Brown University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Brown University, established in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, stands as the seventh-oldest college in the United States. Renowned for its open curriculum, which allows students significant academic freedom, Brown has cultivated a diverse and accomplished alumni network. This article explores the lives and achievements of some of Brown's most notable graduates, known as Brunonians, who have left their mark on the world in fields ranging from politics and business to medicine, the arts, and academia.
The Foundation of Excellence: Brown's Academic Environment
Brown University is known for its open curriculum with a high level of academic freedom. Instead of fulfilling general education requirements, students at Brown University design their own curriculum based on their interests and area of concentration.
Brown distinguishes itself from other institutions by offering its Open Curriculum, a flexible, yet rigorous approach that allows students to control their own educational path. The school attracts students from all over the world and boasts many distinguished alumni.
The most popular majors at Brown include Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics, and successful graduates have come from a wide range of programs.
Political Pioneers and Public Servants
Brown University has produced numerous alumni who have excelled in the realm of politics and public service, shaping policies and leading communities.
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Lincoln Chafee: An American politician who has held several senior political roles since 1993. Chafee graduated Brown University in 1975 with a Bachelor’s in classics where he also captained the college’s wrestling team. As a member of the Republican party, Lincoln Chafee sat as a senator for eight years before becoming the Governor of Rhode Island from 2011 to 2015. Before Lincoln Chaffee started his political career, he was an undergraduate at Brown pursuing a concentration in classics. He was also captain of the wrestling team. He left his work with horses in 1985 and entered politics as a Republican, working his way up the political ranks to become the mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island, in 1992. After taking a hiatus from politics to accept the fellowship at Brown, he was elected Rhode Island’s 74th governor from 2011-2015.
Bobby Jindal: An American politician who graduated Brown University at the age of 20 with honors in two majors (Biology and Public Policy) in 1992.
Victoria Nuland: An American diplomat and politician. Nuland earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brown in 1983 in Russian literature, political science and history. As a multilingualist, she can speak English, Russian, French and a little Chinese. Victoria Jane Nuland is an American diplomat who served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2021 to 2024. ambassador to NATO from 2005 to 2008.
Janet Yellen: An American economist who graduated from Brown University (then Pembroke College) with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1967. Yellen continued her academic career in economics by obtaining her PhD and starting the position of assistant professor of economics at Harvard University.
Andrew Yang: Entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang graduated from Brown in 1996 with a degree in economics and political science.
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Business Tycoons and Entrepreneurial Innovators
Brown University alumni have also made significant strides in the world of business, founding companies, leading corporations, and driving innovation.
Ted Turner: An American entrepreneur and television producer most famous for founding the news channel Cable News Network (CNN). Turner attended Brown University where he was active in the debating union and studied economics, however, before graduating he was expelled for having a female student in his dorm room. Robert “Ted” Turner started out studying classics at Brown in 1956, then switched to economics. At Brown, he was the captain of the sailing team, vice president of the Brown Debating Union, and a member of Kappa Sigma. In 1960, he joined his father’s business, Turner Advertising, which he took over after his father’s death in 1963. From there, he bought several radio and TV stations. He went on to launch CNN, Turner Network Television, Turner Classic Movies, and the Cartoon Network. At one time, he even owned the Atlanta Braves.
John D. Rockefeller: An American businessman and philanthropist who was one of the wealthiest Americans of all time. John D. Rockefeller (1839 - 1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist who was one of the wealthiest Americans of all time. After studying bookkeeping, and several business ventures, Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870. An 1897 graduate of Brown with a bachelor’s in social sciences, Rockefeller, heir to the Standard Oil empire, participated in the glee club, served as junior class president, and was named manager of the football team. He was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After graduation, Rockefeller joined Standard Oil, but he left in 1910 to devote himself to philanthropic and civic endeavors.
John Scully: An American businessman and entrepreneur, and the second in our list of famous Brown alumni to have been a key figure at Apple. Scully studied Architectural Design at Brown University and shortly after joined PepsiCo in a training program. By 1970, he rose to become the company’s youngest marketing vice-president and subsequently served as the company’s president from 1977 to 1983. in 1983 and held the position for 10 years.
Dara Khosrowshahi: An Iranian-American businessman and CEO. Khosrowshahi graduated with a Bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Brown University in 1987 before moving into business where he achieved great success. Khosrowshahi rose to become CEO of Expedia Group from 2004 to 2017 before accepting the position of CEO for Uber. Data Khosrowshahi earned a degree in engineering from Brown in 1991.
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Literary Luminaries and Media Mavericks
Brown University has nurtured the talents of numerous writers, journalists, and media personalities who have captivated audiences and shaped cultural narratives.
Ted Chiang: A famous American science fiction writer who studied computer science at Brown University, graduating in 1989. Chiang began writing while still in school and in 1989 sold his first story, ‘The Tower of Babylon’ which won a Nebula Award a year later. Subsequently, Ted Chaing has had many successful publications such as ‘Story of Your Life’ and now has been awarded four Nebula awards, four Hugo awards, six Locus awards and the John W.
Lois Lowry: An American author known for many children and young adult novels. Lowry attended Brown University, then known as Pembroke College but left in 1956. Lois started novel writing later in life and published her first book in 1977 at age 40 called ‘A Summer to Die’. Lowry has since published several books aimed at children and young adults, which tend to deal with difficult subject matters.
John F. Kennedy Jr.: Kennedy attended Brown University where he graduated in 1978 with a degree in American Studies. Kennedy then worked briefly as an assistant district attorney in New York City before opening his magazine, George, which he promoted heavily. While at Brown, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and was active in rugby and theater. After graduating from Brown, Kennedy founded a nonprofit that assisted workers who helped people with disabilities. He earned a J.D. from the New York University School of Law in 1989 and worked as a prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office after passing the bar exam.
Chris Hayes: Graduated from Brown in 2001 and works as a television news anchor, political commentator, and author.
Celebrated Actors and Entertainers
Brown University's open curriculum and emphasis on creativity have attracted students who have gone on to achieve fame and success in the entertainment industry.
Emma Watson: An English actor best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter Series. After her career as a childhood star, Emma, who was very academically gifted, wished to pursue English Literature at degree level. Watson graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor’s in English Literature in 2014, and despite rumours of bullying, she thoroughly enjoyed her time at Brown. Best known as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter films, Emma Watson graduated from Brown in 2014 with a bachelor’s in English literature. While she may be best known as an actress, Watson is also a successful model and activist. Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is an English actress. Known for her roles in both blockbusters and independent films, she has received a selection of accolades, including a Young Artist Award and three MTV Movie Awards. Watson has been ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses by Forbes and Vanity Fair, and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2015. Watson was also listed by Forbes as an honouree on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2015 and 2016.
John Krasinski: One of the most recognisable Brown alumni today, John Krasinski is an American actor known for his role as Jim Halpert in the American adaptation of The Office. Krasinski studied English and playwriting at Brown University, graduating in 2001 before starting his acting career. His breakthrough role was with The Office which he starred in from 2005 to 2013. John Burke Krasinski is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his role as Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office (2005-2013), where he was also a producer and occasional director. He directed, co-wrote and co-starred in the 2018 horror film A Quiet Place, for which Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He has since written and directed the sequel A Quiet Place Part II (2020). Krasinski is well-known for his role as Jim Halpert on The Office. As a student, he was part of Out of Bounds, a campus sketch comedy team. He also participated in Production Workshop, a student-run theater. While at Brown, Krasinski interned on Late Night with Conan O’Brien as a scriptwriter. He moved to New York after graduation, appearing in commercials and small television roles until his big break in 2004 when he was cast in The Office. He also directed several episodes.
Julie Bowen: An American actor best known for starring as Clair Dunphy in the sitcom Modern Family. Bowen graduated Brown University with a major in Italian Renaissance before pursuing her acting career. After acting in a range of films and TV shows, Julie Bowen gained prominence for her performance as a recurring role on ER. Julie Bowen is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Claire Dunphy in the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009-2020), for which she received widespread critical acclaim. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011 and 2012.
Laura Linney: A graduate of the class of 1986, Laura Linney is a renowned actress known for roles in The Crucible, The Little Foxes, John Adams, and Ozark. Laura Leggett Linney is an American actress. She is the recipient of several awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards, and has been nominated for three Academy Awards and five Tony Awards.
Tracee Ellis Ross: Is a graduate of the class of 1994 and a renowned actress, model, comedienne, and television host. Tracee Joy Silberstein, known professionally as Tracee Ellis Ross, is an American actress. She is known for her lead roles in the television series Girlfriends (2000-2008) and Black-ish (2014-2022) receiving nominations for five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the latter.
Daveed Diggs: Daveed Daniele Diggs is an American actor, rapper, and singer-songwriter. He is the vocalist of the experimental hip hop group Clipping, and in 2015, he originated the dual roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the musical Hamilton, for which he won a 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Along with the main cast of Hamilton, he was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in the same year.
Medical Pioneers and Healthcare Innovators
Brown University's Alpert Medical School, established in 1972, has played a crucial role in training physicians and advancing medical research.
LeDuc: The first female full professor to hold an academic position at Brown, Dr. LeDuc was named Dean of the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences in 1973. She was appointed to the President’s Committee on Science and Technology by Gerald Ford. In addition to her teaching and administrative roles, Dr.
McDonald: The founding chair of Brown’s Department of Dermatology, Dr. McDonald was a pioneer in translational research who lectured throughout the world on the use of cancer drugs in non-cancerous systemic illnesses and skin diseases. He became the national president of the American Cancer Society in 1998, the only dermatologist ever to have held that post.
Hudson: The first African American tenured faculty member at Brown, Dr. Hudson taught neuroscience in the Division of Biology and Medicine. Dr. Hudson says that in the early days of the Division, he and other faculty who were designing the Program in Medicine set out to “intimately link basic science with clinical medicine,” something that was not the norm at the time. Dr. Hudson was the first African American to earn a PhD from the Pharmacology department at the University of Michigan. He went on to become president of Hampton University in Hampton, VA, and was interim president of Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC.
Robert W. Hopkins: In 1973, Dr. Robert W. Hopkins performs the first kidney transplantation in Rhode Island. The patient is a high school student from Central Falls. A Harvard-trained vascular surgeon at The Miriam Hospital, Dr.
Cunningham: A native Rhode Islander, Dr. Cunningham was an esteemed family physician based in Pawtucket who helped establish the family medicine residency program at Memorial Hospital.
Arnold: Dr. Arnold joined the faculty of the Brown University Program in Medicine in 1966. She was the director of pediatric endocrinology at Rhode Island Hospital and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Roger Williams Medical Center. Her greatest impact on academic medicine was her energetic teaching in the Integrated Medical Sciences at Brown and her mentorship of young faculty.
Paul Calabresi: Dr. Paul Calabresi joined the Brown faculty as professor of medicine in 1968, where he continued the pioneering oncology research he had been pursuing since the 1950s. He made major advances in understanding the way the body processes chemotherapy and was a visionary proponent of combining chemotherapeutic agents as well as of combining therapies - surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy - to optimize safety and effectiveness.
Levi Adams: Vice President for Biology and Medicine External Affairs Levi Adams was instrumental in garnering support for a medical school at Brown from Rhode Island legislators and establishing the first $20 million ($135 million in 2022 dollars) fundraising campaign in the early 1970s to support medical education. He was also instrumental in establishing the Early Identification Program with Tougaloo College and the establishment of the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs in 1981. Alumni whose lives and careers had been impacted by Adams created the Levi C.
Smith: Few physicians have had such significant impact on both Brown and the entire country. To Brown, Dr. Smith is one of the architects of the Early Identification Program with Tougaloo College. To the nation, the Mississippi physician was a stalwart in the Civil Rights Movement, providing treatment to protesters who were beaten during demonstrations, and even standing up to the American Medical Association when they would not allow African American physicians to attend its annual meeting.
Pierre Galletti: Dr. Pierre Galletti, who joined Brown as professor of medical science in 1967, is appointed chair of the newly formed Division of Biology and Medicine. He wrote the first comprehensive book on the principles and techniques of heart-lung bypass, the standard work in the field. At the research institute of Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, he ran one of the nation’s first programs in hemodialysis and cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery.
Milton W. Hamolsky: Endocrinologist Milton W. Hamolsky, a graduate of Harvard Medical School who left positions at Harvard and Beth Israel Hospital to join the Rhode Island Hospital staff, becomes the first full-time chief of medicine. Dr. Hamolsky developed the T-3 resin uptake test, which detects the presence of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism by measuring the amount of T-3 (the hormone triiodothyronine) that binds to globulins in a serum sample.
Henry T. Randall: Henry T. Randall, whose research has made crucial contributions to the understanding of surgical physiology and metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, joins the Brown faculty as professor of medical science. Dr.
Horwich: A member of the first graduating class, Dr. Horwich and colleagues were the first to describe chaperonins, molecules that assist proteins that cannot fold on their own. Without such chaperones, proteins can stick to each other, leading to progressive brain diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's. If drugs that activate the chaperone system can be developed, they can be used to slow or prevent such diseases. Dr.
Allen: Dr. Allen was the first African American to graduate from the Program in Medicine. She went on to residency at Pennsylvania Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania.
Griffin P. Rodgers: As the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) since 2007, Dr. Rodgers provides scientific leadership and manages a staff of more than 630 employees and a budget of over $2.25 billion. Seth F.
Berkley: Dr. Berkley joined Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as CEO in 2011. During his tenure, Gavi has expanded access to new vaccines and increased coverage of routine immunization in lower-income countries, preventing some 15 million deaths. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-established COVAX, enabling developing country distribution of more than 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses. Dr. Berkley has been featured on the cover of Newsweek and recognized by TIME as one of the world’s most influential people.
Minor: Dr. Minor is a scientist, surgeon, and the Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine, a position he has held since December 2012. An otolaryngologist, Dr. Minor is an expert in balance and inner ear disorders perhaps best known for discovering superior canal dehiscence syndrome, a debilitating disorder characterized by sound- or pressure-induced dizziness.
Katz: Dr. Katz was an associate dean of medicine at Brown and a pioneering physician, scientist, and educator, who developed the Index of Independence of Activities for Daily Living (ADLs). In 1986, he founded the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research at Brown. An early advocate of the importance of measuring quality of life in the elderly population, Dr.
David Carpenter: By the time he arrived at Providence in 1986, Dr. Carpenter was already a luminary in infectious disease, having defined a formula for treating diarrhea-related dehydration in resource-poor settings. He contributed to the world’s understanding of HIV infection, outlining the course of the disease in women and helping to develop anti-retroviral therapies. Dr.
Cu-Uvin: Dr. Cu-Uvin is the director of the Brown Global Health Initiative and the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research. She was a co-investigator of the CDC-funded study to understand the natural history of HIV in women (HERS) and the study to understand the natural history of HIV and AIDS in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (SUN).
Minter-Jordan: Dr. Minter-Jordan serves as the president and CEO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. A physician and business executive, she served as chief medical officer and CEO of the Dimock Center, one of the largest community health centers in Massachusetts. During Myechia’s tenure, Dimock was recognized as a national model for comprehensive, integrated health and human services.
Amy Anderson: Dr. Anderson is the associate chief of the Division of Family Medicine at George Washington University Medical Associates. Dr. Anderson is the chair of the DC Board of Medicine and has been active in DC health policy and medical regulation as well as teaching ethics, professionalism, and physician advocacy to medical students and residents. She is a member of the Board of Directors and the Ethics and Professionalism Committee of the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Rena Wing: Dr. Wing came to Brown in 1998 as the director of the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center at The Miriam Hospital. She was responsible for designing and implementing the lifestyle intervention in the Diabetes Prevention Program, an NIH multi-center trial that provides the strongest proof to date of health benefits of weight loss. She is chairman of Look AHEAD, a 12-year NIH clinical trial of weight loss in 5,000 adults with type 2 diabetes.
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