A Legacy of Teaching, Discovery, and Paying It Forward
Originally from Montréal, Canada, Thomas Sorger built a distinguished academic career grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to student learning. After earning a B.Sc. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1973 and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 1980, he spent several years in postdoctoral research focused on cell biology and aging before joining the Biology faculty at Roger Williams University in 1993.
His arrival at RWU marked the beginning of a 25-year chapter defined not only by teaching, but by innovation and mentorship. Unlike the structure of a traditional research university, RWU offered something uniquely meaningful: the opportunity to shape interdisciplinary programs while working closely with students. During his time on faculty, Thomas played a role in developing both the University’s Core Curriculum and the original Minor in Public Health, reflecting RWU’s commitment to blending broad-based learning with professional preparation.
That same philosophy guided his work in the classroom and beyond. In collaboration with a colleague in Computer Science, he helped develop a course in Bioinformatics, ensuring that students were equipped with the tools needed for modern, DNA-based research. The impact of that work continues today, both in the careers of his students and in his own scholarship. Even in retirement, he remains engaged in research on evolution, including the publication of a bioinformatics paper that began as a senior research project at RWU.
For Thomas, some of the most meaningful moments came from shared experiences with students and colleagues. He recalls leading a field study trip to the Azores alongside fellow faculty and watching his students present their research at national conferences, moments that reflected both the strength of the RWU community and the potential of its students.
“What drew me to RWU in the first place, and what made me proud to teach there,” he reflects, “was the University’s commitment to a broad, interdisciplinary education alongside rigorous training for a profession.”
It is that same commitment that inspired him to include Roger Williams University in his estate plans. Thomas chose to structure his planned gift through real estate. He owns vacation properties in Montréal and Québec City and has designated a percentage of these properties to Roger Williams University upon their future sale. This approach allows him to maintain flexibility while also creating a meaningful future gift that reflects his deep connection to the University.
His planned gift is rooted in a desire to expand opportunities for future generations, particularly in the areas that shaped his own experience as a faculty member. Through his generosity, he hopes to support students in engaging in collaborative research and sharing their work beyond campus, just as he encouraged his own students to do.
“For those with adult children,” he notes, “a gift like this is a reminder of the opportunities made possible by the privilege of teaching at RWU and an example of paying it forward.”
Beyond the classroom, Thomas brings a lifelong passion for learning to all aspects of his life. A student of Asian culture, he has practiced Tai Chi for more than 50 years. At RWU, he even incorporated this interest into his teaching, beginning each session of a senior seminar on Asia with a 30-minute Tai Chi lesson, an experience students are unlikely to forget.
As he reflects on his time at Roger Williams, his legacy is clear: a commitment to students, a belief in interdisciplinary education, and a desire to create opportunities that extend far beyond his own career.Through his planned gift, that legacy will continue, supporting future scholars, researchers, and leaders for generations to come.