Out & About in RI: RIC Honors Herb Weiss with Archive. 45 Years of Journalism on Aging and Health Policy

Photos: Laura Coelho, Data Management Coordinator, School of Business, Rhode Island College

On Friday, June 27, 2025, more than 55 people gathered at the James P. Adams Library at Rhode Island College (RIC) to honor lifelong advocate and journalist Herb Weiss as the College officially announced the archiving of his 45-year body of published work. His older brother and sister, James Weiss and Nancy Coplin, traveled all the way from Texas to join the festivities.

The Herbert P. Weiss Papers document Weiss’s extensive reporting on healthcare policy, aging services, and government programs affecting older adults. Housed permanently at RIC’s Adams Library, the collection provides researchers, students, and the public with an invaluable record of how healthcare and aging policy has evolved in Rhode Island over the decades.

The morning celebration opened with remarks from Marianne Raimondo, Dean of RIC’s School of Business.

“We are here today to honor Herb Weiss’s generous donation of his entire 45 years of writings to Rhode Island College,” she said. With a smile, she affectionately described him as relentless, drawing laughter from the audience. Raimondo emphasized how Weiss’s work has helped shape public discourse on aging, both locally and nationally.

“This special collection, which will be archived here at RIC, includes more than 1,100 pieces—editorials, newsletters, articles, and three books,” she continued. “It will serve as an enduring resource for students, faculty, scholars, and public policymakers for years to come.”

“You simply can’t attend a gathering, event, or meeting on aging issues without knowing that Herb Weiss will be there,” Raimondo added.

Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, who chairs the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council and is a proud RIC alumna, also praised Weiss for his dedication and willingness to share his expertise. “RIC is a gateway to opportunity for so many in Rhode Island,” she said recognizing the value of the College’s new archive. “Thank you for your dedication and persistence.” She described the collection as highly relevant and invaluable for shaping future policy.

Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director of the Senior Agenda Coalition and a fellow RIC alumna, highlighted the impact of Weiss’s weekly commentaries in advocating for older adults.

“His writings are essential to getting our message heard by the Rhode Island General Assembly,” she said. “As an alum, I consider this repository of knowledge and resources priceless for current students striving for academic success.”

Costa affectionately called Weiss a “lovable nudge.” She added with a laugh, “When Herb calls, I may not always get to it right away—but I try. His persistence tells the whole story. I am confident that the messages he shares will continue to influence policy and amplify the voices of older adults.”

Maria E. Cimini, MSW, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging and another RIC graduate, stressed the value of Weiss’s consistent voice amid an often-confusing media landscape.

“He has consistently, diligently, and passionately paid attention to the issues that affect all of us—whether we are older adults ourselves or care for someone who is,” she said. “Rhode Island has 249,000 older adults, and we rely on Herb’s insights to help shape effective policies and programs.”

Mayor Donald R. Grebien of Pawtucket praised Weiss, who serves as the city’s Deputy Director of Senior Services, for his tireless advocacy.
“He’s passionate about his work and cares deeply about what he does,” said Grebien, describing Weiss as both a friend and a valued colleague.

Robert Weiner, Chief of Staff for the former U.S. House Select Committee on Aging under Chairman Claude Pepper, traveled to Rhode Island with his wife, Pat, to celebrate the occasion.

“It’s a big day for Herb—and so well deserved,” he said, calling the collection a vital public resource.

“Herb is incredibly substantive,” Weiner added. “There isn’t an aspect of aging he hasn’t studied or mastered. His knowledge is deep, and he shares it in ways that truly make a difference,” added Weiner, who later served as a senior White House spokesman.

Elevating the Conversation on Aging in Rhode Island

In its announcement, Age-Friendly Rhode Island called Weiss “one of the state’s most respected voices on aging and healthcare,” noting that his career has been dedicated to shedding light on the challenges facing older adults and their families.

His work spans more than four decades and multiple platforms—from early reporting roles at the Providence Journal, to contributions to RI News Today, the Pawtucket Times and Woonsocket Call (merged into one paper, the Blackstone Valley Call & Times), Kent County Times, Narragansett Times, East Greenwich Pendulum, and Senior Digest, a monthly publication.

Weiss holds a Master of Arts in Aging Studies and a Specialist Certificate in Aging from the University of North Texas. According to Age-Friendly Rhode Island, he brought both rigor and heart to his storytelling, producing work that shaped public understanding of aging, long-term care, and health equity.

“This archive represents more than a personal achievement—it’s a public resource,” the organization noted.

James Connell, Executive Director of Age-Friendly Rhode Island, added, “Herb’s voice has been instrumental in elevating the conversation about aging in Rhode Island. His work not only informed—it empowered.”

By ensuring that Weiss’s extensive body of work is preserved and accessible, RIC honors a career rooted in public service, storytelling, and advocacy. The archive stands as a lasting legacy—and a powerful reminder of how journalism can drive awareness, understanding, and change.

To learn more about Herb Weiss’s three published books, Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly two sequels, visit herbweiss.com.

A guide to the Herbert P. Weiss papers, 1980 to 2025, visit https://www.riamco.org/render?eadid=US-RPRC-mss-0149&view=all.

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Here is a link to the story about Herb Weiss’ collection:

Writer Herb Weiss attains archive status: a legacy of 45 years of advocacy on aging