Below is a press release from the University of Rhode Island:
KINGSTON, RI — There’s something about the A. Robert Rainville Student Leadership Awards that brings out the best in the University of Rhode Island community – and the spring weather, too.
“A colleague of mine mentioned that it seems like the sun shines for the first time every year on the day of the Rainvilles,” said Melissa Boyd-Colvin, assistant vice president for student engagement and director of the Memorial Union, during Tuesday’s Rainville Awards ceremony, “and that has definitely come true today.”
On an unseasonably warm night in front of a capacity crowd at the Memorial Union Ballroom, URI hosted its 38th annual Rainville Awards, named in honor of former Vice President for Student Affairs and alumnus A. Robert Rainville, to celebrate students who are successful in various leadership roles while maintaining a good academic record.
The Rainville Awards consist of four categories: the Robert L. Carothers Servant Leadership Award, which recognizes a student who supports the growth of others and the community by embodying the tenets of Robert K. Greenleaf’s servant leadership model; the Student Employee Excellence Award, which recognizes a student’s contributions that provide a positive impact on the URI community through their campus employment; the Team Excellence Award, honoring teams who are mission-driven and passionate and exemplify collaborative and authentic leadership in their work on campus; and the Maureen McDermott Student Leadership Award, named last year in honor of McDermott, the former student involvement and Memorial Union director who passed away in 2024, to honor a student who has positively contributed to the campus community by empowering others and inspiring those around them.
This year, the selection committee received 134 total nominees – 118 students for the individual awards and 16 student organizations for Team Excellence – which Boyd-Colvin said was “the largest amount in years,” underscoring the difficulty of whittling the field down to just four finalists in advance of Tuesday’s ceremony.
“As always, our students continue to be shining stars and we’re thrilled to highlight their many accomplishments,” Boyd-Colvin said. “The culmination of their work allows us to showcase our students and the programs and activities that they have so invested their time and energy in with the hope that they inspire others to lead and serve as well.”
“As we honor your achievements, we also recognize the impact you have made on your peers and the entire URI community,” said URI President Marc Parlange. “Your commitment to making a difference sets an example on campus, and I know you will continue to inspire positive change in the state and the world beyond. The skills you have developed and refined during your time here will serve you well as you move into the next stage of your life, whether that’s continuing your education, beginning your career, or continuing to serve your community.
Angelyn Ciampa ’26 of Wilmington, Massachusetts, earned this year’s Student Employee Excellence Award. A public relations and sports media and communications major who transferred in 2023 from the University of Connecticut, Ciampa works for New Student Transitions as the program director for URI’s tour guides, in addition to her role with URI Athletics Development, the fundraising and philanthropic arm of the University’s athletic department. Ciampa emphasizes how her roles reach URI students in every step of their journey, “from prospective students on tour and current student ambassadors, to alumni looking to give back.”
“Since transferring to URI, Angelyn sought out opportunities for growth and development and has proven to be a dependable and highly motivated employee,” said Lucas DeWitt, award committee chair and coordinator for the Office of Student Involvement. “It is evident she approaches her roles with integrity, professionalism, and compassion for the people around her. As a student employee, Angelyn has cultivated a strong sense of community and undoubtedly left a positive impact on the individuals she has been able to interact with.”
Michael Parente, director of communications and marketing in the URI Division of Student Affairs, wrote this news release.
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