  | Hugo Mainelli '30, Hon. '67 | ||||||
Profile in GivingHonor Thy Father Hugo R. Mainelli Sr. could have attended college in Boston on a scholarship, but when he visited rural Kingston as part of a high school math competition, the young Providence resident fell in love with Rhode Island State College. And so began the decades-long relationship between the University and Hugo Mainelli. Instead of saying farewell to the bucolic campus after earning a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering, Mainelli served on the Athletic Council for six years. Then Governor DelSesto named him to the Board of Trustees of State Colleges, and Mainelli chaired the board for two years. As a trustee, he lobbied tirelessly for the betterment of higher education. His efforts were integral to the creation of Rhode Island Junior College (now Community College of Rhode Island). Mainelli also campaigned for state funding to help build Keaney Gymnasium for the basketball team that played in Lippitt and Rodman Halls. It is fitting that his family, including grandsons Chip and Mark '82; son Hugo Jr. and his wife, Lee; and daughter Marilyn and her husband, William Frank, are honoring Mainelli with a $50,000 donation to the Convocation Center, the new 8,000-seat arena that will be home court for URI's basketball teams. The family's gift also memorializes Mainelli's son Ronald '64, who shared his father's enthusiasm for sports. "My grandfather has always loved basketball, and he remains loyal to the Rams. He held season tickets, went to every home basketball game, and hardly ever missed away games," says Mark. "He enjoyed football, too. He and fellow Athletic Council members once drove 15 hours in a Model A to Maine to watch a game." At the age of 93, sports fan Mainelli still plays golf and follows his beloved New York Yankees. An entrepreneur, Mainelli founded Aetna Bridge Co., which his son and grandsons run today, and Plantation Steel. His company built more than 400 bridges in New England, including the Red Bridge and the new Washington Bridge in East Providence. Recognizing his contributions to the University and to industry, URI awarded Mainelli an Honorary Doctorate in 1967 and inducted him into the URI Hall of Fame in 1972. An honor that Mainelli warmly remembers came in the form of his signature. As chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mainelli signed the Doctorate of Civil Laws degree that URI presented to President Eisenhower in 1960. "My grandfather vividly recalls that day. They were sitting on the dais, and during a lull in the action President Eisenhower leaned over and remarked, 'America is a great country; while my parents were from Germany and yours were from Italy, each of us has achieved great success.'" "Indeed!" adds Mark. "And out of respect, love, and admiration for my grandfather--for all he has achieved and for all he has given back to the University--we honor him with our gift." --Maria V. Caliri '86, M.B.A. '92 Photo by Nora Lewis |
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