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BRISTOL, R.I. – The local artist who sculpted the iconic Roger Williams statue on the 91�������� campus quad passed away on March 7, 2025. While many in our community know and love his sculpture of our university namesake, not as many know about the artist.

Armand M. LaMontagne, a Rhode Island native born in Pawtucket and a longtime resident of North Scituate, was a self-taught artist known for his life-sized wood and bronze sculptures. His work is displayed nationwide, including likenesses of Babe Ruth, Larry Bird, President Gerald Ford, and General George Patton. 

But it is his sculpture of Roger Williams presiding over the Roger Williams University campus quad that has experienced a devoted following among generations. 

Installed in 2007, LaMontagne was given artistic liberties in designing a likeness since there is no documentation of what Roger Williams looked like. In an interview with the Hawks' Herald at the time of the sculpture’s installation, Lamontagne said that the freedom was a “blessing and a curse.” 

"There wasn't even a contemporary who had described him,” LaMontagne told editor Sarah Cournoyer '09 in her article “.” “Kapstein [LaMontagne's agent] and I did some research and even looked at many known ancestors, but none had a distinctive common feature." 

So, what did LaMontagne do? He drew inspiration from another Williams he was familiar with sculpting: Red Sox legend Ted Williams, whose statue resides at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Yes, the face of our Roger Williams statue is modeled after a local sports hero.

According to the Hawks’ Herald article LaMontagne’s creative process began with a 1,500 t0 1,600-pound block of wood he carved into a Roger likeness and used that to create a silicon and rubber mold from which the bronze casting was struck at a Johnston foundry. (Fun fact: LaMontagne’s original wood carving sits in the university library on the landing that leads to the second floor.) LaMontagne said he posed Williams with an extended arm as if to "welcome students and guests to campus" to demonstrate Williams’ beliefs on tolerance, equity, and inclusion. 

Ever since Roger was installed on the quad, it has become a beloved tradition for incoming and graduating students to pose with the statue. Students also look to Roger for good luck, with many shaking his hand before major exams. Roger even inspired a long-running column in the Hawks’ Herald called , which took a whimsical look at life on campus through the eyes of the statue.

“Roger is our student experience,” said Carol Sacchetti, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation. “It can be seen from photos on Instagram to decorations on Roger to announce Spring Week themes, and getting that perfect photo with Roger for student and alumni memories.”

In addition to the bronze sculpture and the wooden model, LaMontagne also has a life-size pencil sketch of the statue in the 91�������� archives. 

A local great and a national treasure, LaMontagne was inducted into the R.I. Heritage Hall of Fame in 1998. His legacy will continue to be cherished by generations more of 91�������� students and our alumni who return to campus and say a fond hello to Roger.