Roger Williams University celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. During these last five decades the University has grown from a small junior college to one of the premier liberal arts universities in the northeast – even ranked in the top of its tier by US News & World Report’s Best College Guide.
This extraordinary growth in the quality of the institution could not have happened without the generosity of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations that have supported the University’s mission of excellence. The University is beginning the next phase of its growth and development as it begins work on a new Strategic Plan. Now more than ever, philanthropic funding is essential to sustain this important legacy.
By supporting RWU with your philanthropic donations, you are helping to preserve and improve an institution that is helping generations of young men and women on their own paths of professional and personal growth. There are many ways to give to the University, and all of them are greatly appreciated and critically necessary to the success of RWU.
Priorities
In order for RWU to maintain its level of excellence, it must continually reinvest in facilities that support teaching and research. Gifts to upgrade existing buildings, maintain and improve landscaping, or build new buildings are critical to having a campus that is outstanding in function and appearance.
Scholarships
Scholarships are one of the most important priority areas at the University. Over 80% of our students receive some form of financial aid. Scholarship support can be given to students who have great financial need, or as merit based awards to attract and retain the very best scholars.
One of the best ways to improve academic quality at an institution is by establishing endowed professorships. These represent a University’s recognition of the importance of scholarly excellence and they attract outstanding faculty and students. An endowed position creates a culture of excellence within a department or school.
One of the major goals of the University is to create opportunities for students to engage in high-quality undergraduate research. Through philanthropic support, students have been able to gain valuable experience which has been instrumental to their securing jobs post graduation or in getting into some of the finest graduate schools.
The Roger Williams campus is a lively community of learners. Philanthropic support enables the University to bring some of the most engaging and thought provoking speakers in the world to talk to students and the community. Speakers from diverse political and philosophical viewpoints motivate the students to discuss and form opinions about difficult and important subjects and supports the University’s Civil Discourse initiative.