“Those we honor here today have brought their skills, commitment and sacrifice to the University for not just years but decades. And we are better for it,” said President David M. Dooley, adding, “Thanks to you for imparting the values of dedicated and cheerful service to our community.”
The inductees or their representatives were presented a brick, engraved with the honorees’ names, to be placed on the library’s plaza. Each inductee also received a plaque from the University and two state citations
Those honored were:
Paul F. Cieurzo Jr., inducted posthumously, served 40 years at the University. Cieurzo originally from New Bedford, Mass., started working at the University in 1936 as a professor of physical education and assistant athletic director. He was inducted into the URI Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974, at which point he had already dedicated 38 years to the University.
Joel A. Cohen devoted 48 years to the University as a professor of history, and served as chair of the department for seven years. He taught more than 10,000 students in his career and was a recipient of the URI Foundation Teaching Excellence Award in 2009.
Anthony J. Frias, otherwise known as Tony or the “go-to guy” at the Graduate School of Oceanography, worked at URI for 42 years. Frias began working at URI in 1971, when he was hired as a research aide at GSO with the responsibility of shipping materials coming to and from the Bay campus.
Joseph G. Morello, professor emeritus of French, was hired in 1968 to teach French. Morello dedicated 45 years to the university and was chair of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures for 12 years. He promoted dual-degree programs in the University curriculum, allowing students to combine a language degree with another major to enhance opportunities to study abroad and connect with international companies.
Norman B. Sherman, inducted posthumously, devoted 43 years to the University as a gardener for the Agricultural Experiment Station. He was hired in 1929 to check and regulate the temperatures of the greenhouse (morning and night), water and check plants for insects and diseases; spray, seed and transplant when needed, sterilize soil, perform routine maintenance, and assist researchers. Sherman retired in 1972. His brick brings to three the total number of bricks bearing the Sherman name on the Library’s patio.
Malcom “Ed” Stone started his 54-year career at URI’s Dining Services before transferring to the Property & Support Services Department in 1992. Stone ran the federal surplus program, providing the University with top grade materials and equipment for all four campuses at no cost to URI.
Marshall H. Tyler was inducted posthumously after 44 years of service to URI. Tyler started his career at the University in 1905 as Headmaster of a two-year preparatory school to help rural Rhode Island students meet the standards of admission required for the Land Grant college in Kingston. And, because Tyler was also an athlete and coach, he agreed to serve as faculty advisor to the athletic program and was appointed as football and baseball coach at that time. In 1915, when the prep school program ceased, he became the Mathematics Department chair. Tyler taught math and continued to be active in influencing athletics policy and practice until his death in 1942.
This release was written by Rachel Smith, a graduate assistant for the URI Marketing & Communications Department.