David R. Proulx Fund

The mark David R. Proulx left on RISD is indelible upon joining our community in 2018, both as senior vice president of finance and administration and as interim president, until his unexpected passing on July 7, 2022. Dave made transformative changes for the better in partnership with colleagues across our campus. He led the community safely through the enormous challenges of COVID-19, improving RISD’s financial and administrative processes, and promoting transparency in our financial management and budget.

The David R. Proulx Fund is an endowed fund, established in 2023 in memory of Dave and his unwavering support of RISD and its students, provides need-based funding to students for essential course materials that are not covered by tuition. Art and design education requires access to materials, equipment and supplies, from the charcoal, masking tape and Kimberly pencils of Foundation Year to rotary cutters and blades, cutting mats, plaster wrap, bristol board, fabric, wood, gouache and more. With these tools in hand, RISD students learn to work across a variety of creative modes and in turn, build their own unique practices. The family will be notified of gifts made in Dave’s memory.