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); Connor Flynn '25, senior class president (38:03); and Samuel Seda '25, a philosophy and humanities double major who is one of eight students graduating with highest rank in the class (19:30).

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. 

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 Education graduates. Also hear from 2023-24 Accinno Award recipient Peter Costello, Ph.D., professor of philosophy; Ava Baron '24, senior class president; and Avery Budnik ’24, an elementary/special education major who is one of three top scholars in the senior class.

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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 in what Providence College has to offer.

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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.

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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.

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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 and how they become lifelong friends.

To facilitate book sales and distribution, DiGregorio has entered a marketing partnership with the college and Barnes and Noble Book Sellers. Books are available online and at the retail store in Slavin Center. Online orders placed by December 18 can be filled in time for Christmas.

https://providence.bncollege.com/search/?text=%22Star+with+a+Broken+Heart%22

DiGregorio will also participate in book signings at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence before and during Friar home games on Sunday, December 10 (vs. Brown) and Saturday, December 16 (vs. Sacred Heart), and at the campus bookstore on Friday, December 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Proceeds from book sales after expenses will provide financial support to PC students from Rhode Island, with a preference for those from Providence or North Providence.

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, which advocates for education in the liberal arts. He recently delivered the 2022 Jefferson Lecture, considered the highest honor the federal government confers for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.

A National Humanities Medal winner, Delbanco’s scholarship confronts existential questions posed in classic American literature and lived in the American experience. He studies the forces that, in their convergence, created and continue to create America as we know it: morality, economics, law, race, spirituality, hope, and more. His work bridges past and present, showing the genesis of present realities taken for granted and probing those realities with voices and ideas from the American literary tradition.

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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 national conferences.

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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 channel.

pbs link: https://www.pbs.org/video/keep-it-a-secret-bpeuui/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2JBhBMtn6c