KINGSTON, R.I. — Oct. 2, 2024 — Diane Chace Fannon ’74 and S. Kent Fannon ’74 have donated $500,000 to the Feinstein College of Education at the University of Rhode Island (URI) to create the Diane and Kent Fannon Education Research Endowment. This endowment will provide faculty with funding to support innovative research projects aimed at enhancing teaching practices and improving student learning outcomes.
The Feinstein College of Education is dedicated to preparing educators while conducting advanced research in critical areas such as literacy, STEM education, equity and inclusion, and technology integration in teaching.
Diane Fannon expressed her enduring commitment to education, stating, “I began at URI with the intention of becoming a teacher for life. After teaching first grade for two years in Connecticut, my career path took a different turn when we moved to New York. But my belief in the importance of teaching and education never wavered.” She emphasized the potential long-term impact of the research endowment, noting that it would have a lasting influence on education.
The couple’s connection to URI deepened during their 50th reunion, where they attended a session led by Dean Danielle Dennis. Inspired by her vision for the College, they decided to contribute to its mission. Kent Fannon remarked, “We heard the dean talk with such passion about the College and were inspired by her vision for the future. We immediately knew we wanted to help.”
The Diane and Kent Fannon Education Research Endowment is expected to significantly support research initiatives and help attract top-tier faculty to URI. Dean Dennis highlighted the endowment’s potential impact on scholarship that benefits Rhode Island schools and educational organizations, both locally and globally. “This will provide faculty with much-needed resources to seed new research and continue their impactful work,” she noted.
This contribution continues the Fannons’ legacy of support for URI, which includes a transformational gift for The Fannon Student Success Center during the renovation of Ballentine Hall for the College of Business, the establishment of two endowed scholarships in marketing and entrepreneurship, and the endowment of the College of Business Career Day. Both Diane and Kent have been active members of the College of Business Advisory Council and the URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement Board, receiving the University of Rhode Island Presidential Distinguished Achievement Award for their contributions.
Residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Diane has retired as a principal at The Richards Group after a successful career in brand marketing. She progressed from copywriter to creative director, ultimately serving as executive vice president. Kent retired as a partner at Chartwell Partners after holding senior positions in healthcare companies and starting his career at American Airlines, Inc. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago in addition to his degree from URI.
The Feinstein College of Education at URI offers various bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and teacher certification programs, with certification from the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. The college enrolls approximately 400 undergraduates and 200 graduate students each year, with faculty recognized nationally and globally for their excellence in teaching and scholarship.
