The Beginning

Roger Williams University’s roots originate in 1919 when the Northeastern
University School of Commerce and Finance opened a branch at the
Providence YMCA. The next year, Northeastern University’s School of Law
opened a Providence division. Northeastern’s presence in Providence grew
again in 1938, when the University opened the Providence Technical
Institute, offering a certificate program in mechanical engineering.

After an amicable agreement to separate from Northeastern in 1940, the
YMCA Board of Directors established the Providence Institute of Engineering
and Finance.

The new Institute was only in its second year when the outbreak
of World War II forced its closure for the duration of the war. The school
reopened in 1945 as the YMCA Institute of Engineering and Finance, later
shortened to the YMCA Institute.

1945-1960's

Over the next five years the Institute grew, serving veterans through both the evening division and day division. In 1948 the State of Rhode Island authorized the Institute to grant the associate degree.

In February 1956, the Institute received a State charter to become a two-year, degree-granting institution under the name of Roger Williams Junior College. The new junior college, the State’s first, began offering a liberal arts program in 1958. By 1964, the college offered the Associate of Arts as well as the Associate of Science degrees.

In the early 1960s, the institution, still based at the Providence YMCA,
grew rapidly. As a result of that growth, the College, now a four-year institution,
acquired 80 acres of waterfront land in Bristol and, in 1969, completed
construction of its new campus.

The Providence Campus, 1,000 students strong, continued to house the business and engineering technology programs. The new campus in Bristol offered a full liberal arts program leading to the baccalaureate and enrolled 1,500 students.

In addition, the College offered continuing-education evening programs in both Providence and Bristol. In 1992, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the institution to Roger Williams University.

The Present

Today, full-time day and evening programs are offered at the Bristol
campus; evening courses through the School of Continuing Studies are also
offered in Providence.

The Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation; the Gabelli School of Business; the School of Education; the School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management; and the School of Justice Studies are housed on the Bristol campus, along with the Ralph R. Papitto School of Law, the State’s only
law school.

Building on its current strength and supported by its unique history,
Roger Williams University is poised to expand its tradition of achievement
and excellence as we move forward into the 21st century.