A History Teacher Looks to the Future
Caroline Ricci ’72 enjoyed her career as a high school history teacher in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and credits her URI education as the catalyst for her success.
“I loved studying history and I had a wonderful experience at URI,” stated Ricci. “The University changed dramatically while I was in school, as did all of society. It was a very turbulent time, but I have a lot of terrific memories, like attending the Renaissance Ball that Professor Charles Daniel used to arrange.”
“Years after graduation, URI asked me to make phone calls asking my fellow alumni to contribute. I realized that it would be important for me to demonstrate my commitment, so I started to give.”
Now, 35 years later, Ricci is still an annual contributor to URI’s areas of greatest need through RhodyNow and has decided to leave a gift in her will to establish an endowed scholarship.
“I was lucky when I went to URI—my parents paid the tuition for me and my brother,” said Ricci. “When I was teaching in Lincoln, I would see students waving their acceptance letters with excitement and I’d think ‘I hope that they do not have big loans to repay after they graduate.’”
“I decided I wanted to set up an endowed scholarship to help students graduate from URI without a lot of debt. I want them to be able to start their lives and build their wealth rather than pay off student loans.”
Over the years, Ricci has supported different areas, with scholarships always as her primary focus. She consistently supports women’s basketball and athletics, although, in her own words, “I was never an athlete.”
“I have found that students who participate in athletics are very focused, and the teamwork seems to build character. I have contributed to the band because I see the commitment of those students and I have given to immediate use because I realize that the University needs the flexibility to support projects or students as needed.
“The people I have met who work at the University of Rhode Island Foundation & Alumni Engagement listen to what I want to accomplish and have been very helpful in directing my gifts.”
Ricci comes back regularly to campus, often to attend a basketball or football game. One time she and her brother brought a friend who had not been back to campus in almost 50 years.
“He was incredibly impressed by how much the campus has changed—he almost didn’t recognize it,” she said. “The new buildings and the changes to the older buildings are amazing. I am so proud of how URI has built its academic reputation, of all that has been accomplished, and its plans for the future. I want to ensure that students have access to this wonderful University.”
If you, like Caroline, are invested in the future of URI and its students, consider including the University in your legacy plans. Contact Office of Gift Planning at 401.874.7900 or plannedgiving@uri.edu to learn more.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.