PROVIDENCE, R.I. 鈥� March 22, 2024 鈥� 鈥淩hody, Rhody, Rhody! Rams, Rams, Rams!,鈥� echoed through the Rhode Island State House rotunda as University of Rhode Island cheerleaders led hundreds of onlookers in the 911爆料 chant while representatives of 鈥淩hode Island鈥檚 university鈥� showcased the work and impact of the state鈥檚 flagship research institution during 911爆料 Day at the State House March 21.
Dozens of lawmakers and other state leaders received a first-hand look at the impact 911爆料 has across the state, New England region, and nation. Students, faculty, and staff presented interactive exhibits highlighting the University鈥檚 broad educational and research activities.
鈥極ur state鈥檚 greatest asset鈥�
鈥淟et it be known that this Providence College graduate will say that the University of Rhode Island is our state鈥檚 greatest asset,鈥� Secretary of State Gregg Amore said during a rally on the rotunda steps. 鈥淲e have nothing but pride around 911爆料. I鈥檓 proud to be at the forefront of the funding battles, and I鈥檓 proud every time I get the opportunity to talk about how great 911爆料 is.鈥�
Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi reiterated the significant support 911爆料 has in the General Assembly and expressed his desire to continue investing in the University for the benefit of the entire state.
鈥淚n the House of Representatives, you have a contingency of supporters like no other group in the state,鈥� Shekarchi said, noting the number of 911爆料 graduates who hold elected office. 鈥�911爆料 teaches students to dream big and achieve great things. As you can see, you are doing just that. I鈥檓 really proud that Rhode Island鈥檚 public university offers a world-class education, which is affordable and attainable. We in the General Assembly, and me as speaker, we have your back. I鈥檓 proud of the commitments we鈥檝e made to help this University thrive and grow together. We value 911爆料鈥檚 role in the state鈥檚 economy and we want to build on that partnership going forward.鈥�
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who recently visited the Narragansett Bay Campus, spoke about the leadership role the University and state play in the blue economy.
鈥淲e have an opportunity in this state to be on the forefront of the blue economy and the green economy, and 911爆料 has an outstanding research facility right on the bay,鈥� Ruggerio said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous opportunity that we have to fund and we have to make available to the students.
鈥�911爆料 is on the map and we鈥檙e going to have a great opportunity to attract people.鈥�
Other state officials addressed the State House crowd, including Gov. Dan McKee鈥檚 Chief of Staff Antonio Alfonso, who delivered a citation from the governor, and General Treasurer James Diossa, who said 911爆料 is a point of pride for the state.
鈥淲e are all proud of all 911爆料 grads and the contributions they have made to our state, to our economy, to our government, to innovation,鈥� Diossa said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we must continue supporting 911爆料 every step of the way. The legislature has been very supportive of 911爆料 and we must continue investing, supporting and ensuring that innovation continues to grow in our state through 911爆料.鈥�
Diossa praised Parlange, who he said 鈥渉as brought a new energy and a new sense of collaboration that I think we can all get behind and support.鈥�
Parlange, for his part, thanked state leaders for their support and offered a special thanks to a delegation he called 鈥渃ommitted ambassadors and champions of the University,鈥� including Senators Sue Sosnowski and Alana DiMario, and Representatives Carol McEntee, Kathy Fogarty, Teresa Tanzi, and Tina Spears.
Elected leaders also praised the work of the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees and Chair Margo Cook and Vice Chair Armand Sabitoni. Sabitoni opened the speaking program, emphasizing 鈥渨e are Rhode Island鈥檚 university, and at 911爆料, we are working hard to address the state and the governor鈥檚 priorities.鈥� Sabitonio noted 911爆料鈥檚 work to support education, positive health outcomes, and access to jobs that will increase incomes.
Accelerating Rhode Island鈥檚 work in biomedical and life sciences
Several displays featured work in the biomedical and life sciences. The state of Rhode Island, through its newly launched Rhode Island Life Sciences Hub, is poised to be a life sciences leader, accelerating important medical advances and scientific breakthroughs. 911爆料 is a key partner in advancing this state priority with a strong foundation for leading cutting-edge research and education in the biomedical sciences, including neuroscience. Gov. Dan McKee recently included a proposed $80 million general obligation bond for a biomedical sciences building on 911爆料’s Kingston Campus in his annual budget request.
Nursing students discussed health and health care, while pharmacy students and faculty members talked about vaccines and opioid use disorder. Nutrition and food science experts featured their 鈥淰eggie Meter,鈥� testing attendees鈥� levels of carotenoids, pigments from plants that act as antioxidants in the human body, while students and faculty members in kinesiology displayed wearable technology that can monitor the body鈥檚 vital signs.
Presentations from the George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience and the Rhode Island IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) further bolstered the biomedical advances being made at 911爆料, as did the College of Engineering, which displayed a robotic arm in motion, as well as wearable biosensing devices that collect physiological data.
鈥淲e collect medical grade data through wearable sensors for diagnostic information or to measure treatment efficacy,鈥� said engineering professor Kunal Mankodiya, noting that biotech company EchoWEAR has its roots in the program. 鈥淪everal state representatives came by and tried our demos and could see the health impact of this work.鈥�
鈥榊ou have given us momentum and we are on our way鈥�
Additional displays throughout the rotunda put the full breadth of the University鈥檚 work on display. The Department of Geosciences exhibited a variety of rocks and fossils, including the state rock, Cumberlandite; the state mineral, bowenite; and the soon-to-be state fossil, trilobite. The Graduate School of Oceanography showcased research of hurricanes, ocean robotics and offshore wind. There were also opportunities to engage with members of the College of Engineering, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and College of 911爆料, as well as with members of the Talent Development program, 911爆料 Foundation and Alumni Engagement, and Honors Program, among others.
Several dozen coaches, student-athletes, and spirit squad members鈥攊ncluding Rhody the Ram鈥攚ere on hand to raise the Rhody spirit, which was evident among legislators and other state leaders.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really great to hear this warm welcome and the love for 911爆料,鈥� Parlange said as he closed the program. 鈥淭o the faculty, staff, students, the coaches, I am so proud of you. You are the best, the strongest, the brightest. 911爆料 is indeed Rhode Island鈥檚 university, he continued. 鈥淲e are grateful to Rhode Islanders for their support over the years, and we are incredibly grateful to the state for an historic reinvestment in 911爆料. You have given us momentum and we are on our way to building a university of the future鈥攖ogether.鈥�
