2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: A generous gift
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
10/24/07 - In the midst of vandalism to campus signs, state layoffs and little funding for the university, one couple has stepped to the plate. Last week President Robert L. Carothers and his wife, University College Dean Jayne Richmond, donated $100,000 to the school to build a new International Center for Students and Scholars.
The building is still years away from opening its doors but the donation lays the groundwork for the center and shows that Carothers practices what he preaches.
Two weeks ago, the University of Rhode Island launched the public phase of its capital campaign "Making a Difference." With a goal of raising $100 million for the university's endowment, Carothers implored businesses and alumni to help the university as it struggles from state funding that goes nowhere but down. It is good to see he put his money where his mouth is, so to speak.
The center seems to be a particularly appropriate project for Carothers, who during his tenure at URI has sought to make the campus more diverse. The president has overseen initiatives such as raising minority enrollment to signing a study abroad partnership with the Bahamas to securing the Confucius Institute on campus.
His wife is also equally involved. Overseeing University College gives her firsthand interaction with the school's newest students and those looking to study abroad or coming from far-away lands.
And the center could not come at a better time. The International Education and National Student Exchange Office, now cramped in Roosevelt Hall, needs space to expand and more room to house its staff that oversee more than 200-affiliated study aboard programs in more than 40 countries.
The new center - which plans call for it to be attached to the Multicultural Center - will provide an additional incentive for international scholars to visit or teach at URI and will provide greater space for staff that work to send URI faculty abroad. The couple also hope the center will encourage alumni from foreign countries to return and visit URI.
But there's much more to be done. The center still needs $3 to $5 million before the first shovel can be driven into the ground. Carothers pegs the construction start date for sometime in 2009, but that's only if private citizens and businesses step up to the plate.
Some alumni will give willingly while others will need some persuading. The university recently reorganized its advancement office in anticipation of needing to rely on more private monies. For the future of the International Center, and the university as a whole, one can only hope it will work.
The building is still years away from opening its doors but the donation lays the groundwork for the center and shows that Carothers practices what he preaches.
Two weeks ago, the University of Rhode Island launched the public phase of its capital campaign "Making a Difference." With a goal of raising $100 million for the university's endowment, Carothers implored businesses and alumni to help the university as it struggles from state funding that goes nowhere but down. It is good to see he put his money where his mouth is, so to speak.
The center seems to be a particularly appropriate project for Carothers, who during his tenure at URI has sought to make the campus more diverse. The president has overseen initiatives such as raising minority enrollment to signing a study abroad partnership with the Bahamas to securing the Confucius Institute on campus.
His wife is also equally involved. Overseeing University College gives her firsthand interaction with the school's newest students and those looking to study abroad or coming from far-away lands.
And the center could not come at a better time. The International Education and National Student Exchange Office, now cramped in Roosevelt Hall, needs space to expand and more room to house its staff that oversee more than 200-affiliated study aboard programs in more than 40 countries.
The new center - which plans call for it to be attached to the Multicultural Center - will provide an additional incentive for international scholars to visit or teach at URI and will provide greater space for staff that work to send URI faculty abroad. The couple also hope the center will encourage alumni from foreign countries to return and visit URI.
But there's much more to be done. The center still needs $3 to $5 million before the first shovel can be driven into the ground. Carothers pegs the construction start date for sometime in 2009, but that's only if private citizens and businesses step up to the plate.
Some alumni will give willingly while others will need some persuading. The university recently reorganized its advancement office in anticipation of needing to rely on more private monies. For the future of the International Center, and the university as a whole, one can only hope it will work.