Since becoming the University of Rhode Island's president in July 2009, David M. Dooley has been unfailingly bullish on URI's potential to become one of the nation's elite research institutions. A look at his record indicates that despite strong headwinds, he is delivering on that promise. But he cannot move the state's land-grant university forward alone.
First, a review. During his tenure URI has completed work on new buildings for pharmacy and for biotechnology and life sciences, created the Business Engagement Center to link the business community with university resources, gotten voter approval to build a new chemistry and forensic sciences building as well as a new engineering building, and taken over the state's Small Business Development Center. And it was Mr. Dooley who first championed co-locating the advanced-nursing education centers of both URI and Rhode Island College in a single facility in Providence, a project that is going forward with a significant boost from Brown University.
He has been able to attract leading researchers (and their grant money) in life sciences, as well as build the foundation of the George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience.
Now he wants to create a stronger presence for URI activities, especially in the life sciences in Providence, but to a certain degree, his success – and the success of a state that comes with having a world-class research institution – depends on public investment.
It is a call that Mr. Dooley is putting out to Rhode Island's political leaders. It should be heard and acted upon. •