July 22, 2021 –The University of Rhode Island extends a hearty congratulations to alumnus Michael D. Fascitelli on his Milwaukee Bucks’ historic championship season. The Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night to capture their first National Basketball Association title in 50 years.

Fascitelli, a part of the Bucks’ ownership group since 2014, is a member of URI’s Board of Trustees. A 1978 graduate, summa cum laude, of the College of Engineering, he earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School. He is founder of MDF Capital LLC and co-founder and managing partner of Imperial Companies. He previously served as president and chief executive of Vornado Realty Trust and was former president of Alexander’s Inc.

Fascitelli and his wife, Beth, were instrumental in the construction of the $11 million Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center and the $150 million Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering, which opened in October 2019. 

The engineering center, along with the improved and expanded Bliss Hall, strengthen the College’s leadership in the areas of clean energy, nanotechnology, robotics, cybersecurity, water for the world, biomedical technology, smart cities, and sensors and instrumentation.