Events raise $75,000 for University’s scholarship fund

KINGSTON, R.I. – Feb. 4, 2010 – Alumni and friends of the University of Rhode Island who came to campus for Big Chill Weekend Jan. 29 through 31 made sure to leave a lasting impression.

In addition to enjoying a good time, they were behind a 50 percent increase in money raised this year compared to last. While the final totals are still being confirmed, Big Chill Weekend raised about $75,000 this year, up from the $50,000 raised in 2009.

“We had a fantastic turnout for events throughout the weekend,” said Gina Simonelli, assistant director of Alumni Relations. “The alumni of the University showed how much they care about the future of URI.”

The weekend brought several hundred people to various events held in Narragansett, Newport and on the Kingston campus. A brew tasting at the Coast Guard House and the signature beverage sampling at Trio Restaurant both sold out on Jan. 29, as did the Blue Tie Wine Pairing held at the Rosecliff mansion in Newport.

“The planning committee and honorary chairs John and Gail Palumbo did a phenomenal job organizing the different events and increasing the number of sponsors involved,” Simonelli said. “Each year, we want to make Big Chill Weekend even more special, and our planning committee and volunteers certainly made that happen.”

URI Department of Communications & Marketing photo by Nora Lewis