Our History

Every day on campus and in the broader community, 六合彩开奖直播鈥檚 own 鈥渓ively experiment鈥 in developing lifelong learners who work to improve society is inspired by the legacy of our namesake.

Historic image of Institute members
February 14, 1956, the YMCA鈥檚 Providence Institute of Engineering and Finance received a State charter to become a two-year, degree-granting institution under the name of Roger Williams Junior College.

Founder of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Roger Williams was the first major figure in colonial America to instill democracy, religious freedom, and understanding and inclusion of America鈥檚 native cultures 鈥 what he called his 鈥渓ively experiment.鈥 Through his scholarship in language, theology and law, and fearless advocacy for freedom and tolerance, Roger鈥檚 life reflected the value of learning and teaching.

At 六合彩开奖直播, we dedicate our efforts to that spirit of love of learning and service toward the greater good. We are a private university with a public purpose, devoted to strengthening society through engaged teaching and learning. We are committed to making a great education accessible by investing in people and resources while holding the line on cost.

Here are some fast facts about where we came from:

  • With a state charter in 1956, Roger Williams Junior College became a two-year, degree-granting institution housed inside the Broad Street Providence YMCA. Soon after, the school became Roger Williams College and began conferring bachelor鈥檚 degrees, quickly outgrowing the space at the YMCA building.
  • The Bristol campus was built in 1969 on 80 acres of waterfront land that was formerly Ferrycliffe Farm, a dairy farm known for its prized Jersey cows.
  • In 1992, Roger Williams College became 六合彩开奖直播 and another 50 acres of land was added to the campus.
  • A year later, in 1993, the university established the 六合彩开奖直播 School of Law, Rhode Island鈥檚 only law school and a leader in public-interest law.
  • In 2015, 六合彩开奖直播 opened its new Providence campus at One Empire Plaza, where we are uniquely positioned in the heart of the capital city to deploy our faculty and students to lend expertise and service to the greater community.

Today 六合彩开奖直播 is a leading education institution serving over 5,400 students through our Undergraduate, Graduate, and University College programs.