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Jenna Sideri (Buco) ‘04

*as a teacher, I tell this story every year on the first day of school. The first day of college. My first class. I arrived 15 minutes early. I anxiously waited while my classmates strolled in. Finally, my teacher arrived and began roll call. "Did I miss anyone?" Though I was almost too afraid to, I spoke up and let him know he hadn't said my name. "Are you sure you are registered?" I was positive. I sat for five more minutes and slowly took out my printed schedule. I had the wrong time. I politely raised my hand and humiliatingly admitted that I was, in fact, in the wrong class. I tiptoed out and began the a sprint to a different building. Heart racing, I took a deep breath and opened the door 20 minutes late to my first ever college class. The teacher didn't even make eye contact as I scanned the room and realized the only desk open was front grow, center. I walked shaking my and sat down. I tried not to make a sound, though I know I was the focus of the entire room. I slowly took out a notebook and pen (all while the professor ignored my existence) and finally placed my coffee mug on the floor. I was ready to begin college! I crossed my legs and in doing so, kicked my mug over (revealing that it was actually filled with orange juice) and it puddled at the professor's feet. Here, he finally acknowledged me...with an eye roll. I sat frozen. Everyone stopped breathing for ten seconds while I decided whether I should leave to get paper towels, or not miss any more of my class. I finally got up. I walked to find a bathroom. Took as many paper towels as I could, cried for thirty seconds, and walked back to the room. As I stood outside, I forced back tears, took another deep breath and opened the door. I walked to the front and got on my hands and knees and began sipping up orange juice just in time to hear, "So now, I want you all to break into partners and do that." I had no partner, no idea what we were doing and a mess to clean up. I was about to run for the hills when I heard voice say, "You look like you could use a friend." And so began an amazing friendship with one of Providence College's most acclaimed men's basketball stars.

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Thomas Connor

Glory Days. I have witnessed and played basketball with many of PC’s storied players over the past 50 years: as a teen listening to Chris Clark; seeing Lew Alcindor (Kareem) at Alumni Hall; playing with Jimmy Walker at the Benefit Recreation Center with the in-between-the-leg dribble; Marvin, Ernie D. and Rick; Ed Cooley back home at the Dunk...

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Mike Bibeault ‘12, ‘14G 

My experiences as a returning student in 2010 in the School of Continuing Education has reaffirmed my faith in higher education. I am now a faculty member in the Graduate School, and PC has literally given me a second chance at life.

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Suzanne Foster-Sanda ‘04 

The class of 2004 had a great Senior Weekend. However, our day trip to WaterWorks in Quincy was much colder than expected! We single-handedly bolstered the revenue of Marina Bay that day when we raided the shops to buy a signature sweatshirt, as pictured on Sara (Logan) Seals and me. 

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Mary Sue Tavares ‘79 

My life is so rich in various ways as a result of all my PC tales. The legacy for me was created by my uncle who was a Dominican at PC. My wonderful lifetime friendships are an essential piece of my existence. Namely, as friends, we pilgrimage to an annual Block Island get away. Several of our children have gone on to be proud graduates of PC. I have always seen PC as a true lifetime blessing that I never took for granted. I always will be grateful in many ways.

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Tim Rafter ‘18P 

PC has become a place for our daughter Meghan to call home. The students, faculty, staff, and facilities have allowed Meghan to grow as a person. Thank you, PC!

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Leicia Henderson ‘19 

Providence College means so much to me because it's where I've met some of the kindest and most genuine people.

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Jessica Barricelli ‘20 

Going to the University of Rhode Island vs. Providence College men's basketball game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center truly embodies what it means to be a Friar. Being a fan in the crowd and seeing students, alumni, faculty, and New England residents all cheering on PC gives you such a sense of pride and joy, and made me so happy to be a Friar. The feeling PC gives you is a sense of family and acceptance.

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Marybeth Chaffee ‘87 

We still get together with our classmates every year, and my roommate Donna was even in our wedding. My husband, who didn't go to PC, still plays in the Harvest Moon annual golf tournament with our PC pals, which started Senior week when we graduated. We love PC and congrats on the centennial anniversary.

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Kathleen McKenna ‘85

UCL: That may not mean much to you, but to me it instantly puts a smile on my face! University College of London in 1983 is when I went abroad to study British life and culture. Originally, I was suppose to go to another university outside of London for my whole junior year. However in July of 1983, my parents and I received a letter from PC stating that sadly, my study abroad program had been cancelled. Thankfully the PC Study Abroad Office worked tirelessly to help me join another U.S. college going to the U.K. Thinking back, the situation seemed like the end of the world to my 20-year-old self! I felt like my life, as it was suppose to happen, was over. Where would I live at PC if I did not go abroad? What classes were still open for me to attend? And other worrisome thoughts kept me up at night. Living through this situation was when my parents and I first started to understand why PC was different than all the other similar-sized colleges out there. The Study Abroad Office spent countless hours on the phone with us planning my next steps, constantly reassuring us it would all work. They utilized their network of programs with various other U.S. colleges, and within a week, they located a college program at Rosary College in Chicago that I could join for at least a semester. They also helped me to secure a dorm and classes for my Spring semester upon my return. Once in the U.K., my experience was a bit disorganized as no one appeared to meet me at the airport. However, after I found my way to my new English host family--the Wardells at 22 Ossulton Way, East Finchley--thoughts that had worried me were long gone! Joan, a nurse from Trinadad; Michael, a chef; Damien, 10; Maila, 8; Navien, 1; and Hannah, their Swedish Nanny, all became my new extended PC family. That first evening at dinner was amazing, but not only because of them. There was a knock at the door and in walked Joanne “Joey” Belanger ’84, another student who was also assigned to the Wardells, unknown to either of us until that exact moment. To this day, Joey and I are best friends! We still marvel at the incredible adventures we had taking the Tube to classes downtown by Tottencourt Road and visiting the Lake District, especially Kendall where our then English boyfriends lived! Oh, what fun we had meeting the incredible Rosary College students who also had our same PC values. We both still miss Elizabeth, Hope, and Mark--who we treasured as our new friends (no Facebook back then)--as well as, Larry and Peta, their host family, who we adored. A few years ago, I was in London for business and met up with Joan, Michael, and Damien. We all hugged and laughed until we cried remembering the fun times back in the 80s. The Wardells told me that Joanne and I were, by far, their favorite students. (They hosted more than 20 students over the years.) My husband, Mike, and I are planning a trip to meet up with them sometime soon in Trinidad, where Joan and Michael retired to last year. Thank you PC for giving both Joanne and I this amazing opportunity. It has certainly changed both of our lives and is one of the many PC memories that I will treasure always!

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Kenneth Kraetzer ‘79

Arriving at PC in 1975, it was amazing the success in athletics the College enjoyed in the era of the late '70s. My first college basketball game ever was PC vs Alabama at Madison Square Garden, we took a bus to NYC for that one. Dave Gavitt and his basketball team provided extraordinary moments with home win over #1 Michigan, Denny Crum's Louisville Cardianls, and the Blizzard Game, a win over UNC Dean Smith when we walked downtown because the city was still paralyzed by a 35 inch snow fall earlier in the week. Then there was Lou Lamoriello's hockey Friars in the brand new Schneider Arena going up against the likes of Cornell, Clarkson, BC and a milestone win at the Boston Garden in the '78 ECAC Tournament against eventual National Champion, BU. Cross country was flourishing earning national rankings with my friend John Treacy winning international titles and preparing for the day he would win an Olympic Medal for Ireland. Perhaps the road to that marathon medal was won the day in during the Blizzard of '78 when John shoveled a narrow lane through the snow so he could train on an old wooden track behind Dore Hall. Then there was Helen Bert starting the Lady Friar teams, and creating some of the best teams in New England and beyond. This is when when extraordinary athletes like Lynn Sheedy would play three sports, a different sport each season. Remember the day the PC women's basketball team hosted the Russian Women's team? And women at PC were starting to play ice hockey before almost anyone else in college athletics. So many amazing days when our little College, rough around the edges then, with a touch of attitude, would compete against the best in the country. Always felt this success in athletics carried over to all other aspects of the College, we don't take a back seat to anyone. Go Friars!

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Laura Struzzi ‘16

One of my favorite experiences at PC was my freshman year, when I participated in Urban Action. I had a really difficult time adjusting to college life, and Urban Action helped keep me busy and active. Now, four years later, I am a PC grad, and one of my best friends is still one of my fellow UA group members. Although I graduated from PC, I will forever be grateful for the friends that I made. I wish I could stay at PC forever, because it will always be some of the best years of my life, but at least I know the friendships I made will never graduate.