KINGSTON, R.I. – Dec. 9, 2024 – The University of Rhode Island inducted 11 retired faculty and staff members into the Lifetime Service Society honoring them for 40 years or more of service to the University. The annual induction and brick dedication ceremony was held Dec. 6 in the Higgins Welcome Center.
This year’s inductees are: Richard E. Anderson (45 years), William Euler (41), Heather Faubert (42), Paul Florin (42), Arthur J. Gold (40), Joanne Lawrence (42), Craig Louzon (40), Jane S. Miner (47), David R. Nelson (42), Peter Nightingale (40), and Stuart Westin (40). The group joins more than 150 employees who have been inducted since the award was started in 2013.
“Today, we honor the many hands and minds that have shaped our campuses – faculty in chemistry, psychology, environment and life sciences, molecular biology, physics, and business, and leaders in facilities, landscape and groundskeeping, and the Narragansett Bay Campus,” said President Marc Parlange. “You have educated, inspired, and kept our university running. We thank you for the tremendous impact you have made on URI, and we honor your legacy.”
The president also took a moment to remember Maureen McDermott, director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement, who passed away Nov. 15 following a vehicle-pedestrian accident. She served the University community for 43 years.
“Maureen was a shining example of what it means to serve, and to do so with grace, joy, and a passion for helping others succeed,” Parlange said.

Friday’s recipients, who retired between January 2023 and July 2024, received certificates of appreciation from the University, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner, and Gov. Dan McKee. A commemorative brick engraved with each inductee’s name and years of service will be placed in the patio in front of the entrance to the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons.
“I look upon all of you with us today – and remember with fondness those who could not be with us – and I wonder how the decades could have passed so quickly,” said Barbara Wolfe, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. “The University has changed and advanced in significant ways due to your efforts, passion, and dedication to both students and colleagues, and it is a better place because you chose to make your life’s work here.”
During the ceremony, each honoree was introduced and honored by a colleague.
Heather Faubert, of Kingston, a research assistant in the Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, was introduced by Lisa Tewksbury, a research associate in the department.
Tewksbury remembered meeting Faubert her first year working with URI entomologist Dick Casagrande. Faubert started a pest management program that helped local potato growers and expanded to include fruit tree growers, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards – and pretty much all growers who needed assistance.
“We are all happy for Heather in her retirement but the growers I meet now are also feeling a bit at a loss. They say: ‘She was so knowledgeable,’ ‘I miss seeing her appear at the farm – she always brightened my day,’ ‘She was a constant,’” said Tewksbury. “It’s clear to me and I am sure it was clear to Rhode Island farmers over the years that Heather Faubert excelled at her job and sincerely enjoyed it.”

Arthur Gold, of North Kingstown, professor emeritus in the Department of Natural Resources Science, was introduced by Peter Paton, a professor in the department.
Gold, a past chair of the department, accomplished so much in this career at URI, said Paton. A watershed hydrologist, Gold investigated the effects of land use and natural features on water quality and river flow regimes. His work was supported by over $30 million in national grants, along with earning the URI Foundation and Alumni Engagement Scholarly Excellence Award, the University’s highest award for research. Gold, who was a major professor and advisor for more than 100 graduate students, also served a five-year appointment as a senior advisor on watershed research to the United Nations.
Joanne Lawrence, of Exeter, who worked in the College of Arts and Sciences dean’s office, the Office of Enrollment Services and with the Faculty Senate in her 42 years at URI, was introduced by Michael Rice, professor of fisheries and aquaculture and former Faculty Senate president.
Lawrence, who was awarded the URI Foundation University Staff Excellence Award in 2004, was adroit at diplomatically handling problems when they arose – from students worried about graduation requirements to busy deans requiring quick institutional information, Rice said.
“Joanne’s knowledge of the nuances of curricular requirements is legendary,” he said. “[Her] excellence in service and spirit of bonhomie carried on during her entire time in the Faculty Senate Office.”

Craig Louzon, of Charlestown, a grounds superintendent, was honored by Mike McDonald, landscape maintenance technician of the landscape and grounds department.
Louzon, one of the first grounds workers to take courses on campus, served as a role model and was known for his calm leadership, McDonald said. For four decades, Louzon, a Boy Scout leader and Chariho School Committee member, was part of the team that prepared the campus for commencement and kept the campus open during severe weather.
“In his 40 years of service, [Louzon] left an indelible mark with his co-workers and the University community,” said McDonald of his long-time supervisor. “In addition to being a supervisor for the back end of my career, Craig served as a mentor and friend to many who had the opportunity to work with him.”
Jane Miner, of Jamestown, business manager for the Narragansett Bay Campus and the Graduate School of Oceanography, was introduced by David Smith, professor of oceanography.
Miner, who grew up in Jamestown, never strayed far from her beloved island but she made a world of difference at URI as part of the GSO for nearly its entire history, said Smith. After graduating from Clark University with a degree in environmental science, she started working at the newly established Coastal Resources Center at the GSO in 1977.
“Eventually, Jane came to sit at the center of all things financial at GSO,” said Smith. “The answer to most questions regarding money was ‘go see Jane,’ as she has a truly complete and nuanced knowledge of every separate unit at GSO. … [H]er efforts at GSO were essential in supporting research around the globe by dozens of faculty and hundreds of graduate students. We are all grateful.”
David Nelson, of Wakefield, professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, was honored by Jay Sperry, professor emeritus of cell and molecular biology.
“Dave was a hard-working individual as a teacher and a researcher,” said Sperry, who was chairman of their department. “He was passionate about his research and highly effective at securing funding for it. He was always ready and eager to help his graduate students, any undergraduate or graduate student, as well as fellow professors.”
Peter Nightingale, of Kingston, professor of physics, was honored by Leonard Kahn, professor and chair of physics.
Kahn recognized Nightingale’s many contributions to the growth of the physics department, especially in increasing the graduate program, in which Nightingale has taught every class. Nightingale was named a fellow of the American Physical Society, an honor bestowed on fewer than 1% of its members, and he was co-author of a publication cited by the Nobel Prize committee in awarding the Nobel for physics.
“As much as I admire his contribution to the department and to the general physics community, I am in awe of his work for peace and justice through activism,” said Kahn. “While it is easy and comfortable to sit back and complain about the current state of affairs, it takes a special drive to act on those principles and push for change. Peter has that drive, and he has never shrunk from taking a stand.”
Anderson of Charlestown, maintenance superintendent in Facilities Services; Euler of Bradenton, Florida, professor of chemistry; Florin of Providence, professor of psychology; and Westin, of Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, professor of business instruction, were unable to attend the Dec. 6 ceremony.