KINGSTON, R.I.–Feb. 17, 2025–Amid blue and white balloons and banners in the Memorial Union Ballroom, members of the University of Rhode Island community joined University leaders, Gov. Dan McKee and state lawmakers, including Sen. Alana DiMario, and Reps. Kathy Fogarty, Carol McEntee, and Teresa Tanzi, on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the news that URI had achieved R1 designation in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

The designation places URI among the 187 institutions that have achieved R1 classification—the top 4.8% of degree-granting postsecondary institutions nationally. 

“I am so pleased and so proud to announce that the University of Rhode Island has officially achieved R1 status, the highest classification for research institutions in the United States,” said URI President Marc Parlange to the cheers and applause of faculty, staff and students. “This designation recognizes universities with the most advanced research activity and impact—placing URI among the top-tier research institutions in the nation.”

Parlange added that while the R1 classification enables URI to garner more recognition locally, nationally and internationally, the work is far from over.

“Public universities like ours have a unique responsibility—and we’re rising to the challenge,” he said. “While this is a moment to celebrate, it is also a call to action. Achieving R1 is not the finish line—it’s the beginning of a new era at URI.”

View some of the pictures from the celebration.