Prizes and Awards

Peter Jeffrey Archambault Memorial Award in Theatre. Established in 1977 in memory of Peter Jeffrey Archambault, a Rhode Island College communications major with a keen interest in theatre, by his family and friends. Awarded annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated achievement in scholarship, creative ability in theatre and humanistic concerns. $15,767

Ronald J. Boruch Award. Established in 1980 in memory of Ronald J. Boruch, assistant professor, by his family. Awarded to a graduating senior who displays leadership and professional promise and who has the highest grade point average in either chemistry or physical or general science. $3,856

Rose Butler Browne ’19 Award. Established in 1971 by the family and friends of Rose Butler Browne. Recipients must have at least sophomore standing, and demonstrate leadership potential and have completed voluntary or paid service in a community agency or activity. $8,719

W. Christina Carlson ’25 Fund. Established in 1975 by the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island College Foundation in memory of W. Christina Carlson who served Rhode Island College as an educator and as the institution’s registrar. Awarded to a biology major that demonstrates excellence in academics and potential for continuing research in the biological sciences. $6,612

Communications Prize Fund. Established in 1991 through the contributions from former students in the communications area of the Department of Communications and Theatre. Awarded to an academically qualified graduating senior with a major in the communications area. $4,337

Drabienko Family Endowed Prize for String Instruments. Established in 1996 by Alicia W. Kestin in memory and honor of her parents and brothers, victims of the holocaust and World War II. Awarded annually to a student majoring in a stringed instrument. $7,669

Bertha Christina Andrews Emin ’12 Fund (Scholastic Excellence). Established in 1972 on the 60th anniversary of the graduation of Bertha Andrews Emin from Rhode Island College and in honor of the graduation of the first member of the third generation of the family to graduate from Rhode Island College. Awarded to a graduating senior who is a resident of Smithfield and who has the highest academic average. $2,066

Bertha Christina Andrews Emin ’12 Fund (Outstanding Achievement). Established in 1972 on the 50th anniversary of the graduation of Bertha Andrews Emin from Rhode Island College and in honor of the graduation of the first member of the third generation of the family to graduate from Rhode Island College. Awarded annually to a student of high achievement who demonstrates qualities of leadership.  $362

English Faculty Writing Awards. Established in 1988 through an anonymous gift in honor of retired members of the English Department of Rhode Island College. Awarded annually to two declared English majors of at least sophomore standing who have submitted portfolios of critical and creative writing and have won the annual competition. $123,153

Majorie H. Eubank Performing Arts  Award. Established in 1980 by the family, colleagues, and friends of Marjorie Eubank to honor her for her singular efforts on behalf of speech and theatre education. Awarded annually to a graduate or undergraduate majoring in the Dept. of Performing Arts with a concentration in theatre, and teaching as a primary goal. $8,540

Jean Garrigue Memorial Fund. Established in 1972 by Dr. Nancy Sullivan in memory of Miss Garrigue, a colleague and friend. Awarded annually to a graduating senior English major who must present a portfolio of creative writings for review by the English Department. The intent of this prize is to encourage students to seek excellence in the control and effective use of language. $7,644

Richard K. Gehrenbeck Memorial Lectureship Fund. Established in 1993 in memory of Richard Gehrenbeck. Income to support the Richard Keith Gehrenbeck Memorial Lectureship in the History of Science. $23,185

Nelson A. Guertin Memorial Fund. Established in 1977 in honor of Professor Guertin who served Rhode Island College for 37 years in association with the language department of the College. Awarded annually to student of high academic standing who must submit a sample of academic work or a brief essay in a foreign language on a literary or cultural topic approved by the department. $3,089

Mary Ann Hawkes Award in Justice Studies. Established in 1990 by Mary Ann Hawkes, Professor Emerita of sociology. Awarded to an academically qualified graduating senior who demonstrates recognition of and concern for national, regional, or local problems of justice and their solutions. $3,132

John E. Hetherman Fund. Established in 1958 and sponsored by the Rhode Island College Class of 1940 to honor a classmate, Jay Hetherman, who was killed while flying a PBX rescue and search mission in the South Pacific. Awarded annually to a graduating senior in good academic standing who participates in college athletics and who demonstrates interest and participation in campus activities. $7,370

Cantor Jacob Hohenemser Memorial Fund. Established in 1968 by Temple Emanu-El in memory of Cantor Jacob Hohenemser, an alumnus of Rhode Island College and the husband of a long time member of the College. Awarded annually to a graduating senior who has also been an outstanding music student. $8,012

James Houston Award in Anthropology/Geography. Established in 1979 by Alice and James Houston and by contributions from the faculty in anthropology/geography. Awarded annually to a graduating senior majoring in anthropology and/or geography who demonstrates academic excellence and a significant involvement in the department. $16,650

Maryellen Hoye Memorial Fund. Established in 1989 by the family and friends in memory of Maryellen Hoye. Awarded to academically qualified undergraduate disabled students in the political science department and the sociology department on the basis of need. $6,570
 
Mary Juskalian Upward Bound Scholarship Fund.  Established in 2005 with a gift from Foundation trustee Mary Juskalian to support a graduate of the Upward Bound program who is going to college.  $6,626

Joseph F. Kauffman Annual Prize. Established by the family and friends of Dr. Joseph F. Kauffman, president emeritus, Rhode Island College. Awarded to an academically qualified graduating senior who is committed to enter a career in public school teaching or administration. $15,816

Theodore Lemeshka Memorial Fund. Established in 1980 by family, friends and colleagues in honor of Ted Lemeshka, a biology professor at Rhode Island College who died in 1976. Awarded annually to a senior biology major who is an honor student and who demonstrates leadership potential. $3,553

Renato and Elena Leonelli ’42 Physical Science Award Endowment Fund. Established in 1991 through the generous contributions of Elena A. Leonelli and Renato E. Leonelli, professor emeritus at Rhode Island College. Awarded to an academically qualified graduating senior who has completed all degree requirements for the Master of Education in general science, physics, or chemistry or the Master of Arts in Teaching in general science, physics, or chemistry. $53,456

Richard A. Lobban, Jr. Prize in African and Afro-American Studies. Established with a gift from Richard A. Lobban, Jr. This fund will support an annual award to either a graduating senior or a graduate student in African and Afro-American Studies. $6,550

Eleanor M. McMahon Fund. Established in 1982 by President David E. Sweet and the Executive Officers of Rhode Island College in recognition of Dr. McMahon’s appointment as the first Commissioner of Higher Education in Rhode Island. Until such time as a four-year honors program is established, the Eleanor M. McMahon prize is to be awarded annually to a sophomore who has achieved the best academic record in the College General Education Honors Program after completing at least seven courses. $77,073

Mathematics and Computer Science Scholarship. Established in 1988 with gifts from faculty members, students, and friends. Awards to be given to academically qualified senior mathematics or computer science majors working on their first undergraduate degree and who participate in the activities of the Mathematics/Computer Science Department or in equivalent professional activities. $10,843

Yetta Rauch Melcer Dance Award. Established in 1980 by Dr. Fannie Helen Melcer, Professor Emerita, in memory of her mother. Awarded to a graduating senior who contributed in an outstanding fashion to the Rhode Island College Dance Company. $13,003

Ethel Murphy ’24 Fund. Established in 1985 by friends, colleagues and family in honor of Ethel Murphy’s 80th birthday.  Awarded annually to student who is a single parent with financial need and is accepted into the elementary education program.  Preference given to residents of Cranston. $14,136

Helen Murphy ’39 Fund. Established in 1980 by the faculty of Henry Barnard School in honor of the retirement of Helen Murphy ’39, a member of the faculty for 38 years. Awarded annually to a graduating senior who has been a participant in Rhode Island College athletics and other community activities who demonstrates a concern for others, positive leadership qualities, and academic excellence. $1,874

North Providence League of Women Voters Award. Established in 1980. Awarded annually to an academically qualified graduating senior who is a political science major, a registered voter, and a resident of North Providence. $3,316

Patrick O'Regan Fund. Established in 1999 to support an annual faculty award in memory of Patrick O'Regan, a faculty member at Rhode Island College from 1961 to 1991.  $7,217

Alice K. Pellegrino Music Education Award. Established in 1992 by the Henry Barnard School faculty and supported by family and friends in honor of Alice Pellegrino’s retirement and in recognition of her significant contribution to the field of music education. Awarded annually to a qualified graduating senior who is completing degree in music education and who has successfully completed the Rhode Island College Music Department’s Practicum and Student Teaching programs. $15,833

John Silva Memorial Scholastic Award in Economics and Management. Established in 1980 by the family and friends of John Silva, who died tragically just prior to graduation. Awarded annually by the department to one sophomore and one graduating senior. $8,371

Tegu Polyglot Award. Established in 1980 by Dr. T. Steven Tegu, professor emeritus of modern languages, to recognize and reward students exhibiting marked interest and proficiency in foreign languages, and particularly in linguistic fluency. Awarded annually to an academically qualified graduating senior who has been nominated by the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages. $4,469

Amy Thompson Memorial Fund. Established in memory of Amy Thompson, a long time faculty member at Rhode Island College. Prize awarded to a student chosen by the English Department who displays an interest in children’s literature. $3,197

Mary Tucker Thorp Memorial Fund. Established in 1974 in memory of Dr. Thorp, a faculty member for over 40 years. For 21 of those years, Dr. Thorp served as director of the Henry Barnard School and in 1964 was named the college’s first distinguished professor. Income from the endowment will provide annually for two Thorp Professorships, one to a member of the Arts and Science faculty and a second to a member of the School of Education and Human Development faculty. $174,330

Evelyn Walsh Prize in History. Established in 1978 upon the retirement of Professor Evelyn Walsh who served for 21 years as a member of the Rhode Island College Department of History. Annual award made to a senior history major that has excelled in history studies and in service to the college. $10,508

Lauris B. Whitman Award in Sociology. Established in 1979 to honor Professor Emeritus Lauris Whitman who was the first chairperson of the Sociology Department at Rhode Island College. Awarded annually to a graduating senior majoring in sociology that excels in sociology and in service to the department, the College, and/or the community. $348