Ethan Jedson ’25 wasn’t just chasing a diploma at URI; he was determined to experience everything college had to offer, completing four majors and participating in a variety of campus organizations.
Jedson could have graduated in just two and a half years with a double major in finance and Spanish. But that felt like a missed opportunity. So, Jedson joined some groups on campus and added another major—applied economics. When the College of Business began allowing students to double major within the school, he took it one step further, adding accounting as a fourth major.
Time management became a key skill in balancing academics with extracurriculars. “You have to be intentional with your time,” Jedson advises. “Planning ahead gave me the flexibility to be part of so many different communities on campus.”
The COVID-19 pandemic added an unexpected twist to Ethan’s college years. Going virtual opened doors to new organizations and mentorship roles, including his involvement in Delta Pi, Student Senate, Project Restore, and his service as a URI 101 mentor and resident academic mentor. “Zoom made everything more accessible,” he reflects. “It was a lot easier to hop between meetings virtually.”
The scholarships he received allowed him to focus on his education and campus life without the burden of student debt.
“Scholarships made it all possible,” he says. “They gave me the freedom to say yes to experiences that shaped my time here at URI.”
Support from URI’s College of Business was instrumental to his success, specifically from his West Greenwich neighbor, Donna Gamache-Griffiths, the International Business Program coordinator. Faculty guidance and structured programs helped Jedson create his path.
Ethan graduated alongside his twin brother, Alex, younger sister, Emily and mother, Allison. This made his URI Commencement weekend even more memorable, garnering attention from local and national media and highlighting the depth of Rhody pride in the Jedson family. For Ethan, walking across the stage was more than a milestone—it was a moment of pride and a springboard into a promising future.
In July, Ethan will begin his next chapter as an analyst at J.P. Morgan’s private bank in New York City—a dream job that reflects all his hard work.