FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Laura Hart, 401-456-8977/401-623-1101, lhart@ric.edu,
or Gita Brown, 401-456-8465, gbrown@ric.edu
Rhode Island College has named its Center for Design, Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing after RIC alumnus and U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin ’90 in a special ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 17. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, Governor Gina Raimondo, R.I. Supreme Court Justice Francis Flaherty and RIC President Nancy Carriuolo were among the speakers at the event.
Located in Whipple Hall, the James R. Langevin Center for Design, Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing will provide state-of-the-art technology for RIC students, engage K-12 students in STEM career exploration and offer training space for Rhode Island manufacturing businesses.
The Congressman reflected on his connection to the college, saying, “Thirty-two years ago, when I entered my first class at Rhode Island College, I had no idea the indelible impact the college would have on my life. RIC ignited in me a passion for learning, and my experiences both in and out of the classroom laid the foundation for my career in public service. The college is a huge part of who I am, and I am humbled and honored by this recognition. Rhode Island College empowered me to push harder and achieve things I never thought imaginable. I know the students who pass through the Langevin Center will be empowered to do the same, and I cannot wait to see what they achieve and what mark they leave on Rhode Island.”
The 5,100-square-foot center is equipped with two programmable robots for automated manufacturing; Objet 24 and Objet 30 Pro 3-D printers and a uPrint special edition 3-D printer; a 3-D scanner that can read objects and translate them into CAD files; a FaroArm high-precision measurement tool; a 50-watt laser cutter for plastics, metals and wood; a pneumatics trainer to power machines and provide other manufacturing applications; and a programmable CNC router. The renovations and equipment were made possible by more than $1 million in funds raised from external donors.
Governor Raimondo remarked, “Through his support of career and technical training opportunities and affordable higher education, Jim Langevin is working to build our state’s workforce and to meet Rhode Island employers’ needs. It is gratifying to see his alma mater recognize the Congressman's efforts by naming the advanced manufacturing center in his honor.”
President Carriuolo added, “Congressman Jim Langevin is a role model for our students and a champion for higher education. By naming the center in his honor, we are reminded of his advocacy for technical education, workforce development and STEM careers.”
Other speakers at the event included Rhode Island Manufacturers Association Vice President Chris Matteson and Presidential Innovation Award-Winning science teacher Ross McCurdy ’98, M.Ed ’02.
U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the ranking member of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and also serves on the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. As a supporter of the critical national security work done by Rhode Island’s defense industry, he has worked in committee to double production of the extraordinary Virginia Class Submarines built in Quonset, meeting military needs and creating hundreds of new jobs.
After fulfilling an eight-year term on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Langevin returned as a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he serves as a member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. In addition to his degree from Rhode Island College, Langevin earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Established in Providence in 1854, Rhode Island College serves approximately 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students through its five schools: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, the School of Social Work, the School of Management and the School of Nursing. For more information, visit www.ric.edu.
