No, the circus is not coming to town. The tent currently occupying the lower half of Lincoln Field will house an event for Providence Equity Partners, a private equity investment firm based downtown, according to Marisa Quinn, vice president for public affairs and University relations.
A representative for the firm referred to the event as a "private function" but declined to comment further.
Providence Equity Partners, founded and led by Jonathan Nelson '77 P'07 P'09, a fellow of the Corporation, Glenn Creamer '84 and Paul Salem '85, requested a space on campus earlier this year for the event. "They wanted to have the event at Brown because they credit much of their success as civic and business leaders" to their Brown experience, Quinn wrote.
Nelson donated $10 million to the University in 2004 for the new Nelson Fitness Center.
The University "often" allows organizations to hold events on campus if space is available and the event does not interfere with campus life, Quinn wrote. The University is not spending money on the event.
The tent will be removed Wednesday afternoon.
