KINGSTON, R.I. — April 20, 2006 — To celebrate its 50th anniversary in the liquid asphalt business, the Providence-based Hudson Companies have donated $100,000 to the University of Rhode Island’s College of Engineering to establish a scholarship for deserving civil engineering students.
“We’ve had a very close association with Engineering Professor Wayne Lee through the years. We’ve worked together many times on the SHRP federal highway program that’s changing the way states build roads,” said Thomas Hudson, the company’s chief executive officer. “When we decided to create a scholarship, we thought it was appropriate that our Rhode Island company should do so at the state university. “
The John J. Hudson Sr. Memorial Scholarship is named for the company’s founder, who established a small asphalt company in 1955 and later purchased a waterfront terminal in the Port of Providence that allowed tankers to deliver liquid asphalt directly to the company’s facilities. The business has expanded considerably in recent decades and now includes subsidiaries involved in importing, modifying and distributing liquid asphalts.
The Hudson Companies’ anniversary celebration included a golf tournament with customers and vendors at the Newport National Country Club, which raised the bulk of the scholarship money. “It was one of those September days with threatening skies, so we only got in about 14 holes before the skies opened up, but it was a nice celebration nonetheless, and with a great dinner afterwards it was a fun way to raise money for the scholarship,” said Thomas Hudson.
Thomas Hudson and John Hudson Jr., sons of the founder, hope that additional funds may be contributed toward the scholarship in the future.
“We are grateful that the Hudson Companies has decided to make this investment in the future of the civil engineering program at URI on this momentous occasion,” said Bahram Nassersharif, dean of the College of Engineering. “This scholarship will support a future generation of students who will be an important part of Rhode Island’s economic strength.”
“We’re just thrilled that the Hudson Companies chose to celebrate their anniversary by establishing an engineering scholarship at URI,” added Robert Clough, URI senior development officer. “We’re tremendously grateful for their commitment and generosity. The Hudsons and their friends are among the reasons why the College of Engineering continues to grow.”
The scholarship will provide funds to qualified undergraduate civil engineering students based upon academic merit and financial need, with first preference given to students from New England.
Pictured above
University of Rhode Island Engineering Dean Bahram Nassersharif (left) celebrates the $100,000 donation made by The Hudson Companies with company CEO Thomas Hudson and vice president John Hudson Jr. The donation will establish a scholarship endowment for undergraduate civil engineering students at URI. URI News Bureau photo by Nora Lewis.