Alumni Award Winners 2025
Tilton School is thrilled to award the following honors at this year’s Alumni Weekend celebration on May 30-31. We hope you can join us in person — register today!
Scott Laurans ’65: The John Charles Daly Award
The John Charles Daly Award is presented by the Head of School to a friend or alumnus/a of Tilton whose pursuit of excellence and deep commitment as a member of the school family resembles that of John Daly’s involvement with Tilton: continuous and widely known expressions of support in word and deed, inspiring others to reach goals that common experience dictates are impossible.
This year’s recipient is Scott Birens Laurans, Class of 1965. During his time at Tilton, Laurans stood out for — among many other things — his contributions to the school’s cross country program. Referred to as a “dynasty in those days” by those who know the school, he and his teammates led Tilton to the 1964 New England Championship and nearly followed it up with a second straight title in 1965, losing to Hebron by just a point. Laurans was heavily involved in other areas of campus life, including Varsity Track, French Club, Outing Club, Glee Club, and President of the senior class.
Following his time on the Hill, Laurans attended the University of Pennsylvania where he studied economics and began charting an incredible career in the world of business and finance. Currently the Chair of the Board of the Mancini Companies’ Family Enterprise Board, Laurans distinguished himself early on in his career. After joining Roger Williams Food in 1971, he climbed from Sales Manager to Chief Executive Officer and eventually purchased the company from his family in 1984. Later in his career, Laurans served as the Managing Director and Partner of the Providence Group Investment Advisory Company from 1991-2003, and then as the Managing Director of the Rhode Island Office of BNY Mellon Wealth Management from 2005-2012.
In addition to his time in the distribution industry, Laurans has served on the boards of several Rhode Island public sector organizations — such as Rhode Island Hospital and Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation — and helped form Lifespan, an academic medical center holding company for four Rhode Island hospitals.
“Simply unexpected,” says Laurans about receiving this award. “Tilton helped form me as a man — through my classmates mainly and to some extent several teachers.”
Laurans went out of his way to tip his hat to several other classmates who shaped his experience and stood out to him as examples of the best of Tilton School: “Steve Anderson, Mike Sayles, Chuck Zion, all for Tilton, and David Friend, a serial entrepreneur of seven start ups and the most successful of us and — the best of us — Pete Blasini, who through example instilled a love of learning and was just one of the finest persons I have known. Pete went on as a lawyer and helped disadvantaged people throughout Connecticut — Pete was how I learned to try to aid others.”
Laurans now divides his time between Florida, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts with his wife, Monica. They have two sons, Maxwell and Charles, along with five wonderful grandchildren.
The Class of 1965: The George L. Plimpton Award
The George L. Plimpton Award is named for George Lincoln Plimpton, who served as Headmaster of Tilton School from 1896 to 1929 and was a member of the Board of Trustees until 1945. His leadership and vision shepherded Tilton School through a half-century of incredible growth. Since 1953, Tilton School has recognized the outstanding achievements and significant contributions to society of its alumni with the George L. Plimpton award.
This year’s recipient is the Class of 1965. In this milestone year — their 60th Reunion— we celebrate the Class of 1965 as visionaries and changemakers who left an indelible mark on our campus and community. It was through their leadership, perseverance, and unity that the Chapel came to life at Tilton — a space that continues to serve as the heart of campus gathering, reflection, and celebration.
We especially honor the legacy of Charles “Chuck” Zion ’65, whose remarkable initiative as Vice President of the student body turned a daunting challenge into a unifying mission. When Tilton was offered the opportunity to relocate an available church from Canterbury, Chuck led the charge, launching a student-led fundraising campaign. One personal ask at a time, he approached every student until the full amount was raised — and the chapel became a reality.
“Why he did what he did, who knows,” says Laurans of his classmate. “Spearheading raising money from the whole student body for the Chapel; maybe just because he could. Unknown to Headmaster Bert Moore, Chuck surprised everyone at the dedication ceremony and presented a check for over $2,000 from the student body.”
Affectionately known as “Big Bear,” Chuck later worked on the 105th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center and was lost on September 11, 2001. His spirit endures every time we gather in the Chapel he helped build — with heart, vision, and unwavering commitment to community.
In honor of the Class of 1965’s remarkable contribution and in memory of Chuck Zion’s extraordinary leadership, Tilton School is thrilled to present this year’s Plimpton Award to the Class of 1965.