Andrew Workman Named Interim RWU President

BRISTOL-WARREN, RI - From Roger Williams University: The Roger Williams University Board of Trustees has chosen Provost Andrew Workman to serve as Interim President, filling the vacancy created by the death of President Donald J. Farish on July 5. The search for RWU’s next president will continue as planned, following the same schedule that was anticipated when President Farish announced his plans to retire, the board announced.

In a meeting on Monday evening, the board also selected Jerome Williams to serve as Interim Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for Finance. He had been the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration. Below is the full text of the July 9 message from the Board of Trustees to the RWU community:

Dear Roger Williams University community,

I and the other members of the Roger Williams University Board of Trustees wish to convey our deep sorrow at the loss of our president, Donald J. Farish, and to convey our sincere sympathy to Maia Farish, other members of his family and his many friends and colleagues. We intend to continue with plans to recognize President Farish’s many accomplishments at RWU during the remainder of this year, but we regret that he cannot be with us to receive those well-deserved accolades.

While the loss of President Farish’s leadership is significant, the board has confidence in the senior leadership team’s ability to continue RWU’s forward progress. To help ensure that continuity at this crucial time, the board today (July 9) voted to name Andrew Workman the Interim President. That step, which is in keeping with RWU bylaws, recognizes Workman’s proven ability as Provost and his desire to continue the work that President Farish began.

The board also decided to name Jerome Williams the Interim Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for Finance, maintaining the steady leadership he has demonstrated in his current position.

At the same time, the search for RWU’s next president will continue as planned, following the same schedule that was anticipated when President Farish announced his plans to retire. The board has hired Isaacson, Miller as search consultants. As the fall semester nears, the process of gathering input from the full RWU community will commence. We will be announcing the membership of a presidential search committee, which will include faculty, staff and students, and we as a community will begin crafting a presidential search prospectus.

We, as a board, join you in this period of mourning. We have great confidence in the ability of Andrew Workman and Jerome Williams to lead at this important juncture. We know that Roger Williams University is a strong community that will come together in the months ahead to select our next president and to build on President Farish’s remarkable legacy.

Sincerely,

Chairman Richard L. Bready and the Roger Williams University Board of Trustees

About RWU: With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, R.I., Roger Williams University is a forward-thinking private university committed to strengthening society through engaged teaching and learning. At RWU, small classes, direct access to faculty and guaranteed opportunity for real-world projects ensure that its nearly 4,000 undergraduates – along with hundreds of law students, graduate students and adult learners – graduate with the ability to think critically along with the practical skills that today’s employers demand. Roger Williams is leading the way in American higher education, confronting the most pressing issues facing students and families – increasing costs, rising debt and job readiness.

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