Providence College Podcast

In this week’s episode, we share a presentation by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York. As part of PC’s Theological Exchange Between Catholics and Jews, Cardinal Dolan presented “Jewish-Catholic Dialogue: 2,000 Years but Just Beginning,” to a full house at St. Dominic Chapel. He discussed Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council document that opened relations between the Catholic churc...

Lisa Guillette ’93 is a force for good within Rhode Island’s non-profit and political world. Guillette is the executive director at Foster Forward, the co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council for the United Way of Rhode Island, and the former president of PC’s Greater Providence (Mal Brown) Club. In this episode, we discuss her efforts to improve Rhode Island’s foster care system and to address...

We continue the Christmas theme this week with a lecture by Dr. Elizabeth A. Bridgham, associate professor of English. In her talk, “Caroling Again and Again: A Christmas Carol in Repertory,” Dr. Bridgham discusses why audiences flock to see live performances of “A Christmas Carol” year after year.

In this episode of the Providence College Podcast, we wanted to get you in the mood for Christmas. We are featuring a lecture given by Rev. James Sabak, OFM, a Franciscan priest and assistant professor of theology. Titled, “Finding the Ever-Elusive Christ in Christmas: Why It Shouldn’t Be an Easy Task,” Father Sabak examines the origins of Christmas and what its celebration and physical representa...

Craig Stewart, head coach of the men’s soccer team, and Nick Sailor ’17 recently led Providence College to the Elite Eight in the men’s soccer NCAA tournament. This historic achievement was made possible by one of the greatest comebacks in Friar history. Down 4-1 against undefeated and No. 1-ranked University of Maryland, the Friars scored four goals in 12 minutes to take a 5-4 lead with eight min...

Jim Crowley, head women's basketball coach, has made a great first impression at Providence College. In this episode he discusses how he got the job, the primary elements of his coaching philosophy, and his goals for the season.

Sandy Oliveira, executive director of financial aid, leads a team of counselors who strive to make the college process as affordable and easy to manage as possible. Her passion for her work is inspiring. In this episode, she demystifies the financial aid process and describes why her work is challenging and enjoyable.

Fr. James Martin, S.J., gifted storyteller, editor-at-large of America magazine, popular media commentator, and New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, discussed the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ during his Centennial Presidential Speaker Series presentation in St. Dominic Chapel. Missed the talk? Listen to it on this episode of the Providence Colle...

Jane Lunin Perel '15Hon., professor emerita of English and of women’s studies, arrived at Providence College to teach English and creative writing in 1971, the same year that the College enrolled its first four-year class of women. A poet, she had just completed a master of fine arts degree in creative writing in poetry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and wondered how, as one of the few...

Joshua Giraldo ’08 was recently inducted into the Feinstein Institute for Public Service Hall of Heroes. In this episode, he discusses his longtime goal to positively impact his home of Central Falls, R.I. Starting when he was at PC, he has focused on improving lives through education — as a teacher in Providence and Central Falls, and through local government.

Claire Kleinschmidt ’17 has used her skills to serve others around the world. As a Father Smith Fellow, she went to the Solomon Islands this summer to teach science. She also traveled to Ghana with physics professor Dr. Stephen J. Mecca ’64 & ’66G to improve local sanitation through an innovative portable toilet he designed that requires only one cup of water. In addition, she is a student lea...

Raul Fonts, associate vice president/dean of admission and financial aid, has helped guide PC through a period of record application growth. In this episode, he discusses how to navigate the admissions process, what his office looks for in applicants, and what the future holds for the admissions office given the growth of PC. As an ever-present Friar fanatic, Raul also identifies his favorite Fria...

Ray Treacy ’82, head coach of men’s and women’s cross country and track teams, may be the greatest coach in PC history. The sustained success of his teams, and the numerous individual accolades his runners have achieved, are a testament to his legendary standing in the running community. In this episode, he discusses how he constructs his teams, how his runners prepare to race at the highest level...

Blaine Payer ’18 discusses his summer research, supported by the Veritas Research Fund, into the way zombie films reflect economic conditions. Under the guidance of Dr. Jeffrey Nicholas, associate professor of philosophy, Payer studied how zombies represent the socioeconomic conditions affecting prosperity in dozens of films — from 1931’s White Zombie to 2013’s World War Z. Payer also describes hi...

Dr. Richard J. Grace ‘62, professor emeritus of history, began his career at Providence College before the Development of Western Civilization Program was established in 1971 and continues to lead classes in the Liberal Arts Honors Program today. In this podcast, hear his reflections on more than four decades of teaching from a 2014 lecture in honor of his retirement.

Doris Burke ’87, ’92G, & ’05Hon., a versatile basketball commentator, has covered the sport for ESPN since March 1991. Her assignments include the NBA and men’s and women’s college basketball — both the regular season and the NCAA Championships. Doris joins the podcast to discuss her rise to the top of her profession and her methodical approach to success, as well as Kris Dunn’s NBA debut.

Former Today Show correspondent Mike Leonard ’70 & ‘00Hon. has spent much of the past year developing a short film about Providence College, certain to be a highlight of PC's year-long centennial celebration. In an episode full of insightful and humorous anecdotes, Mike talks about his extraordinary career, the art of storytelling, and the impact of Providence College on his family, which also...

Dr. Sylvia Maxfield, dean of the School of Business, discusses the importance of learning outside the classroom, ways in which PC facilitates these experiences, and how the new Arthur and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies will change business education at the College. You can learn more about the Providence College School of Business by visiting http://business.providence.edu/.

Brianna Abbott ’17, chemistry and creative writing double major, talks about her summer research as a Walsh Student Fellow, majoring in two vastly different fields of study, and how her experience with FaithWorks laid the foundation for her time at PC. Read Brianna’s fellowship-related blog posts: http://blogs.providence.edu/student-research/category/walsh-fellows/.

Rev. R. Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P., vice president for mission and ministry, discusses new faith initiatives at the College, his numerous roles at PC, and his indirect path to the priesthood.

Curious about PC’s campus transformation? In this episode, John Sweeney ‘15P & ‘19P, senior vice president and chief financial officer, details ongoing construction, what happened over the summer, and what to expect this year. Sweeney also describes how PC funds these projects and why they are necessary for the future of the College. Learn more about PC’s campus transformation at http://www.pr...

Diane Madl, head coach of the Providence College field hockey team and 1996 Olympian, is a staple of the PC athletic department. In this episode, Madl describes her Olympic experience in Atlanta, her coaching and recruiting philosophy, and how she mentors student-athletes to take ownership of the team's success.

Bob Driscoll, associate vice president and athletic director, has helped make Providence College’s athletic program a national power. PC is in an unrivaled period of success, thanks in part to his leadership. In this episode, Driscoll details his athletic background, his experience moving from small schools to high-level athletic programs, what he looks for in coaches, and the daily routine that e...

This episode features Dr. Vance Morgan, professor of philosophy and former director of the Development of Western Civilization Program at Providence College. Morgan recently completed a yearlong sabbatical that allowed him to finish a final draft of an upcoming book based on his popular blog, www.freelancechristianity.com. We discuss his career teaching philosophy, his foray in the blogosphere, an...

This episode features former NHL hockey player and Providence College star Joe Hulbig ’96. Joe was a first round draft pick in the 1992 NHL Draft before he enrolling at Providence College. After his eight year hockey career ended Joe switched careers and began working in education philanthropy. He is now a regional director of major gifts at PC. In this episode Joe details the recruiting experienc...