Golfers in R.I. Life Underwriters tourneys
put URI scholarship in the green

KINGSTON, R.I. -- November 19, 1999 -- In only three years, the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association has raised $14,182 to establish an endowed scholarship for an outstanding University of Rhode Island finance student.

And its members came up with the green after playing the links.

Rhode Island Life Underwriters, the statewide association that represents 500 financial services and insurance professionals, established the scholarship after running a series of charity golf tourneys to benefit URI.

The association announced that its fourth golf tournament will be held May 8 at the Wannamoisett Country Club in East Providence. For information, contact the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association at 461-2720.

"We established this fund because we want to support the state University," said the group's president John H. Sulyma, who owns John H. Sulyma Inc., insurance and financial services, in Pawtucket. "Like URI, the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association is a state institution, and we see positive changes at the University and its business college. We like working as a team with the University because we can get things done together."

The scholarship is need-based and will be given to a Rhode Islander for the first time in April.

The golf tournament was the brainchild of Sharon L. Dong, of Warwick and principal in Charissma Brokerage Insurance Agency in Warwick. She is a past president of the statewide association.

She echoed Sulyma's comments about wanting to help URI. "Many of our members are URI alums. URI also has a strong finance program and an extensive internship program. We like being involved.

"We wanted to give back to the community. We're only helping our clients, their children and their grandchildren."

Edward M. Mazze, dean and the Alfred J. Verrecchia-Hasbro, Inc. Leadership Chair in Business, believes that support from Rhode Island professional associations, like the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association, is a vote of confidence in the role that the URI College of Business Administration can play in providing future employees to Rhode Island businesses. "Thanks to groups like the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association, the College has moved closer to becoming the region's most business friendly business college," Mazze said.

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For Further Information: Gene Lai 401-874-4329