URI’s KINGSTON, R.I. — July 12, 2000 — University of Rhode Island College of Arts and Sciences students Constance Giblin of North Providence and Mavis Nimoh of Pawtucket know the value of a liberal arts education is priceless. However, their essays about the subject have earned them the first two Paul H. Conway Memorial $1,300 scholarships. Both women will enter their junior year this fall. “If my mother did not work full time as a secretary, I believe that she would have become a professional worrier,” Giblin says in her winning essay. “She especially likes to worry about what sort of career I am going have after I graduate with a degree in English.” Giblin’s mother continually suggests careers to her daughter –teacher, writer, publisher, or bookstore owner. Giblin, herself, is not worried. She knows she’s getting a well-rounded liberal arts education. After graduation, she plans to join the VISTA program, hopes someday to publish a children’s book and would like to eventually own a bookstore. She doesn’t know when all this will happen, but she isn’t concerned. “The value of a liberal arts education is the freedom of choice, the cultivation of mind, and the many, many possibilities that will be awaiting me when I graduate.” Nimoh, the other scholarship winner, is a political science major. She also wrote of a conversation she had with her mother about pursuing a liberal arts degree rather than a specialized degree. “I explained that people who are in professional and more specialized areas of study are greatly needed to keep society running. However, in a changing world, it is the people who understand the history of the world and understand human nature that will keep society stable and ready for technological advances.” The scholarships are named after the late Paul Conway who earned a degree from URI in 1984. Conway, who lived in Coventry and graduated from Coventry High School, gained many friends during his college days. A resident adviser for four years and ardent Red Sox fan, Conway’s easygoing nature endeared him to his classmates. After they graduated, the Heathman Hall “gang” kept in touch. Diagnosed with leukemia in 1989, Conway died in 1990. Two of Conway’s former classmates and friends, husband and wife Tom Silvia and Shannon Chandley of Millis, Mass. established the scholarship. “The reason why we set up this scholarship in Paul’s name is that Paul was a very faithful friend,” said Silvia. “We spent many hours in Heathman Hall hanging out. He was always upbeat and had a positive view on life. He donated his time and assets to several organizations and was a very dependable person. Whenever you needed help or a favor, Paul was there. Also, I am sure that he would have been a committed alumnus. He was very proud of his time at URI.” Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund should contact Thomas Zorabedian, senior development officer for URI’s College of Arts and Sciences, at 874-2853 or zman@advance.uri.edu. -xxx- For More Information: Thomas Zorabedian, 874-2853 or Jan Sawyer, 874-2116 For more URI news visit: www.news.uri.edu