It Started With a Conversation
From volunteering to supporting first-generation college students through a scholarship fund they set up, Mark ’64 and Donna Ross have grown their connection to URI over the years.
A phone call and lunch with an old friend in the early 1990s reconnected Mark Ross ’64 with his URI roots. As a result of the get together, Mark, who was vice president of the family business, Ross Simons, and Mark’s wife, Donna, decided to become involved with the University.
They volunteered for the Winter Gala Committee, and before they knew it, they were honorary chairs of the event. Over the years, their connections have grown stronger. Now they have decided to build on their past gifts to URI with a significant gift through their estate plan.
“We had so much fun working on the Winter Gala,” said Donna. “We met so many terrific people and we are still friends with them today. Getting involved with URI and giving back is something we both believe in.”
“We are so proud of the progress URI has made over the years,” said Mark. “We have made a five-year pledge to Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for URI. President Dooley has done an amazing job. Recently, we decided to make URI part of our estate plan because we want to support the University’s continued growth.”
“Years ago, we established a scholarship to benefit first-generation students because we want to make a URI education more affordable for them,” said Donna. “We have met with many of the recipients over the years and they are extremely accomplished. Now, our estate gift will enhance our commitment to future generations and enable more people to benefit from this scholarship.”
“We are partial to students in the College of the Arts and Sciences. I graduated in economics, and I minored in political science,” said Mark. “I fondly remember a number of my faculty in economics, political science, and history.”
After earning an MBA at the University of Michigan, Mark took a position at Procter & Gamble. He joined the family business in 1967 and met Donna when they were both working there. Mark served as a vice president of the retail business until he retired in 2002.
“Donna and I enjoyed giving back. When we have met with our scholarship students, I am impressed with how much they love URI and how happy they are to be here. They are so accomplished, with many of them pursuing double majors,” said Mark. “We remind them that when they are successful, they can do the same thing to help others.”
Mark and Donna have demonstrated their commitment to URI in a variety of ways, including Mark’s service on the URIFAE board of trustees and Donna being named an honorary alumna. They have also given to Hillel, building projects, and athletics, among other initiatives.
“Our conversations with URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement staff have allowed us to explore our options about how we dedicate our legacy at URI,” said Donna.
“President Dooley and Lil O’Rourke have been so gracious about contacting us,” said Mark. “Donna and I have been very fortunate in our lives and now we want to help future generations of URI students. We feel this is a worthwhile legacy.”
It all goes to show how taking a call from an old friend can have a long-lasting impact.
To learn more about the ways you can give back and create a legacy at URI, please contact Office of Gift Planning at 401.874.7900 or plannedgiving@uri.edu.
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