Related Issue
Spring 2026
Ever True
Defined by Purpose
A letter from the President
By Christina Paxson / Spring 2026
April 7th, 2026
In the months since Brown lost two cherished students to a senseless act of violence and nine others were injured, our community has mourned deeply. At the same time, we have found strength in the extraordinary ways we have come together. Across classrooms, labs, residence halls, and campus operations, our community has embodied the compassion, generosity, and resilience that for generations has defined Brown at its best.
Our alumni, parents, and friends of Brown have grieved alongside us, joining a journey of healing and recovery. Even for those who have not set foot on College Hill for years, the connection to Brown remains profound.
This shared experience was evident immediately following the loss of sophomore Ella Cook and first-year student MukhammadAziz Umurzokov. I heard from countless Brown alumni who conveyed both heartbreak and hope. Your messages resounded with love—for the students we lost; for those injured; and for all impacted. Above all, you expressed your unshakable devotion to Brown.
Over winter break, alumni opened their homes to students who needed a place to gather. Some helped students travel home to be with their families. Others sent notes, organized dinners, and provided mentorship. Your kindness reminded our students that they are supported far beyond the borders of campus.
Thousands of alumni joined our campus community virtually for the February memorial service honoring Ella and Mukhammad. I was moved by those who hosted gatherings across the country and around the world. Our alumni community came together not only to mourn, but to affirm that Brown remains strong and resilient. The acts of kindness, both big and small, provided a powerful example to our students of what it means to be a lifelong Brunonian.
I recognize that some may be wondering what this tragedy means for the alma mater they know and love—the campus home where so many built enduring friendships and where generations learned what it means to engage deeply, respectfully, and bravely with the world.
The acts of kindness, both big and small, provided a powerful example to our students of what it means to be a lifelong Brunonian.
The events of December 13 will forever be part of Brown’s history. They will inevitably shape how we think and how we act—including how we balance security with openness, and how we protect the well-being of all members of our community.
The global consulting firm Teneo Risk is conducting a comprehensive assessment to inform recommendations for Brown’s safety and security policies and infrastructure. Under the direction of legal counsel and oversight of the Corporation of Brown University,
Teneo is engaging with our many campus stakeholders. Alumni input is vital; a Brown Alumni Association focus group and virtual listening sessions for alumni will take place this spring. There will also be a listening session with the parents of current students.
These conversations are essential as we balance the imperative of safety with our core values. Even as we seek repair, we are still Brown. We continue to be a campus that calls on alumni to mentor students, to build community, and to return “home” for reunions and other important events. We also remain a University dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding. Together, as a community defined by purpose, we take pride in the positive impact we create.
We do this while holding the memories of Ella and Mukhammad in our hearts and caring for our community as a whole. Brown Ever True, our campus-wide healing and recovery effort, will continue to provide resources and programming focused on mental health, psychological wellness, and a thriving community.
As we move forward, I am inspired by the way this community shows up for one another—in recovery, in healing, and in hope. We find joy in the many ways we remain “Ever True.”
