Happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks advises Providence College graduates to ‘use things, love people, worship God’
By Michael Hagan ’15, ’19G and Vicki-Ann Downing ’21G
Arthur C. Brooks, Ph.D., a Harvard University professor who teaches about the science of happiness and who wrote a book on the topic with Oprah Winfrey, advised Providence College graduates to avoid “the world’s formula of lies” and instead to “use things, love people, and worship God.”
Brooks, the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and a professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School, was the keynote speaker for the Class of 2024 undergraduate commencement exercises at Amica Mutual Pavilion in downtown Providence on Sunday, May 19, 2024. He received an honorary doctor of public service degree.
Brooks left college at 19 and spent “a gap decade” performing professionally as a French horn player before completing a bachelor’s degree through a distance learning program. At 31 he returned to study full time, earning a Ph.D in public policy analysis from the Rand Graduate School in Santa Monica, California. He led the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., for 11 years before joining the Harvard faculty. His course on happiness is the most popular elective at the business school, enrolling 180 students with a wait list of more than 400.
Brooks offered advice on what graduates should avoid if they wish to live their happiest lives right now. He said that lies are pervasive — that a new car, or being angry and hateful about politics — will make you happy. In fact, he said, there are men and women who have dedicated themselves to correcting the lies about a good life for more than 800 years, and they are sisters, brothers, and priests of the Dominican Order of Preachers, which founded and administers Providence College.
The first lie is that “you need to have your whole life figured out,” Brooks told the graduates. He cited the example of the 13th-century Dominican friar and mystic Meister Eckhart, who taught others to “live without a why.” Eckhart did not mean to live without goals, but that one should remember the one ultimate goal, loving God and loving others.
“If you’re insecure about your future right now, I’ve got a secret: I am too, and all of them,” Brooks said, gesturing to the college and elected officials on the stage behind him. “Each night, starting tonight, offer up your life and offer up your future to the Lord and ask that his will, not yours, be done. Let God guide the incredible adventure of your life starting today.”
The second lie is that “suffering is bad,” Brooks said. He described the world’s unofficial motto as, “If it hurts in my life, make it stop.”
“The truth is that life is complicated and difficult. Negative emotions are normal and healthy,” Brooks said. “There isn’t something about sadness and anxiety in your life that makes you weird. You’re doing hard things. If you’re not sad and anxious sometimes, then you need therapy.”
Brooks cited the example of the 17th-century Peruvian nun, St. Rose of Lima, who endured ill health and torment before dying at 31 but said, “Grace comes after tribulation. Without afflictions, it is impossible to reach the height of grace.”
“Satisfaction in your life only comes after pain and struggle,” Brooks said. “Suffering per se is not evidence that you’re broken.”
The third and greatest lie is that “you must know your truth,” Brooks said.
In 1984, psychologist Daniel Lapsley studied a dramatic increase in rates of depression among young adults and adolescents. He saw that young people who agreed with statements that “Every opinion is as good an every other” and “There is no such thing as the truth” consistently exhibited more intense symptoms of depression.
“His conclusion was stark and clear. A belief in relative truth will bring you clinical depression,” Brooks said. “If you believe that you have a unique source of truth, that you are the true north, that there’s nothing more right and authentic than you, you’re saying you are God. How boring. How depressing … I don’t want to be God. I want a better universe than that.”
Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century Dominican and author of the Summa Theologica, taught that there is one truth, the ineffable mystery of the truth of God. That truth can’t be found on earth, but we can seek it by listening to others, especially those whose opinions differ from our own. We can also let go of attachments and live with humility, as Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican order, advised.
“The world tells you to love things, use people, and worship yourself,” Brooks said. “Materialism, material success, will bring you happiness. People are there for your consumption and your gratification. And don’t forget that you’re the star of your own psychodrama.”
Instead, use things in abundance and with freedom, but don’t love them, Brooks said. Only love people, because people are made to love in God’s image. And most important, worship God.
On the evening before commencement, Brooks met with five student leaders: Ava Baron ’24, a president of the Class of 2024; Sophia Gaines ’24, president of Friars Club; Myles Johnson ’24, president of the Board of Programmers; Jacqueline Lombardo ’24, chair of the Student Congress Committee on Student Life; and Bryan McGinn ’24, president of Student Congress.
He asked them about their studies and friendships, how faith and Dominican spirituality guided their experiences, and what advice they would give Father Sicard in his role as college leader, and Brooks’ daughter, Marina Brooks ’25, as she enters her senior year.
The students talked about campus clubs and student life, which are important for building a resume, but agreed that deep involvement in communities and activities a student loves is the better measure of meaning. Peer Ministry was mentioned as a formative experience, and cheering on Friars athletics teams, particularly men’s basketball team at the AMP, was a treasured memory.
“If you love something, go deeper,” Gaines offered, punctuating her advice with the Gen-Z colloquialism, “Full send.”
In addition to Brooks, receiving honorary degrees at commencement were:
Wanda S. Ingram, Ed.D. ’75, a member of the college’s first coeducational graduating class and the retired senior associate dean of student academic success, who received an honorary doctor of education degree. She also was the keynote speaker at the graduate and continuing education commencement on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Troy Alexander Quinn, DMA ’05, a vocalist and conductor of symphony orchestras in Kentucky and Florida, who received an honorary doctor of music degree.
Elizabeth M. Ruane, M.Ed., who with her husband, Michael A. Ruane ’71, ’13Hon., has been among the college’s most generous benefactors. She received an honorary doctor of public service degree.
Raymond L. Sickinger, Ph.D. ’71, emeritus professor of history and a leader in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who received an honorary doctor of education degree.
In his remarks, College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82 said he has a special affinity for the Class of 2024, which began its studies months after he became president. College officials worked for months on planning to bring students to campus during the pandemic and worried about how they would adjust to uncharted waters.
“You took a chance on PC. And to the trust you showed in us, you have added tenacity and resilience,” Father Sicard said. “It was a leap of faith. Faith is the ability to believe what we cannot see, and it is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. Yours has been rewarded. Not only by the degrees you receive today, but by all you have learned and experienced along the way.”
Earnest E. “Earl” Smith ’92, president of the National Alumni Association, brought greetings from the association, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year. The Class of 2024 included 92 legacy students, 62 with one parent graduating from PC and 30 with both parents graduating from the college.
Smith quoted from a verse of “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder,” an African American slave spiritual: “Every rung goes higher and higher.”
“Today, that verse is for you graduates,” Smith said. “At every rung in your life, you have climbed and have been successful. Elementary school, middle school, high school, and now college. Yes, there might have been some missteps and stumbles along the way, but you have continued to climb, and here you are today, taking it to another level, graduating from college, ready to take on the world! Go for it. We, the Providence College alumni, along with your family and friends, are rooting for you.”
Senior class president Ava C. Baron ’24 (Chicopee, Massachusetts) recalled how the graduates began in September 2020, living and studying in small groups, testing twice a week, and experiencing many online classes. It brought students closer in a way no one could have imagined, she said.
“Starting sophomore year, our class was finally able to come together, take in-person classes, and go to events that just further bonded us,” Baron said. “It is undeniable that the thing that brought our class most together was the success of our men’s basketball team right here in this very building. The theme of luck that was personified on the court that year finally seemed to apply to us.”
Degrees were conferred upon the 936 undergraduates by Very Rev. Allan B. Moran, O.P., Ph.D., chair of the Providence College Corporation and prior provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph.
The invocation was by the Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, D.D., STD, bishop of Providence.
College Chaplain Rev. Justin C. Bolger, O.P., STL sang a verse of “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” as he offered the benediction and blessing of graduates. Providence College Symphonic Winds performed under the direction of Eric C. Melley, DMA, director of instrumental activities. Dominic W. DaSilva ’24 (Bristol, Rhode Island) sang The National Anthem and Victoria R. LeBlanc ’24 (East Greenwich, Rhode Island) sang The Alma Mater.
Graduate and continuing education ceremony
During the Graduate and School of Continuing Education ceremony on Friday, May 17, in Peterson Recreation Center, honorary degree recipient and keynote speaker Wanda S. Ingram, Ed.D. ’75 offered advice to the graduates based on her life experiences. She was a member of the college’s first graduating class to include women and worked until 2023 as senior associate dean of student academic success.
“Many of us in this room are more accustomed to receiving everything electronically,” Ingram said. “Tonight should also be one of those times where you truly appreciate paper. I am talking about your diplomas. It makes what you have accomplished real, tangible, and you can show it off. It’s making a statement of accomplishment. So get those frames ready and put them on display on somebody’s wall.”
The invocation was by the Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, D.D., STD, bishop of Providence, and the benediction by Rev. Damian Day, O.P., STL ’15, assistant chaplain. Victoria R. LeBlanc ’24 (East Greenwich, Rhode Island) sang The National Anthem and The Alma Mater. Providence College Symphonic Winds performed under the direction of Eric C. Melley, DMA, director of instrumental activities.
Academic Awards ceremony
The three top students in the Class of 2024 were recognized at the Academic Awards Ceremony held in Peterson Recreation Center on Saturday, May 18, 2024. All four earned 4.0 GPAs, the equivalent of an A in every class for eight semesters.
Avery Eleanor Budnik ’24 (Mashpee, Massachusetts), an elementary/special education major, will enter an accelerated master’s degree program in human development and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She presented the class oration.
Isabella Grace (Martino) Fechter ’24 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), PC’s first Catholic studies major, will complete her degree in December 2024 and plans to work in service to the Catholic church.
Lauren Grace Viveiros ’24 (Wethersfield, Connecticut), a finance and management double major, will enter the full-time MBA program at Boston College.
The Class of 2024 earned academic distinction with 427 students graduating with honors and 377 students named to honor societies. Eighty-nine students were members of the Honors Program. The most popular majors in the class were finance, marketing, management, biology, and psychology.
Peter Costello, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, presented remarks from the faculty. He is the 2023-2024 recipient of the Joseph R. Accinno Faculty Teaching Award, the college’s highest teaching honor. He has taught at PC since 2004.
“We, the faculty, care about you,” Costello said. “We have asked guiding questions, given lectures, have created opportunities. It is our pleasure and great honor to recognize you for your accomplishments. We have helped you get to this moment. But let’s face it, you were the ones who created the wonderful artistic pieces, who wrote the clear papers, who performed the work in the lab. We were with you. But you did it.”
Commencement Mass
College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82G was the celebrant at the Commencement Mass on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Peterson Recreation Center. Very Rev. Allen B. Moran, O.P., prior provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, was the concelebrant. Most Rev. Richard G. Henning, D.D., STD, bishop of Providence, attended in choir. More than 20 Dominicans were on the altar.
Father Sicard acknowledged the fittingness of celebrating graduation on Pentecost, “the birth of the Church, the pouring out of the spirit, the sending of the apostles.”
“God in his providence called you to the college named after him. His grace transformed you. And now, you are sent to succeed in lives of meaning, purpose, and goodness,” Father Sicard said. “That flame upon the apostles on Pentecost shines brightly in you.”
Myles Forgue ’24 (New Bedford, Massachusetts) and Chole Katz ’24 (Tiverton, Rhode Island) were readers. Jessica Sullivan ’24 (Cranston, Rhode Island) was cantor. Music was by the Campus Ministry Music Ensembles, led by Gilbert Donohue, M.Mus., director of liturgical music.
ROTC Commissioning
Thirteen cadets — six from Providence College, five from Brown University, and one from Bryant University and one from Rhode Island College — were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at the War Memorial Grotto on Friday, May 17.
The keynote speaker was retired Army Col. Leo Pacher, chief of an international partnerships organization within the U.S. Department of Defense and the father of cadet Leo Pacher, a Brown University student commissioned a second lieutenant during the ceremony.
The cadets from PC were:
- Colin Fulmer ’24 (West Chester, Pennsylvania), a management major, who will be a finance officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
- Samuel Hogan ’24 (Farmington, Connecticut), a political science major, who will be an active duty officer in U.S. Military Intelligence.
- John McNicholas ’24 (Waldwick, New Jersey), a computer science major, who will be an active duty officer in the Infantry.
- Peter Monaco ’24 (Pelham, New York), a business management major, who will be an infantry officer in the Army National Guard.
- Luke Tischio ’24 (Moodus, Connecticut), a biochemistry major, who will be an active duty officer in the Ordnance Corps. He is a Distinguished Military Graduate, having displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, high moral character, noteworthy academic achievement, superior camp performance, and exceptional aptitude for military service.
- John Tracy ’24 (Oradell, New Jersey), a business management major who will be an active duty officer in the Air Defense Artillery Corps.
