# List of presidents of the University of Rhode Island

The following is a list of presidents of the University of Rhode Island.
| | | President | Life | Tenure | Events |
| 1. | | John Hosea Washburn | 1859–1932 | 1892–1902 | From 1888 to 1892, Washburn served as founding principal of the Rhode Island State Agricultural School associated with the Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1892 the school was expanded, chartered as a college, and renamed the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. |
| - | Homer Jay Wheeler | Homer Jay Wheeler (acting) | 1861–1945 | 1902–1903 | Agricultural Experiment Station Director serving as acting president |
| 2. | Butterfield Kenyon | Kenyon L. Butterfield | 1868–1936 | 1903–1906 | An extension department was organized. |
| 3. | HowardEdwards | Howard Edwards | 1854–1930 | 1906–1930 | Home Economics was introduced and women were admitted to the college. First master's degrees were awarded and the fraternity system was established. In 1909, the institution was expanded and renamed Rhode Island State College. |
| - | John Barlow-1920 | John Barlow (acting) | 1872–1944 | 1930–1931 | Named Vice-president and Dean of Men in early 1930 by President Edwards. |
| 4. | Raymond G. Bressler-1933 | Raymond G. Bressler, Sr. | 1887–1948 | 1931–1940 | Rhode Island State College was reorganized into the School of Engineering, School of Science and Business, and School of Agriculture and Home Economics. A number of facilities were constructed including Eleanor Roosevelt Hall, Quinn Hall, Green Hall, and Meade Stadium. |
| - | John Barlow-1920 | John Barlow (acting) | 1872–1944 | 1940–1941 | Second time as acting president during presidential transition |
| 5. | | Carl R. Woodward | 1890–1974 | 1941–1958 | Rhode Island State College was reorganized into the University of Rhode Island. |
| 6. | Francis H. Horn-1926 | Francis H. Horn | 1908–1998 | 1958–1967 | URI's Graduate School of Oceanography was established. |
| - | | F. Donald James (acting) | 1927–2019 | 1967–1968 | Called upon to manage the transition at a time of considerable political turmoil |
| 7. | | Werner A. Baum | 1923–1999 | 1968–1973 | Establishment of strong institutional ties between URI and the Department of Commerce and the newly established Environmental Protection Agency with two federal laboratories established near the Graduate School of Oceanography. |
| - | | William R. Ferrante (acting) | 1928–2014 | 1974 | Provost and Vice President of Academic affairs 1972-1988 |
| 8. | | Frank J. Newman | 1926–2004 | 1974–1983 | The general education curriculum was revised to emphasize global perspectives, and he recognized the importance of higher education in the lives of older students. |
| - | | William R. Ferrante (acting) | 1928–2014 | 1983 | Second time as acting president during presidential transition |
| 9. | | Edward D. Eddy | 1921–1998 | 1983–1991 | The research portfolio of the university was greatly expanded. |
| 10. | | Robert L. Carothers | 1942– | 1991–2009 | The face of the university was greatly changed with numerous capital building projects. |
| 11. | | David M. Dooley | 1952– | 2009–2021 | International research programs were enhanced. |
| 12. | | Marc Parlange | 1962– | 2021– | |