Feedback From URI Magazine Readers
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Hanging out with Eleanor
After reading the story of Eleanor Roosevelt (spring 2024), it reminded me of a family photo from my grandmother, Alice Howard Chappell, of a visit to URI (then R.I. State College) by Eleanor Roosevelt. This is likely the visit she made to URI back in 1938. My grandmother worked at the college, and she was responsible for the student books—she did all the billing/ books by hand for every student enrolled. I don’t know much about this photo, but it appears to be the women who worked in administration posing with Eleanor Roosevelt on the college grounds. Eleanor is on the bottom right and my grandmother is farthest on the right— apparently holding a watermelon. This photo was previously shared with Anne Roosevelt of the Roosevelt Institute, and they were unaware of the photo.
—Christine Hendrick ’83
Kudos
I recently received the spring 2024 edition of the URI Magazine. I want to express my gratitude for your team’s efforts in pulling together such interesting content in every single edition. It’s always a happy afternoon when I notice a new one in the mail! Receiving the magazine a few times every year helps me continue to feel connected to the URI community— thank you for making that possible!
—Alexa Collins ’19
In more than 60 years of receiving magazines, the “River State” edition (spring 2024) was the first one in which almost all the articles piqued my interest. I am reading it cover to cover. Thank you on a great job. Keep it up.
—Bruce R. Mastracchio ’65
Small Bottles. Big Problems.
How can we talk about our rivers, especially the northern R.I. rivers, and not mention nip bottles? We can’t even fix this problem. Simple: tax and bottle deposit. They will get picked up or not purchased. Been all over the country never seen anything like this except in Rhody. They go right down the storm drains after being pitched out the window. So convenient.
—Matt Haney ’87
Consider the Stroke Survivor’s Perspective
The article “Why Does Stroke Increase the Risk of Alzheimer’s?” (spring 2024) interested me as a stroke survivor. The opening statement also quickly concerned me: “Studies have established that stroke can double the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but researchers don’t yet understand why.” I am grateful that stroke research is on the forefront at URI, but a statement like this could cause undue panic for stroke survivors without more context. It should be noted that the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease varies widely by individual stroke survivors. In addition, the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s following an ischemic stroke varies widely depending on factors such as age, severity of stroke, and pre-existing conditions. Some estimates suggest that up to one-third of stroke survivors may develop dementia within five years after the stroke. Thank you for considering the stroke survivor’s perspective.
—David Dansereau ’90, M.S. ’00
Stroke survivor, licensed physical therapist, founder of Know-Stroke.org, and co-host of the Know Stroke podcast
The Cape Verdean Students Association: Keeping the Founders’ Vision
Great article. I am proud to hear the testimony of so many students who found CVSA as a vehicle to grow, understand, and be proud of their culture. That was our vision (Toney and I) when we founded this great association for all students. I’m proud and humbled!
—Alex Fernandes ’92
In 1988, Alex Fernandes ’92 co-founded the Cape Verdean Students Association at URI with the late Antonio “Toney” DaMoura ’92.
Remembering the Work of Professor Bob Sheath
I appreciate the focus on R.I. rivers in the spring 2024 issue. I only wish the story had gone back even earlier—to the 1980s—and reflected on all the work that Bob Sheath, my M.S. advisor, had done sampling all the streams and rivers in the state.
—Alan Steinman, M.S. ’83
Allen and Helen Hunting Research Professor, Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Robert Sheath was professor of botany at URI from 1978–1991. An accomplished phycologist (a scientist who studies algae), he co-authored four textbooks and published in numerous journals. In 2014, a newly identified genus of algae, Sheathia, was named for him in recognition of his research. He passed away in 2019.
The Quad was bustling on April 8 as students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered to view the solar eclipse. The event was hosted by the physics department.
Thinking Caps
Congratulations to all our 2024 grads! And a shout-out to the winners of this year’s graduation cap contest!
Feedback Guidelines
University of Rhode Island Magazine welcomes letters to the editor addressing topics covered in the magazine. We do not publish letters containing obscenities, potentially libelous statements, personal attacks, or known false statements. All letters must be signed. Letters may be edited for style, grammar, typographical errors, content, and length. The submission of a letter to the editor does not guarantee its publication. Views expressed by readers in the Feedback section are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the University of Rhode Island or University of Rhode Island Magazine. Please send letters via email to urimag@uri.edu.
PHOTOS: COURTESY CHRISTINE HENDRICK; DAVE LAVALLEE