North Kingstown, Rhode Island - Toray Plastics (America), Inc., the only United States manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications, has donated $1 million to support graduate engineering fellowships at the University of Rhode Island (www.uri.edu), located in Kingstown, Rhode Island. Richard Schloesser, President and CEO of Toray, presented the gift to URI's President David M. Dooley after addressing students, donors, and faculty at the College of Engineering's annual scholarship breakfast. Scott Van Winter, Vice President/General Manager, Lumirror Polyester Film Division, and Lisa Ahart, Sr. Director, US Corporate Human Resources, both from Toray, were also in attendance. Toray's donation was part of the University's "Making a Difference" capital campaign and directed to an initiative that specifically provides funding opportunities to prospective graduate students in engineering.

"Toray is committed to promoting excellence in higher education and to building strong partnerships within our community that enhance the lives of the people who live here and help foster innovation," said Schloesser. He noted that Toray's relationship with the University of Rhode Island began more than 20 years ago and provides nearly four dozen scholarships each year to the best undergraduate engineering students at URI, as well as internships at the company's plant in North Kingstown.

URI's President Dooley said, "The support and active engagement of a company like Toray, with a major global business presence, is truly indicative of the kind of productive partnerships we are working to forge. Its generous financial support will play a significant role in advancing this institution's competitiveness, as we endeavor to attract and retain the most talented graduate students in engineering."

The College of Engineering's Dean Ray Wright commented, "Toray is a highly-valued partner of the College of Engineering, and we are grateful for its long-standing support on so many fronts. Its commitment to us has borne significant and positive results for the company, the College, and the students involved. We look forward to continuing our relationship with this corporate leader."