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Community College of Rhode Island
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CCRI's “crown jewel” campus
Celebration marks opening of Newport County Campus, fulfillment of college's original charter for four campuses statewide
“Education is the new American Dream,” said CCRI alumna Patricia Martinez in the keynote address at the Newport County Campus Grand Opening Ceremonies, held September 29 at the new campus at One John Chafee Boulevard, Newport. Martinez told the audience how she first came to Rhode Island, moving as a child from Colombia to Central Falls with her eight siblings. She credits her college education—in addition to her associate’s degree, she also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees—for her successful career in “community empowerment.” Martinez is currently director of the RI Department of Children, Youth and Families and for many years served as director of Progreso Latino.
Among the nearly 200 community members attending the event was Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee, who honored the role that his father, the late Senator John H. Chafee, played in creating Rhode Island’s community college system 40 years ago. In a brief speech, he told the audience that his late father ranked the creation of the Community College of Rhode Island among his greatest achievements in his long political career.
Associate Vice President Vincent DeSanctis served as master of ceremonies for the event which included greetings from Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva-Weed and Board of Higher Education Chairman Judge Frank Caprio. During the program, DeSanctis presented awards to representatives of the United States Navy, Newport Hospital, the City of Newport and the Newport Housing Authority for their help in integrating the college into the East Bay community.
After recognizing architect J. Michael Abbott of Newport Collaborative Architects, President Thomas D. Sepe termed the Newport County Campus “the fourth jewel in the crown” in a network of four campuses around the state. In his speech, Sepe made a point of recognizing three CCRI community-based committees—a citizen’s advisory committee, an educational advisory committee and a capital campaign committee—for their involvement. “Back when this campus was just an idea on paper, CCRI went into the community and asked for help in making this not just a beautiful building but also a dynamic place for learning,” Sepe said.
Dean Maureen McGarry was also honored for her stewardship of the campus’s nursing and rehabilitative health programs, formerly housed at the Newport Hospital satellite. DeSanctis called her to the podium, where he presented her with a plaque reading, “In honor of Dean Maureen McGarry: Teacher, Leader, Nurturer.” He explained that the plaque will be used to dedicate a bench by the building’s front door, so that McGarry, “will always have a seat in the sun.” Representatives from the Nursing Department presented McGarry, as well as former Dean Kathleen Dwyer, with bouquets of flowers.
To finish the day on what DeSanctis termed “a high note,” the Community Baptist Church Senior Choir performed two gospel selections for the crowd.
Located in the center of Newport’s recently revitalized North End, the CCRI Newport County Campus was designed by Newport Collaborative Architects and constructed by DePasquale Building and Realty Company. The $12.9 million, Shingle-Style building includes a 250-seat auditorium and 16 “smart” classrooms wired for video and data transmission. More than 1,200 students have already enrolled at the new campus for its first semester in operation.
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| Visiting dignitaries join CCRI administrators to officially cut the ribbon on the Newport County Campus. |
