RWU Media Room

This entry was posted on October 26, 2009, filed under: Academic, Featured, RWU School of Law. | There are No Comments. |

WHAT: The legal profession is changing rapidly, and it is hard to predict what the landscape will be like in a decade, five years or even one year. But one factor is certain: there will be ever more women in the profession, wielding ever more influence. It is therefore important to think both deeply and broadly about the cultural and substantive shifts the profession is facing, and how lawyers and employers can successfully position themselves for the new realities of law practice in the 21st century.

RWU Law’s “Women Who Lead” Series, spanning the 2009-10 academic year, will offer lectures, symposia and other events that spotlight the important works of women attorneys, while also addressing ongoing challenges such as “breaking the glass ceiling” and achieving work/family balance. Topics will include women on the bench, women in public interest law, various career paths and factors that make a given law firm culture attractive to women lawyers.

WHO: The Honorable Margaret H. Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts will open the Women Who Lead series with an address on “Our American Constitutions: Models for the 21st Century.” First appointed as an Associate Justice in 1996, Marshall was sworn in as Chief Justice in 1999. She is only the second woman to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court in its more than 300-year history and is the first woman to serve as Chief Justice. In November 2003, she handed down the landmark decision in Goodridge v. Department of Health, requiring equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians.

WHEN: Thursday, October 29, 2009
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Roger Williams University School of Law
Bristol, Rhode Island
Appellate Courtroom 283

About RWU Law: The Roger Williams University School of Law is the only law school in Rhode Island, and offers future attorneys a rigorous, world-class legal education in a supportive, personalized environment. A top-notch faculty and strong student culture, plus a commitment to public service, drive the school’s rapidly growing reputation for preparing graduates for practice in the 21st century.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

This entry was posted on October 26, 2009, filed under: Academic, Featured, RWU School of Law. | There are No Comments. |

A prominent Rhode Island attorney was honored Thursday for a $250,000 challenge gift supporting Roger Williams University School of Law in its mission to increase pro bono legal services for the state’s most needy and vulnerable communities.

Providence lawyer Mark Mandell was recognized at a Bristol reception hosted by Roger Williams University President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., and Dean David A. Logan of RWU School of Law, for his generous support of the Law School’s Pro Bono Collaborative (PBC), a program that facilitates public interest collaborations between local law firms, community organizations and students at Roger Williams University School of Law.

“From our undergraduate through our graduate programs, and very much including our School of Law, Roger Williams University is dedicated to cultivating globally aware, service-minded citizens who want to create a more just, equitable and sustainable world,” President Nirschel said. “The PBC’s invaluable work goes to the very heart of that mission.”

Mandell agreed. “Doing pro bono work combines the reality of legal justice with the principles of social justice, and what can mean more than that?” he said.

The PBC partners Rhode Island law firms and RWU law students with community-based organizations to provide project-based pro bono legal assistance to some of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable populations. Since its inception in 2006, the PBC has engaged 10 law firms, more than 50 attorneys and 60 law students, and 28 community-based organizations to provide pro bono legal services. To date it has leveraged approximately 500 hours of pro bono service from the Rhode Island legal community, including some of its top firms. RWU Law students have, for their part, contributed 1,900 hours of work.

“To my knowledge, the PBC is the only pro bono program in the country that provides legal service to low-income people through this sort of three-way collaboration between law firms, a law school and community organizations,” said Dean Logan.

In addition, Mandell’s gift lays out a matching challenge to the Rhode Island legal community to effectively double his donation. Eliza Vorenberg, director of the PBC, noted that the timing of Mandell’s gift and challenge fortuitously coincides with the American Bar Association’s National Pro Bono Celebration Week (Oct. 25 through 31, 2009), which is dedicated to “educating the public and recruiting more pro bono attorneys to meet the ever-growing legal needs of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens,” and thereby helping to “make equal justice a reality.”

Mandell said the PBC’s work illustrates the attitude and willingness to innovate that makes RWU Law so vital to Rhode Island’s bar and bench. “The law school is a beacon for all judges, attorneys and citizens who are participants in our system of justice,” he said. “I think that RWU Law is as important as any academic institution in the state of Rhode Island.”

Mandell, a former president of both the Rhode Island Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), currently sits on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel and has served on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Judicial Appointments, among many other posts. A longtime supporter of RWU Law, Mandell not only teaches trial advocacy at the school, but also sits on its advisory board and in 2008 joined its Board of Directors. In addition, he is the proud father of Zach Mandell, a second-year law student at Roger Williams; and this fall he was welcomed onto Roger Williams University’s Board of Trustees.

“I’ve always believed in the Abraham Lincoln approach to law,” Mandell said. “You do it with honor and integrity, you represent your clients as zealously as possible, and you give back. It’s great to make a living, but the thread that winds through all of it is serving the public good.”

About RWU Law: The Roger Williams University School of Law is the only law school in Rhode Island, and offers future attorneys a rigorous, world-class legal education in a supportive, personalized environment. A top-notch faculty and strong student culture, plus a commitment to public service, drive the school’s rapidly growing reputation for preparing graduates for practice in the 21st century.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

This entry was posted on October 21, 2009, filed under: Academic, Community, Featured. | There are No Comments. |

Noted Jordanian author and journalist, Rana Husseini, has spent years researching and writing about the horror of honor killings that occur in many parts of the world, including the United States. The Roger Williams University Women’s Center will host Husseini on campus Thursday, November 12, for two public lectures. During her visit to RWU, Husseini will address the terrible nature of honor killings as chronicled in her new novel, “Murder in the Name of Honor.”

In her new book, Husseini tells the stories of women from across the globe who became victims of honor killings, and talks about the cultural dynamics that allow these horrific acts. She has bravely uncovered one of the world’s darkest crimes and chronicles both sides of this disturbing issue through interviews with fathers and sons who have committed these crimes and women who were able to escape their oppressors.

Husseini will engage the public in the Mary Teft White Cultural Center at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. in the Roger Williams Law School Appellate Court room. She will be available to meet with the public and sign books following each lecture. Both events are open to the public and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. More information on these events can be found by calling the RWU Women’s Center at (401) 254- 3294.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

This entry was posted on September 25, 2009, filed under: Academic, Featured. | There are No Comments. |

2010 Military-Friendly Schools

Since first offering a handful of courses at Naval Station Newport in the late 1970’s, Roger Williams University (RWU) has been one of the primary institutions to which enlisted military and education officers in the New England region and beyond have turned. RWU’s commitment manifests itself in a myriad of ways. The University waives the application fee for military personnel and veterans. It conducts credit assessments free of charge. And the University even modified the military tuition rate to equalize it with the funds made available through Armed Forces education benefits.

“It’s personal attention,” says John Stout, Dean of RWU’s School of Continuing Education. “What the military asks in terms of special considerations is essentially just an extension of what we do for all our students. I think we were student-friendly long before we were military-friendly.”

The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America`s veterans as students. Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. “This list is especially important now because the recently enacted Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they`re academically qualified.”

Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations. Schools on the list also offer additional benefits to student veterans such as on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and more. The list was compiled through exhaustive research starting last May during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide. See the comprehensive list.

About G.I. Jobs: G.I. Jobs (www.gijobs.com) is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. The company also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines and annually rates the nation’s “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Spouse Friendly Employers” and “Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses.”

About Roger Williams University: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

This entry was posted on September 23, 2009, filed under: Academic, On Campus. | There are No Comments. |

As part of the University’s enduring commitment to increase global learning opportunities for its students, Roger Williams University (RWU) today announced that it has expanded its “Passport to Your Future” program. This innovative program, which began in 2006 for select sophomores, now waives passport application fees, postal service handling fees and passport photo fees, for all eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Representatives of the Bristol, RI Post Office are on campus at the new Global Heritage Hall from September 22 through September 24 to walk students through the passport application process and to accept applications for submission to the U.S. Department of State. A local photographer is also on hand to take passport photos for students and the Peggy and Marc Spiegel Center For Global & International Programs at RWU will showcase international travel opportunities for students during the event. Over 1,200 students were invited by RWU President Roy J. Nirschel to participate in this program.

“Traveling abroad is an irreplaceable opportunity that encourages students to seek meaningful knowledge and experiences outside of the American sphere of influence. By essentially bringing the passport application process directly to eligible students free of charge, we are encouraging international travel which we hope will deepen the sense of global citizenship within our campus community,” said RWU President, Dr. Roy J. Nirschel. “I have had the privilege of studying and traveling abroad and am on my third passport. Being a 20-year-old in Taiwan, Japan and Korea was a life-changing experience for me as it will be for our students in our nearly fifty study abroad opportunities; up from six when I began my presidency.”

Committed to fostering a global culture on campus and within the student body, nearly one-third of the junior and senior classes at RWU currently participate in a study abroad experience. RWU presently offers 42 outbound study-abroad program locations in 29 countries.

Video can be viewed here: Passport Program

This entry was posted on September 21, 2009, filed under: Academic, Community, RWU School of Law. | There are No Comments. |

WHAT: Roger Williams University School of Law and local community organizations celebrate the launch of the new Immigration Clinic at RWU, and offer media and guests a tour of the new facility.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

WHERE: Roger Williams University, Providence Campus
150 Washington Street
Providence, Rhode Island

WHY: Problem: Rhode Island’s immigrant communities form a large, fast-growing and underserved segment of the state’s population, and those most in need of complex legal representation are frequently least able to afford it. Solution: A state-of-the-art legal clinic pairing law students, under the guidance of a full-time professor, with needy clients from around the state.

WHO: Featured speakers include:

• Dean David A. Logan, Roger Williams University School of Law;
• Carl Krueger, Immigration Attorney, The Feinstein Center for Citizenship & Immigration Services, International Institute of Rhode Island
• Ramon Martinez, President/CEO, Progreso Latino, Inc.
• Professor Mary Holper, Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Roger Williams University

About RWU Law: The Roger Williams University School of Law is the only law school in Rhode Island, and offers future attorneys a rigorous, world-class legal education in a supportive, personalized environment. A top-notch faculty and strong student culture, plus a commitment to public service, drive the school’s rapidly growing reputation for preparing graduates for practice in the 21st century.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

This entry was posted on September 21, 2009, filed under: Academic, Community, On Campus. | There are No Comments. |

Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling, special correspondent for the National Geographic Channel and Oprah Winfrey Show, will lecture on “how journalism can effect social change,” based on her experiences as a correspondent for “Explorer” on the National Geographic Channel and contributing journalist to CNN’s critically acclaimed series, “Planet in Peril” on Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the campus recreation center gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for the outside public. For more information or to reserve a ticket call (401) 254-3210.

A few weeks later on Friday, October 16th, Dr. Ken Yeang, a Malaysian architect and ecologist who has planned and designed buildings around the world with an ecological, bioclimatic and energy efficient framework for nearly 40 years- long before being green was “hip”- will share his insights on how eco-architecture can help preserve our planet. And finally, adventurer and “oceanaut” Celine Cousteau-granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Cousteau- will invite the community to explore with her the connections between people and the natural world on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Whether you have been a lifelong advocate of sustainability initiatives or are new to the conversation entirely, Roger Williams University encourages you to join the University community in examining the intricate relationships between humans, our cultures and the way we relate to our environments and the world around us.

The civil discourse lecture series was created to have an open forum for discussion of important social matters. “Too often in our society, politicians, media, and even some in higher education, confuse the volume of their voices with the substance of their argument. At Roger Williams University, we believe it is important to have many voices from many kinds of learners expressing differing points of view, but with respect and civility,” said University President Roy J. Nirschel.

About Roger Williams University
Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

This entry was posted on September 21, 2009, filed under: Academic, Community, On Campus. | There are No Comments. |

“Alan Weisman has produced, if not a bible, at least a Book of Revelation.” 
—Newsweek

On Wednesday, October 7th, Alan Weisman, New York Times bestselling author of The World Without Us, will be visiting Roger Williams University for a public lecture. Weisman’s critically acclaimed The World Without Us asks the provocative question: what if the human race simply ceased to exist? “How would the rest of nature respond if it were suddenly relieved of the relentless pressures we heap on it?” Weisman asks. “How soon would, or could, the climate return to where it was before we fired up all our engines? Could nature ever obliterate all our traces?”

Alan Weisman’s lecture is part of the University’s Common Reading Program. Adam Braver, a novelist and associate professor of creative writing, founded the program to start students off with something in common—a unified summer reading experience.“Students arrive on campus with the idea that reading is what university life is about,” Professor Braver states. “Books are the weapons of a university. Reading is what we do here.” In June, each incoming student receives a copy of the selection at Orientation. Selections to date have been two works of fiction—“Old School,” by Tobias Wolff, and “Interpreter of Maladies,” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Come the fall semester, students engage in classroom discussions about the Common Reading selection, culminating with a campus visit by the chosen author; this fall, Alan Weisman.

Since its publication in 2007, The World Without Us has been an international phenomenon which has been translated into 30 languages to great critical acclaim. Author and environmental activist Bill McKibben described the book as “one of the grandest thought experiments of our time, a tremendous feat of imaginative reporting.” Weisman’s book was named #1 Nonfiction Book of 2007 by both Entertainment Weekly and Time magazine. It spent 16 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list and was the most popular nonfiction audio book on iTunes last year. Weisman has appeared on television discussing his new book on both The Today Show and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. in the University’s campus recreation center gymnasium on the Bristol campus at One Old Ferry Road. The event is free; tickets are required for the outside public. For more information or to reserve a ticket call (401) 254-3210.

About Roger Williams University
Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.