Tag: Hannah Langley ’21
“My Greatest Asset is My Mind”: NBA Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Speaks at MLK Convocation
by The Cowl Editor on February 23, 2021
Campus
by Hannah Langley
News Co-Editor
In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Providence College held its fourth annual MLK Convocation, hosting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as this year’s honorary guest speaker on Feb. 11.
Throughout his career, Abdul-Jabbar has made a name for himself both on and off the basketball court. Beginning his basketball career at the University of California, Los Angeles, he went on to play 20 years of basketball in the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Besides being a basketball superstar, Abdul-Jabbar has also spent most of his life as an influential activist, advocating for racial justice and societal change. Among other accomplishments, he established the Skyhook Foundation, an organization working to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education more accessible to children in Los Angeles, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. He has also written New York Times best-sellers and has produced several films, all proving what he has said: “I can do more than stuff a ball through a hoop. My greatest asset is my mind.”
In previous years, the convocation was held in the Peterson Recreation Center, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, Abdul-Jabbar spoke to the PC community via Zoom Webinar. In many ways, holding the event as a webinar had some benefits, as it allowed for even greater participation beyond the current students, faculty, and staff at PC, giving alumni, parents, former faculty, and others the opportunity to listen to Abdul-Jabbar as well.
The event began with Sean Reid, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and College President Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., who welcomed and thanked Abdul-Jabbar for speaking. Fr. Sicard noted that having Abdul-Jabbar come speak was a great opportunity for the PC community to continue its work towards becoming a beloved community.
This year’s convocation was held in a question and answer format, which allowed participants of the webinar to submit questions ahead of time for Abdul-Jabbar to answer during the event. These questions were read by Julia Murphy ’21 and David Duke ’22, both student athletes at the College.
The first question asked was in regards to Abdul-Jabbar’s past, as he once met Martin Luther King, Jr. while leading a civil rights mentorship program in Harlem, NY during the summer of 1964. Abdul-Jabbar recalled his time as a member of the Harlem Youth Action Project (HARYOU), saying he received a press pass to attend one of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches as a journalist.
Abdul-Jabbar spoke about how as a young teenager, he was more inspired by the work of Malcolm X than of Martin Luther King, Jr., as Malcom X was a more militant, stronger voice that gave people like the young Adbul-Jabbar comfort in the idea of fighting back during the civil rights movement.
He said, however, “Dr. King’s example showed me long-term change would come through peace, reason, and discourse.” Abdul-Jabbar has taken that with him throughout his career and life, especially advocating for these types of actions in today’s world of racial injustice.
“This is the same civil rights movement,” said Abdul-Jabbar. “You won’t see a difference between what we’re doing now and what we did with Dr. King.”
When asked if he thinks we will see equal treatment of people of color in our lifetime, Abdul-Jabbar made a point about the subjectivity of the concept “lifetime.” He noted that the change he will see in his lifetime will not be the same as what his granddaughter will see, pointing out the need to focus more on what actions make sense right now that can ultimately help make progress and change.
When discussing the actions many NBA players have taken this year in standing up for racial injustice, Abdul-Jabbar noted how he thinks the NBA has done a great job of allowing each of the players to make their own decisions and to take their own approaches when speaking out, while also allowing some players who feel less comfortable doing so to publicly remain more silent. He also recognized the great work done by some WNBA players this year in working for justice and social reform.
Nick Sailor ’17, ’19G, director of training and education for diversity, equity, and inclusion and former PC soccer player, asked how this new wave of student athletes should utilize their voices. Abdul-Jabbar stressed the idea of remaining patient and peaceful, not responding with anger. “Anger turns people off,” he stated. “We will encounter a lot of things that make us angry, [but] we can’t let anger get in the way of communicating.”
He advised the attendees, especially students, to appeal to others’ logic and common sense and to think critically. “Critical thinking is the only thing that will help us find the truth,” Abdul-Jabbar said.
He also encouraged those who might be more hesitant to have uncomfortable conversations , especially white people, to learn and grow in awareness and to accept the truth of America’s downfalls. Once everyone can accept the truth, he said, there will be real progress.
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Abdul-Jabbar laughed, saying, “Don’t listen to the 73-year-old,” but he would tell himself to make good decisions and to take things where he wants to take them.
Abdul-Jabbar also reminisced on his college and professional basketball career, discussing how he knew PC players like Ernie DiGregorio, Jimmy Walker, and others. He talked about how the advice of his college basketball coach, John Wooden of the UCLA Bruins, inspired him to be the man he is today.
“He taught us to be good citizens, good fathers, good husbands,” said Abdul-Jabbar about coach Wooden. “He talked it like he walked it and walked it like he talked it.”
Abdul-Jabbar also talked about how coach Wooden would always say, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” which is also a famous quote from Benjamin Franklin. He has carried this quote with him throughout his life, saying, “Without preparation, I’m not going to get as far as I can get. I want to see things happen the right way.”
To close, Dr. Reid thanked Abdul-Jabbar for speaking with the PC community, noting how there is still work to be done to create a beloved community at PC, but how the College is ready and committed to working towards that change.
Empowering the Next Generation of Young Black Girls: Dr. Smith-Purviance Begins Black Girl Magic Program
by The Cowl Editor on February 11, 2021
Campus
Photo courtesy of Dr. Ashley Smith-Purviance.
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
This article is part of The Cowl’s Listening Tour, a series that aims to amplify the voices of BIPOC members of our community and bring awareness to social justice initiatives on campus.
When Dr. Ashley Smith-Purviance, assistant professor of Black studies and of public and community service studies, came to Providence College this year, she knew she wanted to begin a community outreach program for young Black girls in the Providence community. With the help of a $15,000 grant from the Nellie May Educational Foundation, she was able to begin her Black Girl Magic program at PC, giving PC students the opportunity to mentor Black girls in middle school.
Before coming to PC in 2020, Smith-Purviance was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she taught educational policy studies and gender and women studies courses and received her doctorate. During her time in school, Smith-Purviance realized that she had a strong desire to help young Black students, specifically girls and young women. It was in Madison, WI that Smith-Purviance began her first Black Girl Magic program.
Similar to the program she began in Wisconsin, the Black Girl Magic program at PC is an after-school program in which Black middle school girls meet with four PC students who act as mentors to the girls. During these meetings, the girls engage in a variety of ice-breakers, crafts, and other activities, said Brittney Smith ’22, a marketing major and Black studies minor, who is one of this year’s mentors.
“We try to tie in small lessons or things for the girls to think about while still keeping it fun and engaging,” said Smith.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Girl Magic program has been held virtually so far. While there have been challenges engaging with the girls sometimes over Zoom, Smith-Purviance and the mentors try their best to make the girls comfortable. They noted how many of the girls do not put their cameras on during the meetings, but Smith-Purviance and the mentors want to emphasize that they are beautiful just as they are and try to grow confidence within them.
Smith found out about the program when she received the email from the Black studies program about becoming a mentor and part of the program. She immediately knew she wanted to get involved. “I’m just so happy a program like this is here,” said Smith. As a Black student at PC, she noted, “There was no way I could be here and sit out on this.”
She hopes that a program like this will also help build a stronger connection between PC and the greater Providence communities. “There are people on this campus that are dedicated to seeing PC grow and give back to the community,” Smith said, and she hopes a program like this will exemplify that idea.
The other mentors include Kim Hussey ’24, Jennifer Merandisse ’24, and Brianna Harper ’22. Along with Smith, these four women have been mentors since the program’s founding in November and plan on continuing to work with the middle school girls throughout this semester.
When asked why she became part of the program, Harper responded, “I got involved because I believe it’s important to teach young Black girls the positives of being Black.” She continued, “We want to make sure they understand Black is beautiful!”
As mentioned, the current virtual platform for the program has made building connections with some of the girls more difficult, but they are all working towards making the girls more comfortable with each meeting. “Not all the girls know each other yet,” said Hussey. “It can be scary talking to college kids in front of other kids in your school, and we understand why they are nervous.” Smith noted that while she knows many of the girls are uncomfortable, she wants them to learn and know that they can turn to any of the mentors, including herself, for help and support.
Right now, the program consists of over a dozen middle school girls from Gilbert Stuart Middle School in Providence, but Smith-Purviance is currently working towards expanding the program to more local middle schools.
Smith-Purviance also hopes that the current and future mentors will use their experience in the program to make it their own and carry the lessons they learn with them in the future. She looks forward to working with the current mentors, as well as bringing new mentors into the program.
Not only does Smith-Purviance want the mentors and young girls in her program to learn from this experience, but she also wants to spread this entrepreneurial spirit to all PC students. Beginning next fall, Smith-Purviance plans on teaching a class focused on creating programs that build community relations through the lens of Black girlhood and appropriately and properly working with students of color.
Both Smith-Purviance and the current mentors of the Black Girl Magic program have high hopes for the future of the program at PC and hope that it will continue to build in the years to come.
Campus Security Chief Koren Kanadanian Resigns
by The Cowl Editor on February 4, 2021
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
On Dec. 28, 2020, Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., and Ann Manchester-Molak, president and executive vice president of Providence College, released a statement announcing the resignation of Koren Kanadanian, chief of Providence College public safety, effective Dec. 31, 2020.
In this announcement, Fr. Sicard and Molak discussed Kanadanian’s acceptance of a new role at a national healthcare corporation in Massachusetts, his history with the College’s public safety and emergency management departments, and his experience in law enforcement and armed forces prior to working at PC. The statement also announced that Eric Croce, deputy chief of Providence College public safety, would reside as Kanadanian’s temporary replacement.
At the end of the email, they stated, “We are grateful for Koren’s service to Providence College for the past 12 years, and we wish him much success as he applies his experience, training, and skills to this important new position.”
In this email, they discussed Kanadian’s work as director of emergency management beginning in 2008 and his appointment as chief in 2019, as well as his work in “re-organiz[ing] the department of public safety, and the College’s operations in emergency management, emergency medical services, and transportation, resulting in a more efficient and effective operational structure.”
While this email highlighted the work Kanadanian has done over the past 12 years at the College, his law enforcement background, and his service in the U.S. Air Force, there were some members of the PC community who were pleased about his resignation, which came after an incident early in the fall semester.
In September 2020, Kanadanian released a safety advisory reporting “suspicious activity” on Admiral Street. The advisory stated that a PC student was “approached by a light-skinned male . . .operating a minivan” who “pulled over to the curb but stayed in his vehicle” and “motioned the victim towards the car while attempting to communicate in Spanish.”
PC clubs, such as the Organization of Latin-American Students (OLAS), wrote statements following this email condemning Kanadanian’s report. “This announcement,” OLAS said, “is harmful for the Latinx community and local Providence community as it insinuates being ‘light-skinned’ and speaking Spanish constitutes ‘suspicious activity.’”
They continued, saying, “A report like this perpetuates the systemic racism and discrimination actively present at Providence College.”
Later that afternoon, Kanadanian retracted the advisory, stating that it was “premature, incomplete, and, most importantly, as worded, racially and linguistically insensitive.” In response to community backlash, Fr. Sicard announced that Kanadanian would be taking a 60-day leave of absence, during which he would “participate in an extensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and self-reflection” among other requirements and efforts taken by the College going forward.
Despite Kanadanian’s resignation, there are still members of the PC community that recognize the need for further and more systemic change within the PC community.
Following Kanadanian’s resignation and Fr. Sicard’s email to the community, there were multiple submissions to the @BlackatPC Instagram page in which members of the campus community highlighted concerns they had about both Kanadanian’s resignation and Fr. Sicard’s message afterwards.
The College has now begun the search process for Kanadanian’s formal replacement. Molak explained how there is currently an “external firm” working with the College “to conduct an assessment of [the College’s] public safety department.” Once this assessment is complete, a committee will be formed, consisting of faculty, staff, and students to select a new chief. This committee will work closely with the external firm, as well as human resources, to recruit and screen candidates.
Big Changes in the Big Apple: Father Brian Shanley, O.P., Becomes St. John’s President
by The Cowl Editor on February 4, 2021
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
After serving as president of Providence College for 15 years, Father Brian Shanley, O.P., humbly stepped down from his position in June 2020. In November 2020, however, it was announced Fr. Shanley would take on the presidential duties at St. John’s University in Queens, NY, becoming their 18th President.
Fr. Shanley was selected after an extensive search by an 18-person committee that consisted of various members of the St. John’s community. The committee, as well as other members of the St. John’s community, are excited to welcome Fr. Shanley as their new president.
William J. Janetscheck, St. John’s alumnus and chair of the university’s board of trustees, noted his excitement about Fr. Shanley’s selection, saying, “On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I am absolutely delighted to welcome Fr. Shanley. . .[his] steadfast devotion to Catholic education and to student success were apparent from our very first conversation with him.”
He continued, saying, “He has a demonstrated record of achievement as President of Providence College, and we believe that he is the ideal candidate to serve as our beloved University’s 18th President.”
On Jan. 31, the eve before his tenure officially began, Fr. Shanley held a Mass to thank the community for accepting him during such uncertain times. In his message to the St. John’s community, Fr. Shanley, a former professor himself, repeatedly spoke about the importance of good teachers, saying, “Good teaching has the power to root out evil, to change people’s lives, to make the world a better place.”
Fr. Shanley spoke about his hope for the students of St. John’s as well, saying, “My hope and prayer for our students is that they develop more capacious, richer, and more compassionate minds than the ones that they have when they start this semester.”
Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., current president of PC, noted his happiness for Fr. Shanley’s new role, wishing him future success at the university.
“His extraordinary vision and strong leadership during his 15 years at Providence College were just some of the qualities that defined his presidency and that made him successful. We are a better and stronger institution because of him,” said Fr. Sicard.
Fr. Sicard continued, stating how he still talks to Fr. Shanley regularly and he knows Fr. Shanley is excited for his new role and opportunity. Fr. Sicard asserted that “God will continue to bless him in this new ministry.”
In one of his last messages to the PC community, Fr. Shanley noted his sadness about leaving, but also his appreciation for his time serving the College. “As I end my time as President today,” he said, “what I feel most is a profound sense of gratitude to God for the goodness that I have seen in the people that I have met in my fifteen years of service.” It is this humility and appreciation for others that will be remembered of Fr. Shanley by the PC community.
Sicard Holds Conversation on State of Campus: Racism and Election Among Hot Topics
by The Cowl Editor on November 12, 2020
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
Since Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., became president of Providence College, he has made an effort to host numerous conversations regarding the College’s response to racism and COVID-19.
On Monday, Nov. 2, Fr. Sicard invited all students, faculty, and staff to a community conversation held virtually over Zoom. This conversation specifically focused on the College’s response to systemic racism and the College’s action plans to prevent incidents of racism and move towards becoming a more inclusive community.
This community conversation was just one Zoom session in a series held by Fr. Sicard and other members of the PC administration and staff, including Jacqueline Peterson, special advisor to the president for diversity, equity, and inclusion; Steven Sears, dean of students and vice president for student affairs; and Father James Cuddy, O.P., vice president for Mission and Ministry and director of the center for Catholic and Dominican studies.
This particular conversation was open to the entire PC community and was held as a closed Zoom session rather than in a webinar format. Fr. Sicard previously received backlash on his decision to hold these conversations as webinars, as some members of the PC community argued that webinars stifled conversation and real-time comments.
The conversation was moderated by Leigh Anne Cappello, chief experience officer at Kinetic Seeds, a design consultancy that has been working with Fr. Sicard and others on creating solutions to fix systemic racism in the PC community. As a PC alumna, Cappello also feels personally attached to and invested in this work.
To begin the conversation, Fr. Sicard talked about how he was a first-generation college graduate from PC, so the College has always had a special place in his heart. “Being the beloved community is an essential part of our mission and part of our Catholic and Dominican identity,” said Fr. Sicard. He does recognize, however, that not everyone feels like they are part of that beloved community yet. “Even at PC, we are not immune to the sins of racism,” said Fr. Sicard.
He talked about how he is “willing to re-examine the way [the College does] things,” but that does not mean mistakes will not be made along the way. “This is really hard work and we’re going to make mistakes along the way,” Fr. Sicard said. “But we can’t let our mistakes stifle our progress and work.”
To open the conversation, Cappello invited all those present to share their own experiences and feelings about systemic racism through a metaphor. She gave the template, “Being [me] is like ______ when it should be like _____.” This exercise was open to all attendants, and the goal of the exercise was to help everyone try to understand a certain issue or feeling through a different type of lens.
All of the metaphors written were able to be viewed publicly by those on the Zoom call through the chat feature. Some of the metaphors were then further discussed by attendees. Fr. Sicard commented that while he found some of the metaphors “upsetting,” he also found them “enlightening.”
The conversation then shifted to questions either submitted ahead of time or asked live publicly over the Zoom call.
When asked about action items the College will be taking to address systemic racism, Fr. Sicard and Peterson talked about the several steps they have already taken. These steps included the creation of a student advisory board, the beginning of “Friarside Chats” with students and student clubs and organizations, new reporting tools for bias incidents, and implicit bias training.
Another question answered during this time addressed alt-right Catholic conservative teaching at PC. Both Fr. Sicard and Fr. Cuddy addressed this question, saying the Dominican tradition and PC’s teachings do not follow any beliefs preached by magazines such as Crisis Magazine and Church Militant, but only the Bible and other documents of the Catholic Church.
A question was also asked regarding how the College can work towards amplifying BIPOC voices. Fr. Sicard agreed that it should not fall on only the BIPOC community to begin conversations and educate others on racism and bias.
As this conversation was held the night before Election Day, Noah DeRossi-Goldberg ’22 asked what the College would do to prevent racism from prevailing on campus even if it prevails throughout the country. Many faculty and staff responded to DeRossi-Goldberg’s question, saying that racism will not be tolerated, that we are all here to protect one another, and that we must hold one another accountable for our behaviors. The overarching theme of responses was that we all must respect and protect one another regardless of political views.
More interactive portions of the Zoom call included participants being asked to think of someone who embodies the ideal state of the College and utilized breakout rooms to discuss collective ownership in depth, especially as it pertains to the PC community.
After the group discussions, Peterson talked about her appreciation and gratitude towards Fr. Sicard and other members of the PC community in their work towards developing collective ownership.
Dr. Oscar Santos, executive director at the Center for Collaborative Education, was invited to speak to the PC community on the topic of collective ownership, as well. He discussed how he has worked with other colleges and institutions on his idea of a three-level model for collective ownership. These levels include creating voice and ownership, looking at all different aspects of the community, and building a capacity to build a culture.
Fr. Sicard closed the night’s call by thanking the PC community for their openness and honesty. He pledged his commitment to having more conversations like the one that night and in working towards creating a truly beloved community.
Addressing Racism and COVID-19 Concerns: Fr. Sicard Holds Virtual Town Hall Webinar
by The Cowl Editor on October 15, 2020
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
Over this past month, the Providence College community has had to adapt to many different issues and address actions that must be taken in order to create change. In an effort to do this, College President Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., held a virtual town hall meeting open to all students on Oct. 5 to voice their questions and concerns related to racial injustice and COVID-19 procedures on PC’s campus.
While Fr. Sicard called the meeting, many members of PC’s administration and faculty were also present on the call to respond to questions when necessary. Phionna Cayola-Claude ’18 moderated the meeting, as well, asking questions live over Zoom for Fr. Sicard and others to answer.
To begin the meeting, Cayola-Claude asked questions that came from students regarding the issue of racism and discrimination, wherever it may exist in the PC community. These questions spanned from issues in diversity within PC’s Development of Western Civilization (DWC) program, to racial profiling and reporting, to how PC intends to hold students, faculty, and staff accountable for acts of discrimination and racism.
The very first question asked was how Catholic social teaching could be at the forefront of combating racism.
A later, similar question asked how members of the LGBTQIA+ community could be protected under Church teaching. In response to these questions, Father James Cuddy, O.P., vice president for Mission and Ministry, stated that the Church does not believe in discrimination, saying, “Every person without exception and without qualification is made in God’s image and likeness.”
He argued that the Church’s teaching on marriage “in no way precludes the necessity of treating one another well” and the treatment of every person as an individual of the PC community must come first.
Several questions were posed on the subject of racial profiling and the procedures surrounding how one should report incidents of racism, and how to feel safe doing so. Fr. Sicard addressed this question by explaining the new Title VI procedure students, faculty, and staff should use, which allows for anyone to file a report by using a link.
He addressed the fact that reporting such incidents should not be up to just students, and higher levels of administration should recognize racial bias and discrimination when they see it, but he asks that students use the system so that incidents will not go unheard.
Jacqueline Peterson, special advisor to the President for the Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (IDEI) department, addressed Title VI reporting as well, discussing how the system for filing a report has recently been remodeled. She hopes that this new software will make tracking and monitoring incidents more effective, time efficient, and will improve record keeping. These reports are then reviewed by several people, including Quincy Bevely, assistant vice president of IDEI, and Kathleen Alvino, associate vice president of human resources. There are then several different steps that may be taken following the initial report, which can be seen in detail on the IDEI page on the PC website.
Questions were also asked about how the College is working towards eliminating unconscious bias incidents. Peterson addressed this, saying, “the more we can educate the community around unconscious bias, the more we will be able to change the [College’s] culture.”
To work towards this goal, the IDEI department created the Advocated for a Beloved Community (ABC) group earlier this year. This group consists of students, faculty, and staff who have been through professional training to learn more about social justice and to help educate people throughout the campus community to prevent unconscious bias.
In regards to reforms around the Development of Western Civilization (DWC) program, Sean Reid, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, said that he recognized the “narrow scope” of the program when he joined the PC community this year.
He said that an implementation plan for reform is currently in the works in the hopes of broadening the program’s scope and making it a more holistic program.
That being said, the College released a response to a question about whether or not DWC should be required, and the College stands by its stance that the program is a “foundational element of the core curriculum.”
The statement did include, however, that there should be a more critical eye turned inward on the negative impacts of the ‘triumph of western civilization’ such as colonialism, genocide, forced conversion, exploitation, religious wars, etc.
While more was said on the College’s response to racism, the meeting also addressed questions and concerns surrounding the College and COVID-19. Although directives from the College have changed over time, one thing that has remained consistent is the College’s decision to re-open beginning Oct. 12 for both on-campus and off-campus students with weekly tests administered based on alphabetical order.
When asked about how another outbreak can be prevented, especially as colder months approach, Fr. Sicard and Dr. Ann Manchester-Molak, executive vice president of the College, stressed the importance of students remaining in their pods, or groups of people with whom they directly live.
Dean Steven Sears, associate vice president for student affairs, also noted that while students are encouraged to remain in their pods, they should get out around campus and take advantage of the buildings on campus that are open.
John Sweeney, senior vice president of finance and business, also noted that the outbreak that began primarily off-campus did not spread to the larger Providence community, which was a major concern for many. He also noted that of the over 200 cases, those students who were in quarantine or isolation from the very beginning are far past their required 14-day isolation period.
In regards to communication about repercussions and what is to come, especially for off-campus students, Sears mentioned a mandatory Zoom session regarding that on Wednesday, Oct. 7. This Zoom session was also hosted in a town hall format, and the main purpose was to advise off-campus students to remain in their respective homes and pods or face consequences from PC Public Safety, Providence police, or the 02908 Club. Sears said that any students caught on video or in photos will be reported and called, and those breaking the rules will be held accountable.
Before the town hall meeting even began, many students boycotted the event due to the webinar format, which did not allow for live questions to be seen, creating a fear of censorship. The College responded that the platform was meant to be more accommodating, as it allowed for more people to attend and removed the potential for Zoom-bombing.
Fr. Sicard also made sure not to censor any question by releasing a written statement afterwards with responses to all questions asked during the meeting.
While no one is certain of what the future will hold, Sicard hopes that these types of town hall meetings will allow for continued open discussion to create a more beloved community. Fr. Sicard and PC administration want students to share their thoughts, experiences, and feelings so that the College community can learn and progress in the right direction.
PC Dining Adjusts to “New Norm”
by The Cowl Editor on October 1, 2020
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
Since Providence College made the executive decision to temporarily go completely remote following a spike in COVID-19 cases, students off-campus have not been able to leave their residences, and on-campus students have been limited in their ability to travel off-campus. For those students in quarantine, isolation, or subject to stay-at-home orders, having access to food and groceries has been difficult.
To assist students during this time, PC Dining and Sodexo have made necessary changes to ensure every PC student has access to meals, both on and off campus. On Sept. 18, the College delivered three meals to all off-campus students. Following this delivery, however, off-campus students were given the option of continuing to receive meals or to instead receive $30 in PC Cash per day.
These deliveries demonstrated a great deal of collaboration and commitment on the part of College staff, as even Physical Plant was seen delivering meals that first Friday afternoon. John LaBreche, general manager of PC Dining, said that he considers the deliveries a success. “The main objective of the meal deliveries is to ensure that the College students are getting three meals a day.” He also noted that PC has been working closely with the dietician on staff to make sure those with allergies or restrictions are accounted for and provided appropriate meals.
Besides delivering to students directly off-campus, the College has also been delivering three meals per day to those students in isolation or quarantine staying in the Providence Marriott Downtown. “The delivery of the meals to the various locations has been a joint effort between dining services, the College’s transportation department, and the facilities department,” said LaBreche.
While students off campus are receiving meals or PC Cash as compensation at the moment, dining services have remained in operation with some slight modifications. For almost two weeks now, Raymond Dining Hall has transitioned entirely to take-out options. Sodexo employees are working to make sure everything is in to-go containers to avoid lines for on-campus students.
Alumni and Eaton Street Café have switched to strictly mobile ordering and pick up from take-out windows, as well. All of these changes, LaBreche said, were done at the College’s request “to avoid lines and for speed of service.”
As the order for remote classes and stay-at-home remains in place until at least Oct. 3, LaBreche says, “We will continue to evaluate what we are providing for the students at all of the dining locations and make necessary changes to provide as many options as possible while staying within the guidelines and mandates that we are held to.”
La Breche thanks all the on-campus students for their reaction to the changes, saying, “Overall, the students coming to eat at Raymond Hall and the retail locations have been very patient and understanding with all the changes. . .They have expressed their thanks to the dining service staff for the efforts they make to provide them meals.” LaBreche has said that he has just been taking the change one day at a time, just as the rest of the College has been doing for the past several weeks.
COVID-19 Fears Postpone Spring Abroad Programs
by The Cowl Editor on October 1, 2020
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
For many college students, traveling abroad for a semester or two is an exciting and memorable opportunity. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, study abroad programs across the country had to be canceled or postponed.
On Sept. 18, Providence College’s global education department announced their executive decision to suspend study abroad programs for spring 2021. The decision was made by a task force composed of PC students, faculty, and administrators.
Christian Wilwohl, dean of global education, said multiple factors went into the decision to suspend the programs so far in advance. These factors included the high level of uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to Department of State and CDC guidelines, delays in passport and visa processing, and potential host country conditions and restrictions affecting the studying experience.
Another consideration was the fact that students would have to make non-refundable payments for necessities such as flights, passports, program deposits, and more.
Grace Cleary, assistant dean of global education, stated that while these were all large factors in making this decision, “Our decision was rooted in our obligation to look out for student health and safety.” Overall, issues involving students and different CDC regulations in every country could create potential problems.
“If a student were to experience a medical issue abroad,” said Cleary, “new hospital regulations could prevent local support staff from accompanying him or her to assist with translation and insurance paperwork and provide pastoral support. Students arriving in-country would face quarantines and in some cases, lock-down conditions.”
Although students are upset about their semester abroad being canceled, many also understand the necessity for this decision. Cassie Mirasolo ’22, an economics major with a Spanish minor, was planning on doing an international business and culture program in Seville, Spain this upcoming spring. “Honestly, I’m not surprised it was canceled considering the current circumstances, but I’m very sad about it,” said Mirasolo. “I was looking forward to practicing my Spanish and experiencing a Spanish lifestyle.”
She continued, saying that although she feels like she is missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she knows we are living in unprecedented times. “I know a lot of people talk about their time abroad as one of the best times of their lives, which makes it all that harder. It’s something I was lucky to get the opportunity to sign up for through PC, but I guess we have to make the best of these crazy times!”
While abroad this spring is no longer an option, Cleary is still hopeful for abroad programs in the future.
“Study abroad has become such an important part of the PC experience and the Center for Global Education staff is ready to assist students who are planning for fall 2021 and beyond.”
For those interested in studying abroad in the future, the study abroad fair will be held virtually on Oct. 5. All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who want to go abroad in fall 2021 are encouraged to attend for more information.
Safety Advisory and Humanities Forum Incidents Highlight Issue of Race on Campus
by Kyle Burgess on September 17, 2020
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
For several years now, Providence College has put diversity at the forefront of its planning, making it one of the milestones of its PC200 plan. While PC has improved in diversity in some ways, incidents from the past week have proven that the College still has work to do in creating the beloved and accepting community it promotes.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, an email with a safety advisory was sent to the PC community addressed from Koren Kanadanian, Chief of Public Safety. This safety advisory addressed potential “suspicious activity” reported earlier that day by a student walking on Admiral Street. As the safety advisory states, the student claimed they “had been approached by a light skinned male, with a heavy build, who was operating a grey minivan.” It was then stated the “operator pulled over to the curb but stayed in his vehicle” and then “motioned the victim towards the car while attempting to communicate in Spanish.”
This email was sent at 10:17 a.m. Nearly 30 minutes later, a series of emails were sent out by Kanadanian, stating that he would like to “recall the message.” Later that afternoon, Kanadanian addressed the PC community, stating the advisory was “premature, incomplete, and, most importantly, as worded, racially and linguistically insensitive.”
Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., sent an email the following day stating Kanadanian will be taking a 60-day leave of absence and will be taking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training during this time. The email also addressed steps PC administration will be taking going forward to help eliminate bias and profiling on campus.
Many students, clubs, and organizations spoke out about the wording Kanadanian used in his safety advisory. The Organization of Latin-American Students (OLAS) released a statement on their Instagram account, stating the safety advisory was “harmful for the Latinx community and local Providence community,” as it “perpetuates the systematic racism and discrimination actively present at Providence College.” OLAS followed this statement by inviting the PC community to attend their Zoom meeting to discuss the matter further.
This was not, however, the only incident that became a large point of discussion on campus. Information about Dr. Spencer Klavan, a guest speaker invited to discuss Homer’s Iliad as part of the Humanities Forum series, became quite the controversy. It was made apparent that Klavan wrote controversial statements on his social media in regards to topics such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. These remarks, many students believed, did not reflect the PC community or its values, leading many students and faculty to protest Klavan’s invitation to speak at the Forum.
In response, Dr. Sean Reid, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, sent an email stating, “The speaker was invited as scholar of the Classics, not because the College or the Humanities Forum Committee endorse the comments he makes on social media.”
Dr. Raymond Hain, the Associate Director of the Humanities Forum Committee, defended Klavan’s presence at the Forum, saying, “it is nevertheless worth keeping in mind that it has always been our practice to invite a broad range of viewpoints to the Forum, including conservative political voices. I believe it is unavoidable that a speaker series that strives to maintain a robust and diverse range of perspectives will at times trouble members of our community, and my hope is always that the proper response is robust intellectual engagement and discussion.”
This incident also led to many students, faculty, and staff within the PC community to speak out against Klavan’s invitation and the defense behind continuing to allow him to speak despite the protest. To learn more about the student backlash surrounding this article, including responses by the PC community, read “Humanities Forum Offensive to Many” by Savannah Plaisted ’21 and The Cowl’s Letters to the Editor in this issue.
These incidents come to PC during an already tumultuous and uncertain time. In his address to the PC community following the safety advisory, though, Fr. Sicard recognized the need for change, saying, “what happened [Sept. 10] provided yet more evidence of how far we are from achieving our goal of being a beloved community.” As a PC community, let us strive to do as Fr. Sicard implores and create “concrete steps to address the systematic racism that exists on our campus.”
In Memoriam: Sergeant Major Gary P. Fortunato
by The Cowl Editor on April 15, 2020
In Memoriam
by Hannah Langley
News Co-Editor
What is the definition of a hero? Some common definitions include, “an illustrious warrior,” “a person admired for achievements and noble qualities,” or “one who shows great courage,” but for all those who knew Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Gary P. Fortunato ‘00SCE of the Providence College Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Patriot Battalion, he was all of these and more.
The Providence College department of military science was extremely saddened to announce that Sergeant Major Fortunato passed away suddenly at home on April 3, 2020 at the age of 72. Fortunato is survived by his wife, Carol (Morrow) Fortunato, four children – Damian Daniels and wife Deena, Amy Fortunato, John Fortunato and wife Jen, and Judy Fortunato, his six grandchildren, his five siblings, and many extended family members.
For 53 years, Fortunato devoted his life to his friends, family and country. A native of Union City and Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, Fortunato was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 before deploying to Vietnam during the onset of the historic Tet Offensive in 1968. He served as a Team Chief for a Long-Range Reconnaissance Unit along the demilitarized zone and as a Company First Sergeant of the 1/161st and 1/16th Infantry Regiments. During his service in Vietnam, he was involved in countless engagements with the enemy and received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device for heroic actions during close combat.
After his service in Vietnam, Fortunato served in various assignments, most notably as a Senior Drill Instructor, Command Sergeant Major of 1/38th Infantry in South Korea, the 2/36th Infantry in Germany, and US Army Garrison Fort Devens in Massachusetts. During Operation Desert Storm, he deployed the largest III Corps Task force, serving as Task Force Sergeant Major for thousands of Soldiers assigned to (10) Combat and (16) Combat Support III Corps Units. Following Operation Desert Storm, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for all NATO land forces assigned to US Army Europe in Germany and finally the Office of the Secretary of Defense on NATO Nuclear Policy.
Over his 30 years on active duty, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Valor Device, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendations Medal, the Drill Sergeant Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Rhode Island Star, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
He held an associate’s degree in business from Mount Wachusett College and a bachelor’s degree in business from PC.
Upon his retirement from Active Duty in 1997, Fortunato joined the Patriot Battalion at PC as an ROTC Instructor and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). Forever changing the course of countless lives around the world, he touched the lives of countless students, while serving as a life-long mentor and beloved friend to an entire generation of PC graduates who would go on to lead soldiers and serve our country in the years to come.
Fortunato was known as a tough leader and a warrior scholar. He had a unique talent for seeing the best qualities in his students, and challenged cadets to continuously seek excellence, using physical and intellectual challenges to push students beyond their perceived limits. Those who knew him best would tell you the learning never stopped. Graduates of the Patriot Battalion not only applied his teachings as leaders in combat but relied on him as a lifelong mentor for years after graduation. Patriot Battalion alumni have led with honor, distinction, and excellence wherever they serve – the true legacy of Fortunato.
As Major Jarred Rickey ’07, an instructor and battalion operations officer in the department of military science, said in a recent interview, “You’d be hard-pressed to find an officer, past or current, who didn’t know Gary. It was the kids. That’s what made every day (for him).”
There was no greater fan of The Cowl than Fortunato, either, as he was always the first person to grab an issue once it was delivered. As he sat for his lunch break on Thursdays, eating his quesadilla from Alumni, he would always read The Cowl front to back.
As Captain (CPT) Daniel Girouard ’16G, ROTC recruiting operations officer, so eloquently stated, “While we all bear the pain of this tremendous loss, we all have the comfort of the bond that holds us all together. While we mourn the loss of a beloved friend, colleague, mentor and warrior, we will celebrate his life the way he lived it; with ambiance and panache.”
While his heroic achievements on battlefields all over the world are a testament to his character and selfless service to country, his ultimate legacy would be achieved in the confines of a classroom at PC.
Being that we cannot all be together right now makes the loss of Fortunato even greater and saddening, but knowing him, he would not want us to mourn, but celebrate the amazing life and career he had serving his country and working in the Patriot Battalion and PC community.
While there are currently no services planned due to the coronavirus pandemic, more details will be released in the months to come.