Chi Phi Fraternity Alumni Establish Scholarship with $1.2 Million Gift

A group of University of Rhode Island alumni representing the URI Chi Phi chapter recently made a commitment of $1.2 million to establish the Rho Iota Kappa Chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity Endowed Scholarship.

This scholarship will support full-time undergraduate members of the Chi Phi fraternity with financial need and descendants of initiated members of URI’s Chi Phi chapter or its predecessor organization, the Rho Iota Kappa fraternity, regardless of financial need.

“As URI’s first fraternity, we wanted to set an example of giving back to the University and continue our legacy at URI. More importantly, we wanted to support our members and their families,” said Doug Bennet ’77.

This gift was made possible through the sale of the campus Chi Phi house in 2018. Awards are limited to a maximum of $10,000 per candidate in any academic year and may be renewed if the student continues to meet the criteria.

Rho Iota Kappa was chartered as the first fraternity at the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts in Kingston, Rhode Island, in 1908. Rho Iota Kappa later chose to affiliate with the Chi Phi National Fraternity, becoming the Rho Iota Kappa chapter of Chi Phi in 1962.

This fundraising initiative will revitalize URI facilities, including Meade Stadium, the Tootell Aquatic Center, the Bill Beck baseball field and softball fields, and the soccer complex. The initiative will fund the construction of an outdoor track & field facility.