Roger Williams University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
|
| Motto | Magna est veritas (Great is Truth) |
|---|---|
| Established | 1956 |
| Type | Private university |
| Endowment | $77.8 million |
| President | Roy J. Nirschel |
| Faculty | 398 |
| Students | 3,778 undergraduate, 855 graduate |
| Location | Bristol, Rhode Island, USA |
| Campus | Suburban, 236 acres |
| Nickname | Hawks |
| Website | http://www.rwu.edu/ |
Roger Williams University, commonly abbreviated as RWU, is a private, coeducational American liberal arts college located on 120 acres in Bristol, Rhode Island, above Mt. Hope Bay. Founded in 1956, it was named for theologian and Rhode Island cofounder Roger Williams. The University itself, however, has no religious affiliation.
Contents |
[edit] History, academics, and campus life
Education on the campus of what is now Roger Williams University began in 1919, as a college affiliated with Boston's Northeastern University. In 1956, the school reconfigured as an independent junior college and reached its current university status in 1967.
The university enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and 850 graduate students in 36 liberal arts majors and five professional schools. It is one of the few colleges in the United States to offer an undergraduate degree directly in Marine Biology, has a well-regarded school of architecture, and is the only law school in Rhode Island. Approximately 80% of students live on campus. The current President of the university is Roy J. Nirschel.
The university has a campus newspaper, The Hawk's Herald, and an FM radio station, WQRI 88.3. The radio station plays everything from college alternative to hip hop. The radio station also includes the wildly popular show Mike and the Moose. The college's 16 varsity athletic teams play at the Division III level as members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference. RWU has one of the best Division III wrestling teams in the country. They finished third at Division III New Englands and 20th at Division III Nationals.
[edit] The president
Roger William University's current President, Roy J. Nirschel, previously served as president of Newbury College in Brookline, Massachusetts. Dr. Nirschel has a B.S. from the Southern Connecticut State University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Miami. In his dissertation, Nirschel compared the philanthropy of Cuban and Jewish alumni from the University of Miami. Paula Nirschel, his wife, is the founder of the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women, the first program to bring Afghan women to study in the US since the fall of the Taliban.
[edit] Reputation and campus culture
The university established a program in Civil Discourse, including a high quality journal "Reason and Respect". It brought in speakers such as Salman Rushdie, David Gergen, First Minister and Nobel Prize winner David Trimble, Khaled Hosseini, author of Kite Runner, Bob Geldof of Live Aid, and others to campus. Campuses have been established in Vietnam and Florence and the university is home to an innovative Center for Macro Projects and Diplomacy, engaged in bringing together engineering, architecture, technology, economic development and international relations for a common purpose.
Enrollment is at a record high as is academic quality, visibility and reputation as what guidance counselors call "one of the hottest schools in the region". Additionally, Roger Williams was recently ranked for the first time as one of the top ten Comprehensive Colleges in the Northern U.S. by U.S. News and World Report.
[edit] College Republicans controversy
In 2004, Roger Williams became a focus of attention when the Roger Williams University College Republicans offered a "Whites Only" scholarship. Applicants were invited to submit photos and a paper describing what being white means to them. The organization, which had hosted several conservative speakers on campus, including David Horowitz and Ann Coulter, became the focus of international media attention. Death threats against the College Republican leadership were received, necessitating extra security. The winner of the scholarship donated the $500 scholarship to charity.
In a subsequent protest against the Vagina Monologues, members donned a six foot penis costume and advertised for their own "Penis Monologues" outside the student union. Again, this brought the RWU College Republicans to the attention of conservative media outlets.
Due to their actions, the college republicans were condemned by Rhode Island's Republican Party, are no longer allowed to use a capital "R" in their name. They also cannot use the national symbol of the Republican Party, the elephant. Additionally, the organization had their university recognition revoked until the end of the 2005-2006 academic year due to violations of institutional policy.
[edit] References
- "Out of the Darkness: Afghan women pursue education in U.S.", CNN, September 10, 2002.
- "New Scholarship Created for Whites Only", CNN, February 16, 2004.
- "Whites-only Scholarship Generates Controversy", CNN, February 20, 2004.
- "Roger Williams U. Group Offers Whites-Only Scholarship", The Daily Texan, February 17, 2004.
[edit] External links
- Roger Williams University - official website
- Teen Ink
| Commonwealth Coast Conference |
|---|
| Anna Maria • Colby-Sawyer • Curry • Eastern Nazarene • Endicott • Gordon • New England College University of New England • Nichols • Roger Williams • Salve Regina • Wentworth |
| Colleges and Universities in Rhode Island |
|---|
| Brown • Bryant • Johnson & Wales • Naval War College • New England Institute of Technology Providence College • Rhode Island College • RISD • Roger Williams • Salve Regina • URI |
