Champlin Foundations award $542,587 to URI

KINGSTON, R.I. -- January 24, 2001 -- The Champlin Foundations, one of the oldest philanthropic organizations in Rhode Island, has awarded the University of Rhode Island $492,587 to fund four different projects on campus, and an additional $50,000 for use with Rhode Island Fish and Wildlife to study the problems causing the loss of the native Ruffed Grouse. Including this year's awards totaling $542,587; URI has received $7,732,735 from The Foundations.

The Champlin Foundations' generosity towards URI spans three decades. In 1970, The Foundations made their first donation to the University in the form of an annual scholarship grant for the College of Pharmacy. Their next gift was in 1982 and since then The Foundations have awarded grants to URI every year, consistently placing the University as one of the top five organizations to receive funding.

"The Foundations' generosity has benefited the endeavors of thousands of students, faculty and staff at the University. Through their support, they have helped create some of the best, and most technologically advanced classrooms and laboratories for our students," said M. Beverly Swan, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The Foundations' grants have enabled the University to develop advanced technology tools for teaching and learning in numerous disciplines. Some examples of projects funded include: an engineering laboratory and classroom network design system in 1988, a screening room for film studies courses in 1996, and a special laboratory for biotechnology training in 1997.

"The generosity of The Foundations has supported many technological initiatives at the University throughout the years. From engineering to pharmacy to the liberal arts, their grants have been essential to our efforts to keep our programs state-of-the-art. We are truly grateful for their support," said Paul Witham, associate vice president for development in the Division of University Advancement.

Grants funded this year are:

Upgrade and acquisition of modern instrumentation for chemistry laboratory courses: This $113,638 grant will fund the purchase of two computer-controlled IR spectrometers and instrumentation to be used in introductory chemistry laboratories. This will allow students to experience more hands-on work with computer-controlled instrumentation, and provide a strong foundation of using technologically advanced instruments. The proposer for this grant was Chemistry Professor Brett L. Lucht of South Kingstown.

Pharmacy Technology Initiative: This $120,000 grant will fund the purchase of a Human Patient Simulator, a life-size mannequin that can mimic many different conditions, including complex disease states. The Simulator can create clinical situations where students gain experience in making critically important pharmaceutical decisions. Proposers for this grant were Department of Biomedical Science Professors Clinton O. Chichester, of Wakefield, and Robert L. Rodgers, of Jamestown.

Teaching-Learning-Technology Centers: This $132,250 grant will fund the creation of wireless Teaching-Learning-Technology Centers in the URI Library, equipped with state-of-the-art computers. The Centers, which provide access to network resources, will allow students to gather with other learners and use librarians as teachers and information experts. The mobile carts will allow the Centers to be used as a teaching tool in any available workspace. Proposers for this grant were: Paul B. Gandel of Narragansett, Vice Provost of Information/Dean of Libraries, and Artemis G. Kirk of Boston, Mass., director of University Libraries.

Undergraduate Materials Laboratories: This $126,649 grant will be used to restructure the introductory material engineering courses and laboratories, to include non-metals such as plastics, ceramics, and composite materials. The new restructured laboratories will examine major materials present in commercial construction, emphasize several different learning styles, include long-term experiments, and develop reporting techniques. Proposers for the grant were Chemical Engineering professors Richard Brown of Wakefield and Stanley M. Barnett of Wakefield.

For Information: Jhodi Redlich, 401-874-2116, Jennifer Smith, 401-874-2116