KINGSTON, R.I. – March 24, 2026 – The University of Rhode Island will turn the Rhode Island State House Keaney Blue, Thursday, March 26, as its students, faculty and staff gather with state leaders to celebrate the fourth annual URI Day at the State House. Led by URI President Marc Parlange and Board Chair Margo Cook, the event will celebrate Rhody pride as well as the University’s achievements and growing momentum.
Last year, the University earned an R1 research designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing it among the top 4.8% of degree-granting postsecondary institutions nationally. The recognition reflects URI’s broad impact and evolution into a world-class hub for research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and public scholarship.
The University has also been named the No. 1 public university in New England, and the 34th ranked public university nationwide, by the Wall Street Journal for the second year in a row. Among other things, the WSJ ranking assesses how much a school improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earnings, balancing these outcomes with feedback from students on college life.
URI Day at the State House will showcase the role of URI as the state’s flagship public research university and bring the innovative work of students, faculty, and researchers to life through interactive exhibits and demonstrations. The event will enable members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, elected officials and all attendees to learn firsthand about URI’s impact and role in helping to improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders.
Among the areas on display will be URI’s strong foundation for leading research and education in the biomedical sciences, including neuroscience, and the support that lends to the state’s life sciences priority.
WHO: Rhode Island elected officials, URI Board of Trustees Chair Margo Cook, URI President Marc Parlange, and URI faculty, staff and students
WHAT: URI Day at the State House
WHEN: Thursday, March 26, 2 to 4 p.m.
Speaking program expected at 3:15 p.m.
WHERE: Rhode Island State House Rotunda, 82 Smith St., Providence
For additional information, or if you plan to cover the event, please contact Dawn Bergantino, URI Department of Communications and Marketing, at dawn_bergantino@uri.edu or 401-874-4147.