The Engineering Ambassadors program is a new initiative established by Dean Bahram Nassersharif in fall 2003. The College of Engineering will kick off its Engineering Ambassadors program thanks to a generous gift by Gus Lusi ‘47.
Armando F. “Gus” Lusi ’47 doesn’t like to lose touch. “I know some people don’t maintain ties with their alma mater or their old friends, but that’s not me. I like to stay connected,” said the founder of Smithfield, R.I.-based A.F. Lusi Construction, Inc.
Lusi has solidified his ties to his alma mater even more with a recent donation of $50,000 for the establishment of the A.F. Lusi Construction Engineering Ambassadors Scholarship.
“My time at URI gave me a lot and really determined my whole future,” said Lusi, a Johnston native. “So now I’m giving back a little.”
The new endowment will provide scholarships to deserving students who will serve as ambassadors for the URI College of Engineering by helping to recruit students, promote the college, and represent the college at a wide range of campus events and programs.
“The Engineering Ambassadors will be a group of student leaders who have demonstrated high scholastic achievement and leadership skill and whom I can point to as representatives of the high-quality students we have here in the College of Engineering,” explained Bahram Nassersharif, dean of the college. “Thanks to Gus Lusi’s generosity, we’re now able to launch this important effort to showcase the college.”
The first recipients of the engineering ambassador scholarships will be chosen in spring 2004. Students must demonstrate scholarship, service, and leadership to be considered for the award.