URI trustee awards $2.1M to launch full-ride scholarship program and boost student success 

University of Rhode Island board of trustees chair Margo Cook and her spouse, Renee Cohen, have announced a $2.1 million endowment gift to launch a scholarship program and expand student support. The endowed gift funds full four-year scholarships covering tuition, housing, and global study for high-achieving students starting in fall 2026, while also supporting academic and athletic initiatives. Designed as a cohort-based program, the initiative aims to reduce financial barriers, attract top talent, and strengthen leadership development and long-term student success.