Brown alumnae generously give $1M to support student-athlete wellness in honor of long-time field hockey & lacrosse coach Carolan G. Norris
11/19/2021 12:30:00 PM | Field Hockey, Women's Lacrosse, About Brown, Alumni, Diversity & Inclusion, Wellness & Performance
PROVIDENCE, RI - Carolan Norris (pictured above), an admired leader in Brown University and Ivy League athletics, is being honored in her retirement by former field hockey player Nancy Donohue '87, with the establishment of a new $1 million fund dedicated to student-athlete services. Named the Carolan G. Norris Fund for Student-Athletes, this gift is the first of its kind to focus on academic enrichment, leadership development, and mental health.
Carolan joined Brown University as an assistant field hockey coach nearly 40 years ago, in 1983, at the same time Nancy joined the team as a freshman player recruited from Long Island. Prior to joining Brown University, Carolan was a stand-out field hockey player for the University of Connecticut, helping the Huskies win the nation's first NCAA Division I Championship in women's sports following the establishment of Title IX. She was later inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame.
Carolan continued to coach field hockey for 10 years before assuming head lacrosse coaching duties on a full-time basis. After completing a successful six years with lacrosse, in which she boasted five winning seasons, she took over the field hockey program in the fall of 1998, coaching her teams to five winning seasons and the 1999 Ivy League Championship. Her nine-year record as the head coach of the field hockey team was 125-107.
"Coaching is a calling and is very instinctive," said Carolan. "It came naturally to me. I have a passion for the game and for connecting with student-athletes and their families. When we won our first Ivy League Championship, it felt like winning a national championship. Many of the alumni I've coached are some of my closest friends today."
As Carolan evolved in her role beyond coaching, she served for the next two decades on the senior leadership team for athletics and university administration. Her most recent role was associate dean for student support services. Carolan's ability to connect with students as a confidant and advocate made her a tremendous resource and go-to ally on a wide scope of issues, ranging from balancing academic coursework with a rigorous travel schedule to navigating the devastating loss of a family member.
Addressing the mental health of students intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some students adapted, others were challenged in ways they were unprepared to face. "I want student-athletes to know that it's OK to ask for help. As coaches and administrators, we're all here to support you," Carolan said. The kind of accessibility and care Carolan exemplified is what makes her a living legend to so many Brown Bears, current and past.
In establishing this landmark gift with her wife, Diane Elam AM '84, PhD '88, Nancy (pictured, right) said "I admire Carolan so much. Being a steadfast leader for four decades in any field is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are really fortunate that Carolan chose to build her career at Brown. She's been a constant source of strength and hope for so many student-athletes throughout time. The way in which she interacts with us inspires confidence and supports achievement in life, on and beyond the playing field."
Nancy has been an active supporter of Brown athletics since her time on College Hill, and today she also serves on the Board of Governors of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. She is the co-founder and chief investment strategist of Summit Rock Advisors, a firm that oversees $21 billion of investment wealth for 46 U.S. based families and charitable organizations.
Nancy and Diane established the gift to honor Carolan G. Norris in collaboration with Grace Calhoun '92, the newly named vice president for athletics and recreation. Grace is well positioned to lead new initiatives in student-athlete services at Brown, having established similar programs in her prior role at the University of Pennsylvania. Nancy said, "Our intention is that this gift gives Grace a head start in achieving her strategic vision for Brown's athletic program. We'd also like to inspire former student-athletes, especially women, to become more active in giving to Brown University, at any level and to any part of the school that is motivating. Giving and staying connected to the Brown community is what matters most."
"This transformative gift from Nancy and Diane will help us bolster the holistic development of our student-athletes, empowering them to optimize their time at Brown," said Grace Calhoun. "I'm ecstatic to celebrate Carolan's impact by building programs that will equip our student-athletes to grow – as engaged citizens, in leadership, professionally, and through service and community. I cannot think of a better way to honor her legacy as a tireless advocate for student-athletes."
Carolan, in the meantime, looks forward to enjoying some well-deserved rest in retirement. Without a doubt, however, her phone will be ringing with calls from many who consider her to be a mentor in life as well as in sports.
"Any programming we can do to nurture the well-being, mental health, and nutrition of our student-athletes is an investment that will benefit them for a lifetime," said Carolan. "It makes me smile to know that Brown University is investing more deeply in these values. I'm very honored to be recognized with this generous gift.
Carolan joined Brown University as an assistant field hockey coach nearly 40 years ago, in 1983, at the same time Nancy joined the team as a freshman player recruited from Long Island. Prior to joining Brown University, Carolan was a stand-out field hockey player for the University of Connecticut, helping the Huskies win the nation's first NCAA Division I Championship in women's sports following the establishment of Title IX. She was later inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame.
Carolan continued to coach field hockey for 10 years before assuming head lacrosse coaching duties on a full-time basis. After completing a successful six years with lacrosse, in which she boasted five winning seasons, she took over the field hockey program in the fall of 1998, coaching her teams to five winning seasons and the 1999 Ivy League Championship. Her nine-year record as the head coach of the field hockey team was 125-107.
"Coaching is a calling and is very instinctive," said Carolan. "It came naturally to me. I have a passion for the game and for connecting with student-athletes and their families. When we won our first Ivy League Championship, it felt like winning a national championship. Many of the alumni I've coached are some of my closest friends today."
As Carolan evolved in her role beyond coaching, she served for the next two decades on the senior leadership team for athletics and university administration. Her most recent role was associate dean for student support services. Carolan's ability to connect with students as a confidant and advocate made her a tremendous resource and go-to ally on a wide scope of issues, ranging from balancing academic coursework with a rigorous travel schedule to navigating the devastating loss of a family member.
Addressing the mental health of students intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some students adapted, others were challenged in ways they were unprepared to face. "I want student-athletes to know that it's OK to ask for help. As coaches and administrators, we're all here to support you," Carolan said. The kind of accessibility and care Carolan exemplified is what makes her a living legend to so many Brown Bears, current and past.
In establishing this landmark gift with her wife, Diane Elam AM '84, PhD '88, Nancy (pictured, right) said "I admire Carolan so much. Being a steadfast leader for four decades in any field is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are really fortunate that Carolan chose to build her career at Brown. She's been a constant source of strength and hope for so many student-athletes throughout time. The way in which she interacts with us inspires confidence and supports achievement in life, on and beyond the playing field."
Nancy has been an active supporter of Brown athletics since her time on College Hill, and today she also serves on the Board of Governors of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. She is the co-founder and chief investment strategist of Summit Rock Advisors, a firm that oversees $21 billion of investment wealth for 46 U.S. based families and charitable organizations.
Nancy and Diane established the gift to honor Carolan G. Norris in collaboration with Grace Calhoun '92, the newly named vice president for athletics and recreation. Grace is well positioned to lead new initiatives in student-athlete services at Brown, having established similar programs in her prior role at the University of Pennsylvania. Nancy said, "Our intention is that this gift gives Grace a head start in achieving her strategic vision for Brown's athletic program. We'd also like to inspire former student-athletes, especially women, to become more active in giving to Brown University, at any level and to any part of the school that is motivating. Giving and staying connected to the Brown community is what matters most."
"This transformative gift from Nancy and Diane will help us bolster the holistic development of our student-athletes, empowering them to optimize their time at Brown," said Grace Calhoun. "I'm ecstatic to celebrate Carolan's impact by building programs that will equip our student-athletes to grow – as engaged citizens, in leadership, professionally, and through service and community. I cannot think of a better way to honor her legacy as a tireless advocate for student-athletes."
Carolan, in the meantime, looks forward to enjoying some well-deserved rest in retirement. Without a doubt, however, her phone will be ringing with calls from many who consider her to be a mentor in life as well as in sports.
"Any programming we can do to nurture the well-being, mental health, and nutrition of our student-athletes is an investment that will benefit them for a lifetime," said Carolan. "It makes me smile to know that Brown University is investing more deeply in these values. I'm very honored to be recognized with this generous gift.
The 2021-22 academic year marks 130 years since the first women attended Brown and 120 years since the first women of color began their studies. To celebrate, the Brown Women's Network is hosting a series of events throughout the year to honor the past, present, and future of all women of Brown. This year, the Pembroke Center for Teaching & Research on Women also celebrates 40 years of groundbreaking research, teaching, and community-building.
In recognition of these important milestones, the Brown University Sports Foundation, the Brown Women's Network, and the Pembroke Center will be hosting a Commencement Forum on Saturday, May 28 featuring Grace Calhoun, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, as she leads a panel discussion reflecting on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and the evolving role of women in athletics.
Brown is incredibly grateful for the generous contribution to honor Carolan G. Norris as a lead gift and catalyst for inspiring future alumnae philanthropists to support important initiatives at Brown University.
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