Fidelity donates real estate to Bryant University

SMITHFIELD — Bryant University plans to move its top-ranked College of Business and some administrative offices to a new site across the street from the university’s entrance by the spring of 2024, thanks to a neighbor’s significant gift of real estate.

Fidelity Investment Corporation has donated its building at 100 Salem St., located just across the street from Bryant’s campus entrance, to Bryant. It is the largest real estate gift the school has received since 1967 when alumnus and Tupperware inventor Earl Tupper donated his 428-acre Smithfield farm to the institution. Bryant moved its main campus from Providence to the Tupper site in 1971.

“Pursuing this gift strengthens our overall commitment to financial education and support for the Rhode Island community,” said Michelle Vetovis, senior vice president, general manager and Rhode Island regional leader at Fidelity Investments.

“Fidelity and Bryant University have a more than 20-year relationship and, for roles located on our Smithfield campus, we hire more current and former Bryant students than from any other higher educational institution. 

The 250,000 square foot building has Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It will provide space for student clubs, as well as community meeting areas and dining facilities. 

“Bryant wants to do more to help innovate and build Rhode Island’s economic ecosystem and having a dedicated space for the College of Business – and all that extra room offers – will provide more opportunities for our students and our professors to do exactly that,” Bryant University President Ross Gittell told Rhode Island Current in an email. 

Gittell said the facility is a part of the school’s Vision 2030 Master Plan, which seeks to expand and update offerings to students and the community, and keep the school competitive in the future. 

The Master Plan also includes plans for a Graduate Programs Office, the Executive Education and Career Accelerator, and Women’s Leadership Institute. The plan’s main focuses are economic mobility, building community, maintaining “vibrant student life,” and maintaining academic rigor.

“We hope to create a more seamless connection between Bryant and Rhode Island’s business community, allowing local entrepreneurs access to the deep knowledge base of renowned professors and the creative, fearless thinking of our students,” Gittell said. 

Founded in 1868 in Providence, Bryant now has about 3,500 undergraduate students enrolled.