Bryant University

Bryant University is a four-year, highly selective, private university located in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Until August of 2004, it was known as Bryant College. Bryant University was originally located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, but moved to its current campus in Smithfield, Rhode Island when the founder of Tupperware, Earl Silas Tupper, a Bryant University alumni, donated the current of land to be the new campus. The school's current campus is referred to as the Tupper Campus. Bryant University, which comprises the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the AACSB International.

History

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. Also, in 2008 the 41st, and former, President of the United States George H. W. Bush gave the 2008 Commencement Address on May 17, 2008. Bush received an honorary degree from the University. Thus, within months of each other, Bryant had two of the only three former U.S Presidents still living, to come speak on campus.

Bryant University is a four-year, highly selective, private university located in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Until August of 2004, it was known as Bryant College. Bryant University was originally located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, but moved to its current campus in Smithfield, Rhode Island when the founder of Tupperware, Earl Silas Tupper, a Bryant University alumni, donated the current of land to be the new campus. The school's current campus is referred to as the Tupper Campus. Bryant University, which comprises the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the AACSB International.