SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Robert L. Carothers, who is stepping down as president of the University of Rhode Island on June 30, hosted his last media breakfast at the Kingston campus yesterday, and reflected on the highlights of his nearly two decades at URI.

Carothers, 66, has served as the state university’s 10th president since 1991, making him one of the longest serving university presidents nationally.

Last year, Carothers announced he would be stepping down, although he says he will not retire. Instead, he intends to take a fall “sabbatical” to read and begin some writing projects. In January, Carothers plans to return to URI to teach graduate and undergraduate students about leadership through the university’s Leadership Institute.

He said that despite the state’s tough fiscal plight and the erosion of state financing for the university over the past decade, URI “is in pretty good shape.”

“In spite of that, the university has managed to grow. We have quality curriculum and exciting programs,” Carothers said. “This really speaks to the grit of URI, its creativity and feisty nature. In this world, you’ve got to fight.”

During Carothers’ tenure, the university expanded enrollment by 3,000 students and increased the diversity of the student body. He oversaw more than $700 million worth of capital improvements.

Carothers also increased the university’s endowment from $12 million to $89 million, expanded student financial aid and launched Centennial Scholarships, merit-based scholarships, which provide more than $13 million a year to top students.

Carothers is nationally recognized for his efforts to deter underage drinking and his promotion of community service. He is credited with changing URI’s image from a party school to a “campus with a conscience,” in national college reports.

The Board of Governors for Higher Education appointed a search committee, chaired by CVS/Caremark President Tom Ryan, a URI alumnus, to find Carothers’ replacement. The search committee plans to release the names of two or three finalists in April. The Board of Governors plans to announce their selection of URI’s 11th president at their May 11th meeting.

jjordan@projo.com