Bryant University
In 1863, John Collins Bryant and Henry Beadman Bryant established a branch of a national school in downtown Providence. The institution taught bookkeeping and methods of business communication to students seeking practical skills. Classes were held inside the Butler Exchange building at 111 Westminster Street on Kennedy Plaza. This structure no longer exists today. Thomas Stowell purchased the Providence branch from the original founders in 1878. He served as a teacher within the school before taking ownership. Stowell died in 1916, prompting another sale of the property. The school merged with Henry Jacobs' Rhode Island Commercial School, which had been founded in 1898. Bryant became a non-profit organization in 1949. It offered its first master's program in 1969.
Earl S. Tupper donated his hillside estate to Bryant College in October 1967. Tupper was an alumnus and the inventor of Tupperware. The university named the new campus after him and awarded him an honorary Ph.D. in Humane Letters. Students moved to this location in 1971. The land previously housed the Emin Homestead and Captain Joseph Mowry homestead. Farmers worked this soil for three generations between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century. Many descendants of the original Emin settlers still live near the current campus. The school offers a scholarship for accounting students as a tribute to the Emin family. Historical pictures of the Emin Homestead remain visible inside the Alumni house. The former Providence campus sold to Brown University included 26 buildings on 10 acres of land.
Isaac Gifford Ladd constructed a one million dollar building containing an iron arch in 1875. He built it on Young Orchard Avenue on the east side of Providence as a sign of endearment to his newlywed wife. His wife expressed hatred for the structure which bore her name. Ladd took his own life following this personal rejection. Thomas Marsden transformed the unoccupied building into Hope Hospital, which later became part of Bryant College. An addition was constructed before the hospital was renamed South Hall. Four years prior to the move from Providence to Smithfield, workers transported the wrought-iron arch to the new campus. Students immediately began avoiding passing through this out-of-place structure after its arrival. A rumor circulated that walking through the archway before graduation mysteriously jeopardized chances of graduating. Most students opted not to take the chance. Worn paths now circle around the base of the arch.
Ronald K. Machtley arrived as president in 1996 after serving as a former Navy captain and U.S. Representative. He announced an ambitious capital campaign upon taking office. The administration built a new library, athletic center, communications complex, residence hall, and interfaith center. All athletic fields received upgrades during this period. The main classroom building and student union underwent complete renovation. Bryant changed its name to Bryant University in 2004. Budget deficits disappeared under his leadership. The university endowment reached $171 million by 2007. This represented a net increase of $169 million over just ten years. In 2017, Machtley earned $6,283,616, making him the highest paid college president in the United States. He was paid $920,000 more than the second highest paid college president at that time.
The Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center opened across the street from the existing campus in 2022. Fidelity Investments donated this 250,000-square-foot facility to the university. A pedestrian-friendly crossing is currently under development to integrate the BELC with the main campus. The School of Business relocated to the newly constructed BELC while other colleges remain in the Unistructure. Suite Village houses fourteen residence halls with thirteen housing 90 students each. Hall seventeen, Newport House, accommodates approximately 200 students. Every suite contains three double bedrooms, a living area, and private bathroom with multiple stalls and showers. Four floors hold four suites per floor, separated by gender. The Ronald K. and Kati C. Machtley Interfaith Center opened at the start of the 2009, 2010 academic year. It replaced the previous chapel located inside the Bryant Center. The center received two design awards including a 2010 Honor Design Award from Faith & Form magazine.
Bryant University divides its offerings into two colleges: the College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences. Most students enroll in a business discipline. All students majoring in business administration must complete one of 27 liberal arts minors. Students in the Bachelor of Science in International Business program are required to complete a language minor. Those majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences also complete a business minor. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, Bryant ranked #7 in the Regional-North group. A ranking placed its Digital Marketing Program as number one in the United States for 2022. The school offers 25 intercollegiate varsity athletic programs participating in NCAA Division I. Athletics squads carry the name Bulldogs. Approximately 7% of male undergraduates and 13% of female undergraduates participate in Greek life as of 2023. Residence life guarantees housing for all four years with 87% of the student body living in university-provided housing during Fall 2023.
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Common questions
When was Bryant University established and by whom?
John Collins Bryant and Henry Beadman established the institution in 1863 as a branch of a national school. The founders taught bookkeeping and business communication methods to students seeking practical skills.
Where is the current campus of Bryant University located and what land did it replace?
Earl S. Tupper donated his hillside estate to Bryant College in October 1967 for the new campus location. This land previously housed the Emin Homestead and Captain Joseph Mowry homestead where farmers worked the soil between the late 19th century and mid-20th century.
What happened to the iron arch building constructed by Isaac Gifford Ladd in 1875?
Isaac Gifford Ladd constructed the one million dollar building with an iron arch on Young Orchard Avenue in 1875 before taking his own life following personal rejection. Thomas Marsden later transformed the unoccupied structure into Hope Hospital which became part of Bryant College after workers transported the wrought-iron arch to the new campus four years prior to the move from Providence to Smithfield.
When did Ronald K. Machtley become president of Bryant University and how much was he paid in 2017?
Ronald K. Machtley arrived as president in 1996 after serving as a former Navy captain and U.S. Representative. In 2017, Machtley earned $6,283,616 making him the highest paid college president in the United States at that time.
How many residence halls are in Suite Village and what is the capacity of Newport House?
Suite Village houses fourteen residence halls with thirteen housing 90 students each while Hall seventeen known as Newport House accommodates approximately 200 students. Every suite contains three double bedrooms, a living area, and private bathroom with multiple stalls and showers across four floors holding four suites per floor separated by gender.