welcome to a day on college hill
Hi friends,
Congratulations on getting into Brown, and welcome to campus! We hope you are exploring everything that College Hill has to offer, making new friends in the class of 2029 and discovering what your life at Brown might look like.
As you walk around campus, you might see copies of The Brown Daily Herald — Brown’s only independent, student-run newspaper founded in 1891 — stacked in dining halls, study spaces and common areas. We’re The Herald’s 135th Editorial Board, and we work alongside more than 200 students to deliver news about Brown, Providence and Rhode Island to over 1 million readers annually.
You’re currently reading our special issue for A Day on College Hill, which we have compiled to provide you with information about what it’s actually like to be a student at Brown. In these pages, you’ll discover the ins-and-outs of Brown’s arts scene, learn about the unique concentrations offered at Brown, get the scoop on some of the most beloved professors on campus and even uncover which Brown dining hall best matches your personality.
Come fall, you’ll be in-the-know on everything you need to know about starting college at Brown. But if you’re looking to remain informed on all things Brown, make sure to follow The Herald on Instagram at @browndailyherald, download our mobile app and subscribe to our newsletters at browndailyherald.com.
This won’t be the last time you hear from us. In the summer, look out for The Herald’s annual firstyear poll, when we survey all incoming first-years on questions ranging from your political viewpoints to whether you have a driver’s license. Once you arrive on campus in the fall, we’ll send out information about how you can get involved in The Herald. We’d absolutely love to have you visit us at the office at 88 Benevolent St., and we’ll be hosting open houses this fall for you all to learn more about the opportunities our team has to offer — whether it’s reporting or business, design or podcast, we’re always looking for new members.
Welcome to College Hill! We hope to see you again in the fall.
Sincerely,
The Brown Daily Herald’s 135th Editorial Board
Tom Li ’26
Owen Dahlkamp ’26
Anisha Kumar ’26
Ryan Doherty ’26
Julianna Chang ’26
Yael Wellisch ’26
Get to know Brown’s class of 2029
by Teddy Fisher Senior Staff Writer
As the newest class of admitted students decides whether to spend their next four years on College Hill, 906 students already know they’ll be walking through the Van Wickle gates this fall.
In December, Brown accepted 17.9% of applicants to its early decision admissions cycle. The Herald spoke with five of these future Brunonians to learn what made them choose Brown and how they felt when they got in.
Izzy Ahad from Virginia
When early decision admit Izzy Ahad of Reston, Virginia received her acceptance to the class of 2029, her friends showered her with praise.
“So happy for you Ivy Queen,” she recalled them telling her.
Ahad was matched to Brown through QuestBridge, a program that matches high-achieving low-income students with prestigious undergraduate institutions. Ahad told The Herald that her “mom always called me her Ivy League daughter, sort of manifesting it for me.” When she told her family, she and her mom were both overcome with emotion. “I was crying; my mom was crying,” Ahad added.
Nick Burleson from Maryland
Nick Burleson from Centreville, Maryland plans to concentrate in mathematics-computer science. When he opened his letter, Burleson and his family were busy traveling and the news was an uplifting moment, he said.
Burleson, who wanted to attend a liberal arts school, is especially infatuated with the Open Curriculum. He believes it will enable him to make change as a result of experiencing “so many different things” during his time at Brown.
Will Ciccio from Michigan
Mackenzie Conway from Michigan
Mackenzie Conway from West Bloomfield, Michigan wants to study international and public affairs while exploring her passion for physics.
Conway plans to be on the women’s lacrosse team. She started playing lacrosse in her first year of high school after making a bet with a friend but soon “made it a priority” and began leveraging her success on the field to get into the college of her choice.
Conway, who visited Brown in fall 2023, said she loved the coaches, the campus and the facilities. “The day after I visited Brown, I committed,” Conway said.
Eshan Alam from Florida
Eshan Alam of Florida liked that Brown’s application essays allowed him to talk about himself outside of the classroom. Alam, a first-generation American, was also admitted through QuestBridge. He plans to study mechanical engineering at Brown — a passion that began with a youthful fascination with model trains.
Like other students, Alam expressed gratitude for Brown’s open curriculum. “Brown offers flexibility,” he said. “I really like history, but history doesn’t have anything to do with engineering.”
Will Ciccio of Rochester, Michigan was also admitted to Brown early. Ciccio plans to study engineering at Brown while swimming for the Bears.
“I had reached out to other schools,
but Brown was at the top of my list,” Ciccio said. “I had a great time on my visit.” The team “seemed like a great group of guys,” Ciccio said. For him, Brown represents “the best of both worlds; I can swim and go to the best school in the world.”
Who are students’ favorite professors at Brown?
The Herald spoke to several students about the professors that have most impacted their college experience.
From former military psychologists to entrepreneurs, Brown professors bring their unique backgrounds and passion to the classroom. Five Brown students shared their favorite instructors at the University.
Lizzy Steeves ’25, a concentrator in music and political science, named Professor of International Relations Rose McDermott among her favorites. Steeves, who took two courses with McDermott — POLS 1821M: “War in Film and Literature” and MPA 2735: “Women and Nations” — said McDermott is “insanely knowledgeable about her field.”
McDermott is “well-versed” in handling heavy topics like war and the media, Steeves said. She added that McDermott “talks to us on a very equal level.”
“She just wants to make sure that we get everything we can out of the class,” Steeves said.
JB Zhu ’25, an applied math concentrator, said that ENGN 1010: “The Entrepreneurial Process” with Professor of the Practice of Engineering Danny Warshay ’87 class was “one of the most unique classes” he’s taken at Brown.
In the class, students learned about running startups and analyzed case studies. “It’s kind of like a class that would be taught at Harvard Business School, but adapted for undergrads,” Zhu said.
He described how Warshay provided “excellent feedback” and fostered personal relationships with each member of the class while teaching students how to best run a startup.
“He treats us like we’re on a professional level, which is not typical of a college class,” Zhu said. “That’s very valuable.”
Delaney O’Dea ’28, a classics and medieval cultures concentrator, said her favorite professor is Associate Professor of History Jonathan Conant. In the two courses she has taken with Conant, HIST 1205: “The Long Fall of the Roman Empire” and MDVL 0360: “Medieval Bodies: Medieval Perspectives,” she has found his lectures “passionate” and “engaging.” She also said that his courses “cemented” her decision to concentrate in medieval studies.
by Annika Singh and Sophia Wotman Senior Staff Writer and University News Editor
“He’s definitely been an advising figure to me,” she said, calling him “very encouraging and supportive.”
She added that Conant also regularly attends Medieval Studies Departmental Undergraduate Group events. At the annual DUG Halloween Soiree, she said, professors perform readings from the Middle Ages. “This year, we had Professor Conant read this particularly harrowing martyrdom account from the Antiquity,” she said.
For international and public affairs concentrator Rohan Menon ’27, Professor of International Studies and Political Science Ashutosh Varshney’s enthusiasm during POLS 1280: “The Rise of India: History, Politics, Economics and Society” has sparked his own interest in the material. Varshney is also the Director of the Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia.
“He really connects his personal background and love for Indian history, while also being one of the leading scholars on it,” Menon said. “I feel like every single person in that class always feels so engrossed in the lecture.”
Menon added that taking Varshney’s class made him more excited about his choice to concentrate in International and Political Affairs, since it exposed him to the more “multi-dimensional” nature of the concentration.
“It definitely helped me feel more motivated,” Menon said. “You just perform better when you have a professor that’s really passionate about what they’re teaching.”
Vivian Miller ’26, double-concentrating in applied math and education, said she couldn’t pick a favorite professor from the education department. Initially intending to concentrate in neuroscience, Miller decided at the end of her freshman year to pursue education because of professors in the department.
Though she said she couldn’t pick a favorite, Miller said faculty members have helped her feel “really welcome in the education department.”
Every education professor “who I’ve taken a class with knows my name and tries to know the name of all of the people in their class, even if it’s 80 people,” Miller said.
by Talia LeVine Arts & Culture Editor
What is your go-to comfort food?
a.) Pasta
b.) Sushi
c.) Burrito bowl
d.) Burger and fries
e.) Bagel
f.) Waffle
Pick an animal:
a.) Rat
b.) Brown bear
c.) Guinea pig
d.) Golden Retreiver
e.) Ragdoll cat
f.) Goldfish
What word would your friends use to describe you?
a.) Reliable
b.) Efficient
c.) Energetic
d.) Comforting
e.) Stylish
f.) Kind
Pick a celebrity alum to dine with:
a.) John Krasinski ’01
b.) Tracee Ellis Ross ’94
c.) Daveed Diggs ’04
Pick a bucket list vacation destination:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
d.) Jessica Capshaw ’98
e.) Andrew Yang ’96
f.) Emma Watson ’14
WHICH BROWN DINING HALL ARE YOU?
a.) New York City, USA
b.) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
c.) Bali, Indonesia
d.) Wellington, New Zealand
e.) Paris, France
f.) Marrakesh, Morocco
What Brown tradition are you most excited about?
a.) Naked Donut Run
b.) Primal Scream
c.) DO NOT STEP ON THE PEMBROKE SEAL (or else)
d.) Spring Weekend
e.) The Van Wickle Gates
f.) Midnight Organ Concert
Quick! You overslept and now you’re going to be late to class! What outfit do you throw on?
a.) I would not have overslept.
b.) Something cute — but only if my laundry is done!
c.) My class is already over. Lunch time!
d.) Whatever I wore yesterday …
e.) The outfit you planned on Sunday night that perfectly matches the weather.
f.) Sweatpants — but I really just want to stay in bed.
Your
brings everyone joy — and
KAIOLENA TACAZON / HERALD
KENNA LEE / HERALD
Mostly Cs: Andrew’s Commons
Your energy is enthusiastic, and people are obsessed with you.
You’re always there after a late night, and you balance fun and calm perfectly.
Mostly Ds: Josiah’s
You’re busy, but everyone loves you and cherishes time
Mostly Es: Blue Room spent with you.
Mostly Fs: Verney-Woolley
Friends call you VDub! You are classic, and your
friends love you for your loyalty.
KAIA YALAMANCHILI / HERALD
CHRIS NGUYEN / HERALD
KAIOLENA TACAZON / HERALD
JESSE BENITEZ / HERALD
Three perfect days in Providence, R.I.
Looking for something to do in Providence? Our metro editors have you covered.
Providence is the biggest city in the smallest state, and while it may not be as bustling as some of the larger metropolises, it has much to offer, from award-winning restaurants and a vibrant arts scene to picturesque New England streets and green spaces galore.
If you want to explore the city but don’t know where to start, don’t worry. The Herald has you covered. Here is how three Herald editors would spend a perfect day in Providence.
I’d then take a trip to Blackstone River Valley, one of the national historical parks in Rhode Island. My favorite time to visit is in the fall when I can read under the trees as the leaves turn bright red and orange. You can even get your own Blackstone passport and collect stamps as you explore different park sites! I’d end my day by watching the sunset at Prospect Terrace, which has the best views of downtown Providence. Located on our very own College Hill, it’s the perfect place to see the city, have a picnic and take aesthetic photos.
AVANI GHOSH / HERALD
by Avani Ghosh Metro Editor
Providence is packed with outdoor spaces and activities for all to enjoy! I’d start my day with a walk along the Gano Street Park trail, which features incredible views of the Seekonk River. With both soccer and baseball fields, as well as a basketball court, this park is sure to bring out the athlete in all of us. If those sports aren’t your style, the park also has a community garden and plenty of open fields to frolic in.
by Sanai Rashid Metro Editor
My favorite place to explore in Providence is Wickenden Street. My first stop is always Amy’s Place where the weekend crowds are truly worth the wait. When I’m in the mood for something sweet, I’ll order chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, hash browns and an iced chai latte. But when I’m looking for something more savory, I go for the “Hash It Out,” a delightful egg and cheese sandwich on a bolo — a Portuguese muffin — with a spicy aioli sauce.
Afterwards, my friends and I would wander into the Nostalgia Antiques and Collectibles, also on Wickenden. With a fantastic assortment of clothes, jewelry and knickknacks to discover, it feels like your grandma’s living room. If we haven’t emptied our wallets yet, we’d go down the street to Olympic Records, which boasts a diverse collection of vinyl records and music. Wickenden is the picturesque image of a New England town, and when you need a break from College Hill, it will wrap you in its arms and make you feel right at home.
by Maya Kelly Metro Editor
I’d wake up and head straight to the East Bay Bike Path. Starting at India Point Park just 10 minutes south of campus, the 14.5-mile path overlooks much of the Providence River. After window shopping on Wickenden and grabbing a delicious smoothie at the Caspian cafe, I’d head across the pedestrian bridge to Westminster Street, to visit local gems like arts store Craftland and Small Point Cafe.
From there, I’d catch a bus to Roger Williams Park and spend the afternoon relaxing in the botanical gardens and zoo. Back in downtown Providence, I’d stop by Xaco Taco for a quick snack before catching a show at one of the city’s many performing arts venues. Finally, I’d grab a delectable Italian dinner on Federal Hill. I’d finish off the day at WaterFire, an artistic festival founded by a Brown alum.
DANA RICHIE / HERALD
CIARA MEYER / HERALD
Want to live like a Heralder?
Speedrun
College Hill and visit The Herald’s favorite places.
Spending a day at Brown and don’t know what to do with your time? Don’t worry. The Herald’s got you covered with our list of favorites on and off College Hill.
Coffee
No college is complete without its array of coffee establishments, and Brown is no exception with beloved cafes bookending the southern and northern ends of its campus.
Right under Chen Family Hall is Hazel Origin Coffee, known for their specialty coffee offerings (and too-frequent sightings of Herald staff).
Up near Pembroke Field, visit Ceremony, an East Asian-inspired cafe and teahouse that carries light snacks and beverages. The cafe also has a location at the School of Public Health on South Main Street.
by Megan Chan Metro Editor
There are plenty of further away options too, like the TikTok-viral Nitro Bar or Wickenden Street staple Coffee Exchange.
Providence also loves a cafe with a namesake — Dave’s, Amy’s and Ellie’s are all a stone’s throw away. Or, if you want something closer to campus, check out the Blue Room right off the main green.
Study Spots
Once you’ve gotten your caffeine boost, it’s time to hunker down and get to work. Libraries are, unsurprisingly, a staple of Brown study.
Think John Hay Library (the Hay) or the Sciences Library (SciLi). If you’re itching to “run into” a Herald staffer, visit the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library (the Rock)
KAIA YALAMANCHILI / HERALD
AVANI GHOSH / HERALD
CHRIS NGUYEN / HERALD
KAIA YALAMANCHILI / HERALD
If the library stacks are a bit too bleak for you, try your luck at the Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center (Campus Center), which boasts the Underground Coffee Company (the Underground).
And if you are preferential to a more modern study environment, give the Stephen Robert ’62 Hall (New Watson) and the Engineering Research Center a try.
Food on Campus
Hungry yet? Visit Andrews Commons on a Tuesday night for a taste of their beloved salmon rice bowl
Or visit Andrews any day, really, because their meals are consistently among The Herald’s favorite picks. And
by meals, we really mean their various noodle dishes: dry noodle bowls on Tuesdays, yakisoba on Thursdays and pho on Fridays.
Looking to load up your protein? Chicken lovers rejoice, because Verney-Woolley Dining Hall (V-Dub) whips up an excellent chicken caesar wrap and chicken shawarma bowl.
But if the trek up to North Campus is a little daunting for you, the Sharpe Refectory (the Ratty) pasta station is here to keep you company. Fitted with an array of meat, vegetable and sauce selections, customize your bowl to your liking — probably the closest you’ll get to a cooking experience at any of Brown’s dining halls.
The
KAIA YALAMANCHILI / HERALD
ELSA CHOI-HAUSMAN / HERALD
KAIA YALAMANCHILI / HERALD
KAIOLENA TACAZON / HERALD
24 hours at Brown
1:40 p.m., 3/19, Alumnae Hall
6:19 p.m., 3/19, Grant Recital Hall
10:35 p.m., 3/19, Alumnae Hall
10:55 p.m., 3/19, List Art Building
12:00 p.m., 3/19, Main Green
3:25 p.m., 3/19, Tennis Courts
7:36 p.m., 3/19, Sayles Hall
11:28 p.m., 3/19, The Rock
2:18 p.m., 3/19, Main Green
5:42 p.m., 3/19, Patriots Court
6:47 p.m., 3/19, MacMillan Hall
8:13 p.m., 3/19, Andrews Commons
10:31 p.m., 3/19, Campus Center
The Herald sent out 22 photographers to capture the first day of spring on College Hill, from noon on March 19 to noon on March 20.
1:11 a.m., 3/20, Josiah’s
1:22 a.m., 3/20, Andrews Hall
3:49 a.m., 3/20, Main
4:55 a.m., 3/20, Manning Hall
6:42 a.m., 3/20, Providence
7:38 a.m., 3/20, Olney-Margolies Athletic Center
9:26 a.m., 3/20, Orwig
2:39 a.m., 3/20, Campus Center
3:49 a.m., 3/20, Brown St. & Meeting St.
6:47 a.m., 3/20, The Rock
7:11 a.m., 3/20, Nelson Fitness Center
10:22 a.m., 3/20, Main Green
8:45 a.m., 3/20, The
12:oo p.m., 3/20, Main
Photos by Jesse Benitez, Valen Garcia, Andrew Hsieh, Sophia Leng, Anna Luecht, Jason Mao, Maya Muravlev, Bomi Okimoto, Max Robinson, Ellis Rougeou, Liano Valenzuela, Henry Wang and Kaia Yalamanchili
Green
Walk
Music Library
Green
Too much to concentrate in?
Here’s some help.
A Brown student walks through the Van Wickle gates twice: once when they begin their first year, and again when they graduate. Oftentimes, the concentration that students plan to pursue when they first cross through the wrought-iron gates changes by the time they make their final descent down College Hill.
Brown offers nearly 80 concentrations (We don’t call them majors). In 2024, computer science was the most popular with 287 graduates. On the opposite end of the spectrum, seven other concentrations had no graduates that year, according to data from the Office of Institutional Research.
Computer Science dominates at Brown
Tom Doeppner, the vice chair of the computer science department, has been at Brown since 1976 — three years before the department was founded in 1979. He’s seen the growth of concentration firsthand.
The computer science department used to offer just one introductory course. Now, it offers four. Doeppner believes this growth is partially due to the job prospects. Unlike when the department was first created, nowadays “people are attracted to (computer science) in high school,” Doeppner said.
Exploring the Open Curriculum
For other areas of study like public health, “high school students and younger students just don’t get enough exposure,” said Patricia Risica, the director of the public health concentration.
Seth Rockman, director of undergraduate studies in the Department of History, said he’s not surprised that prospective students aren’t immediately drawn to study history. Rockman believes many high school history classes are taught poorly and said that “the kind of learning that you do in a college-level history class is a revelation for most students.”
For the past nine years, history has consistently ranked in the top 10 most popular concentrations at Brown, ranging from 63 to 87 graduates per class.
by Hadley Carr, Teddy Fisher, Ciara Meyer and Kate Rowberry University News Editors and Senior Staff Writers
Looking for double trouble?
As first-years, 37.4% of the class of 2028 indicated that they planned to pursue a double-concentration, according to The Herald’s 2024 first year poll. Last year, 32% of the class of 2024 graduated with two concentrations, according to Brown’s Office of Institutional Research.
Students chose to double-concentrate for a variety of reasons, including difficulty of narrowing down choices, ability to explore interdisciplinary connections and preparation for a career post-graduation.
But Senior Associate Dean of Advising Timothy Shiner added that “students may find it difficult to squeeze in all the requirements while also pursuing other opportunities they may prioritize such as a thesis, study abroad, internships or research.”
Small in size, big in spirit
Many small concentrations, like South Asian studies and medieval cultures, cross-list classes in other departments to help students fulfill their concentration requirements.
For his final project for MDVL 0360: “Medieval Bodies: Medieval Perspectives,” Markus Joerg ’26 served a 10-course medieval-style meal for professors, classmates and friends. Finding old medieval manuscripts and translating the recipes, he attempted to cook the dishes “as closely as I could to the original,” he said.
Joerg’s final project is just one example of the ways community is fostered among students in smaller concentrations. The medieval cultures concentration, for example, has had just 20 graduates in the past nine years.
In smaller departments like Egyptology and Assyriology, faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students “all know each other,” John Steele, a professor in the department, wrote in an email to The Herald. “This means that faculty can respond to the student needs, and students know what research we are all currently doing.”
Music, knitting and the
by Talia LeVine and Manav Musunuru Arts & Culture Editors
Welcome to Brown!
We are Manav and Talia, The Herald’s arts and culture editors. Brown is home to a wonderfully vibrant arts scene. We’re here to help you navigate it!
First, while you are on College Hill, be sure to check out the David Winton Bell Gallery (or the Bell) in the List Art Building to see a beautiful and profound exhibit from internationally recognized artist Julien Creuzet. The exhibit features a decomposing pineapple, a psychedelic underwater landscape and layers of historical context. It’s certainly worth a visit.
Did you know that Brown has the most a cappella groups per capita of any U.S. university? From the pirate-themed group ARRR!!! to the legendary Harmonic Motion, anyone interested in participating in Brown’s infamous arch singing will be at home in the smorgasbord that is Brown a cappella.
If you prefer music with instruments, there are plenty of other ways to get involved with Brown’s music scene. From the Brown University Orchestra to Jazz Band to Mariachi de Brown, the University boasts a genre-spanning abundance of music groups and performances. There are also practice rooms in the Lindemann Performing Arts Center and Steinert Hall in addition to recording spaces available across campus.
Part of what makes Brown unique is its course offerings. A quick scroll through Courses@Brown (pronounced “cab,” familiarly) will show you just how many options there are for arts classes. From MUSC 1240R: “Intro to Rap Songwriting” to MUSC 0670: “OldTime String Band,” the options are practically endless.
Brown is also home to multiple theater groups and many a dance group. From African dance to ballet to ballroom, anyone interested in movement is sure to
Film Festival: A guide to the art scene at Brown
find their place.
For those who prefer to stay out of the spotlight, various student groups on campus help Brown students foster their passion for art and creativity. Learn how to knit a warm sweater with Yarnaholics@Brown or organize a fashion show to display pieces created by students with Fashion@Brown. Brown Motion Pictures gives you an opportunity to get behind the camera (or in front of it) and create your own film. Or join Brown Original Series if you prefer TV over movies.
Brown’s campus also hosts the Ivy Film Festival (the world’s largest student-run film festival!), which screens student productions alongside highly anticipated films. In the past, IFF has hosted guests such as Cynthia Erivo, M. Night Shyamalan and Logan Lerman.
Last but certainly not least, Brown also houses a wonderful Visual Art Department with world-class faculty. From painting to sculpture to photography, the List Art Building is the place to be, even if you don’t consider yourself an artist.
We hope to see everyone in the fall!
& Manav
Talia
KAIA YALAMANCHILI / HERALD
COURTESY OF JULIEN CREUZET
Fifteen Brown alums who walked College Hill before you
by Elise Haulund Science & Research Editor
Emma Watson ’14 and the Wizarding World of Brown University
While it is a universal first-year experience at Brown to be wary of your mandated randomly assigned roommate, Emma Watson ’14 had only one requirement for her room: “As long as there are no ‘Harry Potter’ posters on the wall, I will be fine and happy,” she told People magazine in 2009.
Best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, when it came Watson’s time to attend college, many Ivy League eyes eagerly watched to see what school she would decide on, The Herald previously reported. Watson chose Brown because it attracts someone “very independent who wants to take responsibility and control of what they’re learning,” she told Rookie Mag at the time. Here, she studied English literature and completed an independent study project on “the psychology and philosophy of how and why we fall in love,” she told ENews.
The summer after she graduated from Brown, Watson — a longtime advocate for feminism — was named a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador. Since Harry Potter, she also returned to the silver screen to play Belle in the live action remake of “Beauty and the Beast” and Sam in “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Watson shouted out College Hill in a recent Instagram announcement, writing, “The U.S. has been my second home since I first went to Brown in Rhode Island.”
Daveed Diggs ’04: Track star, Thomas Jefferson and fluorescent clothing
Brown, unlike some of its Ivy League counterparts, does not have founding father alumni, but we do have someone even better: Daveed Diggs ’04, who won a Tony Award and a Grammy in 2016 for his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson in the musical “Hamilton.” Strolling across the Main Green, he could often be seen wearing his signature neon colors to “brighten up (his) own scene” and bopping his head to music in his headphones, The Herald previously reported.
Although he concentrated in theatre arts, Diggs was originally recruited to Brown for track, and he broke the school record for the 110-meter hurdle in his sophomore year. He also explored hip hop, meshing the genre with theatre in the musical “Sweeter Than…,” which he wrote and performed at Brown’s Rites and Reason Theatre.
Since his award-winning performance in “Hamilton,” Diggs has returned to College Hill multiple times. He spoke at commencement in 2017, during which he received an honorary doctorate of fine arts. Most recently, he discussed hip-hop, democracy and optimism as part of the Brown 2026 speaker series this past January.
Tracee
Ellis Ross ’94:
A ‘smart cookie’ and celebrated actress
Tracee Ellis Ross ’94 and Dr. Rainbow Johnson — the character she won a Golden Globe for playing in the eight-year-running comedy series “Black-ish” — share something in common: thinking their alma mater Brown is “the best school ever.”
After earning her Bachelors of Arts in theatre at Brown, Ross worked as a magazine editor and model until she booked a role in the TV series “Girlfriends.” One of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2021, Ross is also a businesswoman — founding the haircare line for natural Black hair, Pattern Beauty — and a motivational speaker.
Ross holds not one but two degrees from Brown — the second being an honorary doctorate of fine arts that she received in 2015. In a 2022 interview with InStyle, Ross proudly declared, “I went to Brown. I’m not just a fashion icon. I’m also a smart cookie.”
Thirteen years before his voice became known to over 3 million listeners weekly hosting “This American Life,” a radio show broadcasted on NPR, Ira Glass ’82 was finding his voice at Brown. After transferring from Northwestern University, Glass also switched from pre-med to semiotics, a field in the humanities that studies the “science of signs” and a program at Brown that became the Modern Culture and Media Department in 1996.
Self-described as “not somebody who’s a naturally good storyteller,” Glass was at Brown when he first read “S/Z” by Roland Barthes, which helped him to answer the question, “How can you make a compelling story about everyday life?” he told the New Yorker. During the summers between his academic years at Brown, Glass worked on “All Things Considered” while interning with NPR.
A member of the International Thespian Society and former birthday party magician, Glass has strived to make “a new kind of radio,” employing plot-driven storytelling. To date, Glass has won seven Peabody awards for “This American Life,” in addition to receiving the first-ever Pulitzer prize for audio journalism.
Meet some more of your fellow Brunonians
1. Brown’s academics are not for the Wimpy, but Robert Capron ’20, who played Rowley in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” not only concentrated in history and modern culture and media — he also directed for Brown Motion Pictures and wrote for The Herald’s post- Magazine.
2. In the bestselling novel “Bunny” by Mona Awad MFA’14, the main character attends the fictional Warren University, which has an art school down the hill and street names like “Friendship.” “Of course, being at Brown inspired Warren,” Awad told The Herald in 2021.
3. Brown might not be known for its athletics, but the University does boast one of the most decorated U.S. female gymnasts, Alicia Sacramone ’12, as one of its alums.
4. When “The Office” star John Krasinski ’01 was named People’s 2024 “Sexiest Man Alive,” Brown became the only university with two “Sexiest Man Alive” alumni recipients. (Krasinski shares this honor with John F. Kennedy Jr. ’83).
5. Ever since she first read “The Odyssey” in eighth grade, Madeline Miller ’00 MA’01 felt frustrated with the portrayal of women in classical literature. After concentrating in classics at Brown, she rewrote those narratives in her best-selling novels “Circe” and “The Song of Achilles.”
6. Jessica Meir ’99 spent four years walking around College Hill — and 205 days in space, in addition to over seven hours walking on the International Space Station as a member of the first all-woman spacewalk.
7. New York businessman and 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang ’96 recently spoke at Brown, recalling how his time on College Hill shaped his political career — despite the fact that he “played a lot of video games.”
8. For her role in “King Richard,” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor ’92 joined the list of Brown’s Academy award-nominated alums.
9. From concentrating in Italian Renaissance studies to starring as Claire Dunphy in “Modern Family,” Julie Bowen ’91 has traversed centuries since her time at Brown.
10. The U.S.’s first female treasury secretary, Janet Yellen ’67, attended Pembroke College, the women’s college that merged with Brown in 1971.
11. Advanced Placement U.S. History icon Horace Mann was a prominent abolitionist and education reformer in the 19th century — and a member of Brown’s class of 1819.
BRUNO’s Shoutouts
by Lydell Dyer Sports Editor
Kino Lilly Jr ’25 signs off on one of the best careers in Brown basketball history
Ever since Kino Lilly Jr. ’25 first put on a Brown jersey, he has been outstanding. Now, four years later, he will step off the court as an all-time great.
In his first year with the Bears, Lilly electrified the Ivy League by winning Rookie of the Year. Since then, he has earned First Team All-Ivy honors in every subsequent season. Now, after 113 games with the Bears, Lilly will leave Brown as the program’s most prolific three-point shooter. Tallying a record-shattering 328 triples, Lilly not only eclipsed Brown’s record books, but he also became just the third player in Ivy League history to surmount 300 career threes.
Throughout his time at Brown, Lilly racked up 1878 points — the second-highest point total in program history — and led the Bears to their first-ever Ivy Madness appearance last year.
Men’s swimming and diving breaks 11 program records during Ivy Championships
During this year’s Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships, the men’s team shattered 11 different program records on their way to a fourth-place finish. Throughout the competition, the Bears claimed three Ivy Titles and broke an Ivy League record.
As spring semester comes to a close, The Herald looks back on some of Brown Athletics’ highlights from this year.
Jack Kelly ’25 spearheaded Bruno’s efforts. Last year, he made history as the first Brown swimmer to earn First Team All-American honors since Carl Paulson ’46 did in 1944. This year, Kelly broke the program, pool and Ivy League records in the 100-meter breaststroke with a 50.60-second performance.
But Kelly wasn’t alone in his outstanding performance. Shattering the record books alongside him was Rowland Lawver ’26, who became the first Brown athlete to ever win the 1-meter dive during an Ivy Championship.
OF
Joseph Oduro ’26 wins Ivy Leaguetriple jump title
During the 2025 Ivy League Indoor Heptagonal Championships, Joseph Oduro ’26 launched himself into the history books with a first-place finish in the men’s triple jump. Leaping 15.58 meters, Oduro claimed the Ivy League title and earned First Team All-Ivy honors.
Throughout the indoor season, Chidinma Agbasi
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KAIOLENA TACAZON VIA BROWN ATHLETICS
’25 also cemented herself in Bruno history. Competing in the women’s weight throw, Agbasi broke the program record not once, but twice, finally claiming the number one spot with a 19.77-meter throw during
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