North America/United States of America/Rhode Island/Smithfield/Bryant University/

Bryant University

• Location & Contact Information
  • Address, Directions, & Map:
    • 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, Rhode Island, United States of America
  • Telephone Numbers:
    • 401-232-6100
    • 401-232-6741 (fax)
  • Official Website:[2]
• History & Memorable Moments

Bryant University was founded in 1863 as a branch of Bryant and Stratton. In 1916, the college was sold and merged with Rhode Island Commercial School. Bryant became non-profit in 1949 and offered its first master's program in 1969. The school moved to its present location in Smithfield, Rhode Island in 1971. Bryant continued to be a generally successful institution throughout the 1970s and '80s, but began to face serious problems in the 1990s. Applications and interest in the college were way down and enrollment had dropped below 2,000 students. Five of the school's sixteen dormitories sat completely empty. Although the campus was clean and well-maintained, Bryant's facilities were old, haggard and in dire need of upgrading. Bryant continued to lose money throughout the early '90s, where the school had a $1.7 million deficit.; as of 2007 the school now has a $178.1 million endowment showing a change of +$100 million in less than 10 years.

Ronald K. Machtley, a former Navy captain and U.S. Representative was hired as the new president in 1996. When Machtley arrived he immediately began working with faculty, students and the Board of Trustees to ensure the future of Bryant. He announced an ambitious capital campaign and building project to build new facilities and upgrade old ones. In the past six years, Bryant has built a new library, athletic center, communications and IT complex, residence hall, upgraded all athletic fields, and completely renovated the main classroom building and the student union. The school also changed its name to Bryant University in 2004 and school has become more selective than ever before in its history. The most recent historical event that took place at Bryant was on Thursday, February 28, 2008, when former U.S. President Bill Clinton campaigned at Bryant University in support of Hillary Clinton's bid for Democratic presidential nominee. This was the first time in the schools history that either a former U.S. President or Presidential Candidate came to Bryant University to give a speech. The old Emin Homestead occupied much of the land that makes up the present day Smithfield campus. The land was purchased and farmed for 3 generations between the late 1800s and the mid 1900s. Today, many descendants of the original Emin settlers still live near the Bryant campus. The school also claims a handful of family members as alumni and offers a scholarship for accounting students as a tribute to the Emin family. Historical pictures of the Emin Homestead can still be found in the Alumni house.

• Overview, Photographs, & Video Links

Prospective Students

• Admissions Tips

New & Current Students

• Campus Events
• Transportation
• Safety Tips
• Support Centers
  • Counseling
• Grading System
• Good Classes & Teachers
• Groups & Organizations
• College & Career Tips

Alumni

• Benefits of Joining Alumni Association
• Mailing List Directory
• Chapters
• Teachers (Where are they now?)
  • Foley, Tim (January 2002 - January 2020)
• Alumni Directory
• Alumni Events

Visitors

• Hotels Nearby
• Restaurant Recommendations
• Places of Worship
• Sports Facility Access