Inspired Giving: New Tuition Assistance Fund Created by Parents of Alumni

Richard J. and Marie M. Powers Memorial Scholarship Fund

The scholarship is being created to honor Richard and Marie Powers. They were both born in 1925 and were children of the depression. They grew up in very challenging financial times and were married in 1946. Richard made his contribution to World War II while serving in the Coast Guard in both the European and Pacific Theatres and was truly a member of the Greatest Generation.  At the same time, Marie worked two jobs to help supplement her family's income since four of her brothers enlisted in the Armed Services.

While neither Richard nor Marie had any opportunity to attend college, they realized the importance of education and its lifelong value for their daughter Kathleen - and made it possible for her to have the opportunity to obtain a college degree. They were also parents of great faith and instilled in Kathleen strong Catholic values that she shared throughout her lifetime - to include sending her children to Catholic high school - Rice Memorial High School.

Richard and Marie were not only good parents, but also great grandparents. Although they lived in Wisconsin, they made extraordinary efforts to see both of their grandchildren - Rice Hall of Famers  Scott Oliaro '88 and Amy Oliaro '91 Gautreau -  participate in both athletic and family events at Rice during their high school years - and subsequently their competitions as college athletes. It is a love of family, of education and of Catholic values that this memorial scholarship hopes to celebrate by providing an opportunity for future students, specifically those coming from the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington, to attend Rice Memorial High School.

For more information on endowed tuition assistance funds at Rice, contact Nancy Viner at [email protected] or (802) 862-6521 ext. 205.