Speakers and Honored Guests

2018 Honorary Degree Recipients

  • Gina McCarthy Gina McCarthy - Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa Undergraduate Speaker Gina McCarthy, a leading advocate for the protection of public health and the environment, will be the featured speaker for URI's 2018 undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 20. Read More
  • Dr. Dharam Ablashi Dr. Dharam V. Ablashi - Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa Dr. Ablashi is a renowned virologist and humanitarian who has influenced the lives of thousands of people within the field of immunovirology research and beyond. Read More
  • Akihiro Nikkaku Akihiro Nikkaku - Doctor of Business, Honoris Causa As the chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Toray Industries Inc., Mr. Nikkaku is a visionary business leader who supports innovative technologies that address global environmental issues. Read More
  • Anne Mimi Sammis Anne Mimi Sammis - Doctor of Fine Arts, Honoris Causa Anne Mimi Sammis is a Rhode Island-based painter and sculptor whose work is commissioned around the world, and whose willingness to share her gifts and support others’ creativity has inspired thousands. Read More
  • Jim Taricani Jim Taricani - Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa Jim Taricani is a former investigative journalist whose integrity and unwavering courage in pursuit of the truth has long set him apart in his profession and beyond. Read More

Graduate Commencement Speaker

  • Maureen Moakley Maureen Moakley - URI professor Maureen Moakley’s keen insights into politics and government have taken her far beyond the classroom — from the fractious halls of the Rhode Island Statehouse, to the colorful streets of Havana and beyond. Read More

Student Speakers

  • Oleg Kasakov Oleg Kazakov - Graduate Student Speaker Oleg Kazakov, a University of Rhode Island doctoral student from Moscow who will receive a Ph.D. in chemistry, has been selected as student speaker for the 2018 Graduate School Commencement on Saturday, May 19, in the Ryan Center. Read More
  • Ellis Iacono Ellis Iacono - Undergraduate Student Speaker Ellis Iacono, a biology and journalism double major from Barrington, Rhode Island, was chosen by the URI Student Senate to represent the Class of 2018 as its student speaker. Read More