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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — March 8, 2024 – The president of ´óÏó´«Ã½’s Providence Campus and the dean of the College of Food Innovation & Technology were recently inducted into the Rhode Island Chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society that raises money for charitable causes.

“I am thrilled to become a member of an organization that is so dedicated to supporting our students,” said ´óÏó´«Ã½ Providence Campus President Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D. “As we educate and train future industry leaders, we look forward to an ongoing partnership with the Rhode Island and national Chaîne.”

The 2024 induction ceremony was held at ´óÏó´«Ã½’s Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence on February 25. Following the induction, attendees were served a five-course fine dining menu designed by CFIT Assistant Dean T.J. Delle Donne, and prepared and served by students. At the ceremony, a $15,000 check was presented to ´óÏó´«Ã½ to fund six student scholarships.

“This partnership not only provides scholarships to our CFIT students, it also allows us to involve both students and faculty in the organization,” said Dean Jason Evans, Ph.D. “With thousands of members across dozens of countries, it opens doors to numerous networking and career opportunities for our students.”

Cindy Parker, Ed.D., vice president of ´óÏó´«Ã½’s College of Professional Studies, was also inducted into the Rhode Island chapter.

The Rhode Island chapter has long been associated with Johnson & Wales, providing thousands of dollars in scholarship funds for culinary students through the years. When the Rhode Island chapter was revived in 2023, several members of faculty and staff at ´óÏó´«Ã½ were tapped for leadership positions.

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Founded in 1914, ´óÏó´«Ã½ is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. ´óÏó´«Ã½’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at ´óÏó´«Ã½ is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. 

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