URI History Department honors student Jacob Marrocco of Warwick for outstanding academic achievement

2016 May 11

The History Department in the University of Rhode Island's College of Arts and Sciences held an award ceremony last month to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in the discipline. Clay Pell, grandson of the late U.S Sen. Claiborne Pell, attended the ceremony to present the Pell Medal.

Jacob Marrocco of Warwick, R.I., received the Pell Medal for outstanding achievement in United States history by a senior history major.

"Students have done some outstanding work in history classes over the past year, and our annual awards ceremony is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate them and their work, said Rob Widell, associate professor of history. "The study of history is an essential component of any college education, and we are thrilled that Clay Pell was able to join us and affirm his family's commitment to that idea. We were also thrilled to be able to share the celebration with the families and friends of the award winners," Widell said.