Dear Members of the Brown Community,

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Chancellor Emeritus Artemis A. W. Joukowsky Jr. '55 LLD'85 hon., P'87, GP'13, GP'14, GP'16, GP'17, GP'22. An “ever-true” member of Brown’s graduating class of 1955, his decades of leadership, loyalty and unwavering support across a wide variety of initiatives have been instrumental in continuously elevating Brown’s reputation for excellence.

His vast impact is manifested through nearly all aspects of University life, from his fervent support of academic programs in archaeology and medicine, to bolstering Brown Athletics, a passion that frequently brought him to the sidelines of Brown football games and practices. His commitment extended further to beautifying and improving the campus as a leader of public art and design committees.

Together with his wife, Martha Sharp Joukowsky, a 1958 graduate and professor emerita of archaeology and the ancient world, the Joukowskys’ devotion to Brown has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2004, a gift from the couple established the Artemis A. W. and Martha Sharp Joukowsky Institute for Archeology and the Ancient World, which has supported research in locations around the world. A fervent champion of Brown Athletics, Chancellor Joukowsky co-founded the Brown University Sports Foundation in 1983 and authored books on the history of football and crew at Brown. He raised the bar for committed volunteerism in higher education, overseeing one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in Brown’s history.

Chancellor Joukowsky—known affectionately as Arte—was born in Shanghai, China, to Russian parents and immigrated to New York with his family when he was 9 years old. He attended the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey and, subsequently, Brown University where he met his wife, Martha. For nearly three decades he had a highly successful career in international business with the American International Group (AIG), holding posts in Milan, Thailand, Turkey, Hong Kong and Lebanon. In 1977, he returned stateside and spent 10 years as president of the Socialist Countries Division at AIG before returning to Providence to further support Brown.

In 1985, he was appointed to the Corporation’s Board of Trustees. He served as vice chancellor from 1988 to 1997, followed by a two-year term as chancellor. His overall service on the Corporation as a Trustee and Fellow covered a span of some 24 years. Even after his service on the Corporation ended, Arte was a regular presence on campus, providing counsel to Brown’s presidents and senior administrators, and connecting with his many friends on campus.

As a volunteer, a trustee and as chancellor, Arte received a number of honors at Brown, including the President’s Medal, the highest honor a Brown University president may bestow, from President Vartan Gregorian in 1996. His portrait, commissioned by President Gregorian and unveiled in 1997, is displayed in Sayles Hall as part of the University’s portrait collection.

In 2005, the Joukowskys jointly received the Rosenberger Medal, the highest honor bestowed by Brown faculty. Arte was also the recipient of the Associated Alumni Brown Bear Award, the Distinguished Service Award for Trusteeship, the Wilson-DeBlois Award and the Warren Alpert Medical School Artemis Joukowsky Award, and a member of the Brown Athletics Hall of Fame. In 1985, Arte and Martha received honorary doctorate degrees from President Howard R. Swearer.

Brown will remain forever appreciative for Chancellor Joukowsky’s remarkable contributions. Private services will be held in Jordanville, New York. At this difficult time, please join me in sending sincere condolences to the Joukowsky family, including his wife, Martha, and his children, Nina Joukowsky Koprulu, Artemis Joukowsky III and Michael Joukowsky ’87.

Sincerely,

Christina H. Paxson

President