Celebration of Black History Month

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on February 26, 2026

News

The month of February celebrates Black History Month, which recognizes the lived realities, progress, and resilience of African Americans. Its history dates back to 1926, when Carter G. Woodson, often referred to as the “Father of Black History,” recognized the need for celebration. Woodson sought to create overlap between the month and the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. More generally, Woodson hoped to respond to the neglect of educating the youth on Black history that U.S. history books often precluded. Former President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976, stating, “we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

There have been many efforts on our own campus to honor Black History Month at Providence College. In a video released by the College, Gloria Purvis, Special Advisor for Integral Human Development and Dignity, spoke about the background and significance of observing Black History Month. The College also released a video of Father Justin Brophy, O.P., Senior Vice President of Mission and Ministry, speaking about the pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen in a video honoring BHM. Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has also spearheaded events to highlight marginalized voices on campus, including More Than Just Words, Soul and Success, and Finance, Golf, Culture in Moore Hall.

Recently, the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (D.I.D) Lab Fellows put up a few questions on their walls across campus pertaining to celebrating heritage months and the efforts that are currently being made in society. In an attempt to honor the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., a prompt from last month included, “I have a dream that one day…” Some of the responses included “that everyone will treat each other with love and respect despite any differences,” “there will be world peace,” and “we will treat and see each other first as human beings.” A second wall included the question, “Why is it important to acknowledge and celebrate heritage months?” Responses from students include, “We have rich diversity that brings power to us as a collective when we celebrate our differences,” “Together, we are America,” and “It is important to celebrate who you are!” Our most recent question consists of, “Do you think our federal administration adequately acknowledges different heritages and cultures? And how?” Some responses include, “They are actively making efforts to erase America’s diversity by targeting marginalized groups,” “Diversity is what makes this country great,” and, “How can you adequately acknowledge cultural diversity while actively pushing out and silencing other cultures?”

Here at PC, the Black studies program was formed in 1995 in response to student desires. Black studies transitioned from being a program to an academic department just recently in 2023. The students who helped form the department believed that “the unique perspective of the Black studies program, that of those most oppressed by racism in American society, [would] be of great educational value to Black and white students alike. We need this view to appreciate the contributions—cultural, historical, political, and social—of Africans and African-Americans which have been hidden by a nearly total emphasis on Europeans and their descendants.”

Black studies is co-sponsoring a talk with the History and Classics Department titled “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” on Wednesday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m. in the Ruane Center for the Humanities, room LL05. The department is also bringing back The Heritage Journal, which has a theme of Black joy and Black resistance for the spring semester. This is open to students and faculty alike. Submissions are due by Friday, March 20. In terms of classes being offered, Black Studies 101, Black Feminisms 314, Dimensions of Contemporary Black Life 215, Black Diaspora in Providence 220, and AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community 321 are all being taught this semester. Dr. Fall has also co-authored a volume titled “The Essential Senghor: African Philosophy and Black Aesthetics,” coming out in April.

Purvis stated, “It is important for us to recognize the long-ignored contributions and triumphs of the African American community in the United States. Knowing this essential part of American history is not only an act of justice but also part and parcel of being an educated person.” May this month serve as a reminder of the integrality of Black history to the understanding of our nation’s history.

Halloween Has Lost Its Magic: How Can I Celebrate It Again?

by Rachel Barter ’27 on October 30, 2025

Opinion

I know it is not a popular opinion to have, but Halloween is my least favorite holiday, and it has lost its magic for me.

I don’t like Halloween, probably because I am cut off from trick-or-treating, which was my favorite part of the holiday. However, I also think it is due to the increasingly elaborate expectations of Halloween costumes, especially in college. I feel like there is pressure to create original and elaborate individual costumes or even group costumes. Thus, without trick-or-treating and creative ideas, I often feel at a loss for how to celebrate Halloween every year.

This is all without mentioning that Halloween in college is associated with excessive drinking, which seems to be heightened at Providence College. Furthermore, even if I had good Halloween ideas or even a couple of bad ones, there is a lot of pressure at PC to have a different costume for every Halloween festivity, especially for women, which adds up.

Despite my ill-will towards Halloween, which has been festering for quite some time, I want to rediscover the beauty of Halloween while I am still in college, given the importance placed on Halloween during this time. Perhaps next year I will dip my toes in the Halloween pond by carving a pumpkin, who knows where I will display its rotting carcass after, and roasting the seeds as well as using the “guts” to make homemade pumpkin goods.

Maybe I will bake those classic pumpkin chocolate cookies and pass them out to my friends like reverse trick-or-treating, or perhaps I will have an epiphany about what creative or boring costume I should wear using mostly clothes that I already have.

Or maybe I will continue to celebrate Halloween in the most lackluster ways, such as eating Halloween-branded candy, taking advantage of holiday goodies (especially pumpkin ones), or admiring fall-scented candles in store aisles.

Realistically, I will visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo during their fall and Halloween-inspired events, such as their Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, which gives me just enough of my Halloween fix.

One Hundred Years of PC History

by The Cowl Editor on September 19, 2019

News

Students and Friars on the first day of classes in 1919.

by Hannah Langley ’21

News Co-Editor

On the afternoon of September 18, 2019, the Providence College community came together to celebrate 100 years since the College’s official opening. The event, held on Slavin Lawn, was open to all members of the PC community.

Free food and desserts were available to all, and tables were set up throughout the lawn so that people could come together and spend time with friends and faculty.

Back in 1917, the College was founded by a small group of Dominican friars and the bishop of Rhode Island. After only receiving a land grant of 18 acres and $10,000 from Bishop Harkins, the Catholic community in Rhode Island came together to raise over $150,000 to build Harkins Hall. It took one year for Harkins Hall to be built, and by September 18, 1919, the College was able to open its doors and begin teaching.

The College began with only 71 male students and nine Dominican friars. Harkins Hall was the only building on campus, as PC began as an all-male commuter school.

The first residence hall, Aquinas Hall, was not built until 1939 under the leadership of Bishop Harkins and Father John J. Dillon, O.P, who was one of the first few presidents of PC.

Other Dominicans included Father Meagher, and subsequent presidents, such as Father Robert J. Slavin, O.P., and Father John F. Cunningham, O.P.

Although 100 years have passed since PC opened its doors and much has changed, including the addition of nearly 100 acres of land, the admittance of women, and the opportunity to pursue over 50 different majors, the main message of the school — to provide a Catholic education in the arts and sciences —has not changed.