FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chad Minnich, (401) 456-8395 or (508) 308-5589, cminnich@ric.edu
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island College celebrated its 162nd undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 14, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence.
RIC conferred 1,341 undergraduate degrees in the morning ceremony, attended by R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo, R.I. Board of Education Chair Barbara Cottam, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Representatives James Langevin and David Cicilline, and Mayors Scott Avedisian, James Diossa, Jorge Elorza and Charles Lombardi.
RIC alumna and Central Falls High School English and drama teacher Deloris Davis Grant delivered the remarks during the undergraduate ceremony, encouraging the Class of 2016 to take a leap and say yes to adventure. “You have been called to embark on the first of many journeys, if you choose to accept,” she said. “I want you to know that you do not have to be afraid, but do not refuse the call.”
Grant is sister of fellow RIC alumna and award-winning actress Viola Davis. “Make sure that you are listening when the universe speaks to you,” she said.
RIC Senior Class President Josh Estrella addressed the Class of 2016, urging his classmates to live in the moment and avoid turning life into a series of to-do lists. “Take time out of your days to appreciate where you are now,” Estrella said. “Put down your phone and soak in the environment around you. Talk to friends, visit family and learn to value the simple things in life that we too often take for granted.”
Representing the RIC Class of 1966, Gerard Lessard announced his class would be giving a monetary gift to be used to name an area in the renovated Gaige Hall that will include a new computer lab, audio/visual help desk and two offices.
Later in the day, RIC conferred 297 advanced degrees in a graduate commencement ceremony at which educator and philanthropist Claire Giannamore served as commencement speaker. Giannamore, former board member of RIC's Shinn Study Abroad fund and trustee of the Rhode Island College Foundation, recently gifted a small island in Narragansett Bay to the college.
Both Grant and Giannamore received honorary degrees during the ceremony. Grant was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Education for sharing “her knowledge, skills and passion with her student to create an active community of young writers, readers, speakers and actors.”
An Honorary Doctor of Humanities was conferred upon on Giannamore. RIC President Nancy Carriuolo stated, “Few alumni have demonstrated a stronger and more consistent commitment to their alma mater.”
Other honorary degree recipients included award-winning Ponaganset High School science teacher Ross Kenneth John McCurdy, who received a Doctor of Pedagogy; Founder, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of ALEX AND ANI, LLC Carolyn Rafaelian, who received a Doctor of Fine Arts; General Manager of the Providence Performing Arts Center Alan Chille, who received a Doctor of Fine Arts; and President and Founder of Embolden, a leading digital communications group, Ann-Marie Harrington, who received a Doctor of Commercial Science.
RIC graduated 657 students with honors: 86 summa cum laude, 186 magna cum laude and 385 cum laude.
A webcast of the 2016 commencement ceremonies can be viewed online at www.ric.edu.
Established in 1854, Rhode Island College serves approximately 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students through its five schools: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, the School of Social Work, the School of Management and the School of Nursing. For more information, visit www.ric.edu.
