KINGSTON, R.I.—Sept. 27, 2024—University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange delivered his third annual State of the University address at Edwards Hall on Wednesday afternoon, celebrating a year of “tremendous growth and success for URI.”
Surrounded by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Board of Trustees members, Parlange celebrated the University’s growth and many successes over the past year. In a speech lauding the contributions of the University community, he detailed URI’s progress toward achieving the goals and objectives set forth in Focus URI, the University’s 10-year strategic plan, while also looking forward.
The plan, introduced in February 2023 during the president’s first State of the University address, lays out four strategic priorities: Broadening Our Impact, Enhancing Student Achievement, Fostering an Inclusive Culture, and Powering the University of the Future.
Recounting—among other achievements—URI’s recent ranking as the number one public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal; a record number of 26,900 first-year undergraduate applications for the fall semester; athletic success in women’s rowing and men’s track and field; as well as new recognitions and favorable rankings for the Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy, Parlange underscored how each complemented the four pillars of the plan and set the University on a path toward the future.
“These accomplishments fill me with great pride,” said Parlange. “I am so proud of all that we have achieved this year—and of the fact we did it together.”
(URI photo/Nora Lewis)
Importantly, Parlange thanked Rhode Island voters, Gov. Dan McKee, Rhode Island Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi, Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and members of the General Assembly for their partnership and ongoing support of the University.
“When I consider the many successes we’ve celebrated this year, I am grateful for Rhode Islanders who supported several bonds that have helped us physically transform our campuses,” he said. “We officially began Phase II of the Narragansett Bay Campus revitalization project and the long-awaited start of the construction of a new Fine Arts Center, both of which were made possible through their support.”
“Through these two projects alone, we are positioning ourselves as leaders in the Blue Economy, helping to attract companies, inspire startups, and support ocean related research—and with new fine arts facilities, we will better support the creative endeavors of our students, staff, faculty, and alumni while bringing the broader community to our Kingston Campus.”
Parlange emphasized the importance of Question 2 on the upcoming November ballot that will ask voters to approve a $160.5 million higher education bond—$73 million to modernize and transform Whipple Hall at Rhode Island College into a dedicated home for the Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies, and $87.5 million to be used for the construction of a new biomedical sciences building at URI’s Kingston Campus that will support research into the treatment and prevention of dementia, Lyme disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS, and other diseases.
“Through the work of our researchers, the University is not only advancing new knowledge but driving meaningful change and setting a new standard for how flagship public research universities can contribute to the betterment of society and the global human condition,” said Parlange.
Through the course of his roughly 25-minute speech, Parlange highlighted various student, faculty and staff achievements—from student and faculty scholarships and fellowships; to groundbreaking new research into ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, microplastics and the benefits of offshore wind; to global supply chain competitions and renewable energy and energy efficiency achievements.
He highlighted the recent decision by the General Assembly to explore the feasibility of establishing a public college of medicine at URI, and pointed to the appointment of three new deans in health-related colleges: Kerry LaPlante in the College of Pharmacy, Danny Willis in the College of Nursing, and Patrick Vivier in the College of Health Sciences, who are all already actively shaping the impact URI has in critical areas of health and wellness.
“URI can build on the significant contributions we already make to health care to further meet the health care needs of the state, including addressing the primary care shortage,” he said.
Parlange noted that, despite a challenging year related to federal changes to student aid, the University had awarded a record amount of student financial aid—more than $150 million—including to Talent Development and Narragansett Scholarship students.
“We are dedicated to making a URI education attainable for all,” he said. “As Rhode Island’s university we are not only enriching the academic experience, but also reinforcing a culture of giving back, where every individual has the support to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”
As part of the program, three members of the URI community delivered remarks about their work at the University. Shelagh Donohoe, women’s rowing head coach, spoke to the team atmosphere that exists at the University and, specifically, within the athletics department. It is that team environment, she said, that has helped the women’s rowing team capture 10 Atlantic 10 championships during her nearly two-decade tenure, including capturing the title this past spring.
Bhavya Chatragadda, an undergraduate student studying microbiology and molecular neuroscience, spoke of her desire to attend her state’s flagship university. A native of Lincoln, Rhode Island, Chatragadda called URI “the perfect choice for me” and said the undergraduate research opportunities she engaged in at URI have prepared her “for the next exciting step in my journey,” which will be medical school at Brown University.
Travess Smalley, an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History, spoke about AI in art, and his work as an artist using computation to make generative image systems. He wowed the auditorium with animated displays of his work on screen, and he spoke about the significance of the new Fine Arts Center that is currently under construction.
To conclude the event, Donohoe, Chatragadda, and Smalley joined Parlange on stage for a discussion that ranged from their work, the URI community, and their favorite spots on the URI campus. “Each of them has found personal and professional success with a unique URI experience to share,” Parlange said.