President Marc Parlange reflects on the power of URI’s community and looks ahead, sharing his vision and hope for our future.
The new year is well underway, but I want to take a moment to share my gratitude and my hope for our community in the coming months.
As our campuses filled with life after winter break, I was reminded of our purpose as a university and how fortunate I am to be a part of URI. I am proud that we embrace diverse perspectives and experiences, challenge ourselves to find solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time, and seek opportunities that empower us to continuously grow and evolve in response to the world around us.
This semester, a year after launching our strategic plan, I am focused on the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and it is my hope that we can begin to reach them, together. The important work we do with the state, our region, and the world is a top priority as we advocate for increased investment in the people and programs that make URI unique; break ground on the construction of state-of-the-art facilities on our Narragansett Bay Campus; and help grow life sciences in Rhode Island.
The well-being of our community remains paramount, and it’s imperative that we foster an environment that prioritizes mental, emotional, and physical health, with a renewed focus on initiatives that promote a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
“URI’s greatest asset is its people.”Marc B. Parlange
We welcomed the arrival of three new deans in the colleges of nursing, pharmacy, and health sciences, furthering a culture of collaboration and innovation across our divisions, departments, and colleges.
And finally, we will ensure the long-term health of our university by committing to strategic financial practices and celebrating reaching our $300 million goal for our capital campaign thanks to the hard work of so many across our campuses and the generosity of many more in our community.
The stories in this issue highlight just some of the people and the work being done already in many of these focus areas. A feature on the importance of rivers in Rhode Island touches on the integral role URI plays in managing and protecting some of the most important parts of the state’s economy and identity. A story on one of URI’s paleontologists centers on how we are supporting social justice in secondary education. A feature on URI’s Cape Verdean Students Association shows the distinctive impact of the Cape Verdean community on URI’s history and culture. And finally, two alumni who lost their son to mental illness share their critical mission to support those in need of mental health care.
URI’s greatest asset is its people, and I am grateful for and inspired by the contributions of every member of this community.
Marc B. Parlange
President, University of Rhode Island
Hope
Ryan Frankel ’23 (German, political science) took this photo at Camp Cronin in Narragansett, R.I. during the pandemic. Frankel says, “Camp Cronin was a peaceful place where I could go to take my mind off things and just relax, watching the waves crash. During the pandemic, the message of ‘hope’—that despite uncertainty, things were going to get better—meant a lot. It also really embodies Rhode Island, a place that remains hopeful about the future.”
Photos: Nora Lewis; Ryan Frankel