with a doctoral hood upon the conferral of his honorary doctorate in education.
Raymond L. Sickinger, Ph.D. ’71
Professor emeritus of history
Doctor of education
Raymond L. Sickinger, Ph.D. ’71 began his relationship with Providence College as a student in 1967, and except for his years at the University of Notre Dame pursuing a doctorate in European history, has been part of the college community ever since. Awarded emeritus status upon his retirement in June 2021, he continues to teach courses at the college.
Dr. Sickinger was a first-generation college student from Cranston, Rhode Island. He was an honors student who later served as faculty representative to the Arts Honors Committee, one of his many administrative roles in addition to teaching. He chaired both the Department of History and the Department of Public and Community Service Studies and was director of the Feinstein Institute for Public Service. He was assistant dean of undergraduate studies and coordinator of the advising program for undeclared students. A longtime member of the Faculty Senate, he served as vice president and was a member of the Committee on Academic Rank and Tenure. For 38 years, he was PC’s representative on the Rhodes Scholarship Foundation Committee. In 2021, he received the Service to Education Award from the PC Alumni Association.
His prolific scholarship includes his 2018 book, Antoine Frédéric Ozanam: Life, Lessons, Legacy, a biography of the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a worldwide Catholic lay organization committed to serving the poor. The book was awarded first place for biography from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.
Dr. Sickinger is a St. Vincent de Paul Society member of nearly 40 years, serving the poor of Rhode Island through direct outreach and works of mercy. Inspired by his grandfather’s example, he joined the Society through his parish when he was a young PC professor in the 1970s, and he continues to serve through the conference at Our Lady of Good Help Parish in northern Rhode Island. Dr. Sickinger also served the organization in national leadership roles, including 20 years on the national board of directors. He is a member of the International Historical Commission and the National Formation Committee. He was president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Diocesan Council of Rhode Island for six years and currently provides formation training to members.
Dr. Sickinger and his wife, Patricia, who reside in Mapleville, Rhode Island, were awarded the Diocesan Council of Providence St. Vincent de Paul Annual Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. They are the parents of five, including three PC alumni.
