PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — From contributing to the search for elusive dark matter to breaking barriers for women athletes to celebrating 50 years of medicine at Brown, members of the University community brought to life in 2022 Brown’s enduring commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Brown’s dedication to economic and educational opportunity was illuminated by a wide range of initiatives, including a landmark labor agreement to support construction careers for Rhode Island residents, a hands-on creative laboratory for local schoolchildren, the largest gift in University history for international student financial aid, and in-depth support for displaced scholars fleeing homelands impacted by war and conflict.

And as the world continued to emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and scholars at Brown offered crucial expertise in public health, medicine and other disciplines, the University welcomed back the Class of 2020 for the full Commencement experience after they missed their in-person graduation when the pandemic arrived their senior year.

As the calendar year comes to a close, here in reverse chronological order are 21 of Brown’s most noteworthy and well-read stories of the year.