University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange celebrated the university’s endeavors from the past academic year during his 2025 State of the University address on Friday.
“More students than ever before from across the country and around the world are saying ‘I want to be a part of URI,’” Parlange said.
Parlange delivered his speech from the Edwards Hall auditorium where he mentioned that URI awarded 5,000 degrees last academic year and welcomed 6,000 new students for the fall semester.
Parlange also mentioned URI’s status as an R1 research institution and the university’s ranking as the highest rated public university in New England, according to the Wall Street Journal.
URI creates a feeling of community welcoming a sense of home between the students and faculty, according to Parlange.
“When students feel at home, they persist, they succeed and they thrive,” Parlange said.
Parlange provided additional commentary on the $1.9 million National Institutes of Health grant the university received in order to train biomedical students. Additionally, psychology professor Nicole Weiss received a $5.5 million grant to make a phone app to help people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder find the resources they need.
Parlange’s address gave light to additional research projects on campus, including Melva Treviño Peña’s work in making shore access more accessible to marginalized communities.
Parlange also mentioned electrical, computer and biomedical professor Reza Abiri’s work using robotics as a way to help people with severe motor impairments. Abiri’s research makes it possible for individuals with motor impairments to perform more dexterous tasks and improve their quality of life.
“Behind every study is a human story,” Parlange said. “A patient waiting for a better treatment, a family hoping for healing and a community counting on us.”
A few faculty members in attendance were able to provide their feedback on the speech given by Parlange.
“I thought the speech was terrific,” Michael Parente, communications and marketing director, said. “I thought it touched on all the important points.”
Parlange did a great job of tying the contents of his speech back to education to resonate with the audience, according to Parente.
After the speech, the festivities continued on the president’s front lawn where Parlange hosted a barbeque, open to all students and faculty.
Alumni, faculty and sports teams came to the barbecue with WRIU making an appearance to play music. Additionally, the graduating class of 1975 attended the event and celebrated their 50th anniversary.
“Why higher education now?” Parlange said. “Because education is still the most powerful force for opportunity.”
Parlange’s speech and overall message resonated with many audience members, including Clayton Eva ’10, a mechanical engineering graduate, and Keegan Scott, director of the Office of Fellowships at URI.
“I admire President Parlange,” Scott said. “He always is someone who tries to connect the audience, with the students, with the faculty, with the staff. I felt that, I felt a part of it. I’ve truly felt this community…I feel like I’m a part of the Ram fam.”
