ERIC T. SHOEN, executive director of the Rhode Island College Foundation – the fundraising arm of the Providence-based state college, recently received the Meritorious Service Award from his alma mater, Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. Hartwick says the award is presented to those who demonstrates outstanding loyalty and effective service to the college. Shoen, who has been a photographer, blogger and real estate agent in his professional career, has led the RIC Foundation since April 2024.
What does receiving this award from your alma mater mean to you? I’m honored and humbled to receive the Hartwick College Meritorious Service Award. Since first stepping foot on Hartwick’s campus in eighth grade for a science program, I fell in love. I feel that no amount of volunteering and philanthropic support can pay the college back for the connections, memories, inspiration and education that I received on Oyaron Hill.
Along with your work at the Rhode Island College Foundation, what service work have you done to support Hartwick College? I was recently reelected to the Hartwick College Alumni Board, where I chair the Flightpath and Young Alumni Engagement Committee. I’ve been a member of the alumni board on and off for 18 years since graduation. I also volunteer each year to speak to classes, create and share social media posts, host regional events (including one recently at Narragansett Brewery for local alumni), assist with national events, and utilize my passion and experience to provide any strategic support needed by my alma mater. Additionally, I resurrected the annual campus memorial service and plan that each year, including acting as the celebrant.
Rhode Island College has gained strong momentum lately, including having its largest freshman enrollment in 15 years. Do you anticipate more financial support coming to the college as a result, and if so, why? Yes, under the leadership of President Jack Warner, and with the support our in-state students have received from Gov. [Daniel J.] McKee and state leadership through the Hope Scholarship, Rhode Island College is truly on the move.
This year’s record-breaking enrollment numbers are a testament to that. We know that people love to invest in success, so we at the RIC Alumni & Foundation are confident that as alumni and supporters see the incredible momentum at the college, they will want to add their support.
What new fundraising initiatives are you helping to launch at Rhode Island College to further support the school’s mission? The most exciting thing is the merger of the RIC Foundation and the RIC Alumni Association. By creating a single 501(c)3 organization with one board, we can double down on intentional engagement with our alumni and the community to drive investment in scholarships, internships and other student support. We believe we will have a greater impact with a single voice telling a powerful story to drive donations.
