by Ian Gualtiere ’27 on October 1, 2026
Editor's Column
Hi again! I hope everyone has been settling into the fall semester as smoothly as one could, with the march continuing into midterms and the weather beginning to shift. That’s one of the benefits of going to a school in the Northeast: you actually get to experience all four seasons in their wonderful brutality. Whether it’s four feet of snow, hundred-degree weather, or rains that blow sideways, it seems that Friartown tends to get the brunt of it all. That being said, I can happily report that the only casualty of this past nor’easter was an overturned beach chair on my front porch, and maybe a pair of soaked shoes.
Anyway, we’ve been able to get The Cowl up and running, stunningly. Everyone around here has gelled into their new roles as quickly as possible so we can meet the weekly deadlines, and all this progress has finally quieted that anxious pit in my stomach. We’re doing well…deep breaths.
But that’s just a small snapshot into the behind-the-scenes work, and not what I want to talk about today. As Homecoming Weekend approaches, there’s so much activity and excitement stirring up around campus. Between packed stands for hockey and soccer games, overflowing taps and crowds in McPhail’s, large tables being set up on Slavin Lawn, the roped-off confines of the Friar 5K being laid down, and the constant buzz about Kelly Clarkson, I genuinely don’t think one person could do it all in the span of a single weekend. Alumni, students, parents, professors, and relatives are all descending onto our campus to celebrate this school.
But maybe you’re a freshman who is finally getting to see their parents for the first time since late August; they might comment on your lack of a haircut, the mess of your dorm room, and whether the classes are that much of a leap from high school. In the end, they’re here to see you, and they’re here for you. Or you’re a sophomore who wants to show off their suite in McCarthy Hall to prove that they can manage the lifestyle of apartment living (yes, this includes cleaning the bathroom). Again, your parents will be glowing as they talk to your roommate’s parents. Being a junior could be dicey; your friend group might be split between abroad and home, but the fun will still be here, and your family will still pop by to say hello to new roommates. And senior year is what everyone waits for, when there will be a housewarming event with all of your friends and their parents. I’m sure it’ll be a bittersweet moment, and yet you’ll still get a comment about not getting a haircut. Some things never change.
That’s what makes Providence College special. People want to come back and be a part of the action, years and years after getting their diplomas. So even if it does feel like the entire universe is coming to campus this weekend, just remember that this is a community you will be a part of for the rest of your life. Your years at PC will be a chapter to look back on and be proud of, and will get you to come back for homecoming weekends. Keep experiencing the campus around you and have fun!
Best,
Ian