Savings Institute Receives Donor Award from ECSU Foundation

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SI FInancial Group CEO Rheo Brouillard (center) receives 2011 Distinguished Donor Award from Eastern President Elsa Nunez and Tim Coppage of the ECSU Foundation

WILLIMANTIC, CT (12/13/2011)(readMedia)-- The Savings Institute Bank and Trust Co. of Willimantic (SIBT) has received the ECSU Foundation Board of Directors 2011 Distinguished Donor Award. The award was presented Eastern's annual President's Leadership Luncheon on Nov. 4, with more than 100 alumni and friends in attendance.

Other awardees included Eastern History Professor Barbara Tucker, who received the ECSU Foundation Distinguished Faculty Donor Award; Professor Emeritus Ralph Yulo, who received the Eastern Alumni Association's Hermann Beckert "Friend of the University" Award; Distinguished Service Award recipients Arthur Vertefeuille '60 and Thomas J. Serra '70; and Jeff Benedict '91, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award.

SIBT has served Willimantic for almost 170 years, and has been a strong supporter of Eastern for decades. In addition to employing more than 30 Eastern alumni, SIBT provides financial support for such University fundraising initiatives as the Dual Enrollment auction, the Bowlathon, the annual golf tournament and other events. "We value the relationship we have with the University," said SIBT CEO Rheo Brouillard. "As one of the largest employers in town, Eastern is a key to Willimantic's economic future."

Eastern President Elsa Nunez acknowledged the leadership and contributions to the University of the six award recipients and said their efforts were part of the reason that Eastern has been ranked in the top 30 public regional universities in the North by U.S. News and World Report the past two years in a row.

Kenneth DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement, applauded the donors present for their commitment to assisting students in paying for their educations. "We had a record 3,100 donors this past year, including 1,700 alumni donors," said DeLisa. "Many of our students would not be here today without your support."