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Student Life
Date September 3, 2024 2024-09-03
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Maggie Spear
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As the 2024-25 academic year kicked off, members of Brown University’s newest class shared some of the items they brought from home that help represent who they are.
First-year student Kari Isley said she carries her brother's copy of "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck everywhere she goes. Photos by Nick Dentamaro/Brown University.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Members of Brown’s Class of 2028 have already moved into residence halls and navigated a jam-packed schedule of New Student Orientation events.
Soon they will pass through the iconic Van Wickle Gates to symbolize the start of their academic journey at Brown as they participate in the University’s 261st Opening Convocation. And when classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 4, students will start carving their own academic paths through the Open Curriculum, while joining clubs and organizations and participating in activities to advance their distinct passions, interests and identities.
But as the buzz of the semester’s start quiets down, Brown’s first-year students will inevitably come to a crossroads that’s familiar to nearly every college student: discovering who they want to become, while honoring the unique life experiences that made them who they are.
In the vignettes below, five new students share meaningful items they brought to Brown that offer a bit of familiar comfort and make them feel the most like their quintessential selves.
"The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Selam Demeke
Selam DemekeAlexandria, Virginia
"It’s the book that got me into reading. I picked it up in elementary school, and I just fell into a world where I could fight, I could go on adventures, I could be a hero, I could explore a whole bunch of different things. The main character, Percy, doesn’t know what path he wants to take in life, but he knows he’s loyal and doesn’t want to take the easy route. I feel like I relate to the main character in that sense. I feel like I need to stay loyal to what I’m thinking about concentrating in — staying within the realms of familiarity — but the Open Curriculum at Brown is also calling to me and offering me a whole new set of adventures."
Universal stylus pencil
Jacob Grandchamps
Jacob GrandchampsQueens, New York
"When I got my first iPad for digital art, I always used this stylus. It was cheap, maybe $10, but it’s lasted me four or five years and it’s just reliably good. Right now, I’m working on designing an art piece every few days, and then I’ll eventually pull it all together and publish it into a small game. It’s inspired by this artist who did a speculative biology game about an alien planet — it’s almost like you’re watching a documentary or visual novel, but it’s very detailed and biology-focused. So I’m almost trying to emulate that with my own story. Hopefully I’ll be able to finish within the next four years."
Malibu Pickleball Tournament crop top
Phatee Yang
Phatee YangOak Grove, Minnesota
"I thrifted this with my sister — who is such a big inspiration to me and my forever role model — a while ago. It was around the time when I really started exploring my own femininity and learned to express my style and explain what my gender really means to me. Plus, I just think it’s really funny, because it says Malibu, but, like, we’re from Minnesota."
"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
Kari Isley
Kari IsleyChester, Virginia
"It's a classic. My brother was initially assigned it when he was a freshman in high school, which was a good while ago, because he’s older than me. He was more of a sportsy guy who didn’t really like reading, but he read it and really loved it. And he knew that I like reading, so he gave me a copy. I carry it with me everywhere. It reminds me of home, I guess, because we used to talk about it a lot, especially about how the characters are just so human and ahead of their time."
Trusty sunglasses
Porter Culp
Porter CulpLa Crosse, Wisconsin
"I just love having these on hand wherever I go. They’ve seen what I’ve seen. I just like imagining all the different places they’ve been with me and how much they’ve gone through. I found them randomly online a few years ago, and that’s something I like about them — it was not an informed purchase at all, but I’ve loved them enough to stick with the same pair this whole time. I think I’ve had, like, three lens replacements at this point."
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