Golden Grad Weekend

Registration opens at 10:00 a.m.

Alumni Center
73 Upper College Road, Kingston Campus

Buses depart for morning sessions and lunch at the Ocean Science and Exploration Center at the Narragansett Bay Campus.

Choose between the following tours and presentations:

Inner Space Center Tour – The Inner Space Center is a one‑of‑a‑kind mission control where scientists explore the ocean in real time using remotely operated vehicles and live-streamed data from around the world. On this tour, you’ll see how cutting‑edge technology brings deep‑sea exploration, discovery, and science to life right here on shore. Limited to 20 people.

Ocean Robotics Lab Tour – On this tour, you’ll get a look inside the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory (ORL) and meet the Rhody Lab—one of the research teams that will soon call this space home. We’ll show you the ORL facilities and share how we use a small remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designed to easily operate in the test tank, to support ocean research. Limited to 20 people.

Microplastics Presentation with Victoria Fulfer ’16, M.S.’19, Ph.D.’24 – Dr. Fulfer received her master’s and Ph.D. from URI-GSO and now works as a microplastics scientist for the 5 Gyres Institute, a science-based nonprofit focused on transforming science to solutions for the plastic pollution problem. Dr. Fulfer will share the results of her extensive work studying microplastic pollution in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay and around the world, and describe the work she is doing now to inform policy actions around the U.S.

Nautilus Galley Café, Ocean Science and Exploration Center

Enjoy a selection of sandwiches, salads, beverages, and desserts.

Cost: $25 per person

Choose between the following tours and presentations:

Inner Space Center Tour – The Inner Space Center is a one‑of‑a‑kind mission control where scientists explore the ocean in real time using remotely operated vehicles and live-streamed data from around the world. On this tour, you’ll see how cutting‑edge technology brings deep‑sea exploration, discovery, and science to life right here on shore. Limited to 20 people.

Ocean Robotics Lab Tour – On this tour, you’ll get a look inside the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory (ORL) and meet the Rhody Lab—one of the research teams that will soon call this space home. We’ll show you the ORL facilities and share how we use a small remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designed to easily operate in the test tank, to support ocean research. Limited to 20 people.

Microplastics Presentation with Victoria Fulfer ’16, M.S.’19, Ph.D.’24 – Dr. Fulfer received her master’s and Ph.D. from URI-GSO and now works as a microplastics scientist for the 5 Gyres Institute, a science-based nonprofit focused on transforming science to solutions for the plastic pollution problem. Dr. Fulfer will share the results of her extensive work studying microplastic pollution in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay and around the world, and describe the work she is doing now to inform policy actions around the U.S.

Buses depart for afternoon sessions at the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering at the Kingston Campus.

Choose between the following tours and presentations:

AI & You: What It Is and Why It Matters with Brian Blanchette, Director, Systems and Technology, URI Foundation – Artificial intelligence is showing up more often in daily life—from phones and email to news, healthcare, and customer service. This friendly, jargon‑free presentation explains what AI really is, how people are already encountering it, and why understanding it can be helpful, empowering, and sometimes reassuring—no technical background required.

Brain Health and Living Well with Dr. John K. Robinson, the Thomas M. Ryan Professor of Neuroscience – Dr. Robinson is a leading behavioral neuroscientist and professor whose research explores how brain function and dysfunction can be influenced across the lifespan. As a co-director of URI’s George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, his work has helped illuminate how everyday factors like diet, physical activity, and social and cognitive engagement can shape brain health and dementia risk.

Dyeing with Lichens and Other Student Projects from the Historic Textile & Costume Collection with Susan Jerome, Collections Manager, Historic Textile & Costume Collection, Dept. of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design – The Historic Textile & Costume Collection (HTCC) at URI spans thousands of years of human history, exploring culture and connection through clothing, textiles, tools, and writings. This program highlights select examples from the collection, features undergraduate and graduate student research central to the HTCC’s mission within the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design, and includes a special exhibit that will be on display at the Alumni Center.

Campus Bus Tour with Sydney Rabidoux ’25, Coordinator of Foundation Initiatives, URI Foundation – Enjoy a relaxed, narrated bus tour through campus that blends familiar sights with what’s new. Revisit favorite places, hear a few memories along the way, and see how URI has grown. This tour allows you to see campus comfortably at an easy pace, with no walking required.

Choose between the following tours and presentations:

AI & You: What It Is and Why It Matters with Brian Blanchette, Director, Systems and Technology, URI Foundation – Artificial intelligence is showing up more often in daily life—from phones and email to news, healthcare, and customer service. This friendly, jargon‑free presentation explains what AI really is, how people are already encountering it, and why understanding it can be helpful, empowering, and sometimes reassuring—no technical background required.

Brain Health and Living Well with Dr. John K. Robinson, the Thomas M. Ryan Professor of Neuroscience – Dr. Robinson is a leading behavioral neuroscientist and professor whose research explores how brain function and dysfunction can be influenced across the lifespan. As a co-director of URI’s George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, his work has helped illuminate how everyday factors like diet, physical activity, and social and cognitive engagement can shape brain health and dementia risk.

Dyeing with Lichens and Other Student Projects from the Historic Textile & Costume Collection with Susan Jerome, Collections Manager, Historic Textile & Costume Collection, Dept. of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design – The Historic Textile & Costume Collection (HTCC) at URI spans thousands of years of human history, exploring culture and connection through clothing, textiles, tools, and writings. This program highlights select examples from the collection, features undergraduate and graduate student research central to the HTCC’s mission within the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design, and includes a special exhibit that will be on display at the Alumni Center.

Campus Bus Tour with Sydney Rabidoux ’25, Coordinator of Foundation Initiatives, URI Foundation – Enjoy a relaxed, narrated bus tour through campus that blends familiar sights with what’s new. Revisit favorite places, hear a few memories along the way, and see how URI has grown. This tour allows you to see campus comfortably at an easy pace, with no walking required.

Buses return to Alumni Center for the Golden Grad Cocktail Reception.

Alumni Center, 73 Upper College Road, Kingston

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a raw bar by Matunuck Oyster Bar, and live music by a URI student jazz trio.

Cost: $45 per person; includes one complimentary drink with additional cash bar available.

Dunes Club, 137 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett

The highlight of the weekend! Golden Grads are invited to enjoy an elegant lunch at the Dunes Club in Narragansett. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and guests will be seated for lunch at 12 p.m.

Cost: $50 per person, including your choice of entrée (prime rib, chicken, fish, or vegetarian) and one drink. Additional cash bar available.

668 Matunuck Beach Road
Matunuck, Rhode Island
401.783.2090
admiraldeweyinn.com

825 Ocean Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
401.473.9032
theanchormotel.com

4115 Old Post Road
Charlestown, Rhode Island
401.364.8888
thegeneralstantoninn.com

3 Fairfield Way
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
401.284.3311
website

20 Hotel Drive
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
401.788.3500
website

3009 Tower Hill Road
Saunderstown, Rhode Island
website

Special group rate of $199 per night for the nights of May 28 and 29. Book here.

87 Kingstown Road
Richmond, Rhode Island
1.855.727.4392
thepreserveri.com

55 Gate Road
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
401.667.7500
website

South County Tourism Council
Discover Newport
Rhode Island Tourism Division