Spring/Summer 2009 Volume 1, Issue 2

visit us on the web www.URIFoundation.org

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Housewarming Gifts for Hillel

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Also in This Issue:

23456 78

Message from Glen KerkianCampaign Update

$500,000 Gift for New Pharmacy Bldg.New Fund Supports Future Business Leaders

$1 Million Gift for Engineering ScholarshipsWarwick Musical Tent Comes to URI

Student Scholarship Luncheon Photos Become a Member of the 1892 Society

A Sampling of Recent Gifts & PledgesOsher Foundation Grant

Tribute to President Robert L. CarothersFoundation Business Notes

Matching Gifts

Richard J. Harrington, former president and CEO of The Thomson Corporation and a 1973 graduate of the URI College of Business

Administration, and his wife, Jean, have pledged a gift of $5 million to support the University’s School of Communication and

Media. The School, which was formed in 2008, will be renamed to bear the Harrington name in the near future. This gift is among the largest charitable gifts on record at the University of Rhode Island and is, in fact, the largest single gift made by an individual.

Harrington’s 11-year tenure as president and CEO of Thomson culminated in 2008 with the company’s $18 billion acquisition of Reuters to form Thomson Reuters, the world’s largest news and financial

Alumnus Donates $5 Million to Support Establishment of URI’s New School of Communication and Media The School Will be Renamed in The neaR FuTuRe To beaR The haRRingTon name

data provider. He remains involved with the New York City-based company, serving as chairman of its foundation. He is also currently chairman and general partner of Cue Ball, a Boston-based venture capital firm.

“This is an extraordinary gift from Dick and Jean, and one that will have a far-reaching impact,” said President Robert L. Carothers. “The ability to invest in the school at its earliest stage will help us achieve a distinct niche for the program, one based on the latest thinking on communication technology. The Harrington School will create unique opportunities for our students to lead in a time of exploding change in communications.”

Harrington said: “Jean and I are delighted and Jean & RichaRd haRRington with PResident caRotheRs

Trips to Israel. Leadership development programs. A Judaica library. These are just a few of the offerings available through Hillel, a campus organization that helps students explore their Jewish identity and provides educational and social programming to those interested in Jewish culture and values. When the brand-new Norman M. Fain Hillel Center opens later this year, the permanent space will include multipurpose lounges, a kosher kitchen and dining space, and a sanctuary. Named for the late Norman Fain ’36, Hon. ’67, whose family donated $1 million in his memory, the new home for Hillel will break ground in June on the site of the former Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.

Executive Director Amy Olson lauds AEPi for offering the building to Hillel. “Essentially, it was donated it to us, and AEPi will be recognized for its generosity in the new Center. Several AEPi brothers from the classes of 1967-1973 also made donations to the new building in memory of their deceased brothers.”

For donors who have no connection to AEPi, the motivation to support the campaign is driven by the sense of belonging Hillel fosters among the student body. “While Hillel is not a religious organization, the ‘ethos’ of Judaism can be developed and create lasting friendships for a lifetime. I was proud to do my part in creating the building,” said Bruce Sherman ’69.

MESSAGE from the President

So many transitions occur on campus this time of year. In addition to the seasonal changes that include graduation and welcoming members of the incoming freshman class for orientation this summer, we will be saying farewell to our presi-dent, Robert L. Carothers, and welcoming the University’s 11th president, David M. Dooley.

Serving as our president for over 18 years, Bob Carothers has impacted this institution in innu-merable ways and has truly elevated the stature of the University of Rhode Island, which now competes with the best universities in the coun-try. On a more personal level, Bob was a big influence in motivating me to come to Rhode Island three years ago. He is a man of great char-acter and integrity; one who looks you straight in the eye and whose handshake is as good as his word. We have all benefited from his leadership in both prosperous and, particularly, more chal-lenging times and he has unquestionably left this University better off than he found it. I look

forward to seeing Bob as a civilian around Kings-ton as he now enters his “emeritus” phase.

The past year, as many of you are keenly aware, the state of the nation’s economy significantly impacted the value of endowments regardless of the type of institution or investment scheme involved. Our own endowment value dropped at a magnitude where a payout funding schol-arships and other initiatives could not be made to the University for the ‘09-‘10 academic year. Preserving the endowment; which exists as a last-ing legacy, providing support to students, faculty and programs in perpetuity, is and must remain our core mission. We are optimistic that the in-vestment strategies endorsed by our Foundation Board will create renewed resources, and when that happens, we will resume funding to the many that rely upon it.

It is often during the most challenging times that our mettle is tested. And certainly the alumni and friends of URI have performed admirably in these most trying of economic circumstanc-es. The most recent data released by the Giving USA Foundation indicates that charitable giving to higher education fell by an average of 9% last year. And yet the philanthropic support to URI

is defying that trend with dou-ble digit increas-es in the dollars raised through May of 2009.

And, in these most dire of financial times we have been able to perse-vere by moving our campaign forward. The Making a Differ-ence campaign is on track to reach its goal in this calendar year – a full 12 months ahead of schedule. We are so fortunate here at URI to continue to be the beneficiaries of your good will and generosity!

Sincerely,

glen R. KeRKian

Page 2

Giving to URI by Category

Campaign Update: Pacing Ahead of Schedule

URI’s Making a Difference capital campaign, which is scheduled to run through December 31, 2010, has raised over $94 million to date, almost $38 million of which was raised in the last 18 months alone. This figure puts the cam-paign ahead of schedule and in an optimistic position to reach its $100 million campaign goal a full twelve months before the scheduled end of the campaign, according to URIF President Glen Kerkian.

The URI Foundation and the Making a Difference Campaign Leadership Com-mittee (CLC), on behalf of the entire University community, extend their ap-preciation to the thousands of alumni and friends who support URI in very meaningful ways. Every gift - whether it be $50 or $5 million – adds up to make a great impact on the academic experience offered at Kingston, as well as on the Providence and Bay campuses.

Tom Ryan, 75’, chairman, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, and chairman of the CLC, noted, “It is gratifying to be able to count on the kind of financial support URI alumni and friends provide, particularly given our present econom-ic climate. In these uncertain times, our donors are surpassing expectations and are continuing to demonstrate their faith in this institution and their desire to give back. We recognize and thank them for their loyalty.”

visit us on the web www.URIFoundation.org Spring/Summer 2009Page 3

The University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy has received a $500,000 gift commitment from the Mario Family Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey. Foundation President Ernest Mario received advanced degrees from the URI College of Pharmacy—a master’s degree in 1964 and doctorate in 1966. His undergraduate degree is from Rutgers University.

This most recent gift from the Mario family will support construction of a $75 million facility to become home to the College of Pharmacy. The gift will, in particular, support the inclusion of a 167-seat 3D “visualization auditorium” within the building, and will take the College’s use of 3D technology to a new level. A huge IMAX® like projection system will deliver 3D content ranging from the molecular to the anatomical.

The new 147,000-square-foot building will include a pharmacy-teaching suite, featuring a professional practice lab, a high-fidelity patient simulation center, and the 3D auditorium, funded by the Mario Family Foundation. Cutting-edge research spaces have been designed to foster interaction and

the sharing of advanced scientific research support. Core facilities within the building will be dedicated to advanced analytical instrumentation, nuclear magnetic resonance, and pharmaceutical research. The building’s research floors will provide space for teaching labs that will give students the opportunity to interact with the College’s research enterprise. The new building is also designed as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver-rated building and, as such, will be built to reduce impact on the environment during design, construction, and eventual operation and use.

“The Mario Family Foundation’s contributions to the URI College of Pharmacy have been critically important to our program, faculty and students,” said Pharmacy Interim Dean Ron Jordan. “The Endowed Mario Distinguished Chair in Pharmaceutics, coupled with this present gift to support our 3D visualization auditorium, will help continue our preeminent work in educating Pharmaceutical Doctorate candidates and graduate students as well as in the area of drug discovery research. We are very grateful for the leadership and generosity Dr. Mario has provided and extremely proud

of our programs associated with his name.”

URI Foundation President Glen R. Kerkian added: “This generous gift commitment, particularly given the severity of the present economic climate, is quite significant and will make a measurable impact on the planned construction of the new building, which should commence in 2009. We remain optimistic that alumni and pharmacy supporters will continue to demonstrate their commitment to what has become a nationally-acclaimed pharmacy program here at URI and one which has helped

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RioAlum Ernest Mario Supports URI’s New

Pharmacy Building With a $500,000 Gift

As managing director and global head of franchise lending for UBS Investment Bank, Wendy Field ’74 understands how critical it is for the College of Business Administration to provide students with marketable skills. To assist the College in “producing a product (its students) that fit the needs of the real world,” Field, who serves as chair of the College’s Advisory Board, is establishing a $50,000 endowment called The Never Too Early Future Leaders Fund.

Alumna’s Gift Will Help Business Students Prepare for Employment “Students need career counseling and practical experience that make them valuable to employers,” says Field. “That is the purpose of this endowment.”

Dean Mark Higgins explains how the funds will help students prepare for and find jobs. “Wendy’s generous gift will support the College in running network events (that lead to key introductions to business leaders). Further, it will provide a stipend to allow a student who would otherwise work to take an unpaid internship. Internships provide students with valuable experience in their field, and many times, these internships lead to full-time opportunities upon graduation.”

Field believes the timing of her gift is perfect, given the strides the College has made in revamping its curriculum and integrating with the business community. “In the not-so-distant past, the College did not offer a lot of specialty majors,” she says. “Now, students can study supply chain management.” Field also cites the College’s partnership with the CFA Institute as an example of how it is aligning with corporate America. URI is among a handful of institutions

that have been named Chartered Financial Analyst Program Partners at the undergraduate level. “The coursework prepares students to take the first of three exams required to achieve the professional designation of CFA,” she adds.

This is exactly the type of training Field says is necessary to compete in today’s business world. “The reality is that an undergraduate degree isn’t enough to land an investment banking job,” she says. Yet a business degree still holds a great deal of potential, she adds. “You can’t go wrong with an accounting degree, and there’s huge growth in the field of wealth management. There will be an enormous transfer of wealth in the near future.”

For business students, it is never too early to start exploring these lucrative career opportunities. Through Field’s leadership of the Advisory Board and her Never Too Early endowment, these students will have the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand experience, and will be on their way to becoming tomorrow’s business leaders.

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coBa gRaduate wendy Field ‘74

Engineering students seeking much-needed scholarship assistance will benefit from a recent cash gift in the amount of $1 million from an alumni couple wishing to remain anonymous. Their gift was made in honor of Dr. Thomas J. Kim, former dean of the College of Engineering and recently retired professor of mechanical engineering at URI.

The generous donation will enhance the existing Thomas J. Kim Endowed Engineering Scholarship Fund, established in 1993 by Dr. Kim, to assist mechanical engineering students. The gift will expand scholarship opportunities to include students pursuing any discipline of engineering and will be awarded by the dean of

the College based upon academic merit and financial need.

“Dr. Kim has been a much-respected and admired member of our faculty who not only holds impeccable professional credentials, but is highly regarded by all of his former students,” said URI President Robert L. Carothers. “The impact he has made on their education is clear and is demonstrated particularly well by this recent million-dollar gift in his honor. We have been very fortunate to have someone of his caliber contributing to furthering the academic reputation of this institution and we are pleased that, as a part of his legacy here at URI, student scholarship opportunities will be expanded.”

Anonymous $1 Million Gift Will Provide Expanded Scholarship Opportunities to Engineering Students

Page 4

Mention the name of any Hollywood heavyweight of the last 40 years to Larry Bonoff and he’ll likely have a story. A first-hand account, no less.

As former general manager of the Warwick Musical Theatre, Bonoff will tell you Bill Cosby is a great guy. So was George Carlin. And during a power outage, Tony Bennett once did an entire show a cappella without complaint. Singers John Davidson and Mac Davis always treated him like a little brother, and he really enjoyed hanging out with John Raitts’s daughter, Bonnie.

Yes, that Bonnie Raitt. Six-time-Grammy-Award-winning Bonnie Raitt.

“To me they were just people who came and hung out for the week,” Bonoff said.

When The Tent, as the iconic theatre was known to locals, closed in 1999, the Bonoff family found itself in need of a repository for the more than four decades’ worth of memorabilia it had amassed. It was certainly more than Bonoff ’s home could handle. But then URI Associate Dean Tom Zorabedian—a former Tent child actor—happened upon an article about the Warwick Musical Theatre and he had an idea for a partnership. Zorabedian proposed housing the Bonoff collection at the University of Rhode Island.

“It was heaven sent,” Bonoff said.

Bonoff has given the University a collection

of Warwick Musical Theatre memorabilia that includes some 10,000 items, representing 45 years of history. The collection, now being catalogued, will be housed in URI library’s special collections. When the cataloguing is complete, students and scholars will be able to digitally access the collection, which contains the usual, expected items, like pictures of Bonoff with the stars who frequented The Tent, as well as directors’ notes, stage directions, and financial records, which reflect more than what a particular performer was commanding in a given year, Bonoff said.

“My father made sure tickets stayed affordable,” Bonoff said. “The most expensive ticket was $75 for Diana Ross. But (The Tent) was a microcosm of whatever the world’s economic situation was. In recession years, for instance, there were fewer shows.”

The collection includes items from the Bonoff

and Wasserman families (both sides of Larry Bonoff ’s family) going back to the trade show and vaudeville eras, which illustrate the evolution of entertainment at that time. An example is Bonoff ’s grandmother’s circa-1919 vaudeville press photo. She was in a chorus line, he explained, wearing a proud smile.

“It is the largest collection of its type in the world,” Bonoff said. “One hundred and four boxes and more to come.”

The Tent will be the subject of a documentary to premier this fall, the 10-year anniversary of the theatre’s closing. Hollywood director and Rhode Island native Michael Corrente is a consultant on the project. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Bonoff Theatre Fund at URI, Bonoff said.

“The feeling I get is one of gratification,” Bonoff said of his gift. “I’d heard it’s better to give than to receive. Now I finally understand. I’ve left my mark. We’re all here for a short period of time, and I want this collection to outlive all of us.

“And now that will happen.”

The Famed Warwick Musical Theater Comes to URI Thanks to Bonoff Family Donation

“The magnitude of this gift and the impact it will have on future ranks of engineering students and the University in general will be very significant,” said URI Foundation President Glen R. Kerkian.

late coMedian geoRge caRlin

shown with laRRy BonoFF.

Credit for both photos: Bonoff Collection

visit us on the web www.URIFoundation.org Spring/Summer 2009Page 5

Students Meeting DonorsThe Annual Inaugural Scholarship Luncheons

Membership in the 1892 Society is extended to alumni and friends who have made a provision in their estate plans to benefit the University of Rhode Island.

There are several types of planned gifts that can benefit the University, including: bequests in your will or trust, retirement plan gifts, life insurance gifts, life income gifts, life income plans, retained life estates, and charitable trusts.

Please consider joining the over 300 individuals who are members of the 1892 Society.

□ I have already made provisions for URI in my will.

□ I might be interested in making a bequest. Please send me some information to consider.

□ Please contact me to discuss this further.

More information is available on the web at www.urifoundation.org/programs/planned/

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

State _________________________________ Zip: _________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Complete this form and mail to: URI Foundation, planned giving, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881. You may also contact Donna-Jean Rainville, director of planned giving, at djrainville@foundation.uri.edu or at 401.874.2296 or toll-free 1.877.874.4555.

Become a memBer of the

1892 SocietyThe following photos were taken at recent Inaugural Scholarship Luncheons hosted by President Carothers. The luncheons were held to give student recipients and their benefactors, whose endowments disbursed scholarship funding during the academic year for the first time, the opportunity to meet in person, on campus.

The following donors and student scholarship recipients were among the dozens attending:

PResident caRotheRs, Jessica adeFusiKa, Melvoid Benson

KathRyn haggeRty, chRis dicaRlo, saBRina F. estRela, PResident caRotheRs

steven e. elteRich ‘72, gReg tRavis, PResident caRotheRs

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Housewarming Gifts for Hillel continued from page 1

This deep-seated regard for Hillel extends beyond the alumni base. The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, which solicits donations locally to improve Jewish life in Rhode Island and overseas, donated $150,000—a gift that illustrates Hillel is more than a campus organization; it is a resource for all. In addition, Audrey Sokoloff, and her husband, Tim Hosking, donated $35,000, a gift doubled by an anonymous donor unaffiliated with the University who has provided up to $250,000 in matching funds. Hillel Board President and benefactor Barbara Sokoloff ’64, ’71, says her daughter’s gift is “heartwarming” and represents

her understanding of “my commitment to Hillel.”

These generous contributions to a new Hillel secure its future. Generations to come will have the opportunity to experience Jewish history and traditions here at the University of Rhode Island. To participate in this exciting endeavor, contact Amy Olson at amyolson@mail.uri.edu for more information about giving opportunities, including the challenge grant and naming opportunities.

A new education initiative at URI aims to dispel the idea that learning is finished once graduation day has come and gone.

The University of Rhode Island has received corporate support from the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation, in the amount of $100,000, to establish an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The University may apply for additional grants of $100,000 for each of the next three years and a $1 million endowment after that.

The funds will be used to create not-for-credit educational programs for adults aged 50 and older. These programs will utilize the combined resources of the University’s schools and campuses, as well as the those of the larger cultural, artistic, and scientific community, said Phillip G. Clark, director of URI’s program in gerontology and the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center, who will be the coordinator of the University’s OLLI program.

“This is the opportunity to be part of a transformative program that will make a difference to many people across the state,” said Clark. “The idea is to empower people to take charge of their own lifelong learning.”

The Bernard Osher Foundation was established in 1977 with the goal of providing financial support for higher education and the arts. The Foundation’s interest in lifelong learning lead it to create the Institutes. There are now 122 OLLIs in the United States. The URI OLLI program is the first one in the state.

URI’s OLLI program, still in development, has a number of goals directed at strengthening the University’s relationship with older learners and existing community educational programs. These goals include:

¥ the establishment of a database, newsletter, and a communications channel;

¥ the creation of a business plan with annual goals for the long-term growth of the OLLI program;

¥ the establishment of the program as a leader in lifelong learning in Rhode Island.

“Lifelong learning is a practice,” said Clark. “It’s something you’re doing all the time. Lifelong learning is about enrichment and about enhancing one’s quality of life.”

The program will also be affordable. The inaugural annual fee for members, as participants are called, is $50. The other benefit of an OLLI program is promotion of diversity on college campuses.

“(OLLIs) are changing the face of higher education. Young people are seeing older people walking around campuses. It breaks the mold of the idea that higher education is the province of younger people,” said Clark.

For more information about the OLLI program, visit uri.edu/olli.

Osher Foundation Grant Makes Learning at URI a Lifelong Pursuit

a Sampling of recent giftS and pledgeS Supporting uri

$250,000 from Sensata Technologies to help fund the search for a new International Engineering Program Associate Director.

$50,000 from Norman ’77 and Alicia Tashash ’76 supporting the construction of the new Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences building with the naming of a conference room.

A $100,00 gift, to benefit URI Athletics’ football program, from Brandon Giordano ’92.

$12,800 for an endowment supporting URI’s Historic Textile and Costume Collection, from Margaret Ordonez.

$37,500 to provide scholarship opportunities to College of Business Administration students from S. Kent ’74 and Diane Fannon ’74.

$25,000 from Armand Pastine ‘88 supporting an endowment providing scholarships for College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate students.

A $50,000 pledge, from Edward B. Deutsch ’68, supporting the planned construction of the new Student Athlete Development Center.

$100,000 from Kenneth ‘80 and Virginia Hylander ’78, to fund Graduate Engineering Fellowships.

$25,000, to support undergraduate students majoring in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Dr. Seetharama and Veda Narasimhan ’84.

$50,000 from John M. Murphy, Hon. Ph.D ’05, for the Mentor/Tutor Internship Program.

visit us on the web www.URIFoundation.org Spring/Summer 2009

A Tribute to Dr. Robert L. Carothers, President, 1991-2009

Page 7

The URI Foundation trustees, its Executive Board, and its staff extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Dr. Robert L. Carothers for his 18 years of outstanding and enlightened leadership.

Although words cannot fully express our gratitude for all you have done to elevate the University’s standing on so many levels, we offer them with wholehearted sincerity.

Thanks to you, the University of Rhode Island has become a much better place, and because of your integrity and commitment, the legacy of your leadership will long endure.

“the legacy of your leadership will long endure”

elevate URI’s stature as a premier institution of higher learning.”

A recognized leader in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Mario’s career spans more than four decades. He served as chief executive of Glaxo from 1989-1993, during which time five major new medicines were launched, and later transitioned ALZA Corporation, a drug delivery technology firm, into a full-fledged research-based pharmaceutical company that became part of industry giant Johnson & Johnson in 2001. Dr. Mario recently served as Chairman of Reliant Pharmaceuticals of Liberty Corner, New Jersey, and is presently Chairman and CEO of Capnia, Incorporated, Palo Alto, California. He was awarded the prestigious Remington Honor Medal, the pharmacy profession’s highest honor, administered by the American Pharmacists Association, in 2007.

Dr. Mario has long supported major pharmacy, health care, and educational organizations, including the University of Rhode Island, which received a $1.5 million charitable gift from him in 1996 to establish the Ernest Mario Distinguished Chair in Pharmaceutics.

$500,000 gift from Mario Family Foundationcontinued from page 3

¥ At the start of the year, George Graboys, Hon. ’99 was elected chairman of the URI Foundation Executive Board. A highly regarded business and civic leader in Rhode Island, Graboys served as CEO of Citizens Bank and was, more recently, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Foundation. He presided over his first Executive Board Meeting on February 28, 2009.

¥ URIF President Glen Kerkian testified at the Rhode Island State House before the House Committee on Corporations on March 18, regarding H 5244, an act that would modify UPMIFA guidelines for non-profits and provide some flexibility in terms of administering endowments, specifically relative to calculating “historic gift values.” Rhode Island, he noted, is at a significant disadvantage, when compared to other states, in terms of raising endowment-based charitable donations. He testified similarly before the Senate Committee on Corporations on a later date. The legislation was signed into law on June 30, 2009.

¥ Over 75 interested benefactors, parents, and sailing enthusiasts attended a recent Foundation reception held to encourage charitable support for the URI sailing team (pictured below), which will represent the United

States in the World Collegiate Sailing Championships in Marseille, France, in October 2009. Dyer Jones, three-time director of the America’s Cup, and Jan Slee, current president of the 12-Meter Class of sailing, addressed the group, whose members represented a virtual “Who’s Who” of America’s Cup racing alumni.

¥ Glen Kerkian, as a member of CASE’s National Committee for Institutionally Related Foundations, participated in a business meeting and conference in California in March. The 14 committee members are elected to provide guidance on horizon issues affecting institutionally-

related foundations and the institutions they serve.

¥ Inaugural scholarship luncheons, hosted by the Foundation president and President Carothers, were held this spring on two separate occasions. These events gave the student recipients and the benefactors, whose endowments disbursed during the 2008-2009 academic year for the first time, the opportunity to meet in person, on campus. These well-attended events were held at the President’s House.

¥ The URIF hosted a reception for 1892 Society members as part of Golden Grad Weekend, on May 29, at the Foundation. The attendees, all of whom have provided for URI in their estate plans, were joined by URI President Carothers and URI Foundation Glen Kerkian at the afternoon event.

Foundation Business Notes…

Photo By Matt gineo

geoRge gRaBoys

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDProvidence, RI

Permit No. 3091Rhode Ways is published three times annually to showcase philanthropy and demonstrate the impact of private giving at the University of Rhode Island as well as to report on other URI Foundation activities. It is supplemented by an annual report published the fourth quarter of the calendar year. For more information, or if you have comments, please contact Tracey Manni, managing editor, at 401.874.2145 or tmanni@foundation.uri.edu. For ways to support URI and information about the current Making A Difference campaign, please visit www.urifoundation.org.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Glen R. Kerkian

CONTRIBUTORS: M. E. Reilly-McGreen, Maria Caliri ‘86

PHOTOGRAPHY: Nora Lewis, Joe Giblin, purchased stock

DESIGN & PRINTING: Images Design Company, Wakefield, RI

GIFTS SHOULD BE MAILED TO:

URI Foundation79 Upper College RoadKingston, RI 02881

OR GIVE ONLINE:To make a gift that will have an immediate impact at URI you may give online by visiting www.urifoundation.org/giveonline

Alumnus Donates $5 Million to Support Establishment of URI’s New School of Communication and Media continued from page 1

As someone who has seen the world of information evolve from print to digital, and now to blogs and Twittering, I believe it is critical for URI to prepare its communication students for leadership roles in the next generation of media and communications

that is changing at breakneck speed around the globe. With the new School of Communication and Media, we have the opportunity to create a leading-edge environment in education and research that will help to fuel innovation in the knowledge economy. I commend and thank President Carothers and his talented faculty for having the foresight and commitment to undertake this important and exciting initiative.”

The School of Communication and Media brings together five academic units within the College of Arts and Sciences, including Communication Studies, Journalism, Film Studies, Writing and Rhetoric, and Library and Information Studies. Though these individual units are not physically centralized, this gift is expected to facilitate the future renovation or

construction of a dedicated home.

“We are tremendously grateful for the generosity of Dick and Jean Harrington and the support they have demonstrated over the years,” said Winifred Brownell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The Harrington School of Communication and Media will allow us to offer students an expanding number of exciting opportunities, preparing them for future workforce needs, and enhancing the value of the degrees they earn. We are excited about integrating a unique combination of programs within the School and uniting faculty and program strengths in the study of communications and information while maximizing the synergies created from interdisciplinary interaction.”

“How appropriate that a graduate who’s been a giant in the information industry chooses to make an impact for aspiring students in such dramatic fashion,” said Glen R. Kerkian, URI Foundation president. “A gift of this caliber places the Harringtons among the elite few who have made private gifts that are truly transformational to the Kingston Campus.”

Harrington was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from URI in 2002, and has served on the

Making A Difference Campaign Leadership Committee, the URI Foundation Executive Board, the President’s Advisory Council, and the College of Business Advisory Committee.

matching giftSDouble your Impact….

…or even triple it! Over 1,500 U.S. companies match employee charitable contributions, including the gifts alumni and friends make to support the University of Rhode Island. Your gift of $100 or $5,000 could be eligible for a match if you are employed by a participating company. Call toll-free 877.874.4555 for a brochure or visit matchinggifts.com/uri on the Web. If your company is listed, your human resources office should have the simple form you need to fill out and send to us in order to multiply the impact of your new or recent gift.