The Rhode Island College Foundation will host a 50th anniversary gala Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick. RIC alumnus Mike Montecalvo ’84 of WPRI 12 will emcee the event, with opening remarks by RIC President Nancy Carriuolo.

The Rhode Island College Foundation was established in 1965 with a $3,000 donation. Today, the Foundation awards $500,000 in scholarships annually to RIC students. The gala is the culmination of a yearlong series of special events to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

“We are honored to celebrate the success of the Rhode Island College Foundation, the donors who have made its work possible and the students who have benefited from the 500-plus funds and endowments the Foundation currently stewards,” said Event Planning Committee Chair Anne De Stefano ’66. “We invite our alumni, friends and supporters to join us in celebrating this milestone and the impact the Rhode Island College Foundation has made on our students.”

Special guest speakers include RIC students Genesis Sanchez Tavarez, Aleksandar Todorovich and Brianna Brigidi, who will share examples of the personal and educational achievements made possible by the support of the Foundation. The program will also feature RIC student a cappella group Tonally Awesome, who will perform a medley of songs from the past 50 years, and the music of Cover to Cover. Additional guest speakers include RIC Foundation Chairman Bill Hurry and RIC Alumni Association President Bill Fazioli 86. Among the event sponsors are Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island, The De Marco Group: Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Anne ’66 and Robert De Stefano.

Tickets are $150 per person, or $1,250 per table of 10. All proceeds benefit the RIC Foundation. Black tie dress is optional. For further information, contact Cait Amirault at 456-8984 or camirault@ric.edu or Denise Males at 456-8105 or dmales@ric.edu.