Tag: Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Hitting Close to Home
by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017
National and Global News
Interviews by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
Sophie Bartlett ’18
Why do you think it is important that Providence College knows what is happening with the Caribbean Islands?
I think it is important because a lot of people kind of forget we exist, or think we are too small to really matter. The news is only really beginning to cover what happened, but there are millions of U.S. citizens who are struggling as a result of the hurricanes and don’t have the resources accessible to do anything about it. I think the PC community should know what is going on so we can begin the conversations on how to help other people who are in need of help as we are all fortunate enough to be safe and stable in our homes right now.
Was your family affected by the hurricane?
Luckily my family was not home at the time the hurricane hit and our house is overall still doing well, but most of my friends have extensive damage to their homes or have completely lost them. At first people really had no idea how to react or what to do, but the sense of community that the Virgin Islands has completely shone through during this time. People have really been helping each other out, every day going to clean up a little bit of the road or those who had boats that survived have been doing runs to other islands to collect needed goods, which has been such a beautiful thing to see.
I am very appreciative of anything anyone can do to help to restore the Caribbean to how it once was. It is a beautiful place filled with the kindest people and I would love to see the Caribbean become great again through the generosity of the people in the U.S.
Maria Santos ’20
Why do you think it is important that Providence College knows what is happening with Puerto Rico?
I think it is important that Providence College knows what’s happening in Puerto Rico because like any other humanitarian crisis, it deserves attention from everyone. Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens, they are our people, and when our people need our help, we help in any way we can. When I say we, I mean the PC community. I believe PC has the power and the responsibilty to make a difference in the lives of many Puerto Ricans who have been affected by Hurricane Maria.
Was your family affected by the hurricane?
Thankfully, my family is all right. There is no electricty in my house, no water service, and barely any phone signal, which has made communication with my parents and siblings almost impossible. Nothing is happening in the island, so my parents are not working, and therefore not generating any income at the moment. My twin sister’s education is on hold too. But what’s most important to me is that they are safe. And I believe that soon enough things will start falling into place.
Can you describe what it is you are doing to support Puerto Rico? How can others help?
Being here and not back home with the people we love, made us (Puerto Rican PC students) feel powerless and hopeless. But we decided that we were going to turn our sadness into positive action. Therefore, we created a GoFundMe page called “Friars with Puerto Rico” with the goal of raising $5,000 and donating it to the organization “Unidos Por Puerto Rico”, which is the government’s hurricane relief fund for the Island. Other than the GoFundMe page, we are having a benefit concert on Smith Quad. Everything we collect during the concert will go to the organization as well.
SRW: Ringing in Senior Year
by The Cowl Editor on September 27, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
“Wow, this is pretty surreal,” said a student in a sharp black tux as he helped his date step off a yellow bus that lead them to the Rhode Island Convention Center. “I can’t believe this is really SRW.”
SRW, or Senior Ring Weekend, is one of the traditions embedded into Providence College’s history, and is an occasion students look forward to since their freshmen year. Once known as Junior Ring Weekend, the event was moved to senior year to accommodate more students who study abroad, and has become the first official “kick-off” event celebrating the senior class.
“Being here for four years, I’ve always been exposed to SRW, and it was always exciting as an underclassmen to see the upperclassmen dressed up and geared up,” said Michael Izzo ’18. “When it came time for me to experience the night I had my expectations set quite high.”
The SRW Core worked for over a year to bring the event together, and kept details of the event under lock and key to add to the surprise and magic of the weekend. “I was super happy with how SRW played out,” said Anissa Latifi ’18, who was chair of the mass on Sunday. “It was incredible to see the events we’ve been talking about planning for the past year and a half to finally become something real.”
Friday brought strong winds and looming dark clouds, and Special Events Night, sometimes referred to as “Club Night” was set to take place on Slavin Lawn, but saw a change of venue to Peterson. Although the Class of 2018 may have been disappointed with the weather, but it’s grayness did not put a damper on the night itself.
“It took a lot of hands, and help, but I think it all came together nicely seeing as though we basically started from scratch on Friday morning,” said Michele Barricelli ’18, chair of the Special Events Night. She explained that she and her partner Lindsey Brestovansky ’18 put a lot of time and effort into deciding on a new floor plan that would work for the new venue, and delegated tasks that would help the event come together as quickly as possible.
“Without the help of Sharon Hay, the Student Activities task force, and the 2017 and 2018 cores, none of it would have been possible,” said Barricelli. “I am very proud of the event we were able to put on, and hope everyone understood the last minute change of plans and were still able to have a great time.”
“Club night was amazing,” said Izzo. “It seemed like everyone in Peterson was living in the moment and enjoying one another’s company.” Students agreed that the setup of Peterson was perfect for the nature of the event, and the music added to the fun atmosphere.
Formal night does always come with high expectations, especially as students are entering with high spirits from the night before. The Rhode Island Convention Center was chosen as the venue after the Core considered complaints about Twin Rivers Casino from the year before.
“At one point I overheard someone say, ‘Hey, let’s check out the casinos,’ and I’m pretty sure they thought we were at Twin Rivers,” said Caitlin Whitaker ’18. “It was so great to see everyone, though, and I’m glad I get to go to a school that does something as special as SRW.”
“Formal night was fun. I think I might have liked the previous night more,” said Izzo. He explained the dance floor was small and did not fit the whole grade. “All in all though, I enjoyed seeing my Friar Family together enjoying this time together before we all go off and become real adults.”
“It gave us all an excuse to dress up and enjoy a fun night out with friends,” said Ashleigh Arenas ’18. Part of the fun of SRW is the activity that is actually “not planned.” Getting ready in front of one mirror with your roommates, taking photos you will cherish forever on the front porches of the Eaton Street houses, or dancing to a song you forgot you loved so much are just some of the moments that can be taken away from the weekend.
For the first time, the SRW mass was held in Peterson. In the past the event took place in St. Dominic Chapel, which tended to get very overcrowded. “I was so happy to see us pull off the first ever SRW mass in Peterson,” said Latifi. It was so nice to be able to guarantee everyone who wanted one a seat for them and their parents in the mass that commemorates the ring celebration.”
Gabriella Sanchez ’18 explained that the mass was actually her favorite part of the weekend. “Father Shanley in his homily talked about how love is generous and our parents gave us the opportunity to attend Providence College and so many other sacrifices that we didn’t always deserve, and that really resonated with me,” she said.
“It was the first time I wasn’t selfishly thinking about how I looked or if I was having the best senior year ever, but just being grateful for my friends, family, and my education,” said Sanchez. “It was a chance to reflect on how I’ve grown in my time at PC and who I want to be when I walk across the stage in May and after.”
Barricelli echoed other students in saying that, in the end, it is the people that made the weekend so special. “Without my Friar Family this event would never have happened, and without my Friar Family I would have never had the chance to enjoy a night I had looked forward to for so long,” she said. “Whether you were part of the Friar Family that helped put SRW together, or the Friar Family who attended the event and made the night memorable, I am proud to be part of it.”
Featured Friar: Caitlin Shanley ’18
by The Cowl Editor on September 21, 2017
Features
Peer Mentor Reflects on Her Time at PC and Offers Life Advice
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
It’s 12:37 a.m. and honors student Caitlin Shanley ’18 is sitting cross-legged on a large gray rug in her apartment in DiTraglia Hall, where readings and the syllabus for a new class just for freshmen are spread out in front of her.
Shanley is one of a select few leaders on campus who were asked to be a teacher’s assistant for Engaging PC, a course designed to help students in their “intellectual, social, and emotional adjustment to college.” A pilot version of the class ran last year, and this is the first year in which current Providence College students are serving as peer mentors for the course.
“I guess my purpose is to be a leader,” said Shanley. “I can do this by providing insight and support both leading by example, and also offering myself as a companion to help someone navigate through their time here.” Shanley’s team includes Brigid McGrath ’20, who was part of the pilot program last year, Dr. Dana Dillon, professor of theology, and Kristine Goodwin, vice president of student affairs.
“So far we’ve talked about what is the value of a liberal arts education, and what it means to learn in a liberal arts school,” said Shanley, explaining that there are pros and cons of a liberal arts education. “We’ve talked about who we are as learners, and how to be better learners.”
The class, which will cover everything from time management to something as concrete as how to register for classes, has given Shanley a chance to reflect on her time at the College.
Born and raised in Saratoga, New York, Shanley thoughtfully described her PC experience, stressing that it has not always been easy. “The hardest part about being a PC student is feeling like so many people are having such fantastic experiences at PC,” she said. “They love the school, and they love their lives and sometimes when you aren’t having such a fantastic experience yourself, you don’t feel like you are fully part of the ‘Friar Family.’”
Yet if anyone was part of the “Friar Family” one would it expect it to be Shanley, considering she is closely related to President Fr. Brian Shanley, O.P. ’80.
“It has been truly a blessing and a curse,” Shanley said. “I value even just having family nearby, and I have been able to develop a relationship with him that I would never have been able to otherwise.” She explained that on the flip side, there have been some instances where she was hesitant to even say her last name, because she feared how people would perceive it.
“It has not impacted my experience at PC as much as I thought it would,” she said. Shanley then looked back and laughed about times during her freshman and sophomore year where she would get late night texts from random numbers or people she did not know closely who would ask if she had any inside scoop on the possibility of a snow day. “It’s funny because [Fr. Shanley] doesn’t even make the call, it’s the provost that decides that!” she exclaimed.
A psychology major and French minor, Shanley is on the executive board of Women Will, and is also an active participant of the Vagina Monologues, a performance that takes place off campus each year and is completely unconnected to the school, but driven entirely by PC students.
On Women Will, Shanley said, “It’s a community of empowered, thoughtful women who are willing to discuss life’s hardest topics.” She then explained that after seeing the Vagina Monologues her freshman year at the Avon Theater, she was totally captivated and wanted to be part of it. “I believed in the mission, and wanted theater to be part of my life,” she said, as someone who was once very involved with theater in high school.
Carolyn Grandits ’18 who has roomed with Shanley since freshman year, explained that since the beginning, she knew they would be great friends. “We had a lot of things in common, and she had a huge heart,” she said. As Shanley walked into the room, Grandits began telling the tale of when they joined the Outdoor Adventure Club on a whitewater rafting trip, which resulted in a fit of giggles.
Last fall, Shanley studied abroad in Ireland, and stated that her time there was probably the best thing that has happened to her while she was at PC. “I think personal growth is something people talk about a lot, but it is a really abstract and highbrow concept,” she explained. “I never knew what it meant until I had the opportunity to go abroad, and saw my world view and self-view mature.”
She went on to explain that it was there that she began to consider what role she wants in this world, and what she cares about when all the superficial stuff is washed away. “When you study abroad you have to grapple with your own thoughts and get to know yourself better,” she said.
An orientation leader, Shanley explained she is grateful for the opportunity to work with more first year students through this class. “I’m feeling very protective of my freshmen year self,” she said with a laugh. “College is going to be a lesson in resilience, and struggle does not mean failure. It has been such a struggle, but it’s been all about building relationships, and its been personal connection that has fed my soul.
Providence College Reacts to DACA
by The Cowl Editor on September 14, 2017
Campus
The College Responds
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
On Sept. 5, after President Trump announced he would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the Providence College community was greeted by an email from President Father Brian Shanley, O.P., who declared the stance PC is taking on the issue.
“As a Catholic institution, we reaffirm our commitment to welcome all qualified individuals to the Providence College community,” Fr. Shanley wrote, and emphasized that the College’s commitment to these students and their families will not waver. “It is imperative that they be allowed to reach their God-given potential and flourish in our community, as many of them are already doing.”
Students took action almost immediately after Trump’s announcement. In an effort to support those affected by DACA’s status, the executive boards of BMSA, BOP, Student Congress, Campus Ministry, and later Friars Club came together to plan a vigil to honor the “Dreamers.”
The vigil will occur this Sunday, September 17 at 8:15 p.m. on Slavin Lawn, and the entire campus community is encouraged to attend. Responsibilities and planning for the event were split up by the executive boards, which came together to show support for all students and their families during this uncertain time.
“We hope to encourage and promote a sense of belonging and unity throughout the campus,” the executives said in a written statement. “We believe in the power of leading by example and hope that our efforts will empower.”
“As soon as we heard the news about the end of the DACA program, we immediately thought it was important for the student leaders in Campus Ministry to be aware of the issue, and how it is an attack on the life and dignity of human beings and in contention with Catholic Social teaching,” Keith Lee, President of Campus Ministry Leadership said. “In our prayers and in discussing the issue with Father Peter Martyr and our leaders, we found it important to do something more and connect with PC community at large.”
This past Sunday, all mass collections at St. Dominic Chapel went to a relief fund for PC students affected by the termination of DACA, and these collections have continued at the daily masses throughout the week.
“It is important that PC does everything in its power to protect students who are affected by the end of DACA,” Lee said. “Not only should the school be there to help those in need of covering the various legal costs, but we should also provide emotional and loving support, reassuring all students, regardless of where they are from or what their documentation status is, that they are important members of our community who have so much to offer.”
Last Friday, September 8, the Dean of Student’s Office sponsored transportation to a “Defend DACA” rally, which was hosted by the Coalition of Advocates for Student Opportunities, at the Rhode Island State House. Students, faculty, and staff joined there along with other Rhode Islanders to support dreamers both from the College, the state, and beyond.
“There is so much more to being an American than the title of ‘citizen,’” said Gabriella Dess ’18, a student who attended the rally and stated she is a proud supporter of DACA. She explained that though people protected under DACA are not citizens of the United States, America is their home and they have proven a commitment and devotion to this country. “They deserve to live, learn, and grow in America, and it is wrong to deprive them of this opportunity,” she said.
“The DACA rally was an experience,” said Sean Richardson ’20. “It was amazing seeing people support people in such a time of uncertainty.”
Fr. Shanley insisted in his email that the College will continue to offer support to the Providence Immigration Rights Coalition (PIRC) to “meet the changing needs of our undocumented students, those with temporary protected status, our “dreamers,” and all those affected by this decision.” PIRC is a student-formed group of faculty, administrators, and students to strategize on responses to those who might be affected personally, or whose families might be affected, by the doing away with DACA.
“I feel it is vital that we take a stand in solidarity not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is what Christ compels us to do,” said Lee. He explained that the Church teaches that every human being has dignity, regardless of where they were born. “It is our obligation as Christians to protect human dignity and to take a stand when something threatens the life of any person and the dignity and unity of the family.”
Silence for Solidarity
by The Cowl Editor on September 4, 2017
Campus
PC Community Walks Together for Social Change
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
Only one day into the academic year, members of the Providence College community received an email from the BMSA Executive Board, inviting all to a Solidarity Walk, which took place this past Thursday, August 31. The walk allowed the community to reflect on the events that occurred this summer in Barcelona and Charlottesville, Virginia, and challenge one another to foster social change.
In the email, the student leaders said, “The events that took place in Charlottesville and Barcelona are inexcusable actions and it is through these times that we should come together as a community and engage in dialogue (not debate) despite our differences.”
Thursday night at 8:30 p.m., students, faculty, and staff gathered outside the glass doors of the Slavin Atrium, and listened intently as Chalayna Smart ’18, treasurer of BMSA, stood before the group and said, “Tonight we stand in solidarity for victims of violence.” Smart recognized Kayla Luciano ’18, president of OLAS for organizing the event, and explained that this walk would be a silent one.
“Take this time to live in one’s shared experience,” Fartun Abdulle ’19, vice president of BMSA, said as she addressed the group. “Take the time to get to know how those around you are feeling, and then talk about how you feel.” She emphasized that there is power in numbers, and that there were in fact numbers there.
The walk stretched throughout all of campus. The group moved through Slavin and Alumni (members holding doors for one another as the group entered) then walked across Slavin Lawn, across Aquinas Lawn and past Saint Dominic Chapel, then cut in front of Raymond Dining Hall and ended outside of the doors to the business school. Friends greeted friends as they passed; as Smart later reflected, “This is the first time no one screamed at us as we walked by, that’s progress.”
“This is a good time for reflection on those things we were not physically there to experience,” said Ivan Vukusic ’18. “College is supposed to change the way you think for the better, and I’m glad I had the chance to participate in a walk like this during my time here.”
Once at the business school, the group circled around the stone benches found by the front door, and organizers of the event welcomed participants to stand and speak their reflections. All the while, Onassis Valerio ’18 held up a sign that displayed the words, “Spread Love Not Hate.”
Prior to the reflections, a group of women sang a rendition to classic gospel hymns including “Oh Freedom” and “Wade in the Water.” Their voices echoed as far to the back of the crowd where administrators such as Father Brian Shanley, O.P., Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., Kristine Goodwin, Steven Sears, and Tiffany Gaffney stood amidst the group of students and staff.
“PC has grown so much since I’ve been here,” said Sara Jean Francois ’19. “This is a student led march of solidarity and that means something.”
Students then took turns standing on the stone benches and addressing the crowd. Sean Richardson ’20 started the trend, emphasizing that silence is violence. “This is serious,” he said. “It is so nice to see students here that are not of color. Thank you for supporting us.”
Later, Gabe Alvarez ’20 stood, and explained that he has learned a lot from his grandmother, especially the significance of the blue in the Colombian flag. “The blue in the middle represents the people and the water that connects us,” he said. “Water runs through everyone. We don’t make progress through hatred, but by seeing the blue in each other.”
Keeping with the theme of water, Chaplain Father Peter Martyr Yungwirth, O.P., later explained that the spiritual “Wade in the Water” is normally associated with the Underground Railroad and has strong connections with the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, but the version the students sang reminded him of the image of Jesus healing the sick man at the Pool of Bethsaida. “God stirred up even more powerful waters, and it shows that the healing that is needed comes from Christ,” he said. “Imagine what our campus would be like if Jesus could touch all our hearts like that.”
Two freshmen spoke, and were encouraged and applauded by their peers for their bravery. “I can feel the love,” one said. The other emphasized that racism does exist at PC, and shared an experience she has already encountered this past week, “But it means so much to me to see all this support here tonight,” she said.
Students were welcomed to voice their frustrations; one expressed her distress that solidarity walks still need to happen and said, “I hate feeling like I don’t belong.”
Another student shared her story about a time when someone told her that she only got accepted to PC due to affirmative action. “Good grades can make it,” she said, and went on to explain that marches of solidarity like this one allow her to know that this is the place she wants to be. “Yeah we got problems, but shit, who else doesn’t?” she asked the crowd.
Mostly students spoke, but two staff members from the Office of Admissions did stand and thank the students for what they were doing. Both highlighted the fact that that PC does love all its students, and that everyone is an equal member of our campus community. “It is so beautiful to see this representation,” said Karen Vargas, associate dean of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment.
The event ended with pizza as a gift from the Dean’s Office, which was brought out by members of the Office of Safety and Security who were at the event. Students embraced and interacted with one another and the faculty and staff who were present.
It was emphasized, however, that although the walk was successful, work still needs to be done.
“This is easy. This was a silent walk, you didn’t even have to speak,” Adriel Antoine ’18 said. He explained that this same kind of energy should be found in the classroom, in the hallway, even on Eaton Street. “When you’re on your own and you hear something said that isn’t right, that’s what’s difficult. I challenge everyone here to speak up when you are alone just as we are all speaking up here,” he said.
A Beacon of Light and Truth
by The Cowl Editor on August 31, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
Calabria Family Gives Donation For Construction of a Torch on Slavin Lawn
Slavin Lawn has been the home to a wide variety of campus activity at Providence College, from lounging and playing yard games during the first days of spring, to carnivals and cookouts that kick off the school year. In celebration of PC’s next century, Slavin Lawn will now be home to a new addition to the College’s architecture, an addition symbolizing light, truth, and the Dominican tradition.
Construction of the Calabria Plaza, which includes a giant sculpture of a torch, is currently underway, and the project is set to be completed by the beginning of November. “The construction of the Torch and Plaza during our Centennial Year will mark the ending of our first century and the beginning of the opportunities available to Providence College over the next 100 years,” said John Sweeney, chief financial officer of the College. “It is meant as place to remember as well as to inspire.”
Joseph ’65 and ’93P and Sugar ’93P Calabria were inspired by the image of the torch, and donated this “birthday gift” to the College to kick off the public portion of the Providence College Capital Campaign. “The Calabria family wanted to create a dramatic symbol to inspire the Providence College Community and honor all of the Dominican Friars who have served us,” said Sweeney. “Joe and Sugar have been very generous to Providence College over the years and felt this was a lasting way to recognize the important role the College and the Dominicans have had in their lives.”
The donation from the Calabria family will cover the cost of the project in its entirety (and will be in the range of $500,000 to $1,000,000). Sweeney stated that the Calabrias have made donations to virtually every major area of the College.
In keeping with the function and purpose of Slavin Lawn as a public gathering place, the Calabria family wanted the area surrounding the torch to be a place where all members of the College community could come to gather and to reflect on the torch as a symbol of light and truth. Around the bench seating, the plaza will hold a wall of black granite with inscriptions that include a list of Dominican saints, PC’s Alma Mater, and inspirational quotes.
The torch, the official symbol of Providence College, is very much associated with the Dominican Order and its founder, St. Dominic. Sweeney explained that before Dominic’s birth, his mother, Jane of Aza, had a vision of a hound racing through the world with a flaming torch in its mouth that “ignited everything it touched.”
“I think our flame is a big part of who we are as Friars, so it is cool that we are adding something like this to our campus atmosphere,” said Kasey Cardin ’18. “I don’t know if this is something our campus necessarily needed, but I’m excited to see what it looks like when it is finished.” She explained that she is glad she’ll get to see the completed project during her senior year.
Megan Manning ’18 shared a view similar to Cardin’s. “It’s going to look really good on campus, but I think there is better use of our financial resources,” she said, and expressed that there were other aspects of the College that could have benefitted from the gift. “I’m really excited to see the torch, but do we really need the torch?”
The idea of building the torch was incorporated into the Campus Transformation plan during the Fall of 2014. The original concept showed that the torch would have a living and eternal flame, but according to Sweeney, there was a thought that the flame might be insensitive to the memory of the 10 students who lost their lives in the 1977 Aquinas fire.
Stephen Forneris ’90 and ’18P, an architect involved with the Ruane Friar Development Center, was asked by Sweeney to conceptualize the torch symbol in an abstract way, and his version of the torch was adopted with some modifications by SLAM Collaborative and sculptor Brian Hanlon. Sweeney mentioned that Mark Rapoza, assistant vice president of capital projects and facilities magement at the College, has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition, and Associate Athletic Director Steve Napolillo secured support for this project.
“It will be an interesting visual on Slavin,” said Aine Redington ’20. “It’s cool to see the construction happening, and nice to know it will be completed this semester.” She also mentioned that she will be interested to see how it changes the dynamic of “Slavin Beach,” as during the warmer days in the spring semester, Slavin Lawn fills up with blankets and lounging students who are soaking in all the rays they can before finals.
“It is the symbol of the light of truth,” said Sweeney. “As a Dominican institution, we strive to form our students into seekers of truth, insight, enlightenment, and understanding.” He explained it is for this reason the College’s seal representing Veritas will be found on the sculpture, and also explained that the torch is a symbol of the preaching of grace. “The Friars are called to ‘set the world ablaze’ with their preaching of the good news,” he said.
Committed to Being Green
by The Cowl Editor on August 31, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
With Bioswales, PC Fosters an Effective Storm Management System
In Laudato Si, Pope Francis writes, “We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.” He goes on to express that the world belongs to all who inhabit the Earth, and calls upon each and every one of us protect the environment and combat climate change.
After the tragic Hurricane Harvey occurred last week, a New York Times article reported that more than a trillion gallons of rain fell in Harris County, Texas, in four days, which is equivalent to running Niagara Falls for 15 days.
With the media circulating with similar reports, Pope Francis’ words continue to be relevant.
Providence College has been a leader in implementing effective storm management systems, earlier this month, the Clean Water Action Rhode Island recently recognized Gale Gennaro, director of the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, with its Institutional Leader of the Year award for her work in the College’s storm water management system. Specifically, she received the award for ensuring stormwater efforts are sustained, specifically as the campus grows and transforms.
With PC’s current Campus Transformation project well underway, the administration has been dedicated to preserving green space on campus and has worked hard to develop bioswales throughout the campus, which naturally drain and filter storm water before running into the Narragansett Bay.
During large rainfalls, rain runs off of roofs, paved surfaces, and lawns and picks up water pollutants such as salt, lawn fertilizers, and oils along the way. Although water does go to a treatment plant before entering the bay, during storms with especially heavy rainfalls, storm management systems are of the utmost importance.
Bioretention performs two important functions: controlling water quantity (flood prevention) and improving water quality by removing pollutants and nutrients associated with stormwater run-off. “I would love students to be more aware of the importance of managing storm water,” said Gennaro.
The bioswales are found throughout the campus, most notably behind Harkins, behind Ruane, and in front of Davis. Gennaro explained that the first bioswale was created in 2009, during the additions to the Slavin Center, and after a 2003 regulation made by the Narragansett Bay Commission which required a system be put in place on how institutions deal with storm water.
Almost 10 years later, the College has continued in its efforts to make the campus green, by creating new bioswales with the creation of new buildings and construction on campus.
“It is so great to see that PC is so committed to being green,” said Father Mark Nowel, O.P., the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies and a biologist who is a strong advocate for the bioswales on campus. “We could do the easy thing and make parking lots and new buildings, but every time we build something on green land, we have a responsibility to the environment.”
Gennaro echoed Fr. Nowel’s remarks, and also explained that the bioswales offer an abundance of educational opportunities. “There are lots of opportunities for research, be it the sciences of the plants or insects, or water quality studies,” she said. “There are so many ways for students to learn more.”
She also explained that the biology department is a large part of the project, and works closely in choosing the appropriate local plants to be included in the bioswales. “The College has done an excellent job choosing local plants for the bioswales that thrive in the water,” Fr. Nowel said.
With green infrastructure growing in popularity, Gennaro explained this is the course to take with regards to choosing the right storm management system that was right for PC. She explained one option was creating a runoff system that would filter heavy rain water into a concrete vault underground, but the implementation of bioswales seemed like the better choice.
“Not only are they educational and ecological, but they are also aesthetically pleasing,” she said.
Fr. Nowel pointed out that although new buildings on campus are nice to look at, the bioswales represent a natural beauty that comes from God. “I love being a biology teacher, because I can talk about the science behind God’s creation and the beauty of it,” he said. “I love knowing students love being in a beautiful environment.”
Fr. Nowel went onto say that we should be growing in green consciousness and look to what Pope Francis writes in Laudato Si. “Our students should be at the forefront of making efforts to think and be green, especially as our population is growing,” he said.
“As we grow and build new buildings and as our campus expands as a whole, I’d like to look at the bigger picture than just a few bioswales,” said Gennaro. She explained that our campus is unique, and we should view it as a watershed when fostering effective green infrastructure to protect the Narragansett Bay.
“Look at what happened in Houston,” said Fr. Nowel. “If half of our campus is paved and if there is 50 inches of rainfall, our campus is really getting 100 inches of rain. Therefore storm management is so important to understand and implement.”
Joshua Davis Encourages Students to “Show Up”
by The Cowl Editor on August 31, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
News Editor
Writer of Spare Parts Addresses Students at the 2017-2018 Academic Convocation
“Education is primarily a collaborative endeavor,” said Father Brian Shanley, O.P., president of Providence College, as he stood before the campus community Monday afternoon at Academic Convocation. His remarks were inspired by this year’s Common Reading book, Spare Parts, and he explained that what he found most significant about the story was the relationship between the students and their teachers.
Prior to his remarks, a video played highlighting all the major centennial events that occurred just last year, including the Black & White Ball, the Presidential Speaker Series, and the Our Moment Centennial Celebration. The message of the video was clear, as the Class of 2021 is the class that will bring PC into its second century.
To ensure another century of academic achievement, Fr. Shanley asserted that to find success, we can look to the young men in Spare Parts for guidance. “I was inspired by how active the young men were in their learning, and how their teachers taught them how to learn,” he said. “They were challenged to figure things out on their own, and learn how to learn.”
Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream, is a true story written by Joshua Davis, who was the keynote speaker Monday afternoon. The novel tells the tale of the four Latino teenagers who beat MIT in the Marine Advanced Technology Education Robotics Competition in 2004, and deals with themes such as immigration, lack of resources in inner-city high schools, and, as the title suggests, the battle for the American dream.
“So, who read the book?” Davis boldly asked the crowd when it was his turn to speak. After a few honest brave souls raised their hands, he joked with his audience and said, “A good piece of advice, never answer that question in college.”
Davis has been writing for over 15 years, and after writing for the magazine Wired, he currently owns his own magazine and is a movie producer. “I did not intend to become a journalist,” Davis said. “I majored in economics in college because I knew nothing about it.”
He got a good laugh from the crowd when he explained that the problem with studying macroeconomics is that once one graduates, one is only qualified to run a small European company, and began his tale as to how he ended up doing data entry at a phone company for work. “What was curious was that if I typed the wrong number into the computer, it would beep at me, which would lead me to conclude that somehow the data was already being typed in, which prompted me to see how long it would take before I went crazy,” Davis joked.
Perhaps what made his speech relatable to a freshman class beginning their college experience, was that even if students did not read his book, Davis offered advice that can be applied to many aspects of college. “Just show up,” he said. He explained how he came to win fourth place in the United States National Arm Wrestling Championship without ever winning an arm wrestling match, and how that led him to compete in Poland for 17th place in the World Arm Wrestling Championship (again, without ever winning an arm wrestling match) and all he had to do was show up.
Eventually this quirky story led to his position at Wired, where he would write about this experience and would eventually lead him to cover the war in Iraq. “Just by showing up, I was led to a career that I didn’t at all plan.”
He related his own experience to the experiences of the boys in Spare Parts, who risked deportation by showing up to a robotics competition at the collegiate level, but pointed out if they hadn’t shown up, who would have beat MIT? “Imagine being that passionate about your education,” he said.
“I was glad the freshmen got to hear his story, and glad I got to hear it too,” said Jerod Magazine ’19, an orientation leader who attended Convocation. “The speaker was relatable, and it was cool he didn’t just talk about the book, but his life story.”
Davis ended his speech by encouraging the audience to push themselves to “show up.” “So I leave you with this idea: push yourself into something that’s uncomfortable and surprising things will happen,” he said. “Today is the beginning of that journey for you.”
Fr. Philip Neri and Kelly Hughes Discuss Change at Last Theology on Tap
by thecowl.news on May 4, 2017
Campus
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Assistant News Editor
Ten minutes before the last Theology on Tap of the semester, every chair in McPhail’s was already filled and students were making room for their friends on the floor as more and more students filed into the campus bar to hear Fr. Philip Neri Reese, O.P. and Campus Minister Kelly Hughes ’11 answer the question, “Why does change suck?”
After this semester, Reese and Hughes will both be experiencing big change themselves as they leave Providence College to move on to other life endeavors. Unlike most Theology on Taps in which one person lectures about a topic and then fields questions from the students in attendance, Reese and Hughes interviewed each other about the change they were facing and how God was part of that change.
After earning her psychology degree from PC in 2011, Hughes went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Theology from Boston College before returning to PC in 2014.
She explained that she first experienced great change when she first left PC, and shared a personal story of feeling extremely bittersweet at a restaurant with her family the night before commencement. “It rocked me,” she said. “Who was Kelly Hughes without Providence College?”
She explained that change often feels like a pull between both a celebration and grieving a loss. On one hand, there are exciting opportunities to come, but on the other hand, it feels as if the comforts of the last four years are being abandoned. “I had to become a person who was new to me, and that scared me,” she said. “I saw everything as a loss, especially what I thought would be my last chicken nugget Thursday!”
In keeping with the design of Theology on Tap, Hughes explained how God worked through her during this time. “God is bigger than my plans I have for myself,” she explained. “The change was calling me to know God more deeply.” She explained how change becomes a bit easier when one sees that an act of change is an act of faith.
Fr. Philip Neri listened intently during Hughes’ story and joked that he did not come as prepared as she did, and told those present that if his cup was empty at any point during the evening, it was someone’s responsibility to fill it. He took the question about change head-on, and explained that change sucks so much because we aren’t made for change. We’re made for eternity, and that can make letting go of what you once had so challenging.
The campus chaplain works closely with Hughes through the new peer ministry program, and also teaches philosophy at the College. Since coming to PC last year, Fr. Philip Neri has been a friendly face on campus, but will be leaving next year to begin the work to obtain his doctorate at the University of Notre Dame.
Hughes asked him a tough question during the talk, and asked him what about change he was most afraid of. “I’m afraid of wasting my years as a young priest in grad school,” he said. Fr. Philip Neri explained that by the time he gets back to PC after obtaining his doctorate, he will be 37. “So then I basically have about five years and then I’m just some old guy,” he said. “Part of what I love about what I do is giving you guys the youth of my priesthood.”
A sweet part of the night occurred when both Hughes and Fr. Philip Neri shared what about PC they would miss the most. Hughes shared her love for Providence sunsets and La Salle Bakery. Fr. Philip Neri explained his love for being the Chaplain on Call during traumatic events on campus and how he has appreciated that part of his ministry. “Being with students during such an intense and wounded time is something I have come to love,” he said.
The conversation got very deep when Fr. Philip Neri said to Hughes, “So, Kelly, want to talk about a guy?” Of course this lead to “ooohs” from the crowd, which then erupted with laughter when Hughes responded back, “Well, I’m clearly not meeting anyone at work.”
She did explain how a beautiful and holy marriage is something she looks forward to, and is extremely thankful for her friends she sees every Wednesday. “You’re my sisters in Christ and I love you all,” she said to the friends of hers who came to the event.
Hughes gave Fr. Philip Neri a tough question as well, asking about the difficulties of being a priest. “Vocation can be hard,” he said. “Anything that we are called to do is hard, as the Christian life is all about bearing the cross.” He explained he thought loneliness would be the challenge for him, but has learned that in life, turns out everyone is lonely. “We can’t be fully ourselves with anyone. There will always be part of us that is misunderstood.”
At the end of the evening, students in Campus Ministry and Campus Chaplain Fr. Peter Martyr, O.P. presented both Hughes and Fr. Philip Neri with balloons, flowers, and cake, and those in attendance thanked both speakers for the lasting impact they made at PC. Even though there was a lot of conversation, Fr. Philip Neri’s drink was refilled twice.
McPhail’s stayed filled as everyone helped themselves to cake, and the love for both Hughes and Fr. Philip Neri was very present in the room. Both agreed that change does suck, but it was made evident by all the people there to celebrate at Theology on Tap that their time spent at PC was good. “Give yourself to God, and the change won’t be as bad as you think. When God gives you the space you need to grow, there is so much in life you can conquer,” said Hughes.
Friar Flashback: PC Golf Party
by thecowl.news on April 27, 2017
News
by Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Assistant News Editor
Smirking pink whales, pastel dresses with prints of flowers and nautical scenes, pearls, and monogrammed everything have become essential elements of the attire one wears to the infamous and evolving Golf Party. Organized by students off-campus, the event has become a bi-annual tradition, once in the fall and once in the spring, centering around themes of warm weather, drinking, and preppy dressing.
Beginning in the early to mid-1990s, Golf Party has changed throughout its existence on Eaton Street, and even within the past four years, golfing Friars have experienced a different kind of party than the Ghosts of Golf Parties Past. From starting the party as early as 6:30 a.m. in the spring of 2015, to continuing the festivities in the rain this year, Golf Party is very different from what it once was.
“It was nothing like it is today,” said Todd Incantalupo ’98, former assistant director of the Office of Student Activities. “It got the name, Golf Party, because there were nine houses set up, each with a keg. 18 would have been a bit much.”
Many of today’s Friars know the legend of what golf used to be. “Tee-off” would begin at one house, and the group that gathered there would drink the keg until it was gone, and would then move onto the next house. “I think part of the idea came from the fact that when you get a large group of people together to drink, the cops usually break it up and take your beer,” said Incantalupo. “So to combat this, the group would hang out at a house, drink the keg until it was gone, or the cops broke it up, and then would move onto the next location.”
Two years ago, the College created its own event, Friar Fest, to give students another option for springtime fun. The event involves music and food trucks and was implemented to keep students on campus instead of roaming the streets surrounding campus and potentially disturbing the residents who live there.
An increase in law enforcement, especially seen in the past few years, is likely the result of the change students have seen in the party.
“Usually just the organizers knew where the kegs were so it was sort of a surprise to see where you were headed,” said Incantalupo. He explained the whole process of the event was much more “underground” and seemed more manageable.
Incantalupo explained that, from an outsider’s perspective, it seems the theme of the event has remained “golf,” but the attire has become a much more integral part of the event. “The ‘golf’ concept has gone from the set-up of the party—nine houses with kegs—to wear country club attire and walk the streets,” he said. “It had nothing to do with dressing up in my brightest polo or her in her Lily dress.”
David Cabral, professor of the History of Costume and Design through the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film since 1984, gave his input on the phenomena of the “golf attire.” He explained that when Golf Party first became relevant, what people wore was not as large as a component, and was less about what women were wearing, than the men. “Around about 2000, women in my costume class used to come in and ask about the brands they should wear,” he said.
“The women all seemed to feel like they needed to wear Lilly Pulitzer,” he said. He spoke about how his class discussed the “Jackie Kennedy” look and how the Golf Party itself is reflective of what PC students were actually wearing. “It was all visors and Ralph Lauren for the men, but it seems Vineyard Vines is the newest trend.”
“It’s also much more colorful today, and definitely has lots of bright and springtime colors,” he said. Cabral explained that the clothing people wear for Golf Party is a heightened version of what a “typical PC student” looks like. “If you got every student across the state of Rhode Island to stand in a row, you’d be able to point out who is from PC, who’s from Johnson and Wales, and who is from Rhode Island College,” Cabral said.
It makes sense then that the fashion choices at Golf Party are changing and evolving along with the event. Traditions in general have evolved at PC, as there were many events in the past that might have been just as popular as Golf Party, but are now long forgotten.
Karen Dumais ’87, who works in the Student Activities Office, explained that Golf Party was far from existing when she went to PC, but the big event students got excited for was Done With Civ. “The College would actually bus us all over to an open field and we’d celebrate the end of the year with picnic-like activities,” she said. “It was fun, and people looked forward to it.”
Interestingly, “Done With Civ” was school-sponsored, and was very different than the “Done With Civ” on the Aquinas quad that students organized.
Incantalupo explained that after he graduated in the mid 2000s, “Ridiculousfest” was a popular party that took place on the last day of school. Even more popular was BOP’s Stag Dance, which brought all four grades together, like the Black and White Ball, but it took place every year. “It sort of kicked off the school year.”
Another popular event that does not take place anymore was the Blind Date Dance. “A male dorm would be paired up with a female dorm and your roomies would set you up on a blind date,” Incantalupo said.
“It’s ‘traditions’ like these that make PC what it is,” said Incantalupo. “It’s a fun place to be and to go to school.” He explained the importance of working with the school instead of against it, as PC has the best interest of the students at heart. “Everyone wants a good time, but you have to be reasonable and mindful of the bigger picture.”