List of presidents of the Rhode Island School of Design

The following is a list of presidents of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

# ImagePresidentLifeTenureRISD classEvents1Claudius Buchanan Farnsworth1815–18971877–1888–The Rhode Island School of Design teaches its first classes in the Hoppin Homestead building in Downtown Providence (1878). The school constructs its first purpose-built building (the Waterman Building) and moves to College Hill (1893).2Royal C. Taft1823–19121888–1890–3Alfred Henry Littlefield1829–1893June 11–27, 1890–Resigned after a few days.4Herbert W. Ladd1843–19131891–1896–5William Carey Poland1846–19291896–1907–RISD acquires Memorial Hall on Benefit Street (1903), marking the school's physical expansion beyond a single building.6Isaac Comstock Bates1843–19131907–1913–7Eliza Greene Metcalf Radeke1854–19311913–1931–Radeke works to develop and expand the collection of the RISD Museum; she gives financially to the school, funding the construction of a wing at the museum that today bears her name.8Helen Metcalf Danforth1887–19841931–1947–RISD earns the right to grant college degrees (as opposed to certificates) (1932). The school constructs the College Building on College Street (1936) and the Auditorium fronting Market Square (1941) and acquires Market House (1938). RISD gains full accreditation as an art school (1949). Day student enrollment grows but still remains smaller than night student enrollment (1948).9Max W. Sullivan1909–19901947–1955–10John R. Frazier1889–19661955–1962–11Albert Bush-Brown1926–19941962–1968–InterimDonald M. Lay, Jr.1915–19991968–1969–RISD launches its first Wintersession (1969).12Talbot Rantoul1912–19891969–1975–The Woods–Gerry House is restored. RISD purchases the Bayard-Ewing Building (1975), pushing the school's presence southward along South Main Street.13Lee Hall1934–20171975–1983–Hall was part of the effort to introduce the first computer system for the school administration, she was in leadership during the unionization of the faculty, she worked to revision of the faculty manual, and restructure the financial administration.14Thomas F. Schutte1935–20251983–1992–RISD opens the Design Center in Hope Block and Cheapside (1986) and acquires 20 Washington Place (1988).InterimLouis A. Fazzano1921–20191992–1993–15E. Roger Mandle1941–20201993–2008–RISD purchases and renovates the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Building, expanding student housing capacity by 65% and shifting the epicenter of campus away from Benefit Street. The RISD Museum completes a significant physical expansion led by architect Rafael Moneo (2008). An undergraduate dual degree program is established with Brown University (2008). RISD's endowment grows from $67 million to $367 million.16John Maedab. 19662008–2013–The school's endowment drops after the 2008 financial crisis. Maeda makes a concerted effort to integrate digital technology into the school's historically analog-oriented pedagogy. The faculty vote "no confidence" in Maeda (2011).17Rosanne Somersonb. 19542015–20211976RISD leverages philanthropy to expand financial aid. The school releases a Social Equity and Inclusion Action Plan (2017). RISD constructs its first new dorm in 34 years (2019) and undertakes a multi-phase overhaul of underclassmen residence halls. Campus closes and re-opens in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.InterimDavid R. Proulx1970–20222021–202218Crystal Williamsb. 1970April 2022––Williams is named RISD's 18th president, making her the first African-American to hold the position.

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