Spring Break
Not ready to retire: president to write book, teach again
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: News
04/28/09 - After 18 years as the president of the University of Rhode Island, Robert L. Carothers is leaving his high-profile, high-stress job and taking some time to breathe. But that's not to say he won't be keeping busy.
Carothers, who plans to step down in June when his successor will take over, said he will spend the next few months finishing a book about politics in Rhode Island, part of which concerns the most treacherous battle during his tenure.
"The biggest battle [during my tenure] was with the General Assembly, the sense they just don't care," he said describing his difficulties with the state budget.
Aside from that, Carothers will be knee-deep in literature and research for his next career choice: teaching. In January, the former English professor will begin teaching in the university's Leadership Studies Program.
Carothers said his interest in the philosophy of leadership spawned from his many years spent as a leader.
"Maybe at this time in my life, that's what I know the most about," he said.
Before he was president at URI, Carothers also served as president of Southwest State University in Minnesota and Chancellor of Minnesota State University. During his days as an undergraduate at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, Carothers was twice elected as president of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
More recently, however, Carothers is preparing to speak at this year's commencement. He said the biggest challenge will be the time constraint.
"How do you sum up your life in eight minutes?" he asked. "It's not all that easy."
Though his last "lecture" will take place on May 17, he said he will continue to show his Rhody pride starting this fall. Carothers said he reserved season tickets for next semester's basketball and football games, and said he's curious to see the new women's basketball coach in action.
Though he's ready to step down from what is possibly the most stressful position on campus, Carothers said it will be an adjustment to not see the people he's become so close with on a daily basis. Most of these people are other administrators that he's been working with for years, some for decades.
As for his other summer plans, Carothers said he'll be helping his daughter install an addition to her house and hopes to visit some of his favorite fishing spots. For freshwater fishing, Carothers prefers the shores of Wood River, but heads to Clay Head, Block Island, for salt-water fishing.
Carothers said that much of the pressure he's experienced as president of URI will melt away as he wraps up his time spent in his Green Hall office.
"I expect to become healthier, [and] get a full night's sleep not having 50 situations on my mind," he said.
Carothers, who plans to step down in June when his successor will take over, said he will spend the next few months finishing a book about politics in Rhode Island, part of which concerns the most treacherous battle during his tenure.
"The biggest battle [during my tenure] was with the General Assembly, the sense they just don't care," he said describing his difficulties with the state budget.
Aside from that, Carothers will be knee-deep in literature and research for his next career choice: teaching. In January, the former English professor will begin teaching in the university's Leadership Studies Program.
Carothers said his interest in the philosophy of leadership spawned from his many years spent as a leader.
"Maybe at this time in my life, that's what I know the most about," he said.
Before he was president at URI, Carothers also served as president of Southwest State University in Minnesota and Chancellor of Minnesota State University. During his days as an undergraduate at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, Carothers was twice elected as president of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
More recently, however, Carothers is preparing to speak at this year's commencement. He said the biggest challenge will be the time constraint.
"How do you sum up your life in eight minutes?" he asked. "It's not all that easy."
Though his last "lecture" will take place on May 17, he said he will continue to show his Rhody pride starting this fall. Carothers said he reserved season tickets for next semester's basketball and football games, and said he's curious to see the new women's basketball coach in action.
Though he's ready to step down from what is possibly the most stressful position on campus, Carothers said it will be an adjustment to not see the people he's become so close with on a daily basis. Most of these people are other administrators that he's been working with for years, some for decades.
As for his other summer plans, Carothers said he'll be helping his daughter install an addition to her house and hopes to visit some of his favorite fishing spots. For freshwater fishing, Carothers prefers the shores of Wood River, but heads to Clay Head, Block Island, for salt-water fishing.
Carothers said that much of the pressure he's experienced as president of URI will melt away as he wraps up his time spent in his Green Hall office.
"I expect to become healthier, [and] get a full night's sleep not having 50 situations on my mind," he said.
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