slides: COLLEGE GUIDE: Grads Making a Difference Locally

Saturday, September 08, 2012

Rachel Eides, GoLocalProv Contributor

You may think that once everyone graduates from your school, they launch out of Rhode Island and start their careers in far-flung places. Maybe they do, but check out the alums of RI colleges that have come back, or never left, and are doing some pretty cool things. And now you can say, "Hey, they went to my school."

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Brown University

Creative entrepreneur: Clay Rockefeller '03

Co-founded The Steel Yard, the Providence-based industrial arts center

Leading jurist: Haiganush R. Bedrosian '65

Chief Justice, RI Family Court

Sailor's dream: Chase Hogoboom '03

President of Goetz Composites, yacht racing boatbuilding in Bristol

Arts innovator: Barnaby Evans '75

Creator of WaterFire, the RI-based arts installation that has acquired a worldwide following

Sports marketer: David Brownschidle '11

Marketing manager for G-Form, Providence based manufacturer of impact-protection gear for technology and athletes

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Bryant University

Educational leadership: Jerome Williams, MBA '86 (also 2 BA degrees)

Former Director of Rhode Island’s Department of Administration (DOA) and Department of Transportation Director, Current Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration for Roger Williams University

Community financial leadership:

Randy Rossi ’01

Finance Director for Smithfield, RI

John Ward

Finance Director for Lincoln, RI

Education management: Jay Colgan

Co-founder and President, A Child's University, early learning centers based in Lincoln and Cranston

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Providence College

Business leader: Barbara Cottam ’81

EVP/Corporate Affairs, Citizens Financial Group

TV news: John Daly, ’78

News anchor for New England Cable News

Beer at the highest level: Charles “Chuck” Borkoski ’71

VP/Marketing & Portfolio Development, McLaughlin & Moran

Human services: Darlene Allen ’83

Executive Director, Adoption Rhode Island

Communications: Donna Cupelo ’78

Regional President, Verizon New England

Medical business: Joseph A. Nagle, ’78

President & CEO, Delta Dental of RI

Digital marketeer: Jennifer O’Meara ’93

Director of Digital Marketing for Flimp (Flexible Integrated Marketing Platform)

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Rhode Island College

Creative genius: Kevin Broccoli '06

Monologuist and actor, Founder/Current Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Company.

Giving back locally: Maria E. Cimini ’02

Elected to RI General Assembly in 2010, represents District 7 in Providence

Public servant: James Langevin '90

Current 2nd District Congressman

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Salve Regina University

Bridal goddess: Andi Sperl

Bridal accessory designer and founder of Andria Bird Bride, a bridal boutique in Newport

Caring for the elderly: Cathleen Naughton ’57

Founder of Cathleen Naughton Associates, one of the largest and most respected service providers for the elderly in RI

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URI

Mussel man: Bill Silkes MS '80

Owner of American Mussel Harvesters, Inc., one of the largest shellfish companies on the East Coast, based in RI (photo: URI)

Local literati: Ann Hood

Best-selling author whose series for young readers, THE TREASURE CHEST, is based in Newport.

Steward of public trust: Lorne Adrain '76

Chairman of RI Board of Governors for Higher Education, Founder of National Neighborhood Day

Public servant: Robert Weygand

Former member of the RI House of Representatives (1985-1993), Former Lieutenant Governor of RI (1993–1997), Former member of U.S. House of Representatives (1997–2001), Current Vice President for Administration at URI

Ultimate public servants:

Lincoln Almond

Former Governor of RI (1995-2003)

J. Joseph Garrahy

Former Governor of RI (1977-1985)