Parents Newsletter: 250th Anniversary, and Internships, and a Student Satellite

Useful news for Brown parents

Issue No. 5, March 2014

Dear Brown Parents,

While we’re still waiting for the "spring" in spring semester, no one is hibernating on College Hill! Last weekend, Brown kicked off its 15-month celebration of its semiquincentenary – its 250th anniversary – with a community open house featuring lectures, performances, colloquia, fireworks, and a 600-pound birthday cake. Take a glance at some of the highlights from the weekend in our photo gallery. The anniversary festivities will continue on campus, regionally, and around the world through May 2015 as Brown reflects on its past and imagines its bright future. I hope you will join in the celebration.

On the topic of celebrations, if your student is graduating this May, you may wish to consult the commencement web site for information about the ceremonies, events, and traditions associated with this singular milestone.

Many of our students are busy securing summer internships that will augment their academic experiences and prepare them for careers in their chosen fields. At a White House summit in January, President Paxson announced that Brown will provide all students on financial aid with one summer of enhanced support to ensure that they can take advantage of internships and research opportunities, which are an increasingly important part of an undergraduate education.

Best wishes to your students for a safe and enjoyable spring break!

Warm regards,

Rachel Spaulding ’00
Director, Brown Parents Program

Important Upcoming Dates

March 22–30
Spring recess

April 1
Deadline to declare a concentration (4th semester students only)

April 7–10
Housing lottery

April 15–22
Course registration for fall 2014

April 25–May 6
Reading period

May 7–May 16
Final exams

May 17
Dorms close

May 25
Commencement

June 23
Summer session begins

August 8
Summer session ends

Parent Resources

·	Academic Calendar
·	Commencement 2014 : useful information for the May 23 – May 25 festivities
·	Parents & Families Website
·	Building on Distinction : President Paxson’s Strategic Plan for Brown
·	News from Brown : subscribe today!
·	Brown Daily Herald : subscribe today!
·	Focal Point : created by the Dean of the College with information on academic concentrations
·	Office of International Programs : help your student chart their course for a unique study abroad experience

Resource Highlights

Each year, Brown awards financial assistance to students accepting unpaid or low-paying summer internships through the LINK (Linking Internships and Knowledge) Awards program. The program is administered by the CareerLAB and is funded by Brown alumni and parent philanthropy and the Office of Financial Aid. The deadline to apply for a summer 2014 award is March 21.

Campus News

Brown Hosts the Ashoka U Exchange

This spring, Brown hosted the Ashoka U Exchange, a global conference for social entrepreneurship.

Read how Brown students are involved

Financial Aid Budget Tops $100 million

Brown’s Corporation approved a fiscal year 2015 operating budget that includes a record $104.1 million for undergraduate financial aid.

More on the financial aid increase for next year

Brown Gymnastics Wins Second Straight Ivy Classic Title

Brown Gymnastics soared this year as they finished first at the Brown-hosted Ivy Classic for the second year in a row.

Gymnastics Ivy Classic title recap

Andrews Commons Opens to Rave Reviews

Andrews Commons offers an exciting new dining and social venue for undergraduates. The menu boasts fresh and innovative options, and the study space is already one of the most popular on campus.

Read the perspective of a current student

Faculty and Research

Students Combine Arts and Science

Over the course of four weeks, students developed prototypes of devices meant to bridge the gap between humans and machines.

Explore "Transhumanism" at Brown

Teno Wins Award for Hospice Study

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded an Investigator Award to Dr. Joan Teno, professor of health services, policy, and practice, for her research on the role of palliative care in the evolving healthcare system.

Learn more about Professor Teno’s research

TAPS Launches "Performance as Research"

Brown’s Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies (TAPS) has launched a new initiative to explore the intersection of art and performance with a range of disciplines.

Read about the Performance as Research Project

NASA to Launch Brown Student Satellite

A team of Brown students is building a "nanosatellite" that will find its way into Earth’s orbit aboard a NASA rocket sometime in the next three years.

Get a look at the two-pound satellite

Brown Parents Program

The generosity of Brown parents is integral to the success of our talented students and scholars. Nearly 20 percent of philanthropic support for the University is provided by parents, and we in the Parents Program are sincerely grateful for that support. Your thoughtful gifts – to the Brown Annual Fund, the Brown University Sports Foundation, and to countless other priorities – allow us to reach the annual funding goals that will provide our students with the resources they need to succeed.

Our mission includes working closely with the Brown parent community to engage families from all over the world. We appreciate and welcome your feedback and invite you to contact us with ideas on how we can best keep parents connected to our vibrant campus community.

Thanks for all you do as parents of Brown students. Have a happy and productive spring!

Rachel Spaulding ’00
Director, Parents Program
401-863-6037
Rachel_Spaulding@brown.edu

Nicole Peters
Director, Parents Annual Fund
401-863-1893
Nicole_Peters@brown.edu

Laura Almeida ’06
Senior Officer, Parents Program
401-863-3941
Laura_Almeida@brown.edu

Janet Neff
Associate, Parents Program
401-863-6758
Janet_Neff@brown.edu

Other comments, questions or ideas?
We would love to hear from you: families@brown.edu or Brown Parents Program, Box 1893, Providence, RI 02912, USA.

Past Newsletters:
December 2012
April 2013
October 2013
December 2013

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Brown Parents Program
Brown University, Box 1893, Providence, RI 02912, USA