pembroke Field.
Professor of Computer Science John E. Savage P'89 '95 '05 '08-Chair of the Faculty Committee on the Campaign and one of the event's organizers-praised President Simmons as one "who has worked tirelessly and with creativity and imagination for Brown University over the last seven years." She in turn lauded Brown faculty for their dedication and extolled them as the cornerstone of the Plan for Academic Enrichment.
Chancellor Thomas J. Tisch '76, Campaign Co-Chair Elizabeth Zopfi Chace '59, and Brown Annual Fund Co-Chair Joan Sorensen '72, P'06, P'06 were also in attendance to greet faculty, show support, and answer questions.
"Our faculty devote many hours not only to teaching and research but to meeting prospective students, giving talks to Brown alumni clubs, and so much more," said Savage. "We appreciate the support this administration has shown them."
The Alumni of Color Initiative: Uniquely, Boldly, Diversely Brown
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April 9th saw the official launch of Boldly Brown: The Alumni of Color Initiative, one of the Campaign’s most distinctive efforts. Celebrated at Bridgewaters in New York City’s South Street Seaport, the event featured an international buffet, a former DJ from the 90’s reprising the popular “Funk Night,” and inspiring, unscripted remarks by surprise guest President Ruth J. Simmons.
The Alumni of Color Initiative itself is unique in Brown’s history, as it is the first time that the alumni of color community has reviewed the University’s fundraising priorities and identified those that they would like to come together to support in substantial ways. Working together, this community has targeted several areas which, when strengthened, will help ensure that Brown’s history of recognizing and encouraging diversity will not only continue, but flourish in new and bold ways. Funds raised will benefit Brown’s students and faculty by providing immediate support through the Brown Annual Fund and creating endowments to provide funding in perpetuity for scholarship aid for students of color, the Third World Transition Program, and academic research in Africana Studies and U.S. Latino Studies.
Bernicestine McLeod Bailey ’68, P’99, ’03 and Harold Bailey, Jr. ’70, P’99, ’03—trustees emeriti and Vice Chairs of the Alumni of Color Campaign Committee—welcomed attendees and issued a call to action. “We hope that what you hear tonight will convince you of the importance of the campaign and of the crucial role you can play in our success,” said Bernicestine. “I urge you to become active partners with us as we work to preserve and amplify the best that Brown has to offer,” added Harold.
Associate Provost and Director of Institutional Diversity Brenda Allen, in describing the importance of diversity at Brown, alluded to the appropriateness of the night’s special tag line—“Uniquely, Boldly, Diversely” Brown. She shared details of the progress that has been made in diversifying Brown’s faculty and student populations since the inception of the Plan for Academic Enrichment, garnering significant applause. Following her remarks, a video that was produced specifically for the Initiative, featuring students, faculty, administrators, and alumni leaders, was shown.
The evening also included stories about Brown and a colloquium on race, immigration, reform and the 2008 elections presented by Matthew J. Garcia, associate professor of American civilization, history, and race and ethnic studies. Scholarship recipient Eunice Eun ’09 added her perspective, describing what it’s like to be a student of color at Brown today.
Co-Chair of the Campaign for Academic Enrichment Matthew J. Mallow ’64, P’02’s remarks highlighting the importance of the Initiative were initially slated to end the speaking portion of the program. However, President Simmons—who jokingly promised to speak briefly so as not to interfere with the commencement of “Funk Night”—delivered a stirring address about the importance of alumni of color stepping out of the margin and coming together to claim the center. She told the audience that Brown needs you, the students need you, and the faculty need you. She concluded that the only way to stand for something that matters is for everyone to stand together.
On the road... Houston
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On March 20, Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment arrived at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston. The state-of-the-art entertainment complex featuring 60-foot-high glass walls was designed by Robert A. M. Stern architects, the same internationally-renowned group now designing the Nelson Fitness Center.
The celebratory event commenced with Texas campaign committee member Barkley J. Stuart's introduction of Carle Pieters. Pieters, one of the world's leading lunar scientists, presented the colloquium: "Reaching for the Moon: The Globalization of Space." After cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, George L. Ball '60, P'94, a Texas regional vice chair, welcomed attendees; video vignettes and "Stories from Brown" followed.
Sara Mansur '09, in her introduction of President Ruth J. Simmons, painted a touching picture of Brown's role in her growth from an awestruck high school senior to a self-assured third-year student. "Brown is a university that has fostered the growth of a community around the shared goal of gaining knowledge," she said. "President Simmons' transformative policies have reinforced this open, trusting, and introspective community."
President Simmons' stirring message celebrated the enduring strength of Brown's legacy while securing the bold promise of its future. And Charles L. Babcock IV '71, P'05 '06, a Texas regional vice chair, delivered a call for action: "I hope that what you heard tonight will spur you on to become more involved with Brown and the University's unyielding pursuit of excellence. I am certain that, with your help, we will exceed expectations and reinforce the University's reputation as a premier academic destination for the most talented students and faculty."
Financial Aid: Supporting our Student Scholars
Financial aid is more than just a means to an education. It is an investment in talent; an opportunity to touch a life, a family, even an entire community. Our need-blind admission policy attracts gifted students who have a range of experiences to share with their peers, significantly broadening everyone's education; we're stronger and richer for their presence. "Since 2001, Brown has made financial aid for our students one of our highest priorities," said President Ruth J. Simmons. "Every year, we have taken steps to ensure that our financial aid programs are competitive and effective." Enhancing Brown's resources in this area, then, lies at the heart of the Plan for Academic Enrichment.
To ensure that Brown's learning environment remains dynamic and inspiring, the University's Corporation recently approved far-reaching changes to its financial aid policy. This new policy will:
- Eliminate loan expectations for students from families with incomes of less than $100,000.
- Reduce loan expectations for all students receiving financial aid packages.
- Eliminate parental contributions for most families with incomes of less than $60,000.
"We have to recognize we're competing for the best and the brightest out there," says James Tilton, Director of Financial Aid. "This policy really addresses the needs of many students and their families."
These new policies are, however, not without cost: the 2008-09 budget for undergraduate financial aid has risen to $68.5 million, more than double what it was in 2001-02. We call on the generosity of alumni and friends to help us meet the challenge of these increasing costs. Gifts of any denomination in support of financial aid are always welcome; gifts establishing Brown Annual Fund Scholarships ($15,000 a year for four years) or endowing financial aid funds ($20,000 a year for five years) or endowing named scholarship funds ($50,000 a year for five years) are critical to sustaining our increased commitment to financial aid.
Please consider giving here through your credit card or calling 800.662.2266 to be connected with a development professional.
Women's Leadership Council: Strengthening Ties, Strengthening Brown
Many women are finding out what men already know:
giving provides a seat at the table; giving brings confidence
in philanthropic choices; giving empowers. "I believe in
it," says Genine Fidler '77, P'04. "As an alumna, as a
parent, as a citizen, it's enhanced my commitment to the
University. It keeps me vibrant, alive, and engaged in the
latest thinking."
Fidler is a member of the Women's Leadership Council, established in 2004 to help alumnae grow both in volunteer roles and in philanthropic participation. Its mentoring program (Women's Launch Pad) matches undergraduate seniors with successful graduates; the charitable program seeks to engage and support those alumnae who have the capacity to make substantial gifts. "I see the Council as a newly-created Brown tradition of female relationships forming a chain linking generations of Brown alumnae," says Susan P. Friedman '77, P'08. "If that connection can be made stronger, women will want to give back."
In the fall, Brown University Fellow and Campaign for Academic Enrichment co-chair Elizabeth Z. Chace '59, together with the Executive Board of the council- Susan Friedman; Genine Fidler; Nancy Neff '76, P'06; and Julie Meister '75, P'03, P'06-tested that theory, establishing a $1,500,000 Women's Leadership Challenge. Set up to honor President Ruth J. Simmons' commitment to higher education-particularly the education of women-and to inspire greater leadership giving from Brown alumnae, the challenge offered to match, dollar-for-dollar, any new gifts or commitments from alumnae of $50,000 or more. The result? The women greeted the challenge enthusiastically, giving from $50,000 all the way up to the $500,000 level. Gifts were given to the Brown Annual Fund, the Brown University Sports Foundation, scholarship endowment, faculty and program support, Pembroke endowment, Farsi language instruction, and more. The challenge is scheduled to end June 30.
The success of the challenge to date, in addition to the already-successful Launch Pad, has left the women highly encouraged about the Council, its goals, and the culture that exists at Brown. "Having Ruth as Brown's president has made a huge difference," says Chace. "It's done more than almost anything in bringing women's issues forward."
"And," adds Friedman, "if the women are strengthened, the whole campus will be strengthened."
Go Bears: 25 years of Athletic Excellence
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Hundreds of guests toasted the Brown University Sports Foundation’s Silver Anniversary at the national celebration in Providence on February 23rd. Luminaries from the past and the present were on hand to trace its history and to announce future goals.
“More than a quarter of a century separates us from those adventuresome days of the early eighties when Brown’s historic growth took a major leap forward,” said chancellor emeritus Artemis Joukowsky ‘55, founder and chairman of the Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF). “Now, the name of the Brown University Sports Foundation has become as familiar to the Brown community as the bell that tolls every day on the roof on University Hall. Its name has become part of the University’s vocabulary.”
President Ruth J. Simmons, an ardent Brown sports fan, also voiced her support: “Because of the obvious connection between athletic excellence and excellence in the classroom and the workplace, and because every aspect of the Brown experience should reflect a desire to be the best, I encourage you to look at this Sports Foundation Silver Anniversary as a gateway to the next stage of Brown’s athletic development.”
Following her remarks, Director of Athletics Michael Goldberger explained his bold vision for the future of Brown Athletics—the Plan for Athletic Excellence. In order to help realize the initiatives outlined in the plan and achieve a transformational impact on Brown athletics, supporters are striving to raise $25 million during this silver anniversary year.
Also of note, two recent gifts establishing endowed head coaching chairs—The Ollie ’50 and Kay Patrell Head Coaching Chair in Men’s Swimming and Diving and the Mary Ann Lippitt Head Coaching Chair in Women’s Swimming and Diving—were announced. These gifts will add $2.5 million to BUSF’s endowment (which had already eclipsed $80 million) and will count toward both the Sports Foundation’s $25 million Silver Anniversary goal and the $125 million overall Athletic Campaign goal.
In addition, Michael Noonan, head coach, men’s soccer, spoke on behalf of his coaching colleagues while Justine Lupo ’08 from the women’s lacrosse team reflected on life at Brown as a student-athlete. A short video—“Setting the Stage for the Next 25 Years”—allowed attendees a glimpse into the future.
BUSF President Kenneth J. O’Keefe ’76, P’02’04’09 ended the speaking portion of the night with a call to action: “I believe in striving for excellence, in wanting to be the best, and I am driven by a desire to give our coaches and student-athletes the best chance—every time they step on the field—to trounce our friends from Hanover to Cambridge and from New Haven to New Jersey. We must leave this room tonight with a renewed sense of commitment. We must succeed and we will.”
Sports Foundation’s First Silver Gala Shines Brightly
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In honor of the Brown University Sports Foundation’s (BUSF) 25th anniversary year, a gala reception was held at the historic Explorer’s Club in New York City. The January 25th event, hosted by the New York Area Sports Foundation Board of Directors, unveiled both Brown Athletic Director Michael Goldberger’s Plan for Athletic Excellence and BUSF’s quest to raise $25 million during this silver anniversary year.
“Brown athletes have been achieving excellence, demonstrating their independence, and blazing new trails for more than a century,” asserted Goldberger. “However, we must strive to be better and to prepare for the generations who will come after us.” With that goal in mind, he proposed four core principles:
• Integrating athletics more strongly into the educational mission
• Placing the health and safety of our students at the forefront
• Remaining a competitive member of the Ivy League
• Assuring that programs and facilities reflect Brown’s overall commitment to excellence.
To ensure the achievement of his Plan for Athletic Excellence, Goldberger recommended enhancing compensation for the coaching and administrative staff; providing resources for equipment, travel, and recruiting; and supporting an overall transformation of Brown’s athletic facilities.
All-in-all, the launch of the Plan—in concurrence with BUSF’s 25th anniversary— presented a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to sustain Brown’s place among the top athletic programs in the Ivy League, guests were told. They were urged to consider increasing their annual giving, joining the Drive for Five program, contributing leadership level gifts to the Nelson Fitness Center, and endowing coaching positions.
Toasting past accomplishments and outlining future opportunities, the event also featured a welcome from BUSF Executive Director Steve King ‘91, two video presentations, and remarks from Tara L. Harrington ’94, head coach, Brown Field Hockey; Peter Volosin ’08, captain, Men’s Swim Team; and Kenneth J. O’Keefe ’76, P’02 ’04 ’09, president, BUSF Board of Directors. And Chancellor Thomas J. Tisch ’76 touched briefly on the accomplishments of Brown’s own Zak DeOssie ’07, who, in his first year in the NFL, is representing the University and the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.
“Art Joukowsky, Dave Zucconi and so many others have given the Sports Foundation its identity,” O’Keefe reminded attendees. “Now, it is our turn to perpetuate the goals and ideals behind their founding of this organization. We have to step up in bold new ways.”
Advancing Africa Scholarship Fund Created
Thanks to a $5,750,000 gift from businessman Idan Ofer, undergraduate students from sub-Saharan African nations will now be able to benefit from a new form of financial aid. The Advancing Africa Scholarship Fund—announced jointly by Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons and Ofer—will permit students from these countries to study at the University, then return to their homeland to address some of that continent’s critical needs. “Sub-Saharan African nations face poverty, illiteracy, illness and other significant obstacles to economic and social development,” said Ofer. “Enabling students to be educated at one of the best universities in the world will give them the tools to help their nation.”
To help address these needs, the undergraduates, to be known as Advancing Africa Scholars, will be encouraged to return full-time to Africa for a period of at least two years after graduating from Brown or upon completing a graduate degree. During their time at Brown they will also be entitled to two return trips paid through the Fund; upon their return to Africa they will receive a monthly stipend for two years.
“This truly generous gift allows us to offer the opportunity for scholarships to an underserved continent,” said Simmons. “We are making this announcement from the World Economic Forum (in Davos, Switzerland) to underscore the global nature of the gift. All nations must be given the chance to participate in the world’s economy. As educators, we have the responsibility to reach out to developing nations to provide the necessary tools to a wider cross-section of students.”
Ofer, chairman of the board of the Israel Corporation, chairman of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd; and a board member of various companies active in the fields of chemicals, shipping, energy, semiconductors and education, is also a Brown parent. His $5,750,000 gift provides for both an immediate implementation of the scholarships and an endowment to ensure that funds will be available in the future.
Currently, 17 undergraduate students from sixteen African nations attend Brown University. The Advancing Africa Scholarship Fund, by increasing these numbers, will strengthen educational ties with the countries and enhance Brown’s stature as an international university.
Brown Announces New "Green" Investment Vehicle
Donors of gifts of $25,000 or more to Brown’s endowment now have the option of having their gifts invested in a mutual fund of companies that are environmentally responsible and that are working toward sustainability. In February 2007, the Brown Corporation approved the creation of a Social Choice Fund within the University’s endowment. Visit the Giving Opportunities page for more information about this new giving option.
Brown Women's Crew Honored at the White House
The 2007 Brown women's crew championship team, as well as Art Joukowsky ’55, Marcia Hooper ’77, Arlene Gorton ’52 and Athletic Director Mike Goldberger were welcomed to the White House by President Bush. Brown University varsity women’s crew and seven other national championship teams paid an afternoon visit to the White House where they were congratulated by President Bush for being the 2007 champions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division One. See the complete story in the Providence Journal and watch the video of President Bush’s welcoming remarks to the Bears:
Article - http://www.projo.com/news/content/brown_crew_09-22-07_5U77JOS.31da692.html
Video - http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/showVideo.php?vidId=177166
Photo Gallery - http://brownbears.cstv.com/view.gal?id=15881&template=player_gallery.
The release of the U.S. News and World Report annual rankings of U. S. colleges always creates a stir among colleges and universities, which are in fierce competition for students, faculty, and resources. This year, Brown ranked 14th nationally, up from 17th in 2003. Perhaps most significantly, our ranking in selectivity moved up three places, from 10th to 7th, and is now at its highest levels since 2002. And – thanks to the commitment and loyalty of our alumni, Brown’s ranking for alumni giving went from 13th place in 2004 to 7th place this year.
The generosity of our donors has improved Brown’s standing in other parts of the assessment, too. “Faculty Resources,” for example, which measures such things as faculty salaries, class size, and student-faculty ratio, counts for a full 20 percent of the overall score. Here Brown’s standing improved from 26th in 2003 to 18th this year. The more than $1 billion raised by donors to the Campaign for Academic Enrichment has helped to provide the means for expanding the faculty and improving faculty compensation, thus improving our position.
$1 Billion Milestone Reached!
On May 24, 2007, Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment passed the $1 BILLION milestone in total gifts and pledges. In fact, we reached $1,003,613,083. This spectacular achievement was met with huge fanfare by current trustees and trustees emeriti during the Corporation meeting on Thursday, May 24. Hats off to all the donors, volunteers, and staff who made this possible!
On the Road... Philadelphia
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Measuring 42 feet in length and weighing in at an estimated eight tons, the Giganotosaurus skeleton towered over the more than 250 alumni, friends, parents, and newly-accepted members of the Class of 2011 attending the Boldly Brown celebration in Philadelphia. The Academy of Natural Sciences, with its impressive Dinosaur Hall, was a perfect site for both the May 9th event and biology professor Kenneth R. Miller '70, P'02’s colloquium: "Dover, Darwin, and Design: the Battle for America’s Classrooms."
Miller described the scientific questions at issue in the trial at Dover, Pennsylvania and explained how evidence from transitional fossils and DNA sequences was used in the courtroom. “Evolution can be understood in ways that do not conflict with religious belief,” he concluded. “Therefore confrontation between the two is unnecessary.” President Ruth J. Simmons had high praise for Miller: “He is a prime example of what we hope to see from our faculty.”
Philadelphian David Guttmann '07, in presenting President Simmons, also spoke to the importance of our teacher-scholars. “My Brown education was top-notch,” he said. “My professors were not only leaders in their fields, but were also dynamic, engaging, and inspirational lecturers.”
Arden C. Armstrong '82’s introduction of the colloquium speaker; Lawrence A. Kerson'64, P’00’s welcome to the community; and national campaign co-chair Matthew Mallow '64, P'02’s closing remarks added luster to the evening.
“Expanding our investment in knowledge production and strengthening our ability to give students access to a solid educational foundation is what the Plan for Academic Enrichment and the Boldly Brown Campaign are all about,” said Simmons. “We must leverage our triumphs to inspire deeper engagement and philanthropy targeted toward the most pressing educational challenges of our University and our nation. I invite you to join us in keeping Brown’s bold spirit alive.”
Murray Stadium Dedication
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On Saturday, April 21st, President Ruth Simmons officially dedicated the Brown Bears baseball facility as Murray Stadium in honor of Suzanne and Terrence Murray P’84 ’94 and their children, longstanding Brown Sports Foundation Vice President Paula Murray McNamara ’84 and Christopher D. Murray ’94. In a pre-game ceremony, the Murray family was recognized for their commitment to Brown and generosity in funding the stadium for Brown University baseball.
During a special on-field tribute, head baseball coach Marek Drabinski presented Terry Murray with a personalized Brown jersey as a sign of the baseball program’s appreciation for he and Suzanne’s generosity and support. The crowd then witnessed the unveiling of the scoreboard which proudly displayed “Murray Stadium.”
Before the games started, Terry Murray and his grandson Joe McNamara each threw out a ceremonial “first pitch” to commemorate the extraordinary day.
Fraternity Celebrates Legacy, Presents Scholarship
The Omega Psi Phi fraternity—first established at Howard University in 1911—derived its name from the initials for the Greek phrase meaning, “Friendship is essential to the soul.” This past weekend, members of the local Theta Epsilon chapter celebrated 60 years of friendship and good works, including an Anniversary Breakfast at the Sharpe Refectory on Saturday morning.
Brown’s President Ruth J. Simmons welcomed the group which, on both a national and local scale, supports programs that promote stronger communities, better health care, voter education and registration, preservation and study of African-American life and history; and financial aid for promising students. “I am pleased that Brown is able to host this event today because I feel the direction in which we are moving as a learning community dovetails perfectly with the continuing work of Omega Psi Phi,” she said.
The fraternity, in turn, presented the university with a $100,000 Brown Annual Fund scholarship. Several Brown alumni, including John C. “Johnny” Graves ’86, Dr. Mohan Suntharalingam ’86, and Greg White ’85 were instrumental in leading the drive to establish the Omega Scholars program at Brown.
In thanking them, President Simmons recalled the words of esteemed educator and advocate Marian Wright Edelman: “Those who tear down are a dime a dozen; those who build are scarce.”
“Through this chapter you have built an important legacy,” said Simmons, “one that constantly projects a vision for a more cohesive global community and a brighter future for the young people who will follow in our footsteps.”
Cool Brown Event in Red Hot Texas
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The star-studded red-and-brown invitation promised the “coolest Brown alumni event Central Texas has ever seen.” And, on March 3, it delivered.
Alumni, students, and friends walking into KLRU Studio in Austin were greeted by the familiar skyline set of the long-running TV series Austin City Limits. However, thanks to campaign vice chair William P. Wood ’78, the event’s organizer, it had been transformed into a lush, elegant setting for the night. “We were looking to do something to galvanize the Brown community in central Texas, which is in its early stages of getting organized,” said Wood. “We had a terrific turnout. I think it was the most attended event ever in Texas for Brown.”
Highlights included:
- Special guest Clyde Briant, Vice President of Research at Brown, who spoke of some of the exciting scientific breakthroughs taking place thanks to Brown research teams.
- Remarks by associate vice president of development Ron Dalgliesh ‘91: “Under Ruth Simmons’s leadership, the University is making unprecedented investments in all the things that for me, as an alumnus, make Brown, Brown – a dynamic student body, a world-class and accessible faculty, and innovative academic programming.”
- Heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert served at Providence-inspired buffet stations.
- Dancing to live music: the Spazmatics, a four-piece group voted best cover band by the Austin Chronicle.
“It re-connected a lot of people with Brown,” said Kate Grossman ’02, co-president of the Brown Club of Austin. “It was a nice way for people to get brought back into the fold.”
On the Road… Cleveland
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When Boldly Brown arrived at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens in March, flowers were to be expected. But, rooms full of orchids? Those were a gorgeous bonus thanks to the garden’s annual “Orchid Mania” exhibit. Although Steven Litt ’78 did much of the local planning, more than 125 alumni, parents, and friends benefited from the fortunate timing.
Against this colorful backdrop, Gregory P. Crawford, Dean of Brown’s Division of Engineering and a professor of both engineering and physics, offered an insider’s view of the cooperation between physicians and engineers in Brown’s medical community with his colloquium, Bedside Synergy: Engineers and Physicians.
David Given, ’75, an Ohio vice chair for the Campaign, welcomed attendees to “this celebration of the University’s strength and its enduring promise.” Recalling his time on campus, David said: “I was a driven student and athlete when I first arrived at Brown, but when I left I was more prepared than I ever imagined I would be to participate in professional and civic life. Each moment taught me something about the world beyond the Van Wickle Gates.”
Brown President Ruth J. Simmons ignited the assembled guests with a combination of great news, wry asides, and a pointed challenge. “We have raised $950 million on the way to the goal of $1.4 billion,” she said. “And I am quite confident that we will surpass the $1 billion mark before all is said and done on June 30 of this year. I invite you to join us in keeping Brown’s bold spirit alive.”
Friedman Study Center Dedication
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On Saturday, February 24, the Susan and Richard A. Friedman Study Center in the Sciences Library was formally dedicated. The center was made possible due to a generous gift from Susan Pilch Friedman ’77, P’08 (co-founder of the Women’s Leadership Council) and University trustee Richard A. Friedman ’79, P’08. Chancellor Stephen Robert, Joukowsky Family University Librarian Harriette Hemmasi, Richard Friedman, and President Ruth J. Simmons spoke about its importance. “I have no doubt that the 24-hour Friedman Study Center will become a nexus of activity on campus,” said Simmons. “It will accommodate the needs of the individual scholar, the informal gathering of friends, the study group that seeks a place to think out loud, and the faculty-student collaborations that set Brown apart from its peers.”
On the Road… Atlanta
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On a March day more conducive to transportation by boat than by car, Boldly Brown waded into the Georgia Aquarium—the world’s largest—in Atlanta. Alumni, parents, and friends from three states were present for this exciting event.
“I feel a deep connection to the people and the city of Atlanta,” said Brown President Ruth J. Simmons. “The exceptionally warm welcome we always receive from the Brown community here is flattering, and it reminds me that certain connections in our lives have the power to endure despite the passage of time. I hope that our discussions tonight will strengthen those connections, and ignite within each and every one of you a desire to engage more deeply in the life of Brown today.”
Earlier, Wendy J. Schiller, associate professor of political science and public policy, gave attendees a view into the workings of Congress with her colloquium: Governing the Congress: the Democrats’ Challenge. “Basically,” she said in summation, “they need to stay focused, stay productive, stay cohesive, and work together across party lines.”
And Richard Chambers ’69, vice chair in the Southeast region for Boldly Brown and 1983-84 National Chairman of the Brown Annual Fund, both welcomed and challenged the community: “I firmly believe the current campaign is the most exciting and compelling opportunity that we alumni can participate in to ensure Brown’s long-term prosperity,” he said. “I hope you feel as I do, that the momentum we have built thus far is the introduction to a much larger success story yet to be written.”
Campaign co-chair Liz Chace, honorary co-chair Tony Ittleson, and honorary co-chair Arte Joukowsky—who spoke following President Simmons’ remarks—were also present.
On the Road… Arizona
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Taliesin West, the international headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona, welcomed the Campaign for Academic Enrichment on February 8th. The program took place in the dramatic outdoor sculpture garden and in the striking pavilion. Even beyond its architectural significance, the site was a good match for Brown alumni, given that many Wright foundation members were, as the Foundation’s website put it, “of independent mind.”
According to colloquium speaker Dietrich Neumann, professor for the history of modern art and architecture, Wright, as a little boy, even lived in Pawtucket, Rhode Island for a year and in 1932 lectured at Brown. “I always imagine that his mother took him on the tram to Providence one day,” said Neumann. “And little Frank, after seeing our beautiful campus, decided to become an architect.”
University trustee and former NFL standout Steven R. Jordan ’82 was pleased to welcome the assembled alumni, parents, and friends to “a celebration of Brown’s past, present, and future. As the campaign moves forward,” Jordan said, “I urge you to stand with us in this effort to secure a brilliant future for Brown.”
Brown President Ruth J. Simmons echoed the theme, praising those in attendance: “You understand the impact of time spent on College Hill,” she said. “Each of you has had a hand in making Brown what it is today. Your perspective on the University’s mission and its growth is crucial as we continue to move full speed ahead.”
“And,” she continued, “you are well-qualified to help us write the next chapter in the University’s legacy—one that will tell of outstanding scholarly achievement, service to society, and the fulfillment of great promise.”
On the Road Again:
Boldly Brown Travels to the West Coast, Southwest
During the month of January, President Ruth J. Simmons and the Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment visited four cities in just ten days.
- The first stop, on January 8, was the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Simmons spoke of the importance of the campaign: "I hope you have joined us this evening because your time at Brown was meaningful and the University's culture and identity continue to resonate with you," she said. "I urge you now to consider translating those sentiments into action on behalf of Brown." The evening's events began with a colloquium on Ancient American Writing: Breaking the Code, by Professor of Anthropology Stephen D. Houston. Houston is one of a team of archaeologists studying a carved rock carrying samples of 3,000-year-old writing.
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- January 10 saw the campaign at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in San Francisco. There, the colloquium on Schools and Mayors: Can They Get Along was presented by Kenneth Wong, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Professor of Education. President Simmons praised him, saying: "I'm pleased that you can get a sense of the exciting faculty we are able to recruit as a consequence of the support you've given to the Plan for Academic Enrichment."
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- Despite the unusually cold and icy weather, hundreds of alumni, parents, and students converged on Benaroya Hall-home of the Seattle Symphony-in Seattle on January 12. Earlier, guests heard Diane Lipscombe, professor of neuroscience, give a colloquium entitled, "An Electrifying Brown Journey: From Genes to Pain." Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres followed in a lobby featuring glass art by world-renowned artist (and RISD graduate) Dale Chihuly.
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- The Women's MuseumT: An Institute for the Future (a Smithsonian affiliate), was a particularly appropriate choice for the January 17 presentation in Dallas, as Brown showcased the extraordinary possibilities that lie ahead. Guests who navigated the unseasonably icy roads attended Mind Over Matter, a colloquium by Henry Merritt Wriston Professor John Donoghue, director of the Brain Science Program at Brown, and runner-up for Discover Magazine's prestigious scientist of the year award.
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The campaign's goals made sense to Barbara Rosenblatt '79: "Where the money is going is in keeping with the spirit and philosophy of the school I loved. Brown still is a very unique, innovative place."
Bob M. Cohan '68 P'00 agreed. "All Brown alumni and parents have a stake in the excellence of our University because we love it and want it to do well. Ruth Simmons' presence inspires confidence; her plan will make Brown an even greater university."
A $100-Million Gift for Medical Education
Brown University has named its medical school in honor of businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Warren Alpert, in recognition of a $100-million gift from The Warren Alpert Foundation.
"With this extraordinary gift," said Brown President Ruth J. Simmons, "the Alpert Foundation is not only supporting generations of talented young people who will enter medical careers, but is also improving the environment for medical care and research in the State of Rhode Island. Naming the medical school in honor of Mr. Alpert is a fitting tribute to his long-standing interest in excellence in medical care."
A recipient of the Purple Heart for his actions at Omaha Beach in 1944, Alpert began his own business in 1950 with, as he put it, "$1,000 and a used car." As the sole owner of Warren Equi-ties Inc., he now has a company that Forbes magazine annually lists among the top 400 privately owned U.S. companies. "Throughout his career, Warren Alpert has used his philanthropy in ways that will directly improve the health and medical care of our nation, and he established the Foundation to continue that purpose," said Herbert Kaplan, president and CEO of Warren Equities Inc. and president of The Warren Alpert Foundation. "We are pleased to have his name associated in perpetuity with the educational and research mission of the medical school at Brown University."
The naming gift comes at a time when the University is making significant investments in medical education and the life sciences. "Medical education at Brown University is moving into a new era," said Eli Y. Adashi, dean of medicine and biological sciences. "We are building on the achievements of the past and expanding our vision and ambition. We are increasing the student body by approximately 30 percent while continuing to offer an innovative medical curriculum, working at the forefront of many exciting new areas of biomedical research, and building new facilities for research and teaching alike. We are grateful for Mr. Alpert's contribution to the future of medical education at Brown University."
A portion of the gift will help finance construction of a new building that will house classrooms, administrative offices, and other instructional spaces for The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. The gift will support other investments in medical education at Brown, including scholarships for medical students, biomedical research, and the recruitment and retention of faculty.
Friedman Study Center Opens 24/7 Place to Gather and Study
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Students have consistently listed 24-hour study spaces among their highest priorities for improving campus life. Now, thanks to the generosity of two Brown alumni, the Susan and Richard A. Friedman Study Center has been established, providing a centrally-located space to study and gather on campus.
The center, approximately 27,000 square feet on two levels of the Sciences Library, offers individual study spaces, comfortable common areas, computer and multimedia stations, small conference rooms for group study, and a café. "The Friedman Study Center represents the best of what libraries have been and are becoming: a central gathering on campus that supports the changing patterns of learning, teaching, and research," said Harriette Hemmasi, Joukowsky Family University Librarian.
The Friedmans are pleased to be supporting Brown. "We are very excited to contribute to the growth and development of Brown. As graduates of the late 1970s, Susan and I are proud to see Brown thrive in the 21st century under President Simmons' leadership, energy, and enthusiasm," said Mr. Friedman, a university trustee.
John Gillis '07, president of the Undergraduate Council of Students, said that students are overjoyed to have a space that represents the Brown gift for combining community and academics: "Everyone I've talked to thinks it's plain awesome!"
As the curator, organizer, disseminator, preserver, and mediator of scholarly resources, the Brown University Library (comprising the University's six libraries) is responding to the changing needs of the campus's teaching, learning, and research environment. One of the highest priorities in the campaign, the Library aims to provide state-of-the art facilities, resources, and services.
A Family Affair:
Sons Dedicate Library Seminar Room to Father
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On the cover of Brown Alumni Monthly’s 1935 Commencement issue is a photo of Walter L. S. Bopp celebrating: standing on the roof of 80 Waterman Street, resplendent in cap and gown, he proudly waves a diploma over his head.
More than 71 years later, he is celebrating again: on his 93rd birthday, he unveiled a plaque dedicating a John Hay Library third-floor room in his honor, thanks to the generosity of his sons, Walter S. Bopp ’73 and Peter D. Bopp ’78. His wife Mary spoke for them both: “I’m so proud of my sons.”
The 640 square foot space—overlooking College Street and the Rockefeller Library and opening onto a signature part of the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection—will be transformed into the Walter L. S. Bopp Seminar Room. When completed, it will feature state-of-the-art exhibit cases along three walls, media equipment, and high quality furniture: a setting appropriate for conferences, scholarly research, and class presentations utilizing Special Collections materials.
“Family legacies are part of what makes Brown so special; they ensure that the University’s history and the spirit of its mission will be passed down from generation to generation,” said President Ruth J. Simmons at the November 29th ceremony. “Your sons Walter and Peter have followed admirably in your footsteps, and we want you to know that we value the legacy that you have chosen to build here.”
The John Hay Library—the central library when the elder Bopp was a student—houses Brown’s special collections, including the world’s largest collection of American poetry manuscripts and plays, an internationally-recognized collection on military history, and one of the country’s largest and finest Abraham Lincoln collections. Transforming areas of the John Hay Library into well-equipped, comfortable, functional space conducive to both group and individual study and research is a priority of the Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment.
Warmth Within Counters Chill Without on New York Cruise
It really was a dark and stormy night in Manhattan when some 70 Brown alumni boarded the yacht Highlander for a cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers. Tim Forbes ’76, LHD ’96, P’08 and his wife Anne Harrison ’76, P’08 hosted this annual event (she, in absentia, due to the weather) on the Forbes family’s 151-foot vessel.
The ship—with maritime paintings, souvenirs of the Titanic, and architectural details from Queen Victoria’s yacht—was a major attraction in itself, but many of the mostly New York-area invitees came to reconnect with old friends, network with fellow alumni leaders, and prepare for their reunion year.
“We look forward to bringing together…alumni…from a broad range of decades,” wrote Brown Corporation Fellow and Trustee Emeritus Tim Forbes in his invitation for the November 8th event. “This event marks an important milestone, as you kick off a year-long celebration of your Brown reunion.”
After cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, President Ruth J. Simmons shared her vision of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment. “We have brought in a stellar crop of new faculty, welcomed a diverse student body, and established state-of-the-art research and learning facilities. The foundation of our success, as always, is the Brown Annual Fund,” she said. “This year, we have set an Annual Fund goal of $31.5 million. This will be a daunting challenge, but one that I know we will surmount. Reunion giving is absolutely critical to meeting the challenge.”
President Simmons prepared alumni celebrating the 10th, 30th, or even 50th anniversary of their days on College Hill for change. “When you return to campus for your reunion, you will notice not only physical changes, but also a heightened sense of the possible––a feeling that ground-breaking work and exciting discoveries occur every day in our classrooms, offices, labs, libraries, and even our residence halls,” she said. “Tonight, I invite you to join me in celebrating our progress, and looking forward to the milestones ahead.”
Getting to Know You
Campaign Presented, Community Ties Strengthened, in Beijing
A combination of the planned and the serendipitous, the young and the old; the eclectic and the historic was in evidence at President Ruth J. Simmons’ recent visit to Beijing.
The President of the Brown Club in China, Michael C. Keefrider ‘04, coordinated an all-constituency reception on October 27 at David’s Factory, the art gallery/home of David Ben Kay ’76. Among those present were alumni (including Ming Yi Wei SCM ’49), parents, and students studying abroad.
President Simmons spoke informally, sharing her vision of Brown as not only a premiere national university, but an international one. The governing board, she explained, had recently approved a significant boost in the amount of financial aid available to international students. And dialogues with prominent schools, including both Zhejiang and Tsinghua Universities, had begun in order to foster student/faculty exchange and joint research collaborations. “We feel that research connections will play an important role in the internationalization of Brown,” said Vice President for Research Clyde Briant, who accompanied President Simmons. “My immediate job is to take what I learned and talk to our faculty here.”
Professors of Sociology John Logan and Michael White, already in China for another forum, also stopped by. “We were pleased to see a number of our former students in attendance,” said Professor Logan. “The atmosphere was almost that of a joyous surprise party.”
After cocktails and dinner, the Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment DVD was shown, helping to both orient and update those who had not been on campus recently and to set the stage for the many changes yet to come.
“I hope you will all have the opportunity to return to campus in the near future, and feel the optimism and excitement that radiates from every corner of our campus,” said President Simmons. “We are deeply committed to keeping our overseas graduates engaged in the life of Brown.”
Sidney E. Frank Hall Dedication
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“Clearly, he loved Brown,” said Matthew Frank, speaking at the October 6 dedication of the building named for his late father, Sidney E. Frank.
President Simmons echoed that sentiment. “I believe that Sidney would have been moved to see his name enshrined at the university he kept so close to his heart, and we certainly miss him at this gathering today. But I think he would be even more gratified to know that, from this day forward, his name will be associated with the pursuit of discovery, the delicious challenges that learning presents to us, and the potential that each student and faculty member who sets foot in this building possesses to change our world for the better.”
The new 169,000-square-foot structure—named after the University’s largest donor—houses the departments of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry and Neuroscience, and includes 30 laboratories, a leading-edge research MRI facility, 10 conference rooms, 62 offices, and an auditorium/seminar room. A glass bridge by Pittsburgh artist Diane Samuels connects the second and third floors of the Furber Marshall Wing with the five-story “tower” wing.
Dean of Medicine and Biological sciences Eli Y. Adashi remarked that the building fittingly faced—even dominated—Meeting Street, where the meeting of the minds will replicate the joining of the bench and the bedside: the theoretical and experimental with the clinical.
At one point, President Simmons, fondly remembering Mr. Franks’ occasional impatience in wanting to know where his building was, gestured behind her. “I’d like to say, Sidney, it’s here.”
Cathy Frank Halstead, on behalf of the Sidney Frank Foundation, announced that, in honor of the day, $3 million would be given to establish the Sidney E. Frank Fellowship in Life Sciences. “Nothing in his life meant more to my dad than Brown University. It book-ended his life.”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Susan Hockfield, a noted neuroscientist, gave the keynote address and received an honorary degree. She traced the history of American Research Universities, and placed Brown in the ranks of those making a difference. “Your vision shows its form in this new building,” she said.
As part of the overall dedication, tours of the facility were given in the afternoon, and a reception and dinner followed President Hockfield’s address.
Women’s Leadership Council Meet, Launch New Program
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On October 12, Brown’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) marked their third annual meeting with the launching of a new mentoring initiative. The brainchild of its co-chairs Susan Friedman ’77, P’08 and Genine Fidler ’77, P’04, the council was initially charged with expanding networking, relationship-building, and philanthropy. The fruits of their hard work were evident as, at the latest meeting, final touches on an overall giving plan were formulated and about 35 Brown alumnae were “matched” as mentors to an equal number of undergraduate senior women.
Women’s Launch Pad, the new mentoring initiative, is the serendipitous result of two Brown clubs—the WLC and the undergraduate-led Women In the World—sharing a common goal. Kate Klonick ’06 began Women in the World (WIW) in the fall of 2005 in response to the need for dialogue on career and family. Real-life experiences of women who had already straddled these work and life issues were deemed to be an invaluable resource. The mentors, chosen both from Council members and from alumnae at large, felt equally called to share their experiences, their thoughts, and their networking skills. Mentors and protégés were urged to keep in touch via email, phone, and one-on-one meetings.
Susan Friedman was very pleased with the launch. "Future generations of female Brown undergraduates will benefit from the newly created mentoring program. This network will foster communication between undergrads and Brown alumni which will serve to keep Brown women connected to the University."
The WLC consists of approximately 25 alumnae (all of whom are presidential appointees) from Pembroke grads to those of the 90s. Subgroups meet several times during the year, ensuring that the Annual Meetings are productive. This year’s meeting, held at the Brown Faculty Club and at the Maddock Alumni Center, included remarks by Dean of the College Katherine Bergeron, Vice President for Development Neil Steinberg ’75; and Executive Vice President for Planning Richard Spies as well as updates from the two co-chairs.
President Ruth J. Simmons hosted cocktails and dinner at her home on Power Street for Council members, the WIW Executive Board, and Dean Bergeron.
“We are fortunate to count these dedicated women as members of the Brown community,” said Steinberg. “I look for the results of their efforts to grow stronger in the years ahead.”
Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment Marks One-Year Anniversary
Energized by an exciting campus kickoff in October 2005 and a series of highly attended regional campaign kickoff events in California, Florida, Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, and London, Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment celebrated its one-year anniversary with strong showing of support from the Brown community.
"When we began to devise the Plan for Academic Enrichment and map out the scope of the campaign, I knew it would be an undertaking that could easily overwhelm a less committed, less motivated and less energetic community," President Ruth J. Simmons said. "But the accomplishments to date have far surpassed even my expectations."
Campaign gifts help to fund the priorities of the Plan for Academic Enrichment, including expansion of the faculty, increased support to undergraduate and graduate students, enhancements to campus living and learning spaces, and development of new academic programs and initiatives.
"The Campaign is off to a bold beginning,” said Matt Mallow ’64, P’02, campaign co-chair. "The enthusiastic response during Boldly Brown’s launch year predicts great success in the years to come. With the continued support of the Brown community, our Campaign goals will be achieved."
"The campaign is doing very well," said Ronald Vanden Dorpel ’71AM, senior vice president for University advancement. "Thanks in large measure to the tireless efforts of our campaign co-chairs, regional vice-chairs, and committee members, we have raised the bar considerably in terms of giving and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends."
As of October 22, 2006, campaign gifts and commitments total $779 million, building upon the launch total of $575 million just one year ago. The goal for the Campaign for Academic Enrichment is $1.4 billion by December 31, 2010.
"We have been particularly pleased with the success of the Brown Annual Fund," said Neil Steinberg '75, vice president of development and campaign director. "Last year the Annual Fund set a record for dollars raised and for participation. This current-use support is essential for the ongoing implementation of the Plan for Academic Enrichment. This year’s goal for the Brown Annual Fund is $31.5 million from 34,000 donors."
The 2006-2007 fundraising year will see regional campaign celebrations in Phoenix, Dallas, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles.
London Bridges Past, Present, and Future
Alumni and friends gather for September soiree
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The Victoria and Albert Museum in London—where the old and the new harmonize to great effect—was the perfect venue for a celebration of our recent achievements and a preview of the milestones yet to come. “We all must be citizens of the world, and not just inhabitants of our home countries, states, and local communities,” said Brown President Ruth J. Simmons, addressing more than 250 Brown alumni and friends on September 25. “As educators, we must give our students the power and the confidence to play a role in these efforts.”
Pakistan-born British citizen Sanaa Rahman ’08, in introducing President Simmons, was of the same mind, commenting on the ownership and responsibility that Brown gives each of its students, beginning with the moment he or she enters through the Van Wickle gates. “It has been my experience, my education, my decisions that have brought me to where I am today,” she said.
Among the many alumni volunteers recognized were former United Kingdom Brown Club president Nicole Gill ’90 and incoming president Ed Giberti ’54.
The festivities included remarks by John Donoghue ’79, Henry Merritt Wriston Professor and head of the brain science program at Brown, who had also presented a colloquium just prior to the celebration.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Campaign for Academic Enrichment (including a live visit to the campus), followed by a cocktail hour in the Silver Gallery.
Record-Setting Participation Propels Campaign to 53% of Goal by June 30, 2006
The Brown community has responded with record-setting generosity since the public announcement of the $1.4 billion Boldly Brown Campaign in October 2005. The University received gifts and pledges totaling $209 million during the 2005-2006 fundraising year. As of June 30, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends had contributed a total of $742 million to the Campaign, bringing it more than halfway toward the goal. Brown is very grateful to all those who have supported the Campaign thus far and looks forward to having the community's continued and expanded support to reach our ambitious goals.
The success of Brown's three annual fundraising programs contributed to this incredible Campaign progress.
Brown Annual Fund
A record-setting 32,295 members of the Brown community contributed to the 2005-2006 Brown Annual Fund, an increase of 7 percent (2,065 donors) since 2004-2005. This growth was led by the GOLD classes (1996-2006) which saw their donor ranks increase by 18 percent over the previous year.
Donors contributed an astounding $30,746,888, surpassing goals and reaching an all-time high for the University. The total is a 23 percent increase ($5.7 million) over last year. Six Reunion classes presented record Annual Fund gifts to the University, including the classes of 1976 and 1981, the first two classes to contribute more than $2 million to the Brown Annual Fund. The Parents Annual Fund solidified its position as a national leader as gifts from Brown parents increased by 25 percent to a new record of $4.2 million.
Brown University Sports Foundation
The Brown Sports Foundation raised an all-time high of $2,761,979 in annual use support for Brown's athletic programs, an 8 percent increase over last year. Nearly 5,500 donors propelled the Sports Foundation's total contributions to $7.5 million, a 13 percent increase over the previous record.
Brown Medical School Annual Fund
Donor participation in the Brown Medical School Annual Fund increased 25 percent since last year, reaching the high of 1,166 individuals. Gifts to the Medical School Annual Fund totaled $635,969, representing a 16 percent increase over 2004-2005 and another new record.
Boldly Brown Podcasts (6/20/06)
Building on the popularity of the streaming video and audio content available on the Boldly Brown Web site, the Division of Advancement is launching a podcasting subscription service to the Brown community. "Boldly Brown Podcasts" rolls out this month with coverage of Brown University's 2006 Reunion and Commencement. Features include the Procession, Campus Dance, Field Day, Commencement Forums, and two speeches by President Ruth J. Simmons.
Content is available for downloading to personal mp3 players or right on your personal computer. Visit Boldly Brown Podcasts to enjoy moments from the 2006 Reunion and Commencement and to subscribe for future content updates.
Brown Hits the Beltway (5/8/06)
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On April 24, 2006, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center played host to the Washington D.C. launch of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment. More than 350 alumni, parents, and friends gathered to celebrate Brown’s ambitious fundraising effort and its outstanding progress to date.
The evening began with a presentation by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood, who is the Alva O. Way University Professor and Professor of History at Brown. Wood spoke about his research on the life and times of Benjamin Franklin and took questions from the audience.
Honorary Campaign Co-Chair Art Joukowsky ’55, P’87 and Campaign Vice Chair Nancy L. Buc ’65 also addressed the guests.
“It seems to me that Brown is unparalleled in the way it combines intellectual challenge with moral challenge,” said Buc. “It exposes us to the full spectrum of ideas and encourages us to stretch our understanding…Ensuring that students continue to prepare for such lives at Brown is, in my view, a strong catalyst for action.”
Nick Hartigan ’06 then took the stage to introduce President Ruth J. Simmons. One of Brown’s most decorated student-athletes for both his football prowess and academic pursuits, Hartigan shared one of his favorite memories from this year’s Brown-Harvard football game:
“Other schools have administrators who attend games and politely cheer, but our president was yelling and totally involved in the game,” he told the audience. “The pride we felt from receiving that sort of support from President Simmons and the rest of the faculty and administration at Brown was immeasurable.”
President Simmons rounded out the night by announcing the $1.4 billion goal and that Brown has raised $651 million toward that goal to date. “I am sometimes asked whether I mind asking alumni, parents, and friends to contribute to Brown,” she said. “My answer is ‘absolutely not’ because I know what your gifts do. They turn up the voltage of teaching, learning, and research on campus.”
Grand Gold to Boldly Brown (5/1/06)
Kudos to “Boldly Brown” for its prizewinning communications materials! “Boldly Brown/Campaign for Academic Enrichment” has won four medals in the 2006 “Circle of Excellence Awards,” the national competition organized by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) to recognize outstanding advancement materials. CASE’s highest award, the “Grand Gold,” went to Brown’s case for support, the “Big B” brochure that has established the Campaign’s dynamic visual and editorial identity. A gold medal went to the suite of publications associated with the brochure, including the “Campaign Reporter,” the special supplement featured quarterly in the BAM. The “Boldly Brown” campaign video won a silver medal, and a bronze medal went to the pictorial “art cubes” that have become a popular item at all the kick-off events.
The Windy City Welcomes Brown (4/10/2006)
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The Chicago Cultural Center was the setting April 5, 2006 for Brown’s seventh regional launch of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment. Alumni, parents, and friends from all over the northern Midwest came together to show their support for Brown and learn more about the University’s ambitious attempt to raise $1.4 billion over the next four years.
Professor emeritus James T. Patterson kicked off the evening with a talk entitled “The United States from Watergate to the 2000 Election: Progress or Decline?” This timely subject kept guests enthralled and sparked interesting discussions during cocktail hour.
During the evening program, guests heard from Honorary Co-Chair Artemis Joukowsky ’55, P’87 and two of the Chicago campaign vice chairs, Nancy Gidwitz ’70 and Vin Buonanno ’66, P’95. Beau Gaitors ’08, a native of Chicago and a member of Brown’s Ivy League Championship football team, also shared his Brown experience with the crowd prior to introducing President Simmons.
“I want you to know that I experienced true culture shock as I adjusted to life on College Hill,” he told the audience. “But from my first visit to campus, the shock was softened by the students and faculty I met…Their excitement and enthusiasm made their love for the university very clear.”
President Simmons hailed Gaitors as embodying “the ideal of the scholar-athlete, pursuing learning and athletics with equal energy and dedication,” and urged the audience to “put the legendary energy of your city to work for Brown.”
Following the president’s speech and a performance by Brown/Trinity Repertory Consortium students, guests were treated to dessert, including a cake decorated with brown icing and the Boldly Brown campaign logo.
Brown Takes a Bite of the Big Apple (3/14/2006)
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The American Museum of Natural History played host on March 9 to more than 1,400 Brown alumni, parents and friends from greater New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut as the University held its sixth regional launch of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment.
Just a couple of floors away from the Darwin exhibit that features some of his work, Professor Ken Miller '70, P'02 kicked off the event with a discussion of the current battle over teaching evolution in America's schools. Miller later gave the audience a taste of the speech he delivered during the opening convocation of the 2005-2006 school year in September.
"I told the students 'Welcome to trade school.' Brown is one of those places where you learn a craft, a skill," he said. "At Brown, an education is not something you get, not something the University gives you. It is something you make yourself."
Campaign Co-Chair Matt Mallow '64, P'02 and Honorary Co-Chair Tony Ittleson '60, P'89, P'90 also addressed the audience, emphasizing their love for Brown and the important role alumni from the tri-state area will play in reaching the $1.4 billion goal of the campaign.
Following a video presentation, Melba Melton '06 introduced President Ruth J. Simmons in French, a course of study that she says almost defeated her until President Simmons reassured her of her abilities. "She told me that one day French would click. It would happen, just like that. And you know what? She was right."
President Simmons took the stage, recognizing Melton as a wonderful representative of Brown's current generation and reminding guests about what makes the University unique in the realm of higher education.
"When I see Muslim students and Jewish students and Christian students sitting together, discussing questions of faith, I am proud that Brown is a place where students can speak openly and without fear."
"In this great campaign," she continued, "we are casting our nets widely, with the goal of capturing more alumni and parent partners than Brown has ever engaged before. And all of your are pivotal to our success."
Brown Brings Campaign Launch to Boston (3/8/2006)
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On Thursday March 2, Brown's alumni, parents, and friends from the greater Boston area gathered on the 33rd Floor of 60 State Street, overlooking the waterfront, to celebrate the regional launch of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment. With more than 400 guests in attendance, the event was believed to be the largest assembly of Brown's Massachusetts constituents.
The breathtaking view of Boston 's colonial landmarks was the perfect backdrop for Professor Gordon Wood's presentation about Benjamin Franklin, taken from his recent book, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin.
"I think Brown is a wonderful place to teach and write history," he told the audience later in the evening. "Over the past 36 years, I've taught an extraordinary bunch of undergraduates. Every year I marvel at these young people, how bright they are and how eager they are to learn."
After cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, Boston Campaign Vice Chair Peter S. Voss kicked off the program, introducing a video segment that featured Brown's talented students and faculty members. Chancellor Stephen Robert, a native of Haverhill , Massachusetts , also addressed the audience.
President Simmons took the stage following a moving introduction from Brown senior Chloe Dugger, the youngest of three siblings who have all attended Brown.
"My Brown story is a family story," Dugger told the audience. "I enrolled at Brown because of family, and family has made Brown special to me. Brown has given all three Dugger children exactly what we needed. We each found our place in the community and flourished there."
In her remarks, President Simmons talked about the energy that students from the greater Boston area, like Chloe, bring to College Hill and emphasized the commitment necessary from alumni, parents, and friends to reach the $1.4 billion goal of the campaign.
"We have made an exhilarating start, and your partnership will propel our campaign to its triumphant conclusion," she told the audience. "Brown is a winner, made so by all of you who steadfastly support the core aims and identity of this great university."
Brown's Regional Campaign Kickoffs Keep Rolling (2/14/06)
Following the success of regional kickoffs in California and Florida, Brown University will bring the excitement of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment to the Northeast and Midwest in the coming months. The first stop is Boston on March 2 at 60 State Street, followed by New York City on March 9 at the American Museum of Natural History, Chicago on April 5 at the Chicago Cultural Center, and Washington D.C. on April 24, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Watch your mailbox for additional program details.
Brown Gets a Warm Welcome in Naples (2/1/06)
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The campaign road trip continued with a stop in Naples, Florida on January 11. Brown alumni, parents, and friends, some of whom traveled from points as distant as Tampa, gathered to celebrate the coast-to-coast launch of the University’s $1.4 billion Campaign for Academic Enrichment. The Port Royal Club, overlooking a pristine stretch of sandy beach along the Gulf of Mexico, provided a striking setting for the festive event.
James Head Ph.D.’69, the Louis and Elizabeth Scherck Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences at Brown, began the evening with a presentation about the pivotal role University faculty, alumni, and students have played—and continue to play—in our nation’s space exploration program. Professor Head also spoke at dinner, describing “the University-College concept developed by Brown University as a unique equation in quality higher education.”
In addition, Melba Melton, a native of Orlando and a senior comparative literature concentrator at Brown, welcomed President Ruth J. Simmons to the stage.
President Simmons focused her remarks on the bold new course of action Brown has established for its growth and the campaign’s importance to the ultimate success of those plans.
“When I committed myself to the leadership of the University,” she told the audience, “I knew Brown was on the verge of a critical decade in its history—a time when action and growth would be called for, a time when we would have to say yes to change and yes to challenge. I also knew the price of these changes would be high, but I believed Brown was loved enough to inspire the necessary levels of commitment and philanthropy.”
“For generations, South Florida alumni and parents have served Brown with loyalty and devotion,” she continued. “We are grateful that you are investing your energy and imagination in continuing that tradition.”
Palm Beach Community Celebrates Campaign Launch (2/1/06)
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The Norton Museum of Art, a West Palm Beach cultural landmark, was a fitting venue for Brown's fourth regional campaign kickoff on January 13.
The event began with a colloquium session featuring Michael Steinberg, the newly hired director of the Cogut Center for the Humanities at Brown and professor of history and music. Using examples that ranged from Plato to NATO, he discussed how the study of the humanities promotes understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen in today’s world.
In addition, Melba Melton ’06, who introduced President Ruth J. Simmons at the kickoff event in Naples, Florida two days earlier, shared her journey of discovery at Brown with the Palm Beach crowd. “Brown has a way of widening our spectrum of choices," she said. "At Brown I have been encouraged to scale gargantuan mountains, fearful of failure, yet reminded of the hand extended to pull me to safety.”
President Simmons was unable to be at the event due to inclement weather in New York, where she had attended the funeral of Sidney E. Frank ’42, L.H.D. '05. On her behalf, Campaign Co-Chair Matt Mallow ’64, P’02 invited Brown’s South Florida contingent to join the campaign leadership and their peers across the country in making a commitment to the future of the University.
In Memoriam: Sidney E. Frank '42, L.H.D.'05 (1/27/06)
Entrepreneur. Tycoon. Philanthropist. Sidney Frank did it all and never let life's little roadblocks slow him down. Though he was forced to leave Brown because of monetary concerns, he cherished and relied on the skills he learned and the connections he made on College Hill.
"Mr. Frank spoke often about the influential role that Brown University played in his life," President Ruth J. Simmons wrote in her letter to the Brown communityannouncing Mr. Frank's passing, "and he expressed the hope that every student at the university would benefit from their time at Brown as he had."
His determination, ingenuity, and hard work propelled him to the top of his field, but his philanthropic work over the course of his career distinguished him as an exceptionally thoughtful and caring man who took pleasure in helping those less fortunate.
In addition to his gifts of $100 million for financial aid at Brown and $20 million to create a new academic building on campus, his strong belief in education led him to offer $5 million to Brown as aid for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina and more than $12 million to Norwich Free Academy, the high school from which he graduated in Norwich, Connecticut.
His story serves as powerful proof of the extraordinary ways in which education can change lives. Brown University was proud to have him as an alumnus and friend. His incredible generosity will echo throughout campus, ensuring that the love he felt for his alma mater will continue to move and inspire others.
Brown University Inaugurates the Vernon R. Alden '45 Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track and Field Coaching Chair (1/02/06)
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Past and present members and friends of Brown's cross country/track and field program packed the Joukowsky Room in the Paul Bailey Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center on Saturday December 3 to celebrate the dedication of the Vernon R. Alden '45 Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track and Field Coaching Chair.
The Alden Coaching Chair--one of only three coaching chairs in the Department of Athletics--was established with a gift from trustee emeritus Vernon Alden '45, LL.D.'64, P'78 '81 '87, an esteemed member of the Brown community and longtime supporter of the University's cross country/track and field program. The gift is the largest ever given to cross country/track and field and the third largest gift ever made to the Brown University Sports Foundation.
In addition to being a track and field athlete as an undergrad, Dr. Alden also watched his son David '87 run for Brown. David's team was led by legendary coaches Anne P'92 and Bob Rothenberg '65, M.A.T.'67, P'92 and ended the 1986-87 season ranked ninth in the country.
"I was really inspired to do this because Coach [Bob] Rothenberg had done such a wonderful job here," said Alden. "With my son, I could see firsthand how great he was. And tonight there are seven people back from that team. They all came back because of Bob and Anne. So my interest in track and cross country was really rekindled by the Rothenbergs."
President Ruth J. Simmons praised Alden's commitment to Brown and his outstanding career in higher education, first as an assistant to President Wriston as a student at Brown, then as a dean of Harvard Business School, and as president of Ohio University.
"A person of deeply held principles and a true emissary for Brown to the world, Vern passed every test of courage and spirit that the presidency of a university presents," she said. "Brown has benefited enormously from his loyal and generous service."
President Simmons also officially introduced guests to the inaugural recipient of the Alden Chair, coach Craig Lake. Lake, who was a star athlete at Princeton, comes to Brown from Columbia University where she transformed a struggling program into a perennial NCAA contender.
"I'd like to thank Vern for all he's done for this program," said Lake. "When I was hired for this position, I 'googled' his name and was blown away. Not only does his résumé go on and on, but the information includes other people who reference him and thank him for what he did and how he influenced them. It was amazing to see that. Having his name on this chair brings great prestige and honor to Brown's cross country/track and field program."
Brown Stages Northern California Campaign Launch on November 9, 2005 (12/06/05)
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Alumni, parents, and friends in the San Francisco Bay area joined Brown University staff, faculty and students at the historic San Francisco City Hall to celebrate the Northern California launch of "Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment." Originally opened in 1915, the fully restored City Hall provided a stunning backdrop for the program of events.
The evening began with a colloquium presentation by Ross Levine, the Harrison S. Kravis University Professor of Economics at Brown. In addition to Levine's talk, video presentations detailing the achievements of exceptional members of the Brown community illustrated the scope and importance of the campaign and provided the perfect precursor to President Ruth J. Simmons's announcement of the $1.4 billion campaign goal.
Will Pérez '08 MD'12, the student who first shared his moving personal story at the Providence campaign kickoff event, once again introduced President Simmons, who was also celebrating the five-year anniversary of her first address to the Brown community as president of the University.
"It's quite moving for me to remember that and to realize how far we have been able to travel thanks to the passionate interest and engagement the University inspires in you and your peers throughout the country," she told the audience. "I believe you recognize, as I do, that this is Brown's moment. The University is poised to make dramatic progress, and your partnership is vital to our success."
Brown Kicks Off Regional Campaign Events in Los Angeles on November 7, 2005 (12/06/05)
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Brown University recently hit the road to celebrate the launch of "Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment. The first stop was Los Angeles, where alumni, parents, and friends from Southern California gathered at the awe-inspiring Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, the concert hall provided the perfect setting for a colloquium about Brown's growing program in electronic music and the exciting announcement of the campaign's ambitious $1.4 billion goal.
"Like our campaign co-chairs and vice chairs, I am susceptible to dreams of what our university can become," President Ruth J. Simmons told the audience. "Caring deeply for Brown's future is, of course, part and parcel of being caught up in the enchantment of Brown past and Brown present. Many of you in this room have been stewards and champions of Brown for decades. It's wonderful to go on the road, to see your faces and say to you directly how grateful we are for what you have done for our university."
Victor Long '06 MD '10, a native of the Los Angeles area, introduced the president to the audience and shared the personal journey that brought him to Brown. Long's inspiring story and video presentations detailing the achievements of exceptional members of the Brown community combined to underscore the significance of this campaign and the impact that alumni, parents, and friends can have on the University through their philanthropy and volunteerism.
Bold Burst for Brown Annual Fund (11/21/05)
At the public launch on October 22, 2005 of Brown University's ambitious fundraising campaign, "Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment," one of the highlights was Chancellor Steve Robert's announcement of a commitment of $3.5 million to the 2005-2006 Brown Annual Fund from members of the Brown Corporation. By making this commitment, these Brown leaders emphasized the importance of the Annual Fund and of broad participation in the Campaign for Academic Enrichment. Campaign Co-Chair Jerome Vascellaro dubbed the effort a "Bold Burst for BAF."
Their commitment will be divided among three target areas, which will comprise the Brown Annual Fund's Corporation Challenge. The first aims to motivate record numbers of alumni, parents, students, and friends to contribute to the Annual Fund at any level. The second seeks to grow the number of Brown Annual Fund Leaders (gifts of $10,000 or more), and the third encourages graduating seniors and the graduates of the last decade (GOLD) to participate.
$1.5 Million - Participation Challenge
To achieve an 8% increase in the number of donors and reach 32,650 individual
donors to BAF, a new all-time record
$1 Million - BAF Leaders Challenge
The first $500k to achieve 430 donors at $10,000 -$24,999
The second $500k to achieve 235 donors of $25,000 or more
$1 Million - GOLD Challenge
3:1 match for gifts received by 12/31
3:1 match for all senior class gifts received by Commencement
2:1 match thereafter
Student Hushes Crowd with Introduction of President Simmons (11/04/05)
At the gala event launching the public phase of Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment, Brown's $1.4 billion fundraising initiative, the room was silenced by the power of one student's story.
The student's name is Wilfredo Pérez Jr., a sophomore at Brown who has taken an unconventional and inspiring path to College Hill. He has moved more than 40 times in his life and attended more than 12 schools before entering college. He has also experienced, firsthand, the harsh realities of poverty.
"I.have been homeless, have gone hungry," he told the audience, "have witnessed a world where mothers cry themselves to sleep because of all that is going wrong that they wish would go right."
Despite the trials of his childhood, Pérez was already an accomplished student when he came to Brown. Through the assistance of Upward Bound, he received a scholarship to attend Northfield Mount Hermon, a Massachusetts boarding school. There, he established Operation Happy Birthday, a non-profit venture to celebrate the birthdays of homeless children in shelters. With the help of 20 Brown students and 20 Johnson and Wales students, he has been able to continue the program here in Providence. Operation Happy Birthday also provides tutoring and mentoring services for all seven group homes in Rhode Island's capital city.
Pérez, a student in Brown's Program in Liberal Medical Education, also volunteers at the Emergency Homeless Clinic and the Rhode Island Free Clinic. He told the audience that he hopes to change the world, to brighten the "sad corners" of life for those less fortunate. He also explained his motivation for making Brown his home for the next six years.
"Ruth Simmons, you are the reason I'm here today. After I heard of you, your story, the life you've lived, and the obstacles you have overcome, I knew that Brown was the place I wanted and needed to be."
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Brown University Kicks Off Campaign for Academic Enrichment at Gala Event (10/23/05)
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It's not every day that someone presents you with a check for $3.5 million.
But that was the amount written on the check Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons received at the gala event launching the University's Campaign for Academic Enrichment on Saturday, October 22. The pledge, intended as a challenge to the Brown community to boost support for the Annual Fund, was the result of quick work by members of the Corporation. In revealing the pledge to President Simmons, Chancellor Stephen Robert said that the Corporation members wanted to do something special for the launch, to show their appreciation for her leadership.
"We talked about it for a while, and we decided that one of the things closest to your heart in terms of development was the Annual Fund," he told Simmons onstage. "So we decided to go out and try to raise extra money for the Annual Fund from members of the Corporation."
During Simmons' tenure at Brown, the Annual Fund has grown from $15 million to $25 million and has set a goal of $27 million for fiscal year 2006.
Following the surprise presentation of the Corporation's check, Simmons announced that Brown has already raised $575 million toward its $1.4 billion goal. The five campaign co-chairs and distinguished faculty, alumni, and students then shared their own stories with the audience to demonstrate the importance of the campaign to Brown's growth and to the lives of its students.
One of the most poignant moments of the evening came when undergraduate student Wilfredo Pérez Jr. '08 MD '12 introduced President Simmons. He talked first about his life before Brown, which included 40 moves and a period of homelessness. Throughout it all, he maintained a list of 19 things to do in his lifetime.
"I started with 19 things on my to-do list. Among them were meeting Bill Clinton and Ruth Simmons," Perez said. "President Simmons, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Will Pérez, I am a sophomore here at Brown, and I've been waiting for the opportunity to meet you. I'd like to thank you for all that you stand for and for the many people like myself that you inspire every day."
The campaign will enable the University to continue providing an exceptional learning experience for students like Will. It seeks to support the academic priorities laid out in the Plan for Academic Enrichment, which was formally approved by the Corporation in February 2004. The top priorities of the plan include expanding the faculty, enhancing financial support for both undergraduate and graduate students, advancing opportunities for research, shaping an ideal environment for student living and learning, and building the strength of the programs in medicine and public health.
"The campaign we announce tonight has many goals but a single purpose," President Simmons told the audience, "and that purpose is to secure Brown's place among the world's finest universities by supporting and enriching academic life, which has at its heart the vital, creative connection between scholars and students."
Eight Members of the Brown Community Honored at Campaign Convocation (10/23/05)
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Following a day of colloquia featuring such timely topics as the battle over evolution and the economic inequities exacerbated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, President Simmons welcomed members of the Brown community to