2021 Honorary Degree Recipients
Mona Hanna-Attisha, M.D., M.P.H. - Honorary Doctor of Science
Undergraduate Commencement Speaker
Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician, scientist, and activist, who was responsible for uncovering the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, which began in 2014 when the city switched its water supply from the Detroit system to the Flint River. She has testified twice before Congress, was awarded the Freedom of Expression Courage Award by PEN America, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
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Colonel William P. Babcock, U.S. Army, retired - Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Col. Babcock is a 1968 graduate of the University of Rhode Island who has served his country, Rhode Island, and his alma mater with honor. At URI, he completed the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program, earned his bachelor’s degree in history, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, two Bronze Star medals, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Rhode Island Cross.
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Linda S. Birnbaum, Ph.D. - Honorary Doctor of Science
Dr. Birnbaum is a pioneer, leader, researcher, and environmental health advocate. She is the former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, and the National Toxicology Program. A board-certified toxicologist, Birnbaum spent 19 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she directed the largest division focusing on environmental health research.
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Navyn Salem - Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Navyn Salem is founder and CEO of Edesia, a U.S. nonprofit, social enterprise, with a mission to treat and prevent malnutrition in developing countries worldwide. Edesia's Rhode Island factory produces a range of fortified, peanut-based products like Plumpy'Nut for such humanitarian agencies as UNICEF, World Food Programme, USAID, and other non-governmental organizations working in emergency and conflict zones.
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Student Speakers
Frank Martinez - Graduate Student Speaker
From Cuba to Washington, D.C. to Florida, California, and now Kingston, R.I., Frank Martinez is set to address classmates. Read more
Edhaya Thennarasu - Undergraduate Student Speaker
Edhaya Thennarasu, who worked for the student newspaper, performed in theater productions, and played a central role in a URI admission recruitment ad, will deliver her address to the Class of 2021 as part of the main commencement ceremony, which will be recorded and streamed on the URI 2021 Commencement website.
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