by Isabelle Camoin ’26 on October 9, 2025

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News

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The time-honored tradition of homecoming and family weekend brought a multitude of lively energy to campus this past weekend, Oct. 3–5. Many faces, new and old, were seen on campus; returning graduates, legacy family members, cherished loved ones, and even pets were flourishing this weekend amidst the fall air. The vibes on and off campus were high, kicking off the weekend with an open house in Raymond Dining Hall, where families could get a taste of the notorious chicken nugget meal.

Saturday was packed with events that embraced the Friar spirit of bringing everyone together. Seniors living off campus opened their doors to family and friends, bringing the community together over potluck meals and live bands in their parking lots. The Friar 5K had a large turnout with over 1,000 runners, where participants, young and old, began their Saturday outside Harkins Hall, trotting through and around campus, and crossing the finish line at Ray Treacy Track. Braeden McDevitt won the men’s category, and Dana Bush ’00 won the women’s. Our very own Dean Sears finished the race at No. 11 with an impressive time of 19:49.

Slavin Lawn was packed with yummy bites from food trucks, lawn games, and entertainment varying from live performances from the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film, live painting by Petal Pusher, and even a student band showcase. The hallmark of the weekend, Late Night Madness, featured performances from the PC Dance Club, PC Dance Company, Motherland Dance Group PC, the PC dance and cheer teams, and a cappella clubs before Carrie Underwood stepped on the stage to perform for the public and PC community.

The audience members for these performances were also introduced to the Friars men’s and women’s basketball teams, showcasing what is to come for their seasons this winter. This year was the first year the Amica Mutual Pavilion opened the floor to the public, and the student section was found in the higher seated sections. Friar students and family members filled the stadium with support for our on-campus groups.

Notable open houses of the weekend included visiting the new Ryan Incubator space in the Feinstein Academic Center, opening the doors to the new student entrepreneurship office, and Friartown’s Closet, the on-campus, student-run thrift shop supported by the Ryan Incubator, which was open for donations. Additionally, the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences celebrated its first homecoming weekend in its new home on campus, inviting alumni to explore the new technology and areas of study the center brings to the PC community.

All in all, the sunny weather and the fall breeze made for a great atmosphere to spend outside with friends, family, and other loved ones, bringing the Friar spirit alive.

by Madison Benoit ‘29 on October 9, 2025

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News

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Dr. Jane Goodall, the founder of The Jane Goodall Institute, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and a world-renowned humanitarian, ethologist, and conservationist, died on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the age of 91 due to natural causes.

Dr. Goodall was best known for her study of wild chimpanzees, most notably the primates’ use of tools and distinct personalities. Her technique famously included living among chimpanzees. This led to her documenting the chimps doing activities that were previously only seen among humans.

Her extraordinary work with chimpanzees began at the age of only 26 in the 1960s. In a time when British authorities insisted she have a companion to travel to Africa to study, she brought her mother. When her work began, she lacked any formal scientific training and was instead chosen for her open mind. This very open mind is what allowed her to gain the chimpanzees’ trust and study their behaviors in a way no other human had.

Her speaking engagements and documentary appearances led her to become a beloved household name around the world, transcending generations. In her later years, Goodall continued her humanitarian work in education and advocacy, rather than in the jungle. Even after she turned 90, she continued to travel for nearly 300 days a year for public speeches.

Her speeches were known for being unique and often included her whooping like a chimpanzee or arguing that Tarzan chose the wrong Jane. Nonetheless, her message always stayed centered on advocacy and conservation of the natural world. She spoke often on the dangers of the climate crisis to our world, which she worked hard to combat.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, she had been scheduled to meet with teachers and students in order to launch the planting of 5,000 trees in areas affected by wildfires in the Los Angeles region. After organizers learned of her death, the first tree was planted in Goodall’s name with a moment of silence. The spokesperson for EF Academy in Pasadena, Shawn Marino, said, “I don’t think there’s any better way to honor her legacy than having a thousand children gathered for her.”

Goodall has left behind a legacy that has inspired many across the world to protect the Earth and appreciate the beautiful animals that live here.

by Kaelynd Brouillette ’29 on October 9, 2025

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Opinion

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Don’t Let the Media Think for You

I usually don’t get pulled into discussions of conspiracy theories. Although some have a factual basis, I typically like my information to be concrete and deduce my opinions from proven facts. After Charlie Kirk was assassinated, I did my research about what happened and looked into the narrative being pushed by the federal government and the investigation team. What I found was that many aspects did not add up. My gut feeling was that something was off, and clearly, others thought that too. For example, Candace Owens, a conservative political journalist and dear friend of Kirk’s, used her platform to perform her own investigation. She even went as far as creating her own tipline and constructing her timeline of events, based on her research. To be honest, I was intrigued. It is evident the mass media is lying to us about the situation. Why should I blindly follow what the feds are saying when their narrative has so many pieces that simply do not add up? Why are more people not questioning this? This does not mean that I believe everything Owens has to say about the situation, but I do agree that she has a point. Many points are valid and make me question everything I thought I knew about the assassination. 

The FBI’s version of events that took place on Sept. 10 paints a clear and confident picture. According to their timeline, Tyler Robinson was identified as the shooter through “overwhelming” physical and digital evidence, including DNA on a towel used to wrap the rifle, fingerprints found on a nearby screwdriver, and surveillance footage placing him at the scene. Within roughly 33 hours, they claim to have tracked him down and arrested him, citing the case as a model of efficiency and cooperation between state and federal agencies. Officials at the press conference repeatedly emphasized their certainty, even going as far as to label Robinson a “disturbed lone actor.” They have publicly stated he was suicidal when he turned himself in, and that he was placed in a suicide-prevention smock for his own safety. To the FBI, the evidence was clear, but things simply don’t add up.

Owens tells a story very contrary to the FBI. She has questioned nearly every part of the FBI’s narrative, starting with the photos and videos released to the public. According to Owens, the supposed shooter looks different in nearly every image, which raises doubts about whether the footage has been altered or selectively edited. She has also pointed out the FBI’s failure to release the full, unedited video footage from the scene, and claims that a woman seen with the shooter has been completely omitted from the official record. Most importantly, Owens rejects the idea that this was the work of a “disturbed lone actor,” as the FBI has repeatedly insisted. In her eyes, the details don’t add up to one man acting alone, but rather they point to something much bigger, something coordinated. Owens argues that Robinson’s decision to turn himself in wasn’t an admission of guilt, but a response to fear. She says he believed the FBI was going to show up at his home and kill him, so he went to the station first to protect himself. Despite that, Robinson has never confessed to the crime, yet the narrative of his guilt has already been cemented in the public eye. Owens’ questions don’t just challenge the FBI’s competence; they challenge the entire system of trust between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them. Owens’ claims on what happened to Kirk go much deeper than just what is summarized above, but regardless, we, as a country, are not in a position to simply dismiss her ideas as simply being “crazy” or “impossible.” 

The tensions between Owens’ questions and the FBI’s are certainly more than just a difference in interpretation. It’s a reflection of our country’s growing lack of trust in the media and government. Every time we’re told to “believe in the facts,” those facts seem to shift depending on who they’re coming from. I believe we live in a society where the loudest voice is mistaken for the correct one. The media feeds us headlines before the facts have even been completely settled, and government agencies speak as if their word is law, instead of just one collected version of the story. Blind trust is easy. It asks nothing of us except for obedience. Yet questioning authority, demanding evidence, and refusing to take anyone’s word as gospel is what real civic engagement looks like. The truth does not come prepackaged, tied with a bow from D.C., or filed down a teleprompter; it’s something you have to dig for yourself. I’m asking anyone who is reading this to listen to both the FBI’s official statements and Candace Owens’ investigation. Hear the contradictions. Notice what’s said and, more importantly, what isn’t. Then decide for yourself what feels true. Because in a country built on freedom, the most dangerous thing we can do is stop thinking for ourselves.

by Clara Johnson ’26 on October 9, 2025

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News

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Francesca Bambara and the Food Recovery Program

Every Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 a.m., Providence College student Francesca Bambara ’26 can be found behind the wheel of a massive 12-passenger van. If you ask her about it, she will tell you how much of a pain it is to maneuver the massive vehicle. She will also humbly explain that she is driving leftovers from Raymond Dining Hall to the Providence Rescue Mission as a part of the Food Recovery Program.

The Food Recovery Program was initiated last year by Jazzlynn Goncalves ’25. Goncalves had an initial vision to build a community fridge at the Wanskuck Community Library as her project for her fellowship with the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy Lab. She partnered with ECOPC, PC’s environmental group, where she first connected with Bambara to collaborate on this project.

The group quickly realized that the community fridge initiative would take a long time to get off the ground. Unsatisfied with waiting, they partnered with the Providence Rescue Mission, a local Catholic non-profit that provides both food and shelter to local folks experiencing homelessness. The food Bambara provides often serves as the base for the meals they serve in their soup kitchen.

When Goncalves graduated, she left the Food Recovery Program in good hands. Bambara has joined the DID Lab and, in continued partnership with ECOPC, she keeps the vision of the community fridge alive. She is currently working with the Wanskuck Library to submit a budget and build a network of local restaurants and businesses for the community fridge. In the meantime, she continues to drive the van, ensuring that folks are getting the nutrients they need.

Bambara’s leadership of the Food Recovery Program is far from her first foray into social justice. She has always loved to build connections with people. When she arrived at PC, she quickly learned through her classes that she could do that by studying global studies and sociology. Bambara’s passions have led her to want to become a human rights and immigration lawyer.

When asked why she is driven to do this work, she replied, “Somebody has to do it. Whatever you’re good at, whatever you are passionate about—that’s what you should do.” Bambara lives that concept out in her life, using her talents and abilities to serve and advance justice.

As a part of her passion for justice, Bambara decided to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. She overcame her fears in order to improve her Spanish and grow in her ability to help and serve others. While there, she worked for Helsinki Hispania, a human rights nonprofit named for Spain’s declaration of human rights. Through this work, she gained a diverse and global perspective on social justice.  

Bambara has also spent her college career as a member of ECOPC, and she currently serves as one of the co-presidents.

When I asked about her extensive range of passions, she told me, “When I think about social justice, everything just overlaps. You can’t care about one thing without thinking about another. You can’t care about immigration without thinking about society and culture. You can’t think about sustainability without thinking about racial justice.”

Bambara’s perspective on how intertwined people are and the connection within these issues is evident in her diverse work. PC is certainly fortunate to have a student like Bambara, who wakes up earlier than most students would ever consider to lug pounds and pounds of food, saving it from the landfill and serving our community.

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on October 9, 2025

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News

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A Speech from Pope Leo 

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Pope Leo XIV spoke at a conference centered on climate change in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. This was his first speech on the environment since becoming pope in May. In light of celebrating ten years of Laudato si’, an encyclical written by Pope Francis which focuses on the importance of caring for our common home, Pope Leo XIV centered his call around the need for global action to protect the world as we know it. As explained by Pope Leo XIV, “the challenges identified in Laudato si’ are in fact even more relevant today than they were 10 years ago.” 

Pope Leo XIV put pressure on the people to call on their respective governments to take action and involve themselves in addressing one of the world’s most pressing issues—climate change. He emphasized the fact that “We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.” Pope Leo XIV also spoke to the connection that is often formed between environmental degradation and poverty. He continually emphasized the bond that remains between having a concern for nature, seeking justice for the poor, remaining committed to society, and desiring interior peace. He stated that striving for the common good should always be at the forefront of all that we do, while sticking to the fact that there is no room for indifference or resignation in conversations centered on climate change. 

Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the need for upcoming international conferences, such as the 2025 Climate Change Conference, the 53rd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security, and the 2026 Water Conference, to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, families, indigenous peoples, involuntary migrants, and believers all over the world. The Pope reminds us that we are all one family, who depend on one another and whose actions reap consequences both in the present day and in the future. Pope Leo XIV preached the need for unity in his own words: “We inhabit the same planet, and we must care for it together.”

Pope Leo XIV has recently spoken in regards to the political climate in the United States at this current moment. He weighed in on the dichotomy of those who say they are pro-life, but agree with the inhumane treatment of immigrants in the U.S., stating that he does not know if that is truly pro-life. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich highlighted the divisions that exist in the U.S., saying that Catholics have been left “politically homeless.” In Pope Leo XIV’s final remarks, he concluded with a question regarding each and every one of us as people. After acknowledging that God asks us to cultivate and care for the world that he created, which we all are called to do as believers, we must reckon with taking true care of our brothers and sisters. Will we cultivate the earth, care for the environment, and support our loved ones for the benefit of future generations, or in the words of the Pope, “what will be our answer?”

by Amanda Ayres ’26 and Ava La Bruno ’27 on October 9, 2025

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Congress Updates

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On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Student Congress was pleased to welcome Providence College men’s basketball head coach, Kim English, to our general assembly meeting. Coach English began by reflecting on a productive offseason and sharing his excitement about the upcoming season. He highlighted the strengths of this year’s roster, including both newly recruited players and his veteran returning players. Coach English emphasized that the players on the current roster, and those who he will recruit in the future, all align with the team’s core values: toughness and hard work. He stressed the importance of achieving certain goals during their games, including shooting 40 percent from the field, holding opponents to no more than seven three-pointers and seven offensive rebounds per game, achieving 40 paint touches, maintaining a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and shooting at least 75 percent from the free-throw line. 

When reflecting on the differences between last year’s team and this year’s, he told us that he is hopeful that there will be a stronger emphasis on brotherhood and commitment to PC’s mission this year. He also mentioned that he has begun inviting guest speakers to speak to the team about the distractions of social media commentary. Coach English commented on the effects of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and how he and the rest of the coaching staff are working to keep the team focused on the goals right in front of them. 

His expectations of the fans will not be hard to achieve for us Friars. He wants us to keep the energy up—keep coming to games and showing the opposing teams the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP) atmosphere we are known for, but he also emphasized how he expects our student section to show respect to our opponents and their coaches. Have fun, show school spirit, and make sure we keep the PC mission at the forefront, just like the team is expected to. 

The Friars have an exciting schedule lined up, and the first few games are very important. Their first game is on Nov. 3 at the AMP, and we cannot wait to see the team back on the court. Student Congress was grateful to Coach English for coming to speak to us about his goals and hopes for the season.

As for the rest of the meeting, the newly elected and selected members of the class of 2029 were sworn in, and we are excited to finally have a full 76th Student Congress! The legislation for the proposal of Just Dance Club was approved, and an amendment to the Constitution of Student Congress was proposed pertaining to the events hosted by the Outreach Committee, which will be voted on at the next meeting.  

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on October 2, 2025

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Opinion - Campus

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Dr. Shannon Jackson’s Talk

On Thursday, Sept. 25, Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar, Dr. Shannon Jackson, gave a talk in Ruane LL05 regarding the importance of publicly engaged art, the threats that currently face the arts, and the interconnectedness between democracy and expression. Dr. Jackson prefaced the talk by stating that Phi Beta Kappa, which is the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society for arts and sciences, will be celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026. Phi Beta Kappa was founded during the American Revolution, and thus, the United States will be celebrating 250 years this upcoming year as well. 

Dr. Jackson started her talk by asking a vital question—how to sustain the love of learning at this moment in time, when institutions that we have relied upon for as long as we can remember are changing. She connected Providence College’s mission statement, which emphasizes the importance of bringing veritas to the challenges that we currently face, being in contemplation, and upholding the common good for all. Dr. Jackson also repeatedly stated that all domains of knowledge must be considered to truly promote civic virtue.

In light of the talk being titled “The Arts, Democracy, and Public Life,” Dr. Jackson initially engaged with the students and faculty by asking what words or phrases came to mind when asked about the term “the arts.” She asked the same question regarding the terms democracy and public life, which generated a fruitful conversation. 

Dr. Jackson brought up the importance of the First Amendment, while also tying in the ways in which artistic expression goes hand in hand with freedom of speech. Her touchpoints for this part of the talk were public expression, resistant expression, commandeering culture, and the collective system at play. She delved into our nation’s history, while acknowledging that art does not always promote democracy. 

Dr. Jackson spoke about totalitarianism, while relating this to the present day through the current administration shutting down spaces and places of art that do not agree with the opinion of the President. She gave countless examples, including the firing of former President of the Kennedy Center, Deborah Rutter, the erasure of “race-centered ideology” from the Smithsonian Museum, and the recent controversy with Jimmy Kimmel over comments he made regarding the death of Charlie Kirk. Dr. Jackson called us to acknowledge the cultural turn in our federal government and question why it is happening. 

Dr. Jackson talked a lot about the need for cultural practices that encourage the use of all sensibilities, her hope that publicly engaged art can once again reenchant citizens, and the weight that rests in cultivating lives of contemplation. We all must reckon with—and be sensitized to—  what being a true member of the public in a democratic space actually means. Dr. Jackson called upon the audience to question both what it means to trust and what it means to be trustworthy. In our fragmented nation, even when public trust is frayed, it is critical that we are able to sow faith in one another and in our institutions. The importance of creative resistance was expressed throughout the entirety of Dr. Jackson’s talk. Here is the link to read about Fall of Freedom, which seeks to unite the arts community in defiance of authoritarian forces: https://www.falloffreedom.com/.

by Reese Kubick '29 on October 2, 2025

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News

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On Sept. 15, 2024, Ryan Routh was perched in a bush at Donald Trump’s West Palm Beach Country Club, a rifle in hand, with the intent to assassinate President Trump. A Secret Service member recounted what happened on the golf course, saying that “he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.”  Law enforcement gained intel from a witness that he saw a man fleeing from the area after hearing gunshots, and the witness later confirmed that it was Routh whom he saw. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, just over a year after the attempted assassination, Ryan Routh was found guilty of attempting to assassinate President Trump. Routh was charged with five federal criminal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assault on a police officer, and firearm charges. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. 

The trial consisted of three weeks, and after the jury deliberated for several hours, they returned with the verdict: guilty on all charges.

The two councils spent weeks preparing their cases. Both sides’ arguments were complex, but here is a brief and simplified outline of the prosecution and defense arguments:

The prosecution argued that Routh had the intent to kill; in legal terms, intent is defined by having “mens rea,” which is a Latin term meaning a “guilty mind”. It determines responsibility and culpability, distinguishing accidental acts from purposeful ones. Intent is often proven through circumstantial evidence and can be classified as general intent (to perform the act) or specific intent (to achieve a particular result). The prosecution notes the 17 reconnaissance trips he made to the golf course, and they described Routh stalking Trump excessively. Additionally, they needed to prove that Routh had taken substantial steps to carry out the crime. Substantial steps is another legal term, which means, “an act that moves beyond mere preparation and strongly indicates a criminal intent to commit a crime, leaving no reasonable doubt about the defendant’s purpose.” To prove this case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne said: “This was not a publicity stunt…[T]he evidence has shown one thing and one thing only—the defendant wanted Donald Trump dead.” Browne also notes that Routh was hiding in the bush for nearly 10 hours before the attempt on Trump’s life. 

The defense argued that Routh did not have the capacity to kill. Meaning, the mere planning of something is not enough to prove the intent of committing a crime. Additionally, they asserted that if Routh had the intent to kill Trump or even the Secret Service agent, he would have pulled the trigger, since he did not, the crime did not occur, according to the defense. In the closing argument, the defense tried to persuade the jury that it was not in the defendant’s heart to kill the President. 

After the verdict was read, Routh reacted horrifically by attempting to stab himself in the neck with a pen, and he was removed from the courtroom. 

Routh’s daughter Sara was in the courtroom, and as he was being escorted out, she shouted, “Dad, I love you. Don’t do anything. I will get you out.” Routh was returned to the courtroom, escorted by court marshals and in shackles and was informed he would be sentenced on Dec.18. 

by Molly Oldread ’26 on October 2, 2025

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News

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On Sept. 24, a shooting occurred at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas. The shooting left one detainee dead and two other individuals hospitalized as a result of the gunfire at the facility. The shooter was identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, according to sources close to the case. Jahn used a sniper rifle to open fire on the building from a distance. While his motives remain unknown, it has been confirmed that he was not aiming for any specific location of the building. Law enforcement reported the bullet holes were found all over the building and not localized to any one target. 

President Donald Trump claimed the shooting stems from “radical left Democrats constantly demonizing law enforcement,” while Vice President JD Vance also called the event an act of politically motivated violence. Governor Abbott of Texas stated that the shooting will not deter law enforcement from carrying out immigration enforcement. Jahn reportedly used a sniper to open fire on the facility, closely following the assassination of conservative political advocate Charlie Kirk, which was also carried out with a sniper. Since the attempted assassination of President Trump in July 2024, there have been reports of at least seven sniper-involved incidents across the country. Experts told ABC News there have never been so many sniper-related incidents in such a short amount of time, in what they call part of a “frightening trend of rifle-wielding shooters targeting politicians, police, and others from long distances.” 

Jahn allegedly had planned this attack for months and opened fire from the roof of a private office building that overlooks the ICE facility. FBI special agent Joe Rothrock reported that Jahn did a high level of planning, including researching where to shoot from and using apps to track ICE agents. This led officials to believe Jahn intended to harm ICE agents more specifically than the detainees. Shell castings found at the scene were engraved similarly to those found at the site of the Charlie Kirk assassination, which were scribed with messages such as “ANTI-ICE” and “Hey fascist! CATCH!” Jahn used an 8 mm bolt-action rifle in the shooting, and left writings which also caused officials to believe he wanted to harm ICE officials and cause terror. Jahn died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds, and investigators say it is very likely he acted alone.

by Alex Pittelli ‘26 on October 2, 2025

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Just a few minutes off campus on Branch Avenue is St. Edward’s Church, a beautiful brick church that stands out within Providence’s Wanskuck neighborhood. Although the church itself is rich with history, the focus will be on the humble building just west of it: the St. Edward Food and Wellness Center, which, for over two decades, has served as a food pantry for the food-insecure residents of Providence’s North End.

I spoke with Father Edward Cardente, who has been the pastor of the church since 2000, on the history of the Food Center. Prior to starting the pantry, Father Ed and volunteers had been serving hot meals to the hungry through St. Anthony Church in North Providence. However, after seeing a news segment on hunger in Providence in February of 2003, Fr. Ed was inspired to start the pantry to expand their mission of addressing food insecurity. He immediately knew something had to be done and put out calls to get to work. On March 26 of that same year, the pantry opened and has since continued to provide food to the community.

Today, the pantry is one of the top five biggest in the state of Rhode Island and provides over 400,000 pounds of food each year to the hungry. Their focus has been on client choice, with options not only for shelf-stable goods, but frozen and fresh food as well. The center is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5 p.m.-6 p.m., and guests are given a bag to fill with their choice of food. Behind the scenes, the shipment arrives on Tuesday mornings from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, as well as donations from both supermarkets and parish members. Volunteers sort the food and stock the shelves to prepare for the distribution the next day. Over 1,500 families are in their active database and approximately 300 visit the pantry each week. The day I visited, 316 families had come through, each taking with them much-needed food.