News about Brown's 245th Commencement

Senior orators aim to inspire

May 7, 2013 | Contact: Kevin Stacey | 401-863-3766

The 2013 senior orators In “Heads Up” and “Doors” Elizabeth Mills and Tanayott Thaweethai will offer insights from a personal experience of Brown that can inspire everyone. Credit: Mike Cohea/Brown University

History concentrator Elizabeth Mills, of Washington, D.C., and applied math/biology concentrator Tanayott Thaweethai, of Union City, Calif., have been chosen to address their classmates as this year’s senior orators. Asking members of the graduating class to deliver Commencement orations is a Brown University tradition almost 250 years old.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — In keeping with a centuries-old tradition, graduating Brown University seniors will look to two of their own for messages of inspiration during this year’s Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 26. Elizabeth Mills, a history concentrator, and Tanayott Thaweethai, an applied math and biology concentrator, have been chosen as this year’s senior orators.

Brown’s tradition dates to the University’s first Commencement ceremonies, when students demonstrated their oratory skill by addressing their classmates and University guests in Greek or Latin. This year’s orators were chosen by a committee of faculty, students, and administrators from a field of more than 100 nominations.

245th Commencement set for May 26

May 1, 2013 | Contact: Darlene Trew Crist | 401-863-2752

Brown University’s three-day Commencement/Reunion Weekend begins Friday, May 24, and concludes with the 245th Commencement exercises Sunday afternoon.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — President Christina H. Paxson will preside over Brown University’s 245th Commencement on Sunday, May 26, 2013. The ceremony will begin with a procession composed of thousands of Brown University graduates, alumni, and faculty that will begin at the Van Wickle Gates and proceed down College Hill. The procession will cap a three-day Commencement and Reunion Weekend.

Beverly Hogan to give Baccalaureate address

May 1, 2013 | Contact: Courtney Coelho | 401-863-7287

Beverly Wade Hogan, president of Tougaloo College, will deliver the 2013 Baccalaureate address at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013, in the Meeting House of the First Baptist Church in America. Hogan will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree at the May 26 Commencement ceremony on the College Green

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Tougaloo College President Beverly Wade Hogan will deliver the 2013 Baccalaureate address at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013, in the Meeting House of the First Baptist Church in America. Hogan has titled her address “The Responsibility of Privilege.”

Brown to confer six honorary degrees May 26

April 24, 2013 | Contact: Mark Nickel | 401-863-1638

Brown University will confer six honorary doctorates during its 245th Commencement Sunday, May 26, 2013: Benjamin Affleck, actor and director; Junot Díaz, author and editor; Stanley Falkow, bacteriologist; Beverly Wade Hogan, president of Tougaloo College; Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, physician and foundation president; and Eduardo J. Padrón, president of Miami Dade College.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — At its 245th Commencement Sunday, May 26, 2013, Brown University will confer honorary doctorates on six distinguished artists, writers, scientists and educators:

Benjamin Affleck, actor and director, will receive a Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.);
Junot Díaz, author and editor, will receive a Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.);
Stanley Falkow, bacteriologist, will receive a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.);
Beverly Wade Hogan, president of Tougaloo College, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.);
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, physician and foundation president, will receive a Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.S.); and
Eduardo J. Padrón, president of Miami Dade College, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.).