At the URI GSLIS Annual Gathering in Kingston held on April 8, 2005, Anne Parent, Chief of Library Services, OLIS, had the honor of receiving the "Distinguished Graduate Award". The evening included remembrances from 40 years of graduating classes and ALA President, Michael Gorman speaking on "The Library of Today and Tomorrow".

The award was presented to Anne Parent by Donna Dufault who was the former Library Director of North Kingstown Public Library; and W. Michael Havener, Professor and Director of the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Rhode Island.