2022 – 2023 Impact Stories
2022 – 2023 Impact Stories
Justin Andries ’23
Designing His Future
For Justin Andries ’23, Providence College was a home away from home. He wanted to find friends that would eventually turn into family — friends he could call at any time of the day, who were honest and could put him in his place if necessary. “I wanted a space, so that for my next four years, I could be free to be anyone I wanted to be,” said Justin when asked why he chose to attend PC. Gratefully, he found all that and more.
Justin started his PC journey through the Friar Foundations Program (FFP), a program dedicated to helping ease the transition from high school to college. Supported by the philanthropy of the Friar community, Friar Foundations allowed Justin the opportunity to move to campus early, meet some of his classmates who are still his friends today, and earn six credits before the start of his first semester. Beginning his first year at Providence College as a biology and sociology double major, Justin felt an initial lack of direction regarding life after high school graduation. After much contemplation and many sessions with his advisors, Justin decided to create his own major in global health, crediting this decision to Dr. Levine, Dr. Edwards, Dr. Toth, Dr. Agartan, and many more.
Passionate about equity, Justin wants to be remembered as a global health advocate, raising critical awareness about how healthcare systems fail to provide for black and brown individuals and address racial health disparities at both the local and global levels. When asked about the impact that the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences will have, Justin believes that the Center will enhance global health discourse at Providence College. “The [programs] focus on the care of others and respect for the dignity of every person, and will produce skilled, empathetic, committed healers who will have a profound impact on healthcare systems overall,” he said.
Last, but not at all least, Justin is thankful for the William ’77 and Claudia Concannon ’08P Endowed Scholarship he received which allowed him to financially fund his education at Providence College and study abroad in London, England.
Christopher V. Barletta & Alaina M. Barletta ’18P, ’22P
Parent Pride
For Christopher V. and Alaina M. Barletta ’18P, ’22P, the college’s resources, mission, and values, as well as the education their children received, set Providence College apart. As parents of five, including Matthew ’18 and Lindsay ’22, the Barlettas consider the lifelong friendships their children built with faculty, staff, and fellow students to be the most special characteristic of PC.
For two years, Christopher and Alaina served as co-chairs of the Parent Leadership Council. Aside from becoming philanthropic leaders of the college, they were also vital in engaging the parent community. “This was a great way to get involved and connect with others, while offering insight into what’s happening at the college and learning from other parents and their children’s experiences,” said Alaina.
In 2022, Christopher and Alaina established the Barletta Family Endowed Scholarship Fund to honor their hard work, strong faith, and love of Providence College. As for their motivation in establishing the scholarship fund, Chris said that “Providence College gives each person the care they deserve.” He and Alaina were compelled to give back because they trust the college’s decisions in allocating financial resources. Aside from their wish to help provide every student — current and future — with tools to succeed, the Barlettas hope their philanthropy will create a lasting legacy at Providence College.
Honoring Col. Gerald F. Dillon ’68, ’74G, ’95P, ’26GP
As Told By Col. Ryan S. Dillon ’95 PC Reserve
In January of this year, the late Col. Gerald F. Dillon ’68, ’74G, ’95P, ’26GP established the Col. Gerald F. Dillon ’68, ’74G, ’95P, ’26GP and Col. Ryan S. Dillon ’95 Providence College Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Endowed Fund. The fund was established to support a Providence College student in his/her final year as he/she transitions from an ROTC cadet to a newly commissioned 2LT on active duty. Specifically, this funding covers the cost of the cadet’s first set of uniforms.
“When you immediately enter the service, there’s quite a few things on your packing list, so in an effort to help PC ROTC grads as they enter the military service, my dad was hopeful that providing them with uniforms is something that they will benefit from and be able to use immediately,” said Col. Ryan S. Dillon ’95.
Aside from Col. Dillon’s love and care for his family, he was deeply dedicated to the Class of 1968 at Providence College and everyone he served within the military. These relationships helped define him as a person. He recognized the formative impact they had and he wanted to give back. When asked about the legacy left by his father, Ryan states, “There’s a great quote by Maya Angelou, ‘If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.’ And I think my father has done just that through the establishment of this fund.”
Reflecting on his own time in PC’s ROTC program, Ryan was amazed at how prepared he was upon graduating – partly in thanks to his father’s mentorship, but also thanks to the curriculum that prepared cadets to move into leadership roles in the military. “Beyond the push-ups and the sit-ups, the professor of military science and similar leaders at PC set an example for me and the other cadets in the program,” he noted.
In addition to Col. Dillon and his son, there are two other generations of Dillons with strong ties to Providence College. Col. Dillon’s mother, Kathleen “Kay” Dillon, worked on campus for four decades. Her husband, James J. Dillon ’33, ’35G, was an alumnus who served in the U.S. Navy. And, Col. Dillon’s granddaughter Kylie Fitzpatrick ’26 is a current student at PC.
Nicholas Ombajin ’24
Passport to Connect
Nicholas Ombajin ’24 had a unique experience entering college during the first year of a global pandemic. Knowing he wanted to be more involved than he was in high school, Nicholas challenged himself to seek more through his education at Providence College. “I started to get out of my comfort zone, trying to meet new people and discover new clubs,” says Nicholas. Though difficult, he found lifelong friends through joining Student Congress and Horizons, a program that supports multicultural undergraduate students in their matriculation through PC. Nicholas also became a Student Alumni Ambassador this year. Gifts to the Student Alumni Ambassador Fund provide members with the opportunity to bridge the gap between alumni and students, while actively raising awareness about giving back to PC. “My hope for future Friars is that they get out of their comfort zone and experience the unique opportunity that attending Providence College presents,” said Nicholas.
As a business major specializing in marketing, Nicholas has been exposed to a wide range of academic disciplines, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management. “The professors in the School of Business really challenge you, and also want to help you as much as they can,” he says. Reflecting on his study abroad experience in Barcelona, Spain, Nicholas gained a better understanding of marketing and business through the lens of another country.
When asked to sum up his time at Providence College in just a few words, Nicholas described it as “enriching and engaging.” Thanks to the generous donors who support the co-curricular experience, students like Nicholas are able to break out of their comfort zone, try new things, and truly experience all that Providence College has to offer.
Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
Civil Discourse
For years, Quincy Bevely, Ph.D., vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, and Nick Longo, Ph.D. ’96, professor of global studies and public and community service studies, have taught students across academic disciplines to solve problems through dialogue and deliberation. Now, with the help of a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, they are helping faculty, staff, and students embed these techniques in other classes, on campus, and in their student organizations.
“Our country is becoming more and more polarized with divisions being built that seem insurmountable,” said Dr. Longo. “Young people are our best hope to address the challenges we face, and that’s why the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy Lab is so committed to educating the next generation to be engaged, democratic citizens. With Conversations for Change, we are creating spaces for students to talk across differences, learn from one another, and then act on the difficult and complex issues affecting our world.”
Conversations for Change is designed to foster skills for active citizenship, offering faculty, staff, and students professional development in dialogue and deliberation. “To prepare our future leaders for successful careers and active citizenship, colleges and universities must teach students how to grapple with opposing viewpoints and respond constructively,” said Arthur Vining Davis Foundations President and CEO Dr. Michael Murray. “We are pleased to see institutions like Providence College implementing campus-wide civil discourse programming that will lead to an authentic culture shift.”
“We are excited to embark on this civically purposeful work at Providence College,” said Dr. Bevely. “Like many other colleges, Providence College reflects the polarization of the broader society. With this support from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, we are engaging our community in conversations around contentious topics.
Conversations for Change provides students with abundant opportunities and diverse resources to foster healthy dialogue that evokes empathy, listening, understanding, and active citizenship. Every facet of our work is designed to create positive social change by educating our next generation of leaders in civil discourse that addresses intricate issues influencing society.”
Phionna-Cayola Claude ’18, ’21G, Simran Madhani ’18, Clare Rochford ’18, & Jenna Shanley ’18, ’20G
Class of 2018 Reunion Gift
Each year, alumni, families, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Providence College come together for Friars Give, an annual day of giving that creates space for growth and exploration, supports students, and moves the entire Friar community forward. This year, more than 2,700 donors helped raise nearly $2.6 million for the college and its students. A highlight of this year’s giving day was four women from the Class of 2018 raising enough to unlock their 5th year reunion giving challenge – one of seven reunion class giving challenges that took place during Friars Give.
Thinking back to their days on campus, Phionna-Cayola Claude ’18, ’21G, Simran Madhani ’18, Clare Rochford ’18, and Jenna Shanley ’18, ’20G credit their meaningful college experiences with more than just the lifelong friendships they’ve made with each other. Jenna reflected, “The administration at Providence College really pivoted my career… being able to have such a close relationship with our dean of students was really what changed my whole life.” Clare considers her internship with Alex and Ani, made available through a course she was taking sophomore year, as the catalyst of her career.
For Simran, it was a professor who remembered she wanted to work in health policy in Washington, D.C. The professor connected Simran to a colleague in D.C., where she now resides and works at a consulting firm for health policy and reimbursement. “You can pick up the phone or connect with someone on LinkedIn that has Providence College listed in their profile and they’re so helpful and willing to talk or give advice, and I think that is what makes the Providence College community so special,” Simran added.
When asked what they each hope to accomplish through their philanthropy, Clare noted, “I want to give back to a place that gave me so much.” In her words, it’s the best way to ensure current and future Friars have the same – or even better – access to the opportunities and experiences she did. Simran stated that Providence College makes the unfamiliar comfortable, and while welcoming sentiments can do just that, it also takes financial support to provide the resources that make such a nurturing environment possible.
From maintaining the top-notch faculty and staff that Phionna, Simran, Clare, and Jenna were fortunate enough to encounter, to expanding extracurricular offerings, to the upkeep of campus — none of this happens without alumni giving back to The Fund for Providence College.
Maryna Pezzullo ’27
Rainy Day Fund
For Maryna Pezzullo ’27, the words “thank you” do not seem like enough for the support she received after appealing her original financial aid award this past January. Experiencing a major hardship when her family’s septic system failed last winter, Maryna’s parents’ “rainy day fund” was nearly depleted. After reading through the appeal process and noticing the one-time home repair appeal, she felt that her family’s circumstances qualified. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Maryna received the help she needed through The Fund for Providence College – Emergency Student Support, assisting her and her family in paying for her first year at Providence College. These resources are available to students thanks to invaluable – and powerful – gifts made to The Fund for Providence College, PC’s annual fund. Gifts to The Fund for Providence College sustain everything that makes a PC education distinctive.
Maryna’s parents are both hardworking people who have always put education first, with her mother returning to school later in life to earn a master’s degree and additional teaching certifications, and her father about to begin his master’s degree program in the near future. Not only do her parents provide basic necessities for her and her brothers, but they also financially support their passions, which for Maryna, is dance.
“When I attended Providence College’s open house last fall, I knew PC was the perfect fit for me,” says Maryna, who cited the appeal of the prestigious business school, the dance opportunities, and the Catholic identity of the college. To say Maryna and her family were relieved when they received emergency funding is an understatement. “I have always worked so hard in school, in dance, and in everything I set my mind to, and it was incredibly rewarding to be recognized for the hard work it took to be accepted to Providence College and attend this past fall,” said Maryna. Thanks to the generous support of donors to The Fund for Providence College – Emergency Student Support, students like Maryna are able to continue their education at Providence College despite unexpected hardships — alleviating families’ concerns about affordability in especially challenging times.
Sophia Gaines ’24
Future of Friars Club
First-generation college student Sophia Gaines ’24 credits Providence College with making her the woman she is today. Aside from being an elementary and special education major with a business and innovation minor, her involvement in Friars Club, Women Empowered, and Horizons are just a few of the extracurriculars keeping her busy.
A true leader both on and off campus, Sophia is the president of Friars Club, overseeing more than seventy students who dedicate their time and energy to serving Providence College. As a member of the organization, Sophia gives prospective students a look into the life of current students on campus while building and fostering strong relationships. While at Providence College, Sophia found a community and a passion in helping others. Through her leadership, Sophia states that she can put all her energy into doing what she loves — making spaces more welcoming and building community within the student body. “The reason I’m able to be involved on campus is because I don’t have to worry about going out and finding a job while I’m in school. This is thanks to the incredible generosity of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Providence College,” she says. Sophia hopes donors understand that their donations are changing the experience for students, so much so that when she is financially able, she would be honored to give back to Providence College – a place that gives her so much.
Women’s Cross Country 4×1500 Victory
Relay the Impact
In April, Jane Buckley ’26, Shannon Flockhart ’24, Kimberley May ’25, and Alex O’Neill ’23 became the Championship of America 4×1500 meter winners at the Penn Relays, establishing a new school record and first victory in this event since 1991. According to Ray Treacy, Head Coach and Director of Cross Country & Track, Penn Relays is one of the most important meets on their schedule every year. “To come away with a championship win in the 4×1500 meter was very exciting for the ladies and the program,” says Coach Treacy. “Bringing back the wheel after 32 years made the victory greater and setting a program record was an achievement that made all the sacrifices of training worth it,” says May.
Thanks to generous donors, there are a multitude of resources available to student-athletes like Jane, Shannon, Kimberley, and Alex. “I work at both the Innovation Lab and Fueling Station so not only do I get to utilize the resources, but I also get the chance to experience firsthand the benefits provided to student-athletes in order to contribute to our success,” says O’Neill. While Kimberley utilizes all resources, she frequents the Fueling Station as it is important as a student-athlete to be fueling correctly. “Having this station available to us makes it extremely easy to get the snacks and drinks needed,” says May.
These four student-athletes come from three different countries. When talking about their experience of coming to Providence College from another country, Alex initially found it to be daunting to leave behind friends and family at 18 years old. However, she has found that this experience has led her to grow in many ways both on and off the track. “It is an incredible opportunity for us to receive an education at Providence College and the support to follow our athletic pursuits,” says O’Neill. For Kimberley, she found being away from home hard at first but as the weeks went on, she made new friends, loved the training and quickly found PC to be her home away from home.
Ken ’96 and Christine Begasse
Paying It Forward
Earlier this year, Ken ’96 and Christine Begasse made a generous commitment to support the Friar men’s soccer program. As a former member of the men’s soccer team, Ken’s passion for the program and the college can be seen in everything he does. “Building a championship culture is everyone’s responsibility. It takes a team on and off the field. We are proud to be part of the Friar team and inspired to help Providence attain its ambition,” says Ken.
The motivation behind the Begasses’ lifetime commitment is their hope that the gift will help establish Providence College’s men’s soccer program as a premier national franchise and propel Coach Stewart to lead the team to a national championship. “This commitment will ensure that we have the resources necessary to recruit the highest caliber student-athletes to wear the black and white,” Head Men’s Soccer Coach Craig Stewart said.
Aside from being a generous and loyal donor, Ken has volunteered at several Student-Athlete Career Nights and is an incredible resource for our students. Ken has hired countless interns and full-time staff members to work at Concentric Health Experience, one of the top advertising and marketing agencies in the world where he serves as founder and CEO. “What separates Providence College students and recent graduates from others is their work ethic. They recognize sacrifice and know how to take constructive criticism and apply it,” says Ken.
“When you look comprehensively at the ways an alumnus can impact Providence College, Ken Begasse checks every box,” Athletic Director Steve Napolillo said. “From day one, Ken and Christine have been some of our most generous and loyal donors and the fact that our men’s soccer program has a national profile has a lot to do with their support. More than anything, Ken wants Friar athletics to be great and his friendship and advice through my tenure has always been invaluable as we work tirelessly to compete for BIG EAST and National Championships.”
“We were fortunate enough to be able to make a large commitment to Providence College, but you don’t have to make a large commitment to make a significant impact,” says Ken when asked about the overwhelming message he spreads to others when talking about giving to Providence College. Ken is a prime example of a Friar student-athlete paying it forward for the next generation, and Providence College is appreciative of the example that he and his wife, Christine, have set.
Julian ’16 & Casey Gressel ’15, ’16G
Immediate Impact
In October, Julian Gressel ’16 and Casey Gressel ’15, ’16G made a leadership gift to support international student-athletes within the men’s soccer program.
“The support from Julian and Casey will provide our student-athletes with the gift of education and opportunity. During his time as a Friar, Julian was the beneficiary of the generosity of the alumni that came before him and now he is paying it forward to the next generation of Friars. This truly is the model gift for our program and demonstrates the culture that we have here,” said Athletic Director Steve Napolillo.
Julian Gressel was a standout student-athlete during his time at PC where he led the men’s soccer team to the 2016 College Cup and finished his career ranked second all-time in goals, assists and points at Providence College. Gressel was drafted 8th overall by the Atlanta United in the MLS Superdraft and currently plays for the Columbus Crew. Casey Gressel earned her undergraduate and M.B.A from Providence College.
Julian and Casey married in 2019 and have remained active in the Providence College community. Their recent leadership commitment to the men’s soccer program will make it possible for international student-athletes to enroll in summer school classes while they train during the pre-season.
“As Friar alumni, we are excited to be able to give back to the men’s soccer program. During my time at PC I was able to benefit from the generosity of the alumni that came before me and it only feels right to pay that forward. Providence College and the men’s soccer program have given me so much in pursuing my dreams and we, as a Friar family, are happy to help in providing that opportunity for other student-athletes,” said Julian and Casey.
“In speaking with Julian and Casey about this commitment, it was very clear that they wanted to make a gift that would make an immediate impact. As alumni of Providence College they know the value of the education that they received and the doors it has opened for them in their careers. I am tremendously grateful for the example that they have set for fellow Friar alumni,” said Head Coach Craig Stewart.
Laura Jaworski Razza ’00
PC’s Best Kept Secret
Reflecting on her support of the Providence College Social Work Internship Fund, Laura Jaworski Razza ’00 describes the social work department as one of PC’s “best kept secrets.” Now serving as the executive director of House of Hope Community Development Corporation in Warwick, RI, Laura vividly remembers the struggle of being a full-time social work student while balancing an unpaid internship with another job. As a result of her experience, she has generously pledged to give to PC’s Social Work Internship Fund, a fund used for expenses associated with internship transportation and stipends for social work majors, over the next five years.
When speaking with Kendra Marasco, LCSW, Director of Field Education at Providence College, she expressed the impact of Laura and others’ philanthropy on students in the social work department. “Folks assume that PC students have vehicles allowing them to easily get to and from their internships, and that they have others (parents) financially supporting them. For many of our social work majors, however, that is not the case. Lack of a car and the cost of transportation can limit a student’s choice of field placement. Working long hours at a job can prohibit students from becoming involved in all of the extracurricular opportunities that Providence College offers,” Kendra says. Contributions to the Social Work Internship Fund not only provide students with safe travel to and from their internship, but also create opportunities for students to participate in the life of Providence College, such as clubs and activities. With donors’ support, students can ease their concerns about having to work another full or part-time job.
“Giving doesn’t have to look the same for everyone, and there’s lots of ways to diversify your giving to Providence College. There’s an opportunity to explore the many ways to make your gift matter and have an impact for current Friars,” says Laura. Thanks to generous donors like Laura, students can receive a world-class education and take part in all that PC has to offer.