The University of Rhode Island has established the Distinguished Achievement Awards to honor those individuals or corporations who personify its tradition of excellence in professional achievement, leadership contributions, and/or community service, thereby bringing distinction to themselves and to the University of Rhode Island.

During Homecoming Weekend each year, the University of Rhode Island Distinguished Achievement Awards* recognize four to six distinguished alumni and/or friends with this honor. At the same time, the deans of each of the University’s degree-granting colleges name honorees representing their areas to receive Dean's List Awards.

2008 Distringuished Achievement Awards

The 2008 Distinguished Achievement Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at the Providence Westin Hotel. Award winners and and further details about the event will be posted here as soon as the information is available.

2007 Distinguished Achievement Award Winners

Josepha Campinha-Bacote '74, Founder and president of Transcultural C.A.R.E. Associates	Howard S. Frank '62, Vice Chairman and chief operating officer of Carnival Corporation	Nina F. Saberi '82, Managing General Partner of Castile Ventures, a venture capital firm	William Holland '60, Former Commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Higher Education

Our 2nd annual Distinguished Achievement Award Celebration was held on October 13, 2007, at the Providence Westin Hotel in conjunction with the Making a Difference campaign kick-off. The evening also celebrated the 2007 President's Distinguished Achievement Award winners and the 26 Dean’s List honorees. See our photo album from this special evening!

* Distinguished Achievement Award recipients are selected by a committee composed of representatives from URI’s colleges, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the Division of University Advancement, the Department of Athletics, the Alumni Association, and the graduate and undergraduate student body. Note: Faculty, staff, students, and honorary degree recipients are not eligible to receive a University of Rhode Island Distinguished Achievement Award.