Like many high school students, when Hal Tovin ’77 applied to Brown he did not know what his career aspirations were. However, he did know he wanted to select a college that would enable him to figure out the direction he wanted to take. When he applied to Brown, the open curriculum was in its infancy. It was unique and immediately attracted his attention. “Being able to explore what interested me without feeling pressure to pick a major the day I arrived on campus was very appealing. I really was impressed with the people I met—educators, administrators, and other kids on campus who were living through the very early years of the Brown experiment. It was an energized campus.”

During his time at Brown Mr. Tovin was involved in student government, which he recalls as being particularly interesting during the ’70s, as well as The Brown Daily Herald where he held the role of business manager. He enjoyed attending football games and was lucky enough to see Bruce Springsteen perform a midnight concert during Spring Weekend in 1974. 

Looking back on his career, Brown’s unique approach to education helped prepare him for the “real world.” “Brown did exactly what I had hoped it would for me—give me the flexibility to explore different areas of interest. It was the breadth of educational experiences at Brown that allowed me to determine I wanted to be in the business world and that I could then get that in-depth learning as a graduate school experience.”

Mr. Tovin has been inspired to give back to Brown because he believes his experience gave him the foundation that set him on the right path. It feels natural for him to give back, and he has done so every year since he graduated. 

When considering what advice he might give to those who are thinking about a planned gift to Brown, he shared: “If you have the ability to be philanthropic today or in the future and Brown played a foundational role in opening doors and helping you make choices that enabled you to build a successful career, it must be considered in your planning. There are many ways to give. I found that my financial advisor and the Brown Planned Giving team can help you find the best option for your situation.”