KINGSTON, R.I.– November 9, 1999 –Ten University of Rhode Island students have proven that studying does pay off, as they were honored for earning the highest freshmen grade point averages. These students were formally inducted as University College Scholars and honored for their outstanding scholastic achievement at a banquet held in their honor late last month. Each student received a certificate of achievement and a $500 check from the URI Alumni Association in recognition of their success. To be designated a University College scholar, students must earn the top GPA in the freshmen class. This year, all 10 University Scholars earned a 4.0. Eight out of the 10 scholars were from Rhode Island. Jessica Tavares, of Pawtucket, was honored as one of the University College Scholars. Although she acknowledged studying quite a bit last year to fulfill the requirements for her six-year doctor of pharmacy course schedule, she always made a point to relax and have fun with her friends. “Managing your time is the most important thing. I always made enough time to study and do well in my classes, but I’ve always had fun. You just have to place your priorities; then you will succeed in all areas,” said Tavares, who is also a member of the track and field team. Staci Hermann, of Bedford, N.H., couldn’t agree more with this philosophy. In between countless hours of class and studying, Hermann finds time to be a new pledge coordinator for the Pharmacy honor society, Lambda Kappa Sigma, and a peer tutor. She also enjoys hanging out with friends and keeping in shape at the gym. “I like to do well because I want to be amongst the top of the field in Pharmacy. But, I don’t spend all my time worrying about studying. My advice to new freshmen would be to take it easy, and while you should work hard on your studies, make sure you have fun,” said Hermann. It’s not all fun and games, though, according to Abraham Murray, an engineering major from Jamestown. To maintain such a high standard takes effort and time. At one point during his freshmen year, Murray said he spent as much as 80 hours a week studying. “I drive myself to excel. The way I see it, if I have done my best to learn and apply knowledge, I am happy regardless of the grade I receive. However, I would not be happy were I to just slide along and still receive good grades,” said Murray, whose future goal is to graduate from URI with a 4.0. In addition to Tavares, Hermann, and Murray, the seven other University Scholars are: Amanda J. Argentieri of East Providence; Jessica M. Brown of Jamestown; Amy C. Knebel of Westminister, Calif.; Jason M. Lewis of Exeter; Alexandre Minton of Providence; Babatunde A. Ologun of Pawtucket; and Sarah E. Wojciechowski of North Kingstown. Lewis and Ologun were also honored at the banquet for having received the Brett Santoro Memorial Scholarship. Named in memory of Brett Santoro, a 1997 URI graduate killed in a motorcycle accident in Greenville, R.I. in December 1998, the scholarships were awarded for the first time this year to six students who are studying biological sciences. x-x-x For More Information: Jhodi Redlich, 401-874-2116