KINGSTON, R.I. — Feb.  26, 2024 — Thomas J. Drury ’74 and Catherine F. Drury recently made a $1 million gift to the University of Rhode Island for renovations to the URI Athletics complex. This is one of the first gifts supporting the major fundraising initiative to make significant upgrades to several athletic facilities. This project aims to transform the student-athlete experience, offer enhanced fan experiences, and provide expanded community access. 

“Support from alumni has always been critical to the success of our athletics program,” said Thorr Bjorn, director of athletics. “We are incredibly grateful to Tom and Cathy for this generous gift. It is just the start of everything we will be able to accomplish together through this initiative for the athletics program and the University as a whole.” 

Paid out over the next five years, their contributions will support the men’s and women’s athletics programs. This gift will complement the $65.8 million in Rhode Island Capital Plan funding that was included in Gov. Dan McKee’s 2024 state budget and approved by the General Assembly.

“We saw this as an opportunity to be part of something big,” said Thomas (Tom) Drury. “We want to help URI student-athletes get ahead, and this moment of support from the state and focused attention from other alumni seemed like just the right time. We need to show the world of college athletics what URI can do.”

Drury was an accounting major at URI and went on to earn an MBA at the University of Wisconsin. Now retired, he was a founder and chief executive officer of Hydrofera, LLC, a company that develops and sells advanced wound dressings that stimulate the healing process. During his time at URI, he was a member of the football team and he’s stayed connected to the University by volunteering his time. 

“In the early days of my career we didn’t have the money to give back, so I volunteered my time,” said Drury. “I’ve been doing that for years and I’ve seen how being an athlete gives students a competitive edge that helps them excel long after they graduate.”  

This fundraising initiative will revitalize URI facilities, including Meade Stadium, the Tootell Aquatic Center, the Bill Beck baseball field and softball fields, and the soccer complex. The initiative will fund the construction of an outdoor track and field facility.