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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News

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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.

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on September 25, 2025

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News

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Challenge to Incumbent Brett Smiley

On Sept. 15, David Morales, Representative of District 7, announced that he will be running against Brett Smiley for Mayor of Providence in the September 2026 Democratic primary. Current Mayor Brett Smiley was elected in 2022 and his term will be up in 2026. Rep. Morales was first elected in 2020 and made history as the youngest Latino to be elected to the state legislature. Despite serving in his third term, Morales remains the youngest legislator in the state of Rhode Island. Recently, Mayor Smiley has faced criticism regarding the affordability crisis in Providence and potential property tax increases. 

District 7 includes Providence’s Mount Pleasant, Valley, and Elmhurst neighborhoods. Morales is a member of the Rhode Island House Labor Committee,  House Innovation and Technology Committee, and House Municipal Government and Housing Committee. He has brought a sense of passion to tackling the housing crisis in Providence by working to expand affordable housing, lowering rent costs, and emphasizing the importance of investing in public transit. Just this past year, Providence became the least affordable city for renters in the U.S. Rep. Morales also spoke at a “Save RIPTA” rally back in early August at Kennedy Plaza, which many constituents attended.

Morales is from California and was raised by a single mother. He graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in urban studies and began graduate school at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at just 20 years old, making history as the youngest graduate in the program’s history. 

As of June, Mayor Smiley had more than $1 million in his campaign account, while Morales had around $68,000. Since Smiley is running as the incumbent, he has a considerable advantage, especially considering the fact that the city of Providence has not unseated a current mayor since 1974. 

Morales’ run for mayor comes at an interesting time in our nation’s history. Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist running for Mayor of New York City, led a successful campaign for this party’s nomination by utilizing social media to connect to younger voters and talking about issues that affect the average person, such as affordable housing. Rep. Morales is also a Democratic Socialist and views affordability as the most salient issue of our time. In Morales’ announcement video, he stated a simple reminder that he argues we all should keep in mind: “We don’t ask for much, we just want a life we can afford in the city we love.”  

The next few months are sure to be interesting, and voter turnout will prove to be pivotal. Smiley, who resides on the East Side of Providence, will lean heavily on his donors and rely on supporters to show up to vote. Morales, who lives in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, has vowed not to take any donations from any special interests. In an interview with the Rhode Island Current, Morales stated, “There are a lot of people in our community that are frustrated and upset with the current administration. There is a desire within our city for a change.”

by Erich Rumson ’28 on September 25, 2025

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News

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On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Federal Reserve voted to cut its interest rate by a quarter-point in response to slower labor market gains. The move comes after President Trump had been demanding for months that the Fed make major rate cuts to help spur economic growth.  

The quarter-point rate cut is the first made in over nine months, and according to the Wall Street Journal, some officials have signaled further cuts are due later this year. One of the chief reasons given for lowering the rates is a recent slowdown in hiring nationwide. The latest cut will lower the current rate to a range of 4-4.25 percent, its lowest point in three years. 

One might ask: How does a lower interest rate affect the economy exactly? Should PC students care about this recent rate cut? The Cowl reached out to Dr. Limnios from the Economics Department for his insight on these questions. In his response, Dr. Limnios compared the interest rate to a gas pedal: when it is lowered, it speeds up the economy, and when it is raised, it slows things down. In his words, “If the Fed lowers the cost of borrowing enough, more investments are funded and the economy’s productive capacity grows; if interest rates are raised, then less investments are funded and the productive capacity of the economy shrinks.” When asked about the impact decisions like lowering the interest rate have on PC students, Dr. Limnios emphasized how borrowing money and managing debt is an important part of any business, and that business students should be aware of the Fed’s monetary policy and its effect on their financial decisions. He also mentioned the impact that interest rates have on PC students who want to own a home, as the rate set by the Fed affects the amount paid on mortgages. 

For the past few years, the Federal Reserve kept its interest rates high in an effort to  combat rising inflation. From August 2023 to August 2024, the policy rate was at 5.33 percent—its highest point in nearly two decades. As inflation has gradually lowered recently, the need for higher interest rates has declined, making the recent cuts possible. There is also now a need to stimulate the economy, as the number of jobs added to the labor market in recent months has been lower than expected. While the economy remains solid overall, the Fed sees a rate cut as a way to help boost the lagging labor market.  

The most recent cut was not without controversy, however, as it comes after a months-long effort on the part of President Trump to bring down interest rates he argued were too high. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell had until recently resisted Trump’s calls, which led to harsh criticism from the President. Last week, two days before the rate cut, Trump senior adviser Stephen Miran was sworn in before the Senate as a new Fed governor. Miran has shared the President’s desire to lower interest rates and has called for a half-point rate cut, twice the size of last week’s modest quarter-point cut.  

The full impact of the recent Fed decision remains to be seen, as it may take time for it to affect the overall economy. The stock market made modest gains in the aftermath of the decision, which may hopefully be a sign of future growth. 

by Jack Pawlowski ’27 on September 25, 2025

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After 47 years, Jerry Greenfield—the “Jerry” of Ben & Jerry’s—is leaving the company following disputes with Unilever, its parent corporation, over disagreements regarding the brand’s commitment to social justice.

Ben & Jerry’s is widely known for its creative and delicious ice cream flavors, but less known is its steadfast commitment to social and economic justice, environmental protection, and advocacy for human rights and dignity. These core values have been upheld by co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield since the company’s inception in 1978. They have never shied away from speaking out against social injustices.

In 2000, the company was acquired by Unilever, a global consumer goods conglomerate. The acquisition came with both big promises and big concerns. Chief among them were fears that corporate ownership might dilute Ben & Jerry’s social mission. However, the deal included a unique provision: an independent board retained the authority to make decisions related to the brand’s social mission. This allowed Ben & Jerry’s to continue its activism, including campaigns addressing climate change and social justice throughout the 2000s.

Over time, however, as Unilever’s management changed and the original architects of the deal departed, those promises began to unravel. Cohen discovered that Unilever’s commitment to the company’s social agenda was not legally binding. This culminated in Unilever removing David Stever as CEO of Ben & Jerry’s, without the independent board’s approval, due to his alignment with the brand’s social activism. Unilever was reportedly angered by the company’s outspoken stance on Donald Trump and Israel regarding the conflict in Gaza.

Unilever’s increasing control over Ben & Jerry’s led Greenfield to feel that the company could no longer freely advocate for peace and justice. In a statement shared by Cohen on X (formerly Twitter), Greenfield said, “It was always about more than just ice cream; it was a way to spread love and invite others to fight for equity, justice, and a better world. Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible at Ben & Jerry’s means I can no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry’s.”

He added that if he cannot carry forward the company’s core values from within, he will continue to champion them from the outside.

Greenfield’s departure comes at a time when the current U.S. administration has taken polarizing stances on many social issues, and corporations driven by profit are increasingly aligning with those positions. In an interview, Cohen remarked: “The reality is that businesses are incredibly political. The average business is using its money to influence elections, and they’re using their money and their lobbyists to influence legislation.”

Greenfield’s exit raises a critical question: Will corporations continue to bow to political pressure, or will his departure inspire others to reaffirm their commitment to social justice?

by Amanda Ayres ’26 and Ava La Bruno ’27 on September 25, 2025

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Congress Updates

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On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Student Congress was pleased to welcome Dr. Kyle McInnis, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, to our general assembly meeting. We learned that he was specifically recruited by Father Sicard O.P. ’78, ’82G due to his previous experience creating a nursing school at Merrimack College. According to Father Sicard, the introduction of the nursing and health sciences programs was able to“naturally flow from and support the Catholic and Dominican mission of Providence College.”

Dr. McInnis shared the creation of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences was a three and a half year project from conception to completion, with the Ben Mondor School of Nursing and Health Sciences being constructed at a record pace of 18months. This building now holds the title of the largest construction project in the school’s history, dethroning the recently completed Shanley Hall. The massive building is a symbol of the growth mindset that Providence College is known for. “Every student needs a 15 foot mahogany door,” said Dr. McInnis, and behind these doors is a world of scientific inquiry and educational innovation.

This new building features various state-of-the-art technologies, such as 33 simulation manikins, a human performance lab, and an environmental chamber able to simulate temperature, air pressure, humidity, and other conditions of any environment on Earth. Dr. McInnis also presented one of the most advanced pieces of technology: an AI-powered manikin, “Hal”, who can simulate different medical conditions, respond to AED paddles, and even offer information about his alternate personalities, one of which is a surfer!

He then began detailing the three different Bachelor of Science degrees offered: nursing, health sciences, and health policy and management. This program has proven to be highly competitive, despite only being created three years ago. Students in the nursing program also complete over 800 hours of clinical work at various sites throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, such as Brown University, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and UMass Memorial Hospital.

Executive President, Jack Brodin ’26, then opened the room to any questions and Caroline Stanton ’26 asked Dr. McInnis about the plans to expand the breadth of programs offered. He said that within the next few years they hope to introduce graduate programs to the school. This would hopefully include a generic direct entry nursing program in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs. Student Congress was grateful to Dr. McInnis for presenting what the Mondor School of Nursing and Health Sciences currently is, and being open and honest about where it plans to grow. For the rest of the meeting, SCB 7601 regarding the Elections Calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year was passed, and no new legislation was introduced.

by Reese Kubick '29 on September 25, 2025

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Just days after ABC indefinitely suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s live show due to comments about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Kimmel returned with his Tuesday show.

Jimmy Kimmel has been on TV for over 20 years, starting in 2003 with the first episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! airing on ABC after the cancellation of Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher in 2002. Kimmel has remained out of the “political heat” for many years, he even did an interview with President Trump before the 2016 election. In 2017, Kimmel started to become more of a so-called “liberal activist” after making a dig at President Trump while hosting the Oscars. Kimmel has not been shy about sharing his political views since then, making many digs at the Republican Party, specifically Trump supporters. 

Jimmy Kimmel Live! came to a halt on Wednesday, Sept. 17, after his comments about the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s main focus of this monologue was on the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. The comedian stated: “The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” Kimmel also said Trump’s response “is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?” Then, Kimmel mocked Vice President Vance’s performance as a guest on Kirk’s podcast on Tuesday night.

The decision to suspend the show was made because ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, sells its content to Sinclair and Nexstar, both companies that own hundreds of TV stations.  Jimmy Kimmel Live! sells its content to ABC. Sinclair and Nexstar make their money by selling TV ads, and the more viewers they buy from big companies like Disney, the more they can charge for the ad space.

Allegedly, the advertising customers of Nexstar and Sinclair were upset with what Kimmel said and threatened to pull ads from that time slot. Additionally, Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said to ABC/Disney: “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way…[D]isney needs to see some change here, but the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it’s time for them to step up…[T]here’s calls for Kimmel to be fired, I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this.” Later, Sinclair told ABC that they were going to replace Kimmel’s former airtime with something else, resulting in the halting of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Sinclair announced its plans to replace Kimmel’s timeslot on ABC with a special honoring Charlie Kirk on Friday, Sept. 19. The company made a statement saying, “The special will air at all Sinclair stations and be offered to ABC affiliates nationwide.” 

Sinclair Vice Chairman, Jason Smith, came out with a statement saying the following: “Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country…[W]e believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.” Sinclair confirms they will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! until “we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”  In addition to stopping the show, Sinclair also called Kimmel to make a direct apology to Kirk’s family and to make a personal donation to his family and his organization, Turning Point USA. 

ABC had previously pulled the Kimmel show indefinitely, with no signs of its return. However, on Monday, Sept. 22, it was announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the air. The late-night show will return to ABC on Tuesday night, but not all of ABC’s affiliated stations will be showing Kimmel’s show. Sinclair will continue to keep Kimmel’s show off its stations; instead, Sinclair will air news programming in the time slot. 

When Kimmel returned on Tuesday night, he emphasized, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” He then spoke on the importance of protecting our ability to live in a country that allows for shows like his—ultimately pointing to the importance of creative expression and the necessity for humor in dark times. Kimmel also made sure to state that “a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.” Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Mitch McConnell all expressed reservations about FCC Chair Carr’s actions. President Trump tweeted on Truth Social, “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.” The firing and subsequent rehiring of Kimmel raises questions about the application of the First Amendment, especially for those using it to speak out against the powerful.

by Clara Johnson ’26 on September 18, 2025

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Opinion - Campus

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On Sept. 2, the 2025–2026 academic year officially kicked off. The beginning of every school year is marked by novelty, excitement, and new beginnings. This year is certainly no exception. From new faculty, programs, and majors to the addition of Huxley Pockets to Alumni Dining and the new ice cream shop to Eaton Street Cafe, this September has brought lots of new opportunities to Friartown.

The most exciting part of the beginning of the year is welcoming the fresh faces eagerly embarking on their Providence College journeys.

On Aug. 28, first-year students from the class of 2029 began moving into their dorms in preparation for the 2025–2026 academic year. Orientation coordinator Gabe Staples ’26 told The Cowl, “I couldn’t be more excited to have welcomed [the first-year students] to campus, and I can’t wait to witness their growth and success within our Friar family.” He went on to say, “The incoming class brought a roller coaster of emotions, experiences, backgrounds, and interests to our PC community.”

The class of 2029 is comprised of 1,188 first-year students. These students come from 34 states, Washington, D.C., and 14 countries outside of the U.S. Among that group, 106 are studying in the Honors Program, 100 are student athletes, and 126 are first-generation college students. The most popular majors for the class of 2029 are finance, marketing, management, nursing, health sciences, biology, psychology, and political science.

Though the majority of students arrived on campus Aug. 28, several first-year students participated in pre-orientation programs, arriving early to forge community, explore interests, and serve locally. In addition to the tried-and-true programs, Faithworks, Urban Action, and Transitions, first-year students were also able to participate in two new programs. Fostering Reflection Arts Meaningful Expression gave students the opportunity to learn about the city of Providence, social issues, and meaningful expression through the medium of art. Additionally, the Department of Rec Sports hosted Rec Connect, allowing incoming students to become familiar with campus life, develop skills, and build community through a variety of games, adventures, and social events.

The class of 2029 was not the only group embarking on its PC journey. 85 transfer students—the largest number in recent history—were welcomed to campus this fall. Additionally, 22 full-time professors from a diverse range of disciplines joined the faculty for the upcoming school year.

In addition to the new perspectives and exciting conversations brought by new faculty and students, the campus community will also be enriched by Providence College’s new communication and data sciences majors.

The Director of the Communication program, Andrea McDonnell, Ph.D., told The Cowl, “PC’s Communication program is excited to welcome majors for the very first time this academic year.” Students can apply for the new major for this semester by visiting the Providence College Communications website and completing the application before Sept. 30. As McDonnell explained, “The program offers a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of visual, oral, written, and mediated communication.”

Welcome new students and welcome back to everyone else! The 2025–2026 year at Providence College is off to a running start, and we here at The Cowl are eagerly awaiting the amazing things coming up this semester!