URI expects record number
of prospective students and their families in March
Kingston Campus to host welcome events, March 5, 26

KINGSTON, R.I. -- March 2, 2000 -- When the University of Rhode Island rolls out the red carpet for prospective students this month, it will need a wide one. A record number of high school seniors will visit its Kingston Campus.

On Sunday, March 5, URI officials, staff, students and faculty will welcome about 1,500 students and family members to Centennial Scholars Recognition Day, which almost doubles the turnout of the 1995 event for academically talented students. When URI holds its Welcome Day for Accepted Students on Sunday, March 26, about 3,000 students and family members are expected, compared with 2,300 just three years ago.

The schedule is as follows for the March 5 event:

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Brunch at Roger Williams Dining Hall.

11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Information Fair in Mackal Field House.

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Campus and residence hall tours leave from Mackal.

1:15 to 1:45 p.m., presentations in Keaney Gym by President Robert L. Carothers; Catherine Zeiser, assistant dean of admissions; and James Leiter and Christina Vincent, members of the Student Alumni Association.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m., President's reception in Memorial Union Ballroom.

The March 26 event schedule is as follows:

10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Brunch at Roger Williams Dining Hall.

11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Information Fair in Mackal Field House.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Campus and residence hall tours leave from Mackal.

1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., presentations in Keaney Gym, by President Robert L. Carothers; Catherine Zeiser, assistant dean of admissions; and James Leiter and Christina Vincent, members of the Student Alumni Association.

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., President's reception in Memorial Union Ballroom.

For information, please call 401-874-7100.

URI has become the first choice for many students both in Rhode Island and out of state, said David Taggart, URI dean of admissions.

"Applications to URI are strong again, and we are getting the cream of the crop from Rhode Island and the region," Taggart said.

Kimberly Stack, URI admissions officer and 1996 graduate, said students have been attracted to URI because there is a buzz surrounding the University. "When there are positive stories about URI in the news, it gives admissions a boost. The welcome events help convince families and students that this is the place for them."

An important reason why students pick URI is the six-year-old Centennial Scholarship Program, which awards four-year scholarships to high school seniors who obtain an 1120 on their Scholastic Aptitude Tests and who are ranked in the top third of their class. Students entering the pharmacy and engineering programs must earn scores of at least 1150 on their SATs. Once at URI, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average out of a 4.0.

"Guidance counselors are doing a great job making sure high school students are aware of the Centennial program. Now students are competing for those awards," said the URI admissions dean.

URI graduates who have benefited from the Centennial Scholarship program are now working throughout the region and nation. "Our current Centennial students and our alumni are our best ambassadors because they're in the communities and in the work force talking about the program among their friends and colleagues," Taggart said.

Offers have been made to 32 valedictorians, 33 salutatorians and 37 students who are ranked third in their high school class. Taggart expects the freshman class will include about 500 Centennial Scholars next fall.

URI has made 705 offers to Rhode Island students. While URI has always drawn heavily from the Northeast, it is now regularly attracting Centennial Scholarship students from California, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota and countries such as India, Canada, Bosnia and the Dominican Republic.

There are other are factors creating strong interest in URI, including a number of major building projects. "The projects show that the campus is moving ahead, preparing for the future," Taggart said.

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For Further Information: Dave Lavallee 401-874-2116