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Malcolm G. "Kim" Chace IIIDoctor of Business Administration, honoris causaCitation Malcolm Chace stands in a long family lineage of individuals who have made a difference in the State of Rhode Island and in the greater world of commerce in New England. Three generations ago the Chace family founded the original company that would become one-half of the partnership we know today as Berkshire Hathaway and which, in the early decades of the 20th century, produced one-quarter of the country’s fine cotton. Today he remains the chairman of the successful Bancorp Rhode Island, a firm he founded over 14 years ago.
Accomplishment in business for Mr. Chace, however, is but half of the story; in truth, for him, giving back to the community is a personal and family imperative: a philosophy that says “if you get lucky in life it is important to return the favor.” He and Liz, his wife of 34 years, are generous in time, energy, and financial resources in civic affairs and many of Rhode Island’s major institutions, including Women & Infants Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Trinity Repertory Company, the John Hope Settlement House, the RI United Way, and the Rhode Island School of Design. The first connection between Mr. Chace and Bryant University dates back more than 50 years, when in 1958-- as a young man of 24 years--he enrolled in an introductory accounting course taught in the basement classroom of a building from an earlier era on Charles Field Street on the East Side Campus in Providence. Fast-forward 50 years and you would see an impressive, modern structure here on the Bryant campus of today that bears that same young man’s name—the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Wellness & Athletic Center—and which stands as a testament to his many contributions to the advancement of this institution…as an active trustee, wise counselor, and generous benefactor. * * * * * * * Kim Chace, Bryant University exists as an institution of higher learning in large part on a mission to provide young men and women the keys to success in the world of commerce—the arena you have distinguished yourself in for half-a-century. That this University might enable its graduates through instruction—and inspired today by the example of individuals like you—to be distinguished by both professional achievement as well as personal generosity is an institutional calling to be cultivated—and for which your support is immensely appreciated.
Kim Chace, chairman of BankRI, was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration at Bryant's 146 undergraduate Commencement ceremony.The faculty values your many contributions to Bryant and is privileged to have you among us today at these 146th commencement ceremonies. Indeed, the University is honored to confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa, with all its rights and privileges. Learn more about Dr. Chace. |
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Other Chace enterprises have also made Rhode Island a more prosperous and thriving place to live and work. Indeed, he is to be credited with playing a major part in revitalizing downtown Providence from a desolate and forsaken urban ghost-town to the thriving, vital, and proud capital city we know today. From a string of textile mills in the Blackstone Valley to the financial institution he oversees still, it can, in fact, be said that the success that is his was achieved the old-fashioned way: he earned it.
