URI raises 65 percent of $15 million goal for Convocation Center

Wrecking ball takes down the Field House at Meade Field to make way for the Convocation Center.

Gov. Lincoln Almond at the controls during the demolition event.

URI raises 65 percent of $15 million goal for Convocation Center

Only 18 months into the three-year private fund drive for the University of Rhode Island Convocation Center, the University has raised 65 percent of its $15 million goal, bringing in $9.7 million, it was announced by Thomas M. Ryan, co-chair of the campaign's Blue Ribbon Steering Committee.

As the demolition phase of the largest building and design project in the University's history began on July 13, 2000, both Raytheon Co. and Verizon-Rhode Island (formerly Bell Atlantic), had committed $300,000 to the campaign. Including the Raytheon and Bell Atlantic gifts, the campaign has brought in a total of seven gifts in this latest round at or above the $100,000 level and another 39 gifts of $10,000 or more.

"This has been a very successful private fund-raising effort," said Gov. Lincoln Almond, co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Steering Committee. "The state is also doing its share by committing $23 million to the project, including the Convocation Center and ice rink facility. This shows what can be accomplished when the private and public sectors join forces."

Officials from Raytheon and Verizon stressed the importance of their commitments to the University.

"Raytheon is pleased to confirm its long-term commitment to the future of Rhode Island, the continued economic growth and well-being of the region, and the prosperity of our greatest resource - our people," said Dan Smith, vice president and general manager of Raytheon's Naval & Maritime Integrated Systems Business Unit, headquartered in Portsmouth, R.I.

"Verizon-Rhode Island and the Verizon Foundation are pleased to support the Convocation Center through the design and implementation of the most state-of-the-art high speed data technology transmission," said Donna Cupelo, president and chief executive officer of Verizon-Rhode Island. "We have worked diligently with the University to create and provide one of the fastest and most efficient telecommunications networks in the country to meet the administrative and student body needs for the present and future."

In May, Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer of CVS Corp. and a 1975 University of Rhode Island graduate, announced a $1 million personal donation to the campaign. Ryan became the second URI graduate to make a $1 million personal gift. At the campaign kickoff in February 1999, Bradford R. Boss, chairman of A.T. Cross, made the first. CVS also made a $3 million donation to the project.

"CVS has made many contributions to many worthy causes over the years," Ryan said. "But I can think of none more important than supporting our home-state university."

Joseph Formicola, a 1969 URI graduate and chairman of the major gifts committee said: "We have many alumni and friends who have been extremely receptive to the campaign. They have committed to substantial pledges because they understand the importance of such a facility. I have confidence we will meet and probably exceed our goal."

Robert M. Beagle, URI vice president of University Advancement, said the campaign is prospering because of the dynamic work of volunteers, and the broad-based support from alumni and friends. "We have great leadership support from people like Governor Almond, Tom Ryan and Joe Formicola," he said, "and when you look at the list of donors, you can also see that it represents a wide cross-section of the URI family. This only reinforces what we have said all along, that this project would gain widespread support."

Financing for the $54 million Convocation Center project includes the $15 million in private donations, $18 million in state appropriations and $21 million in revenue bonds. The project also calls for a separate $12 million ice rink. The state is providing $5 million in appropriations for the ice rink.

Among the latest six-figure donors are an anonymous donor and: Gary and Barbara Bowen; The family of Robert, David, Alan and Marilyn Zartarian; and J.H. Lynch & Sons, Inc., Cumberland.

Louise Rosarbo, director of the Convocation Center Campaign, said the campaign is ahead of schedule.

"We have a list of 500 prospects, and our goal is to see as many of them as we can by the end of the year," Rosarbo said. "We're finding that as people have seen the invitation for the demolition event, they have been saying, 'Wow, this is really starting to happen.'"

By Dave Lavallee