2026 -- H 7063

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. WILLIAM R. HOLLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McEntee, Chippendale,
Fogarty, Ajello, Solomon, Boylan, Tanzi, and Slater

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sorrow that this House of Representatives has learned of the

passing of Dr. William R. Holland, of South Kingstown. Dr. Holland was the son of the late

William and Elizabeth Holland. He was the beloved husband of the late Karen Holland for 65

years; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. William Holland attained a Bachelor's degree from the University of

Rhode Island, a Master's degree from the University of Massachusetts, and a Doctorate in

Educational Administration from Boston University. Dr. Holland was also a stellar athlete who

was a starting forward on legendary Coach Ernie Calverly's URI Basketball team. Dr. Holland

also met the love of his life at URI, his college sweetheart and future wife, Karen. Dr. Holland

served our nation with honor and distinction as an officer in the United States Army; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Holland had a long and exemplary career as a public educator in Rhode

Island and Massachusetts. He served with distinction and dedication for 26 years as a teacher,

school administrator and superintendent in five different school districts in Rhode Island and

Massachusetts. While serving as the superintendent of schools in Narragansett, Dr. Holland had

the great honor of seeing both the elementary and high schools recognized as Blue Ribbon

schools by the United States Department of Education; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Holland then proceeded to serve for 18 years as a Professor Emeritus at

Rhode Island College, while simultaneously spending ten years as the Executive Director of the

Rhode Island Association of School Principals before his appointment as the Commissioner of

Higher Education by Governor Lincoln Almond; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure as the Rhode Island Commissioner of Higher Education

from 1999 to 2002, Dr. Holland oversaw a multi-million dollar state college budget. Under Dr.

Holland's leadership, guidance and direction, much-needed upgrades, improvements and

construction rapidly took place on all three college campuses. Important buildings and structures

were built such as the Ryan Center, Boss Arena and new dormitories at URI, a new addition to

the Warwick CCRI campus, the approval of a new CCRI campus in Newport, along with the

construction of the Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts at Rhode Island College; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Holland received numerous honors throughout his distinguished

professional career including the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, and Excellence in Professional Service awards from several New England and

National Associations. Dr. Holland also served as the President of the New England Association

of Schools and Colleges in 1985, and later served for 20 years as the Chair of NEASC overseas

accreditation teams in 13 international schools in Europe; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Holland was also the author of five books and numerous professional

articles. In his later years, he served as a consultant and Interim Superintendent in Central Falls

and Warwick, where he led professional searches for new Superintendents in those communities.

Dr. Holland also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at College Unbound in Providence;

and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his late wife, Karen, Dr. Holland leaves behind his children,

Kevin and his wife, Jennifer, Kathleen Meringolo and her husband, Richard, and Steven and his

wife, Katherine, as well as his grandchildren, Kara Meringolo Lurio and her husband, Ben, Katie

Meringolo Miller and her husband, Jack, Zack Holland and his wife, Dr. Alexis Holland, Maxx,

Madison, Cameron, Braden, and Jade Holland. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren,

Drew, Ellie, and James Lurio, and Owen and Frankie Miller. Dr. Holland also leaves behind his

brothers, Peter Holland and Richard Holland; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. William R. Holland; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the family of Dr. William R. Holland.

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