Rhode Island Judicial Conference hosted at URI’s GSO campus

In attendance at the Fall 2012 Rhode Island Judicial Conference were 20 URI graduates—all of whom, space permitting, would have “The Honorable” before their names. Back Row: William P. Robinson III, M.A. ’75; Edward P. Sowa Jr. ’66; Dianne M. Connor ’79; Charles J. Levesque ’77; Alan R. Goulart ’82; Michael B. Forte ’74; Francis J. Darigan Jr., M.P.A.’74; John F. McBurney III ’72; Domenic A. DiSandro III ’83. Middle Row: Robert E. Hardman ’82; Stephen P. Erickson ’73; Sarah Taft-Carter ’78. Front Row: Angela M. Paulhus ’85; Rafael A. Ovalles ’87; Kathleen A. Voccola ’72; Christine S. Jabour ’75; Susan L. Kenny ’74; William R. Guglietta ’82; Brian Van Couyghen ’78; William T. Noonan ’82.

The Rhode Island judiciary descended upon the URI Graduate School of Oceanography for its annual fall conference this year, thanks in large measure to the organizational efforts of the Honorable William R. Guglietta ’82, chief magistrate of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal. Drawing on the expertise of URI faculty members, this year’s conference focused on legal implications in marine issues, and featured presentations by Professor of Computer Science and Statistics Victor Fay-Wolfe, who spoke about digital forensics and cybersecurity, and Professor of Oceanography Robert D. Ballard, Ph.D. ’75, who discussed ocean exploration in the waters of other countries. Holly Hitchcock, director of education programs for the Rhode Island Supreme Court, called the conference “a wonderful opportunity for the judiciary to explore the knowledge and resources available to them, and to bridge the gap between higher education and the judiciary.”

Of the 75 judges and former judges in attendance, 20 were University of Rhode Island alumni, “a testament to the high quality of education URI offers,” Hitchcock said.