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Rhode Island
$500,000 Gift to Advance Education Research at the University of Rhode Island
KINGSTON, R.I. — Oct. 2, 2024 — Diane Chace Fannon ’74 and S. Kent Fannon ’74 have made a gift of $500,000 to the Feinstein College of Education at the University of Rhode Island to establish the Diane and Kent Fannon Education Research Endowment.
Faculty will be able to apply for funds from the endowment to support innovative research projects that will help teachers and improve learning outcomes. In addition to preparing teachers for the classroom, the College conducts advanced research on topics including literacy, STEM education, equity and inclusion, teaching with technology, and more.
“I began at URI with the intention of becoming a teacher for life,” said Diane Fannon. “After teaching first grade for two years in Connecticut, my career path took a different turn when we moved to New York. But my belief in the importance of teaching and education never wavered. When we had the opportunity to meet Dean Dennis, it became clear that a research endowment, with its potential to influence education well into the future, would have the longest echo.”
The Fannons attended an informational session from College of Education Dean Danielle Dennis as part of a series of events for 50th reunion attendees. Along with a formal presentation, they were able to talk directly for a deeper dive on strategic initiatives.
“It started with a return to campus for our 50th reunion,” said Kent Fannon. “We heard the dean talk with such passion about the College and were inspired by her vision for the future. We immediately knew we wanted to help.”
While significantly supporting discoveries to improve teaching and learning, the fund will also help to attract top-tier faculty to URI.
“The Diane and Kent Fannon Education Research Endowment will have a profound impact on our College’s research mission,” said Dennis. “Faculty in the college engage in scholarship that directly benefits Rhode Island schools and educational organizations, as well as these entities around the world. This will provide faculty with much needed resources to seed new research and continue their impactful work.”
With this recent gift, Diane and Kent Fannon continue a long tradition of giving to URI. They have made a transformational gift for the creation of The Fannon Student Success Center as part of the renovation of Ballentine Hall for the College of Business, created two endowed scholarships focused on marketing and entrepreneurship, and endowed the College of Business Career Day. They have been actively involved through the years on the College of Business Advisory Council and the University of Rhode Island Foundation & Alumni Engagement Board. Each has received the University of Rhode Island Presidential Distinguished Achievement Award.
The Fannons live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Diane retired as principal at The Richards Group, where she capped off an award-winning career in brand marketing, rising from copywriter to creative director, and then to executive vice president across a series of highly regarded firms. Kent retired as a partner at executive search firm Chartwell Partners, following a series of senior positions in publicly traded and private equity-owned healthcare companies. He began his career at American Airlines, Inc. Along with his degree from URI, he holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.
The Feinstein College of Education at the University of Rhode Island offers a range of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and teacher certification programs. The College’s programs are certified through the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. It enrolls approximately 400 undergraduates and 200 graduate students per year, and its faculty have earned competitive national honors and worldwide recognition for their teaching and scholarship.
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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