2009 Fourth Annual
Distinguished Achievement 
Awards & Gala

Saturday, October 17, 2009 ⋅ The Westin Providence, R.I.

The Distinguished Achievement Awards honor
those who personify URI’s tradition of excellence
in achievement, leadership, and service.

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Read more about the President’s Award honorees Patricia Anton, James Diller, Richard Kerr, and Edward Rudnic. See photos from the event.

2009 PRESIDENT’S AWARD RECIPIENTS


Patricia Miller Anton ’79 (Music) of Henderson, Nev., president of the Anton Family Foundation, played the flute, sang in the choir, and participated in the URI Ram Band. She applied her operational and organizational talents to an extraordinary career in airport foodservice. Her advice to URI students: Dream Big.


James V. Diller ’57 (Physics), vice chairman of the board, PMC-Sierra, Inc., appeared on the cover ofElectronic Business magazine in 1989 as one of the world’s “New Mavericks” in the semi-conductor industry. He and his wife, June, have established one of the largest endowed scholarships at URI for students majoring in a science.They live in Portola Valley, Calif.


Richard A. Kerr ’77 Ph.D. (Graduate School of Oceanography) of Bethesda, Md. is senior writer, Research News, Science. A national leader in scientific journalism, his interest in journalism began at URI when he enrolled in communication classes while pursuing his doctorate.


Edward M. Rudnic ’78, M.S. ’82, Ph.D. ’83 (Pharmacy) of Potomac, Md. is founder, former chairman, and CEO of MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals. He has more than 25 years of experience in the development and commercialization of a wide range of pharmaceutical products.

2009 DEANS’ AWARD RECIPIENTS

ALAN SHAWN FEINSTEIN COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
John A. Flaherty ’87
Barbara A. Roberts ’83
Mary Ann Shallcross Smith ’85

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
Phillip Kydd ’81
Carol J. Makovich ’75
Anthony E. Perrotti ’62<

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Margo L. Cook ’86
David B. Lea Jr. ’59
Michael M. Morrow ’77

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Krishnan Balasubramanian ’70
Barry Gertz ’76
Anthony Zuena ’74<

COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LIFE SCIENCES
Wayne King Durfee ’50
Peggy Boyd Sharpe

COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCE AND SERVICES
Michael A. Nula ’96
Marie Campopiano DiBiasio ’61
Linda D’Amario Rossi ’68

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Holly Powell Kennedy, Ph.D. ’99
Elaine Doherty Sullivan ’75
Deborah K. Zastocki ’74

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
Scott A. Campbell ’77
Paul J. Desjardins ’72
Eleanor M. Perfetto ’80

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF OCEANOGRAPHY
Christopher Langdon, Ph.D. ’88
Jerry L. Miller, M.S. ’82
Michael P. Sissenwine, Ph.D. ’75