Norton's Christopher Alves Earns URI's Student Leadership Award

NORTON, MA — Graduating senior Christopher Alves, of Norton, was one of three University of Rhode Island students celebrated for leadership at the 32nd annual A. Robert Rainville Leadership Awards. The awards event is named in memory of the vice president for Student Affairs from 1980 to 1986, who was a friend an mentor to students

The Division of Student Affairs’ Office of Student Involvement and Center for Student Leadership Development present the awards each year to students who have shown outstanding leadership and teamwork skills while maintaining strong academic performance.

Alves received the Student Leadership Award.

Alves was honored for making personal connections, whether through a one-hour seminar or helping a friend honor their fear of something, and finding fulfillment in that A public relations and communications studies major with a minor in writing and rhetoric, Alves was the executive producer and co-host of the daytime talk show "The Daily Ram."

He also held leadership positions in Rhody Ridiculousness, a URI Improve group; Musically Inclined, a URI a cappella group; URI Students Actively Volunteering and Engaging in Service and the URI chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

He also mentored, encouraged, and sometimes pushed those around him outside of their comfort zones in order to help them flourish.

One student that Alves mentored said not only is he "inclusive,approachable, positive and knows how to get things done," he does it with an upbeat and welcoming attitude that helps to lift up those around him.