Category: News

Matunuck, RI – May 7, 2025

At the picturesque Matunuck Oyster Bar, the Rhode Island CPCU Scholarship Fund hosted its annual banquet to celebrate and honor 14 remarkable students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and service. The evening recognized these rising stars with a total of $75,000 in scholarships, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $7,000.

This year’s recipients represent the very best of the region’s young talent, and their stories inspired all in attendance. From budding engineers and future doctors to passionate marketers and nonprofit leaders, each student embodies the values of dedication, integrity, and a commitment to community.

An Evening of Recognition and Gratitude

Brian Rusate, President of the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund, opened the evening with a warm welcome and words of appreciation for the recipients, their families, and members of Rhode Island’s insurance community. He acknowledged the ongoing generosity of insurance professionals and the tireless efforts of the scholarship board and judges, who made this year’s awards possible.

“Our scholars have not only excelled in the classroom,” said Rusate, “but have also demonstrated a clear vision for their futures and a genuine desire to make a difference.”

Spotlight on the 2025 Scholarship Recipients

Crismel A. Calderon, board member, took the stage to present each of the 14 students and share highlights of their impressive accomplishments and aspirations:

  • Aathityan Jayarajan – A robotics enthusiast heading to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for the electrical engineering honors program.

  • Nathaniel Johnson – A Classical High School student and environmental advocate with a flair for music.

  • Rebecca Kelman – A disability inclusion champion with a heart for pediatric speech pathology.

  • Avery Lough – A future farm-owning accountant with a strong service background.

  • Madelyn McInnis – A dual biology and math major pursuing biomedical research at Clark University.

  • Sasha McNaney – A film animation hopeful blending art and tech in visual storytelling.

  • Rajeev Sen – A mechanical engineering aspirant passionate about robotics and space.

  • Victoria Sousa – A Bryant University student leader with dreams in luxury marketing.

  • Jayci Tickner – An international engineering candidate and student empowerment leader starting at URI.

  • Elizabeth Vitale – A University of Michigan pre-med student driven to serve her RI community.

  • Arden Wilkes – A Cornell-bound biology major and sports captain dedicated to mentoring.

The evening also included a special acknowledgment of three recipients who could not attend: Keira Evans, Vignesh Peddi, and Devon Fraenza. Their achievements were celebrated in absentia, with warm wishes for continued success.

Investing in the Future

As the evening drew to a close, Rusate offered heartfelt closing remarks, expressing deep gratitude to the families and supporters who play pivotal roles in the students’ journeys.

“Each of you gives us hope for the future,” he shared. “It is our privilege to invest in that future and stand alongside you as you pursue your goals.”

To make a donation to the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund to support future scholars click here.

At the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund, we believe in supporting the next generation of students as they pursue their academic and career goals. Our scholarships help local students manage the rising costs of higher education, allowing them to focus on their studies and take full advantage of the opportunities before them. One of our 2024 scholarship recipients, Brendan Resende, embodies this mission, and we are proud to share his journey.

Brendan is currently attending UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management, where he is studying Finance and Economics. Transitioning from a smaller school to a large university with nearly 30,000 students has been both exciting and challenging, but Brendan has fully embraced the experience. In his own words:

“Being part of a school like Isenberg has been an amazing experience. Academically, I’m challenged like never before. It’s been stressful but also exhilarating. The school has an excellent reputation for preparing its students, and the professors are both engaging and genuinely invested in our success.”

Beyond academics, Brendan has immersed himself in campus life, joining the Hiking Club, Film Club, and playing Club Soccer and Tennis. These activities have allowed him to connect with like-minded peers while balancing the rigors of his coursework.

Despite the excitement of college, Brendan acknowledges that the financial burden of tuition can be overwhelming. That’s where the generosity of our sponsors and donors makes a meaningful difference. Thanks to their contributions, Brendan and students like him can focus on their education rather than financial stress.

“College life can be a fun experience but is also stressful. Tuition is expensive, even at state schools, and having some of that stress alleviated through your generosity is something I am very appreciative of. I am truly thankful for your support and am committed to making the most of this opportunity.”

Brendan’s gratitude serves as a reminder of why the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund exists—to invest in the potential of local students and help them achieve their dreams. As he continues his studies, Brendan hopes to one day pay it forward by supporting future students, just as our donors have supported him.

To our sponsors, donors, and supporters—this is the impact you make possible. Thank you for believing in our students and in the future of our community.

Would you like to help more students like Brendan? Consider making a donation to the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund today!

Today, we want to share the story of one of the 2023 scholarship recipients Brenna Whittaker. Please read on and consider how you can support the scholarship fund and help great local students like Brenna!

Words from Brenna…

Imagine the thrill of being recognized and awarded the RI CPCU Scholarship – this was an unforgettable moment of joy, gratitude, and a sense of immense relief for me. Thanks to this incredible financial support, some of the weight of college expenses has been lifted, allowing me to dive headfirst into my education without the constant worry of finances.

As an Art Therapy major, Emmanuel’s immersive art world has provided me with a diverse array of mediums to explore, fostering personal and artistic growth beyond measure. This scholarship has been essential to helping me purchase art supplies for my numerous classes. As a junior captain of the softball team, I’ve been entrusted with a leadership role, guiding, and inspiring my peers—a truly rewarding responsibility that has taught me invaluable lessons both on and off the field.

With the generous assistance of the scholarship, I’ve been empowered to fully embrace both academic pursuits and extracurricular passions, shaping and enriching my experience at Emmanuel College. Nestled in an ideal location for wicked big Sox fans like myself, Emmanuel offers a vibrant environment and sense of community with endless opportunities.

The impact of the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund extends far beyond financial aid; it is a means for support and encouragement that has transformed my collegiate journey. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the compassionate donors whose investment in my future has helped pave the way for endless possibilities.

Brenna Whittaker
2023 Scholarship Recipient

Artwork by Brenna Whittaker

On June 15th, 2024, the Rhode Island CPCU Scholarship Fund proudly hosted its annual Scholarship Banquet at the Matunuck Oyster Bar.

This special event marked a significant milestone, celebrating both the exceptional achievements of our scholarship recipients and the resilience of the fund following the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Michelle Pelletier, Secretary of the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund Board of Directors, warmly welcomed attendees, and future leaders, expressing her joy at the return of the banquet. “Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our scholarship recipients but also to mark a significant milestone for the fund,” Michelle said. “It brings us immense joy to bring back this banquet and celebrate nine hardworking, very smart, talented students as they pursue academic excellence.”

This year, we commemorated the 61st anniversary of the Rhode Island CPCU Chapter and the 37th year of our cherished Scholarship Fund. Since 1986, the Fund has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to 223 deserving candidates. In 2023 alone, $44,000 was awarded to 11 outstanding students, thanks to the unwavering support of individual donors and corporate sponsors.

Brian Rusate, President of the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund, spoke about the impact the fund has had over the years. “Seeing the growth of this fund and the success of our scholarship recipients is incredibly rewarding,” Brian shared. “It’s not just about providing financial assistance; it’s about empowering the future leaders of our industry. Each scholarship we award helps open doors for these students, and I couldn’t be prouder of the contributions we’ve made.”

RI CPCU Scholarship Fund Treasurer Stefvan Dreznek joined Rusate to present the scholarship checks and certificates to each of the recipients. The evening celebrated ten outstanding students, each recognized for their academic and leadership accomplishments:

  • Isabella Bettencourt, incoming freshman at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a degree in education through the Teacher Preparation Pathway Program.
  • Jennie Cao, freshman at the Rhode Island School of Design, talented artist and violinist, aspiring to teach and inspire in the art community.
  • Dustin Dunhill, incoming sophomore at Assumption University pursuing a double major in Cybersecurity and Criminology.
  • Danielle Golub, incoming freshman at Tulane University, on a pre-med track aiming to become an infectious disease specialist.
  • Mary Heinold, incoming freshman at Hofstra University, studying Criminology with a passion for prison reform and social justice.
  • Satanvi Kavali, student at Bryant University, aiming for a career as a personal financial advisor.
  • Julia Laverty, incoming freshman at Brigham Young University, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education with minors in Political Science and Spanish.
  • Tyler Longest, sophomore at Clark University, passionate about game design and active in several development groups.
  • Brendan Resende, freshman at Sacred Heart University, pursuing a career as an investment analyst.
  • Joseph Silvia, sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, majoring in Finance and dedicated to community service.

As the evening concluded, Brian extended heartfelt thanks to all in attendance, especially the board members who have tirelessly supported the fund. “Your support fuels our mission and ensures that the RI CPCU Scholarship Fund will continue to empower future generations.”

We look forward to a bright future, driven by the hard work and talents of the scholars we celebrated this year.