University of Rhode Island
File:Uriseal.png | |
Former names | Rhode Island College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts (1892–1909) Rhode Island State College (1909–1951) |
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Motto | Think Big. We Do. |
Type | Flagship Public Land Grant Sea Grant |
Established | May 19, 1892 |
Endowment | $131.7 million (2015)[1] |
President | David M. Dooley |
Provost | Donald H. DeHayes |
Students | 16,613 (Fall 2015)[2] |
Undergraduates | 13,831 (Fall 2015)[2] |
Postgraduates | 2,972 (Fall 2015)[2] |
Location | , Rhode Island , U.S. |
Campus | 1,250 acres (5.06 km2) Rural |
Colors | Keaney Blue and White[3] |
Nickname | Rams |
Mascot | Rhody the Ram |
Website | www |
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The University of Rhode Island, commonly referred to as URI, is the principal public research as well as the land grant and sea grant university for the state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in the village of Kingston in southern Rhode Island. Additionally, smaller campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West Greenwich.
The university offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees in 80 undergraduate and 49 graduate areas of study through seven academic colleges. These colleges include Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Human Science and Services, Environment and Life Sciences, Nursing and Pharmacy. Another college, University College (UC) serves primarily as an advising college for all incoming undergraduates and follows them through their enrollment at URI.
The University enrolled about 13,600 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students in Fall 2015.[2] U.S. News & World Report classifies URI as a tier 1 national university, ranking it tied for 161st in the U.S.[4]
History
The University was first chartered as the state's agricultural school and agricultural experiment station in 1888. The site of the school was originally the Oliver Watson Farm, whose original farmhouse is now a small museum. In 1892, the school became known as the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The first class had only seventeen students, each completing their course of study in two years. In 1909, the school's name was again changed to Rhode Island State College as the school's programs were expanded beyond its original agricultural education mandate. In 1951 the school was given its current title through an act of the General Assembly following the addition of the College of Arts and Sciences and the offering of doctoral degrees. The Board of Governors for Higher Education, appointed by the governor, became the governing body of the University in 1981 during the presidency of Frank Newman (1974–1983). The Board of Governors was replaced by the Rhode Island Board of Education in 2013.[5] The current president is David M. Dooley.[6]
A list of Presidents of the University of Rhode Island:
- John Hosea Washburn (1892–1902)
- Kenyon L. Butterfield (1903–1906)
- Howard Edwards (1906–1930)
- Raymond G. Bressler (1931–1940)
- Carl R. Woodward (1941–1958)
- Francis H. Horn (1958–1967)
- Werner A. Baum (1968–1973)
- Frank Newman (1974–1983)
- Edward D. "Ted" Eddy (1983–1991)
- Robert L. Carothers (1991–2009)
- David M. Dooley (2009–present)
Gallery
-
East Hall (1909)[7] and Washburn Hall (1921) -
Lippitt Hall, named for Governor Charles W. Lippitt, was originally a drill hall and armory (1897) -
Green Hall, named for Theodore F. Green (1937) -
Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons (built 1965, renovated 1991) -
Memorial Student Union -
Multicultural Center (1998) -
Planetarium -
The Chester H. Kirk Center for Advanced Technology (1995)
Academics
Academic rankings | |
---|---|
National | |
ARWU[8] | 126-146 |
Forbes[9] | 426 |
U.S. News & World Report[10] | 161 |
Washington Monthly[11] | 185 |
Global | |
ARWU[8] | 401-500 |
U.S. News & World Report[12] | 632 |
Located in a traditional New England college town, URI offers students a land, sea and urban experience. Students can choose from about 80 majors within seven different colleges. Among the most popular majors at URI are Nursing, Communication Studies, Psychology, Kinesiology and Human Development & Family Studies. URI is well known for its nursing and engineering programs, the latter of which includes the internationally recognized International Engineering Program,[13] and a robotic competition delegation that has continuously placed within the top 5 competing schools.[14] The University also boasts nationally ranked programs in Pharmacy, Landscape Architecture,[15] and Oceanography.
The University of Rhode Island Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics has been ranked the fourth most productive research department in the country in the field of agricultural economics by the 2005 Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index. Only Colorado State University, Iowa State University and the University of California at Berkeley ranked ahead of URI. Of the top 10 universities in the field, URI's program has the fewest faculty members with 10.The URI program was the first in the nation to offer a graduate degree in natural resource economics (in 1969), and the department publishes an internationally recognized research journal, Marine Resource Economics. Agricultural and natural resource economists study the interactions between economic and natural systems, with the goal of developing a sustainable and efficient economy. Faculty in the URI department focus on issues related to the spectrum of natural resource and environmental management, with particular strengths in fisheries and aquaculture, the marine environment, coastal watersheds and terrestrial ecosystems, ecosystem valuation and international trade.[16]
U.S. News & World Report classifies URI as a tier 1 national university, ranking it tied for 161st overall.[4] The average incoming freshman for the fall of 2015 had a GPA of 3.46 and an SAT score of 1110 (out of 1600) or an ACT score of 24.[17]
Athletics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Rhode_Island_Rams_logo.png/180px-Rhode_Island_Rams_logo.png)
The University of Rhode Island Department of Athletics and Recreation fields teams that compete in 17 intercollegiate sports. The University is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Athletic facilities include the Ryan Center, Keaney Gymnasium, Meade Stadium, Mackal Field House, Tootell Aquatic Center, Bradford R. Boss Arena, URI Soccer Complex, Bill Beck Field, and URI Softball Complex. The Director of Athletics is Thorr Bjorn, who previously worked at the University of Massachusetts.
Student organizations
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/URIQuad.jpg/200px-URIQuad.jpg)
There are over one hundred officially recognized student organizations at the University of Rhode Island. Most student organizations are funded by the URI Student Senate, which is in turn funded by fees levied on all students. Prominent organizations include:
- URI Student Senate — the undergraduate student government.
- URI Student Alumni Association (SAA) -- Organization that promotes school spirit and bringing students of the past, present, and future together. They plan campus-wide events including Homecoming, Rhody Rally, Oozeball, among other things.
- Student Entertainment Committee (SEC) — organizes large concerts and other campus-wide entertainment, including comedians, guest speakers, and special activities.
- WRIU — radio station
- The Good 5 Cent Cigar — campus newspaper
- Renaissance Yearbook — campus yearbook
- URI Students for Social Change
- Local branches of national organizations such as: Hillel, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, NAACP, PRSSA, College Democrats and College Republicans.
- Fashion Merchandising Society (FMS) – Organization dedicated to providing all members (not just members of the Textiles department) with connections to the Fashion industry as well as topical information.
- Public Relations Society (PRS)- Organization that hosts its own events and helps other on-campus organizations with advertising, marketing and good public relations.
- Student Action for Sustainability (SAS) – Organization behind the "green" movement on campus, Earth Day celebrations, campus clean-ups, and upcoming Campus Sustainability Day in the fall.
- Student Alliance for the Welfare of Africa (SAWA)- Organization behind educating students on issues concerning Africa and its inhabitants. One of the goals is to help abolish common stereotypes of African culture.
- URI Dance Company – An organization that offers students the opportunity to experience the art of dance.
- The Mob – An organization that encourages student involvement at University Athletics events.
- The 411 on the 401 – A student produced television show that deals with student organization and events, pop culture, University news, local music and bands, and student life in general.
- The URI Ram Marching Band – Organization consisting of both music and non-music major performers. Participates at all home URI Football games and participates in Rhody Rally. Includes the URI Drumline and URI Color Guard.
21st Century
The University has chartered a path for enrollment growth and capital improvement that has endured since the early 2000s. In 2014, URI enrolled its largest freshman class of all time and total enrollment neared 17,000. Capital improvement projects have also transformed the campus and complemented academic offerings in science and engineering related programs. New facilities include a Center for Biology and Life Sciences, a College of Pharmacy building, a Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences, and in 2019, a brand new College of Engineering building.
Likewise, residential and student service facilities have been newly constructed to enable enrollment growth. These new facilities include new dormitories, the showpiece of which is Hillside Hall, a freshman dorm building finished in 2012, a new wellness center, two new dining facilities, and, currently in planning, a brand new student union. The new facilities have been celebrated for the use of sustainable design and have mostly received top LEED certifications.
Greek life
The University of Rhode Island also has an award-winning Greek System. The community was recognized by the Northeast Greek Leadership Association in February 2008 for excellence in Academic Achievement, Council Management, Membership Recruitment, Multicultural Initiatives, Public Relations, Risk Management and Panhellenic Continuous Open Bidding.[18]
The Greek Community consists of 17 fraternities and 10 sororities.
Fraternities:
Sororities:
Multicultural Greek Council Organizations:
Professional Fraternities and Sororities:
The Greek Community is governed by the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council. Both organizations, along with Greek Life administration are housed on campus in the Christopher House.
Notable alumni
Politics
- Lincoln Almond, Governor of Rhode Island from 1995–2003
- Peter Courtney, 55th President of the Oregon State Senate (2003–present), Member of the Oregon Senate (1998–present)
- Charles J. Fogarty, (graduate degree) Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island 1999–2006
- J. Joseph Garrahy, Governor of Rhode Island from 1977–1985
- Edwin R. Pacheco, Chairman of Rhode Island Democratic Party 2010–2013
- Robert Weygand, Lieutenant Governor of RI 1993–1997, U.S. Representative from RI 1997–2001.
Sports
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/RyanCenter.jpg/220px-RyanCenter.jpg)
- Lou Abbruzzi – Former NFL player for the Boston Yanks
- Pat Abbruzzi – Former CFL player for the Montreal Alouettes
- Jimmy Baron – Played in the NBA Summer League for the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. He is currently playing basketball for Lagun Aro GBC in Spain's ACB League. He is the all-time three-point shooter in the University of Rhode Island and Atlantic 10 history.
- Tavorris Bell – Former basketball player at URI who scored 1,147 career points and was a teammate of Lamar Odom. He was a featured streetball player in the AND1 Mixtape Tour Volume 2 video.
- Parfait Bitee – Former point guard for URI. He also played on the Cameroonian men's national basketball team that won the silver medal at the FIBA Africa Championship 2007
- Danleigh Borman, MLS player for Toronto FC
- Geoff Cameron, MLS player for Houston Dynamo, MLS All-Star in 2009 and 2011, member and starter on the 2014 World Cup US Men's National Soccer Team.
- Todd Bozeman, Head Coach, Morgan State University men's basketball
- Ernie Calverley – Former NBA player with the Providence Steamrollers, former URI Head Coach
- Derek Cassidy, former Arena Football League player
- Jim Christian, Head Coach, Boston College men's basketball
- Steve Chubin – Former NBA player for the Indiana Pacers
- Sean Colson – Former NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets
- Tony DeLuca, Former NFL player for the Green Bay Packers
- Shelagh Donohoe, Olympic athlete, current Women's rowing head coach.
- Johnny Ezersky, former NBA player for the Providence Steamrollers, the Baltimore Bullets, and the Boston Celtics
- Frank Ferrara, Former NFL defensive end for New York Giants and Hollywood stunt man
- Jason Foster, former NFL player
- Steve Furness, former NFL player for Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions
- Tom Garrick, former NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs,and Los Angeles Clippers[19]
- Sasha Gotsmanov, MLS player for the Colorado Rapids
- Virgil Gray, Arena Football League player
- Andy Gresh, Sports analyst, Fox Sports, WSKO, ESPN Radio, Patriots Rock Radio Network
- Nick Greenwood, MLB player for the St. Louis Cardinals
- P. H. Horgan III, PGA Tour golfer
- Chester Jaworski – basketball player. Led the nation in scoring in his senior season. He also won national player of the year award in his senior season.
- Frank Keaney, former URI men's basketball coach. The inventor of URI's team color Keaney Blue. He is also in the Basketball Hall of Fame
- Cuttino Mobley, former NBA player for the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and the New York Knicks
- Rick Moser, former NFL player
- Xavier Munford, Point Guard for the Memphis Grizzlies
- Pat Narduzzi, Head football coach for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers
- Lamar Odom, NBA player for the Los Angeles Clippers
- Tom Penders former college basketball coach
- Dana Quigley, PGA Tour golfer
- Dawan Robinson – NBA player (point guard) for the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Ron Rothstein – Former coach in the NBA for the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons. He was the first coach of the Miami Heat.
- Kahiem Seawright – Former forward for URI. He is currently playing professional basketball for Valladolid in Spain's ACB League.
- Bob Shea – Former NBA player for the Providence Steamrollers
- Dave Stenhouse, Former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Washington Senators from 1962 to 1964 and coach of the Brown University baseball team from 1981 to 1990.
- Stanley Stutz – Former NBA player for the New York Knicks
- Tyson Wheeler, Former NBA player for the Toronto Raptors
- Bob White, former NFL player
- Jeff Williams, former NFL player
- Sly Williams, Former NBA player for New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics
- Andy Williams, MLS player for Real Salt Lake, formerly for Columbus Crew
Arts, broadcast and entertainment
- Jim O'Connor, TV host, Food Network
- J. T. Walsh, Actor
- Matt Gallant, Television personality
- Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent, CNN
- Steve Cascione, News Anchor, ABC 6
- John King, national correspondent for CNN
- Masta Ace, Rapper
- Theo Martins, Musician
- John M. Geddes, managing editor of The New York Times from 2003–13
- Mat Franco, NBC
- Leila Goldkuhl, Fashion Model
Business
- Robert Crandall, Former President and Chairman of the Board, American Airlines
- Thomas Ryan, former CEO of CVS Corporation
- Michael D. Fascitelli, President and Trustee of Vornado Realty Trust
- Tony Horton (exercise instructor), Fitness Guru and developer of P90X
- Olivier Pastré, French economist and banker.
- Nancy McKinstry, Chairman and CEO of Wolters Kluwer
- Giovanni Feroce, former CEO of Alex and Ani
Science and Academia
- Daniel G. Aldrich '39, founding chancellor of University of California, Irvine
- Robert Ballard '75 PhD, '86 Hon., Oceanographer, discoverer of the RMS Titanic, Professor and Director of URI's Center for Ocean Exploration.
- Elizabeth A. Craig, professor and chair of biochemistry at University of Wisconsin-Madison and member of the National Academy of Sciences
- Cornelius M. Kerwin, '73 MA, President of American University (2007–present)
- Robert B. Rheault, Jr., '96 PhD, Marine biologist and aquaculture consultant
- Sandra Thornton Whitehouse, PhD '94, a marine biologist and wife of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse[20]
Military
- Admiral Jeremy M. "Mike" Boorda, 25th Chief of Naval Operations
- Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
- General Leon J. LaPorte, United States Army four-star general
- Rear Admiral Francis D. "Bill" Moran, third director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
- Rear Admiral Sigmund R. Petersen, fourth director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
Film
- Outside Providence shot its private school sequences at Green Hall, among other locations at the Kingston Campus.
- Hard Luck was shot on the W. Alton Jones Campus.
- Underdog shot some of its scenes at the Providence campus.
- The Clique Movie shot its private school sequences at Green Hall
- Hachiko: A Dog's Story starring Richard Gere, shot pivotal scenes in Edwards Auditorium, Green Hall, and the Fine Arts Center.
See also
- URI Botanical Gardens
- Joint Degrees in law at Roger Williams University School of Law
- Global U8 Consortium GU8
References
- ^ As of June 30, 2015. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2014 to FY 2015" (PDF). National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute. 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Final Enrollment Reports" (PDF). University of Rhode Island. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ http://advance.uri.edu/visualstandardsguide/resources/StyleGuide-sm.pdf
- ^ a b "U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings – University of Rhode Island". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Associated Press (11 March 2013). "New RI Board of Ed meets for first time". Retrieved 18 August 2013.
- ^ "University of Rhode Island history and timeline". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ "East Hall Turns 100". University of Rhode Island. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
The 100th anniversary of the official opening of East Hall on October 15, 1909, was celebrated on October 15, 2009
- ^ a b "2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities". ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "America's Top Colleges 2023". Forbes. September 27, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "2023-2024 Best National Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 18, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "2023 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "2024-2025 Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. June 24, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ King Head, Sarah (12 February 2012). "Engineers with a foreign language build global bridges". University World News. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ "URI team wins international robotic boat contest – Providence Business News". Pbn.com. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
- ^ "News – University of Rhode Island". Uri.edu. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
- ^ "URI Natural Resources" (PDF). Cels.uri.edu. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Redlich, Jhodi. "URI's Facts about Fall 2015". URI Press Release. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- ^ "Northeast Greek Leadership Association". Ngla.org. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Rhode Island : Tom Garrick Resigns as Women's Basketball Head Coach". Gorhody.com. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Whitehouse's 'secret weapon'? His wife, Sandra. by Michelle R. Smith, Associated Press". Boston.com. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- University of Rhode Island
- Educational institutions established in 1888
- Flagship universities in the United States
- Land-grant universities and colleges
- Public universities
- Universities and colleges in Rhode Island
- South Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Buildings and structures in Washington County, Rhode Island
- Education in Washington County, Rhode Island
- Visitor attractions in Washington County, Rhode Island
- 1888 establishments in Rhode Island