Providence, R.I.—Ten current Rhode Island College student-athletes and one alumnus were recognized by the honorable, K. Joseph Shekarchi, Speaker of the House, and the Rhode Island House of Representatives at a reception held in the House Chamber at the Rhode Island State House on Monday, May 1.

Click here to watch the event.
 
The event was designed to give significant public recognition to men and women from Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island who have had significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits at their respective institutions. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
 
The 10 Rhode Island College Scholar-Athletes were:
Senior Nate Chhim (Tiverton, R.I.); men's golf
Senior Kelsey Gates (Orangeville, Pa.); women's gymnastics
Junior Olivia Keyes (Bridgewater, Mass.); women's gymnastics
Senior Nathan Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.); wrestling
Senior Jenna Lisi (Cranston, R.I.); women's tennis
Sophomore Madison Medbury (Scituate, R.I.); women's basketball
Sophomore Angelina Nardolillo (Hinsdale, N.H.); women's basketball
Junior Cal Parrillo (Greenville, R.I.); baseball
Junior Anna Vygoder (Lincoln, R.I.); women's swimming
Senior Eric Zane (Quaker Hill, Conn.); wrestling
 
Athletic Alumni were also recognized from each institution. Pete Emond '69, MEd. '74 was RIC's Athletic Alumnus Award recipient.
 
Emond was an outstanding men's basketball player during his time at Rhode Island College from 1965-69.
 
Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, Emond and his mother relocated to Pawtucket, Rhode Island when he was nine years old to be closer to their extended family.
 
He attended Our Lady of Providence High School in Warwick for three years before moving to Sacred Heart Academy in Central Falls for his senior year.
 
During his high school years, Emond was an outstanding basketball player and was recruited to attend Rhode Island College by legendary former coach and RIC Athletic Hall of Famer Tom Sheehan.
 
The forward made an immediate impact on the program and secured a starting spot, which he held on to for the duration of his career as an Anchorman. After the team posted a .500 11-11 record during the 1965-66 campaign, Emond helped Rhode Island College to winning seasons in each of the next three years.
 
He averaged 12.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore, which was his best statistical effort.
 
As a senior in 1968-69, Emond averaged 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds a game as RIC posted an amazing 24-2 overall record, which stood as the program high mark for 38 years. The Anchormen won the NESCAC Southern Division Championship and made it to the finals of the NAIA District 32 Tournament. That team was inducted into the Rhode Island College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.
 
Emond earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a concentration in French in 1969 and later returned to earn a master's degree in guidance and counseling in 1974. He was inducted into the RIC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
 
Following his graduation, he embarked on a 51-year career as an educator. Emond spent 28 years in the North Providence school department, spending 16 years as a French teacher and the following 12 as a middle school history teacher. After retiring from North Providence, Emond went on to teach an additional 23 years as a French teacher at Mount Saint Charles Academy before finally retiring in 2020.
 
During his half-century of work as an educator, Emond was nominated several times for the prestigious Rhode Island Teacher of the Year Award.
 
He still resides in Pawtucket with his wife Denise '68.