In this podcast, relive the celebrations of Commencement Weekend for the Providence College Class of 2025. This episode features recordings of remarks from speakers including Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. '78, '82G , the college’s president (29:22); commencement speakers Judge Frank Caprio '58, '08Hon. (42:17); and Michael A. Cox '97SCE, '25Hon. , Boston's police commissioner (00:41). Also hear from 2024-25 Accinno Award recipient Gizem Zencirci, Ph.D. , professor of political science (12:38); Co...
May 22, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 373
Ever wonder what admission counselors do? It’s not one thing , it’s everything they can to help high school students who are interested in applying to Providence College. As PC approaches its popular Fall Open House on October 5, Matt Maurano ’06, M.Ed. ’16 and Sarah Burke from the office of admissions share their insights about the application process, navigating deadlines, keeping up with FAFSA, and what it means to be test-optional.
Sep 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 372
In this podcast, relive the celebrations of Commencement Weekend for the Providence College Class of 2024 with a selection of remarks and addresses. Speakers include Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. , the college’s president; baccalaureate commencement speaker Arthur C. Brooks, Ph.D. '24Hon. , an author and expert on happiness; and Wanda S. Ingram, Ed.D. ’75, '24Hon. , who retired in 2023 as senior associate dean of student academic success. She addressed graduate program and School of Continuing Ed...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 371
Providence College Dean of Admission Owen Bligh ’10, ’14G pulls back the curtain on the extensive process of recruiting and enrolling students – a virtually year-round enterprise that reached an important milestone this week when PC issued Class of 2028 admission decisions to regular-admission applicants. In this interview, Dean Bligh shares insights about the attributes that PC looks for in prospective students, key indicators of likely success, and the reasons behind growing student interest i...
Mar 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 370
During Women's History Month, we revisit our conversation with Wanda Ingram, Ed.D. '75, who will receive an honorary degree at Providence College’s 106th Commencement Exercises in May. Ingram, who retired in 2023 after three decades as academic advisor and undergraduate dean at the college, discusses her experience as a member of Providence College's inaugural class of women — and as one of the few women of color in that group. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spot...
Mar 12, 2024•16 min•Ep. 369
What does test-optional mean for the application review process? How are families navigating financial aid this year? Where should you really make dinner reservations when you visit campus? As students receive notifications of their early admission to Providence College, Assistant Dean of Admission Elizabeth Ward '15 and Senior Admission Counselor Michael Splann '19 share answers to these questions and more about enrolling the class of 2028. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple P...
Dec 18, 2023•25 min•Ep. 368
Friar basketball icon Ernie DiGregorio ’73 discusses his life in basketball and Star with a Broken Heart, the paperback reprint of his 2020 memoir. The stories from that book come to life in his own words during this conversation, with a focus on the book’s primary theme — the relationship among DiGregorio, teammate Marvin Barnes ’74, and Coach Dave Gavitt ’89Hon. As the surviving member of that group, DiGregorio pays heartfelt tribute to Barnes and Gavitt and shares perspectives on teammates an...
Nov 27, 2023•41 min•Ep. 367
The start of the semester is a time to reflect on the question: What is this all about? What are we up to at Providence College and in higher education in general? What do we seek and why? Renowned social critic Andrew Delbanco, keynote speaker at this year’s Academic Convocation, joined the Providence College Podcast to discuss these and other questions. Andrew Delbanco, Ph.D., is Alexander Hamilton Professor of American Studies at Columbia University and president of the Teagle Foundation, whi...
Sep 06, 2023•38 min•Ep. 366
Sometimes, faculty research mirrors the headlines. Robert Hasson III, assistant professor of social work, studies immigration and mental health. On this episode of the podcast, he reflected on recent visits to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, including a research trip to evaluate services provided to unaccompanied children. He was joined by his research assistants, Bianca LaBella ’23 and Clara Oliva ’23. They discussed how they benefited from authoring scholarly articles and presenting at nation...
Aug 07, 2023•48 min•Ep. 365
With International Surfing Day on June 17, it's the perfect time to learn more about Keep It a Secret, a documentary produced and directed by Sean Duggan '93. The film explores the birth of surfing in Ireland against the backdrop of the Troubles, the decades-long period of conflict along religious lines. Duggan shares the inspiration for the film as a longtime surfer and how he balanced the film production with his day job in advertising. Watch the film on PBS and on World Channel's YouTube chan...
Jun 12, 2023•43 min•Ep. 364
With the start of the NBA Finals last week, we revisit our conversation with basketball legend Lenny Wilkens ’60, ’80Hon. A Hall of Fame player and coach, Wilkens shared stories from his NBA career, his time as a PC student-athlete, and his laudable community service work in his adopted hometown of Seattle. He also discussed his relationships with Providence College icons Joe Mullaney ’65Hon., ’98Hon., Rev. Robert Morris, O.P. '46, and Joe Hassett '77, in addition to Boston Celtics legend Bill R...
Jun 05, 2023•51 min•Ep. 363
Lauren Jones ’05, the Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, discusses her pathway from PC to a leadership role in Gov. Maura Healey’s cabinet. Secretary Jones shares her insights related to the challenges and opportunities related to addressing workforce shortage challenges in the Commonwealth, and she offers advice for students considering careers in public service. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , and YouTu...
May 29, 2023•25 min•Ep. 362
In this week’s podcast, we celebrate the Providence College Class of 2023 with a selection of remarks and addresses from a weekend series of events on May 19, 20, and 21. Speakers include Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. , the college’s president; baccalaureate commencement speaker Hill Harper '23Hon. , a humanitarian, actor, author, and philanthropist; and Sheila Harrity ’87, ’23Hon. , a Massachusetts educator – and former National High School Principal of the Year -- who addressed graduate program...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 361
What’s the secret to happiness? Cognitive scientist and Yale professor Laurie Santos, Ph.D. ’21Hon. will tell you it’s no secret — it’s science. Two years after she first visited Providence College, as the Class of 2021 Commencement speaker and an honorary degree recipient, Santos returns to the PC Podcast to share what’s new in the world of well-being studies. She also talks about her favorite happiness-building strategies and lessons learned from her wildly popular podcast, The Happiness Lab. ...
May 15, 2023•26 min•Ep. 360
Music technology and production major Hashim Hassan '23, who was born in New York but grew up in Qatar, began studying violin at the age of five. On the Providence College Podcast, Hassan discusses what inspired his love of the instrument, why he chose to attend Friartown, and his post-graduate ambitions. He also shares recordings from his senior violin recital as well as samples of some original compositions created as part of his major. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podc...
May 08, 2023•26 min•Ep. 359
Timothy P. Flanigan, M.D. '16Hon., '18G, the former chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School, presented this year's Fiondella Lecture. He shared stories from the front lines of the HIV, Ebola, and COVID health crises, describing how the humanities helped him through these challenging experiences. In 2016, Flanigan received an honorary degree from Providence College for his efforts in public health and service to the Diocese of Providence. In...
May 01, 2023•27 min•Ep. 358
Brenda Chapman McGill, Ph.D. '75 shares stories about her experience as one of the first women — and very few women of color — to enroll at Providence College in 1971 as well as her return to the classroom for her doctorate in behavioral sciences, which she completed in 2016. She discussed the administrators that supported Black students when she was a student as well as interracial dating and her subsequent marriage to her husband of more than 40 years, Patrick Joseph McGill '72. Subscribe to t...
Apr 24, 2023•33 min•Ep. 357
A conversation with basketball legend Lenny Wilkens ’60, ’80Hon. A Hall of Fame player and coach, Wilkens shared stories from his NBA career, his time as a PC student-athlete, and his laudable community service work in his adopted hometown of Seattle. He also discussed his relationships with Providence College icons Joe Mullaney ’65Hon., ’98Hon., Rev. Robert Morris, O.P. '46, and Joe Hassett '77, in addition to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell and many others who can be counted among the great...
Apr 17, 2023•51 min•Ep. 356
If you missed this year’s Anna E. Levoie Memorial Lecture, catch up on the Providence College Podcast. Hear Brianna Abbott ’17 and Mallary Tenore ’07 discuss science and health communication in the era of COVID-19. Abbott, who majored in chemistry and creative writing, is a health reporter for the Wall Street Journal. Tenore majored in English and Spanish at PC and teaches journalism at the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcas...
Apr 10, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 355
Sean Dufresne ’23 leads a group of students expanding sports play-by-play opportunities on WDOM radio. A psychology major who is among the first students in PC’s communication minor, Dufresne is working to follow in the footsteps of PC alums such as Doris Burke ’87, ’92G, ’05Hon., Sean McAdam '81, and Cayleigh Griffin '14, who have established successful careers in sports media. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , and YouTube . Visit...
Apr 03, 2023•29 min•Ep. 354
On this episode of the Providence College Podcast, Kelly Roosa Cohen '00 of Cohen Closing & Title describes the evolution of her business from its founding in 2015 to now, with five locations in southern New Hampshire and Maine. She also discusses challenges posed by the current housing market and shares advice for both new homebuyers as well as Friars considering careers in real estate themselves. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Pl...
Mar 27, 2023•28 min•Ep. 353
2022 was a busy year for Abby Mansolillo '21, because she was crowned Miss Rhode Island in May and competed in the Miss America pageant in December — all while attending law school. We discuss what inspired her pageant pursuits, how she reflects on the pageant experience as a women's and gender studies major, and her ambition to become the second female attorney general of Rhode Island. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , and YouTube...
Mar 20, 2023•29 min•Ep. 352
Danika Bebe '23 , a former head dream coach for the Transitions Program, joins us on the Providence College Podcast to discuss how the pre-orientation program for multicultural and first-generation families helped her grow as both a participant and a student leader. Bebe, who grew up in Tiverton, Rhode Island, is a public and community service studies and global studies double major and business and innovation minor. She is a member of the Honors Program and serves as president of the Board of M...
Mar 07, 2023•18 min•Ep. 351
Satoya Isophe '24 and Myles Johnson '24 join us on the podcast to discuss their work as mentors for the Friar Foundations program, which helps to ease the transition from high school to college for a small group of incoming Providence College students. Isophe and Johnson discussed their paths to their majors and minors and the many extracurricular activities they have enjoyed as Friars. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , and YouTub...
Mar 06, 2023•39 min•Ep. 350
As Black History Month draws to a close, revisit our conversation with Judge Melissa DuBose ’90, a product of Providence in every sense. She grew up in the Mount Hope section of Providence, R.I., before attending Providence College. She taught history in Providence Public Schools before turning to a career in law. She is an associate judge on the Rhode Island District Court, a member of Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Foundation, and a National Alumni Association award recipient. In this ...
Feb 27, 2023•41 min•Ep. 349
Get to know Rev. Dr. Anderson Clary, Jr. ’69 , who was honored last week with Providence College's MLK Vision Award, recognizing people who advance the principles embodied by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We talked with him on the Providence College Podcast about his path from segregated schools in Virginia to playing basketball for coaches Joe Mullaney ’65Hon, ’98Hon. and Dave Gavitt ’89Hon. ; his work as the first black high school teacher in Pawtucket, R.I.; and the mentors at Providenc...
Feb 20, 2023•50 min•Ep. 348
When competing with the big players in the beverage industry proved to be challenging, Jon Mason '96 pivoted his energy drink company into a lifestyle brand. We chat with this former Friar baseball player and entrepreneur about his journey from his hometown of Norwood, Massachusetts, to the West Coast and back to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he now runs SwingJuice . What started as a home-based business with 10 golf-themed t-shirt designs has now grown into a successful brand, partnering with ...
Feb 13, 2023•43 min•Ep. 347
Patricia Smith, an award-winning author of eight critically acclaimed books of poetry and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, visited Providence this fall. Smith was the most recent acclaimed guest of the Jane Lunin Perel Poetry and Fiction Series, named for beloved English and creative writing professor emerita . Please enjoy Smith’s spirited presentation and a moving reading of her poetry, with an introduction by professor and poet Chard diNoird. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on A...
Feb 06, 2023•44 min•Ep. 346
The Providence College podcast caught up with Paul Tremblay ’93 just days after he attended the red-carpet premiere of M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin, an adaptation of his novel “The Cabin at the End of the World.” Tremblay — who has won the Bram Stoker, British Fantasy, and Massachusetts Book awards — talks about what it’s been like optioning his books, visiting Shyamalan and the actors on set, and writing bestselling novels while sustaining a 25-year career as a math teacher. He also ...
Feb 03, 2023•29 min•Ep. 345
Marketing major Catherine Moran '23 discusses how the Chirico Career Center helped her land a summer internship at Trailblaze Marketing in Providence. Moran also shares how a class that she took just because it fit her schedule sparked an appreciation for musical theatre, and why she and three other daughters of her mother's roommates, all members of the Class of 1989, decided to become Friars themselves. Subscribe to the Providence College Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , Google...
Jan 30, 2023•19 min•Ep. 344
