Library Endowment Funds Professorships / Chairs

AMICA Endowed Fund for the James P. Adams Library.  Established by a Capital Campaign corporate pledge by AMICA, the interest income will support the acquisition of materials, both printed and digital resources, in fulfillment of the educational mission of the College. $65,602

Burrill-Melcer Dance Resource Library Endowment Fund. Established in 1996 through the contributions of Fannie Helen Melcer and Billie Ann Burrill, professors emeritae of health and physical education, and their friends and colleagues in honor of their more than 30 years of devotion to teaching, learning, and life. Purpose is to support the purchase of library materials on dance. $13,962

Department of History Endowed Memorial Library Fund.  Established in 1996 through the leadership donation of a faculty member and the donations of many friends and faculty members.  Interest earnings will be spent to support the acquisition of library materials consistent with the discipline of history for the Adams Library. $20,522

Charles C. Hoffmann Rare Book Fund.  Established through the estate of Charles C. Hoffman, professor emeritus, University of Rhode Island, to support the establishment of a rare book fund for the Adams Library.  $187,319

Caroline A. Laudati Fund.  Established in 1998 by the family of Caroline A. Laudati to support an annual lecture in the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development. Topics to rotate among these areas: education, geography/environment, and music. $106,352

Carmela Santoro ’37 Fund. Established in 1984 by the friends and colleagues of Dr. Carmela Santoro on the occasion of her retirement as professor of history of Rhode Island College. The purpose of the fund is to support the purchase of Italo-American materials for the John P. Adams Library. $41,694

Bradford F. Swan Fund. Established in 1978 through an estate gift of Mr. Swan, a well-known art critic, and a 1966 recipient of an honorary degree of Doctor of Human Letters from Rhode Island College.  Established purpose is to purchase books for the library in his memory. $15,225

Alan Shawn Feinstein Institute for Philanthropic Leadership.  Established in 2006. The purpose of the fund is to provide program support for the Feinstein Institute.  The Institute, an affiliate of the David E. Sweet Center for Public Policy, offers a Certificate Program in Nonprofit Studies for undergraduates, graduates, and nonprofit-organization employees who wish to strengthen their skills in not-for-profit program development, strategic planning, human resources, budgeting, ethical practice, grant writing, program evaluation, and philanthropy.  $822,029

David E. Sweet Center for Public Policy.  Established in 1984 in memory of David E. Sweet, sixth president of Rhode Island College, by family, friends, and colleagues.  In 2006 the endowment was transferred to the Feinstein Institute for Philanthropic Leadership Endowed Fund as a mean to leverage additional support for the Institute, an affiliate of the Center for Public Policy.  Based on President’s Sweet commitment to the community, his role as a leader, and his affection for the issues facing society, the Center for Public Policy was renamed the David E. Sweet Center for Public Policy at Rhode Island College.

Sally M. Wilson Fund. Established in 1993 in memory of Sally M. Wilson, a retired Rhode Island College librarian. Funds used to support the purchase of books and other library materials useful to the College.  $3,020