Engineering grad to set sail for Olympics

Tim Pitts

Engineering grad to set sail for Olympics

Tim Pitts walked through graduation ceremonies in May knowing that he’s only steps away from setting sail for his next big race. The chemical engineering graduate is packing away his books and hitting the docks to prepare for the 2008 Olympic games.

After having competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and topping his personal best at the U.S. Laser National races in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., in April, the 23-year-old student sailor said he’s ready.

“Now that I’m graduating, I’ll be working on my next Olympics campaign. I know I’ll find a way to make it happen,” said Pitts who took a leave from URI in 2003 to pursue his dream to compete in the Olympics.

Pitts, who lives in Newport, was born and raised on St. Croix. He was the first Virgin Islander and the youngest to earn a sailing spot in the ’04 Olympic games. He was also the only sailor from the Caribbean in the laser sailboat event.

To qualify for the challenge, he competed in numerous events around the

world during his leave from URI. Pitts said the University was a strong source of support helping him to accomplish both of his goals: the Olympics and the degree.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do half of the things that I did if I hadn’t gone to URI. The faculty and everyone in the chemical engineering department were so supportive of my efforts. I ended up with a better degree from URI than I would have received anywhere else.

“Professor [Vincent] Rose has by far been my biggest supporter. He has helped in so many ways. When I came back from Greece, he had collected and gave to me all the news clippings from around the world about the Olympic races. He has been incredible, both as a teacher and also just as a person.”

When asked why he pursued a degree in chemical engineering, Pitts said he was always good in math and liked the first chemistry class he took. He also knew chemical engineering graduates would earn top salaries—something he’d need to help him navigate his future endeavors.

By Jhodi Redlich