°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê's Year in Review

A look back at the most-read and beloved stories of 2018

By Jill Rodrigues '05, Justin Wilder, Juan Siliezar & Edward Fitzpatrick
Students volunteer at Franklin Court Assisted Living & Independent Living facilities in Bristol.
Part of the annual Feinstein Community Connections program, students volunteer at Franklin Court Assisted Living & Independent Living facilities in Bristol.

BRISTOL, R.I. – Despite an unexpected loss, this was a great year of progress for Roger Williams University. This was the year we mourned the passing of our beloved president; but from grief, we found inspiration in his legacy to renew an even stronger commitment to empowering students to use their knowledge and skills toward making a positive impact in local and global communities. It also heralded many successes, from state-of-the-art educational facilities added to campus to the first-ever alumnus leading the Board of Trustees, an exciting, new look for the Hawk, and a reinvented mission and identity for University College. As 2018 comes to a close, let’s look back at the most-read and most-loved stories of the year.

President Donald J. Farish

Roger Williams University Remembers President Donald J. Farish

Farish, who died July 5, became President of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê in 2011 with a focus to "build the university the world needs now"

Celebrating President Farish: A Life and Legacy

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê community gathers to honor our 10th president's bold leadership, tenacious courage, and love for the student community


Graduates celebrate at Commencement.

Graduating a Community of Civic Scholars

From committing to service on their first day as students to a deep dive into community-engaged work and real-world research projects, the Class of 2018 embodies what it means to be an °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Civic Scholar


Carrying on Tradition, 1,100 Students Give Back in Our Backyard

Annual Feinstein Community Connections program immerses freshman class into local communities for a day of service


Tim Baxter '83 Elected Chair of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Trustees

Baxter, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, will be the first °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê graduate to lead the board


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Rolls Out Team Bus with New Hawks Logo

Roger Williams University Athletics and Fisher Bus Inc. Unveil Bus Emblazoned with redesigned logo and updated color scheme


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê's Master of Architecture Program Reaccredited with Distinction

Accreditation team impressed by school's practice integration, computer applications and career investment efforts


Students celebrate the first Lavender Graduation at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê.

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Celebrates LGBTQ+ Graduates in First Lavender Graduation

The event recognizes the strength, resilience and success of graduating seniors who are part of the growing LGBTQ+ community at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê School of Continuing Studies Changes Name to University College

New identity draws on °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê history, reflects wider range of programs offered at Providence campus


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê sailing team practicing on the campus waterfront.

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Sailing Ranked #1 in Nation

Co-ed team receives top college ranking from Sailing World


An Advocate for Survivors: °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Alumna Plays Key Role in Gymnastics Doctor Abuse Trial

As victims confront Larry Nassar, Rebekah Snyder '16 supports 156 women in delivering their impact statements


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Stay Break Part I: A Real-World Dive into R.I.'s Food Insecurity Issues

A dozen students swapped spring break for meaningful work within the community

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Stay Break Part II: Advocating for the State's Food Insecure Residents

Students apply their hands-on lessons in food insecurity issues to make an advocacy pitch to state legislators


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Criminal Justice Program Ranks in Top 10% in U.S., 1st in R.I.

College Factual finds graduates of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê program earn above national average


Tarana Burke converses with a moderator during her lecture.

'Me Too' Founder Tells °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Students: 'Let's Heal Together. Let's Get Active Together.'

Tarana Burke says movement is about supporting survivors of sexual violence and maintaining the momentum of open dialogue


Roger Williams University Opens Financial Education Center with $182,000 Grant from Wiegand Foundation

New E. L. Wiegand Center for Advanced Financial Education provides spacious trading room equipped with the latest technology


The Zine: A Space for 'New and Dangerous Ideas' at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê

A new digital magazine at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê showcases the voices, stories and experiences of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê students and promotes critical social justice


Ruth Bader Ginsburg talks with Judge Bruce Selya.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Visits °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê School of Law

Her "fireside chat" with Judge Bruce M. Selya marks eighth time a high court justice has addressed °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Law students


°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Celebrates Groundbreaking for School of Engineering, Computing, and Construction Management Labs Building

New building named for outgoing °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Trustees Chair Richard L. Bready

Inside the Construction Operating Theater at SECCM Labs

Shawmut Design & Construction welcomes students on-site to observe and dissect the construction process as the new laboratory building takes shape