9 to be inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame

HERITAGE HALL OF FAME

The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame today announced the selection of nine prominent Rhode Islanders for membership in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

According to Board President Lawrence Reid, the Hall of Fame, consisting of “illustrious Rhode Islanders” from Roger Williams and the Chief Sachems of the Narragansett and the Wampanoag tribes to the present, was created in 1965 to honor “any individual who has brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence, and contributed to the history and heritage of the state.” 

Such individuals, said Reid, must have been born in Rhode Island, lived, studied, or worked in Rhode Island for a significant time, or made his or her reputation here. This is Reid’s first annual induction ceremony as President.

This year’s annual induction ceremony–the 59th–will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston.  A 5:00 p.m. social hour will be followed by a 6:00 p.m. dinner, entertainment, and the induction ceremony.

General James D’Agostino, a Hall of Fame Director, is dinner chairman and is assisted by Director Lt. Colonel Dennis Morgan, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. 

The Pawtuxet Rangers Fife and Drum Corps, will open the evening’s program followed by an invocation from Reverend Robert Marciano, pastor of St. Kevin’s Church in Warwick and then introductory remarks by President Reid.  Dinner music will be provided by an array of well-known local musicians, some of whom are Hall of Fame inductees.  Liliana Iavarone will sing the National Anthem.

The Inductee Class of 2025 (listed alphabetically) with their inductors (who are Hall of Fame Inductees or Directors) are as follows:  

Maria Gemma Corcelli, left – Executive Director of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Center, social activist (to be inducted by Director Daniel Harrington).

Olivia Culpo (n/k/a McCaffrey), right – Miss Rhode Island, Miss USA, and Miss Universe (2012), actress, model, businesswoman (to be inducted by Director Emeritus James Marusak, Esquire).

Steven Feinberg – Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, writer, film producer, and director (to be inducted by Director Emeritus Kenneth Dooley, 2018 Inductee).

John Howell – Dean of Rhode Island newspaper publishing, Director of Beacon Communications, and civic leader (to be inducted by Director Michael Levesque).

Speaker Matthew J. Smith – former Speaker of the House, historian, professor, and Catholic lay leader (to be inducted by President Emeritus Dr. Patrick T. Conley, 1995 Inductee).

Lorén M. Spears – Executive Director, Tomaquag Museum, educator, Native American rights advocate (to be inducted by Dr. Scott Molloy, 2009 Inductee).

Dr. Joyce L. Stevos – Versatile educator, social reformer for African and Native American communities, Director of the Heritage Harbor Foundation (to be inducted by Dr. Debra Mulligan, Secretary, Director).

James Vincent – Social activist, former president of both the Urban League of Rhode Island and the Providence branch of the NAACP (to be inducted by Director Michael Levesque).

Thomas P. Whitten – Longtime Executive Director of the John Hope Settlement House, author, and social activist for the Black community (to be inducted by Director Emeritus Albert R. Beauparlant).

The donation to the Heritage Hall of Fame for the dinner event is $150.00 per person or $1,200.00 for a table of 10.  Congratulatory ads can also be placed in our program book. Visit our website for the link or contact our office for information and details. 

The Rhode Island general public is urged to attend to pay tribute to their distinguished fellow citizens. 

The invitation and reservation form can be downloaded online at: www.riheritagehalloffame.com, or emailed directly to you by calling (401) 272-1776, Donna Faiza, Hall of Fame Administrative Assistant.

Reservations must be purchased in advance by April 18, 2025 by calling Carolyn Panos at (401) 439-1188.

Friends, colleagues, and admirers of specific honorees are urged to attend.  They should give information concerning their specific honoree in order to be seated near that inductee’s table.

For further information on this press release, please call: Donna Faiza, Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, (401) 272-1776.