RWU Grads Urged to Make History

More than 800 graduates received their degrees Saturday, a day after 164 graduated from the law school.

With an array of speakers urging them to live their lives according to the values treasured by the university’s namesake himself, 1,080 graduates in the Roger Williams University Class of 2013 culminated their college careers on Saturday at the university’s annual Commencement exercises. More than 6,000 people turned out under the big tent in Bristol to watch the graduates cross the stage along the bayside campus. In addition to awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees to the candidates, RWU President Donald J. Farish conferred honorary doctorates to author and historian John M. Barry, who detailed the influence of the university’s namesake in last year’s award-winning Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul, and …

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Local Students Work to Turn Around Struggling City

The Roger Williams University students have been studying ways to improve Woonsocket's dilapidated Main Street.

Transforming Woonsocket's sporadically vacant, dilapidated and economically challenged Main Street to a vibrant cultural and business center requires more residents, teamwork, organization and a full-time manager. Those suggestions were part of the presentation Roger Williams University Professor Jeremy Wells and five of his graduate program in historic preservation students noted in their recommendation for Woonsocket to adopt the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Approach Monday night at the Museum of Work and Culture. Wells and his students have been studying the downtown Woonsocket Main Street area for the last few months, speaking with community leaders, business owners, and incorporating the Cecil Group's Main …

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RWU Professor, Students To Present Woonsocket Main Street Plan

Presentation of "Main Street Approach" held at 6:30 p.m. at Museum of Work and Culture.

Roger Williams University Professor Jeremy Wells and 50 of his students will make their case for using the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Approach in Woonsocket tonight, 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of Work and Culture.   Wells and his students, who have been studying the downtown Woonsocket/Main Street area, chose the Main Street Approach, "...because no other downtown revitalization approach has such a long track record of success, information  and support," Wells wrote in a recent release. Roger Williams' assistance comes via a pilot program from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) marshaling the university's Community Partnerships Center on the city's languishing downtown center. Mayor Leo …

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RWU Hosts Discussion of Rhode Island Colonial Charter

It's been 350 years since the Charter was signed granting statehood to Rhode Island — learn more about it tomorrow at Roger Williams University. 3 to 5 pm. Free.

RWU, Audubon Society Announce Partnership

Roger Williams University will lend technical support and oversight of marine exhibits for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.

Reed Pledges to Work to Ease Loan Burden on College Grads

Roger Williams University hosted U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on May 1 to speak about the expected doubling of student loan interest rates.

  Noting that more than 45,000 Rhode Island college graduates would face higher costs because of a scheduled doubling of the interest rate on student loans, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on May 1 told current students at Roger Williams University that he is working to avoid the hike. "They rely upon this need-based financial aid in order to make it through school, and we are at a moment in history where we need all the talent and all the educated men and women that we can muster," Reed said in a speech at the Global Heritage Hall Atrium just before noon. "The reality is that, students today are graduating with tremendous debt. It's not only affecting us from an educational standpoint, but from a macroeconomic standpoint." Reed explained that he is …

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Underage Drinking Sting Nets 17 Roger Williams University Students

Portsmouth Police arrested 17 students and confiscated nine fake IDs.

  Portsmouth Police arrested 17 underage Roger Williams University students Thursday after they were allegedly seen drinking at a local bar.  Police held an underage drinking operation at two bars, including The Beach House on Thursday evening.  Police say an undercover officer watched as 17 Roger Williams University students, who were all under age 21, purchased alcohol at The Beach House. After being under surveillance, detectives and patrol entered The Beach House at 11:50 pm. Police confiscated nine fake IDs during the operation. Several of the individuals also told officers they were the person in the fake ID.  The following individuals were arrested and charged with unlawful drinking, ID card misuse:  The following individuals were …

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RWU Announces Speaker for 2013 Commencment

John M. Barry, biographer of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, is scheduled to address this year's graduating class on May 18.

  July 8, 2013, marks the 350th anniversary of King Charles II's signing of the Rhode Island Royal Charter — and Roger Williams University is honoring the anniversary by inviting John M. Barry, renowned biographer of the Rhode Island founder, to address this year's commencement scheduled for May 18. Barry will also receive an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony, scheduled to begin at 10 am, according to a statement released by RWU. Larry Rachleff, accomplished conductor and music director for the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, will also be awarded an honorary degree during the May 18 ceremonies. A day earlier, Morris Dees – a preeminent civil rights attorney and founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center – will …

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You Ask, Patch Answers!

What's Happening This Weekend in Bristol and Warren?

Here's the list of activities posted on the Bristol-Warren Patch Calendar for Apr. 12 to 14.

  Are you putting together your weekend planner in Bristol and Warren? The forecast is for a chance of rain Friday with sunny skies on Saturday and Sunday with highs in the 50s. So check out this list of local events — and get out and enjoy! Click each blue link for more information — and be sure to call ahead to confirm. Friday, Apr. 12: Saturday, Apr. 13: Sunday, Apr. 14:   Looking to promote your event in Bristol or Warren? Start by posting it on the Bristol-Warren Patch Calendar.

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