Tag: party
PC Partiers Raise $2,000 for Breast Cancer Resources
by Mariel Surprenant ’26 on October 30, 2025
News
Through a GoFundMe and a darty, Providence College students were able to raise $2,000 in just five days towards breast cancer resources. Organizers from the class of 2026 threw a “Pink-Out Darty,” in which students of all grades were welcome to dress in pink, have a good time, and donate to breast cancer resources through QR codes. Darty attendee, Jack Lefebvre ’26, commented, “The darty was lots of fun. It was great to see our whole school dressed in pink to support a great cause.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month occurs every October. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer “is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30 percent (or one in three) of all new female cancers each year.” However, early detection and treatment advances have significantly improved survival rates. Each October, organizations, survivors, and supporters nationwide participate in fundraising walks, educational campaigns, and outreach events to support research, promote early detection, and honor those affected by the disease.
Students raised money to donate to the Gloria Gemma Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources to individuals and families impacted by breast cancer in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Its mission is to “celebrate and nurture life in our local community before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis by providing education, access to wellness resources, and support programs to all those touched by cancer.”
“The Gloria Gemma Foundation has a longstanding partnership with Providence College, and we deeply appreciate the continued support the Friars have shown over the years,” said Maria Gemma Corcelli, the foundation’s executive director. “The compassion and generosity of PC students and staff are truly a blessing to the people we serve, and we are forever grateful.”
Breast cancer has hit far too close to home for many PC students, including David Figueroa ’26. The Gloria Gemma Foundation is lovingly named after his grandmother, Gloria Gemma, who lost her courageous fight with breast cancer in 2002. “It was really awesome to see my school come together and raise money for a cause so close to my family. We appreciate everyone here at PC who donated,” said Figueroa.
Additionally, about 20 PC students participated in the 2025 Gloria Gemma 5k on Oct. 5, resulting in approximately $1,800 in additional donations.
Set up by the class of 2026, the event that the organizers created strove to give back to the community that has given so much to them over their four years at PC. Dave Guden ’26, the primary organizer of the darty and the GoFundMe, said, “My friends and I thought it would be a great idea to host a ‘Pink-Out’ fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We were very satisfied to see that Friartown was able to raise $2,000 for the Gloria Gemma Foundation here in Rhode Island. It truly shows how when us Friars come together, we can create a positive impact on the community.”
“It was super awesome to see our senior class come together to organize something bigger than ourselves and to show support for the local Rhode Island community,” said Jack Coyle ’26, a representative for the class of 2026.
“Darty Season” Spells Impending Disaster: Off-Campus Parties Anger Many Members of PC Community
by The Cowl Editor on April 15, 2021
News
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Co-Editor
It was a beautiful day in Providence, RI on Saturday, April 10. With not a cloud in the sky and the promise of a warm 70 degrees, Providence College students began to spill out of their dorm rooms and off-campus houses to enjoy the weather. Ignoring social distancing, mask mandates, and other COVID-19 protocols, many Friars on Eaton Street and in the surrounding area gathered in parking lots and on the balconies of off-campus houses in large numbers.
As videos, pictures, and other forms of evidence began to surface of the parties occurring throughout the day, students and others began to respond in outrage.
The Instagram account @BlackatPC has posted several responses from students of different class years in response to the partying. One student from the Class of ’24 stated, “I get it, people are going to throw parties, but of that capacity… just blows my mind… this same thing happened last semester: it got warm, ignorant people threw a huge party, and we were put in lockdown.” This statement provides context to the extent of the party that occurred behind the houses on Eaton Street.
Someone also commented on the fact that these kinds of large parties not only affect the PC community, but also the surrounding residents, many of whom are BIPOC. “It’s evident that Providence College is a PWI occupied by primarily selfish, privileged students with healthcare. The lack of consideration for others is quite terrifying,” said one student from the Class of ’23.
On Monday, April 12, President Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., released a statement in response to Saturday’s events. Fr. Sicard stated, “I am concerned that [these behaviors and parties] have done damage to the reputation of the College and to your reputation as Friars. I know that you are better than this.”
Fr. Sicard continued, saying there were also reports of vandalism and other reckless behavior that endangered PC students and the larger community. He asked the PC community to continue following guidelines, saying, “Despite the progress being made through vaccinations, we are not yet out of the woods…As we approach the end of the semester and prepare to celebrate graduation, I am imploring you to keep each other safe and to avoid a recurrence of this past weekend.”
While Fr. Sicard’s message showed some concern, many members of the PC community were unsatisfied by the lack of measures taken by the College to hold students accountable for their actions. On Wednesday, April 14, Steven Sears, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, sent an email inviting off-campus students to a conversation to address concerns. “My intention for this virtual gathering is twofold,” said Sears. “For us to address and review what took place [and] to work together to identify, imagine, and construct a plan to which we can commit together that meets your needs for living off campus while centering safety and community.”
The meeting had 113 attendees: 109 off-campus students, along with Sears; Martin Connell, director of community standards; Lieutenant John Dunbar, crime prevention/community relations officer; and Eric Croce, interim chief of Public Safety.
There were several issues and questions addressed at the Zoom meeting, including discussions about the Providence Police Department’s role in monitoring off-campus residences, the consequences for students in violation of the code of conduct, and the role of on-campus students trespassing on off-campus students’ properties.
Connell addressed the fact that 1,700 COVID-19 violations have been reported since the fall. These cases have been from reports both on and off campus, resulting in suspensions and other disciplinary actions.
Off-campus students complained that part of the reason for the large size of the “darty” on Saturday was because of on-campus students coming uninvited, refusing to leave, and becoming violent when told to. In response to this, Dunbar and Croce recommended that off-campus students who feel threatened and disrespected by on-campus students refusing to leave should call Providence Police or PC Security.
Sears also stated that a message will be sent to on-campus students in the next few days, making it explicitly clear that they are not welcomed off campus if not invited and could face disciplinary action if found violating this.
As the weather continues to get nicer, and more students get vaccinated, it is evident that all students, both on and off-campus, must recommit themselves to following COVID protocols in order to see a successful completion of this semester and an in-person graduation.