Robert Carothers

Robert Lee Carothers (born September 3, 1942), a writer and poet, served as chancellor of the Minnesota State University System and the tenth president of the University of Rhode Island from 1991 to 2009.

Early life and education Robert Carothers was born on September 3, 1942, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania to Robert Fleming Carothers and Mary (Skinner) Carothers.

Carothers earned a Ph.D. degree at Kent State University in 1969 and a J.D. degree from the McDowell School of Law, University of Akron in 1980, and he was admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1981.

Academic career Robert Carothers began his academic career in 1969 at his alma mater Edinboro University as a professor and dean, eventually becoming its vice president. He went on to serve as president of Southwest Minnesota State University from 1983 to 1986, and chancellor of the Minnesota State University System from 1986 to 1991 before being selected as the tenth president of the University of Rhode Island. Early in his presidential tenure at URI, Carothers was faced with the takeover of Taft Hall, the oldest academic building on campus, by 200 mostly African-American students protesting racial discrimination on campus. Carothers was able to diffuse the tensions by advocating for a Multicultural Center at the heart of the campus. Throughout his tenure at URI, he was known for changing the student culture of the university from a 'party school' to an outward looking 'college with a conscience.' During his administration, there was a strengthening of anti-discrimination toward LGBTQ members of the campus community. He retired from academia in May 2009 and David M. Dooley, former Provost at Montana State University, took over as the URI's 11th President.

Retirement and honors In their retirement from URI, Carothers and Jayne Richmond have been engaged in academic consulting. Carothers has been honored recipient of several awards, including the Humanitarian Award, from the Urban League of Rhode Island, 2000; the Jean Hicks Award, Rhode Island Conference for Community and Justice, 2000; History Makers Salute from Rhode Island Historical Society 2001; the Silver Anniversary Honor Roll Award, American Cancer Society, and the Council Fellows Mentor Award, from the American Council of Education in 2005. Carothers was also honored in 2017 by the University with an honorary doctorate for his services to the University and the State of Rhode Island. Carothers, R.L. and M.L. Sevigny (1993). Classism and quality. pp.13-15 in New Directions for Institutional Research. San Francisco: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company DOI:10.1002/ir.37019937804 Carothers, R.L. (2004). Declaring Independence: A New Model for Public Presidents. Connection, New England's Journal of Higher Education. 19(2):17-18. Carothers, R.L., M.D. Wood, and F. Cohen. (2006). Common ground on curbing campus drinking. Trusteeship 14(6):19-23.