October 01, 2018
Dr. Stephen J. Mecca ’64 & ’66G; professor of physics
Dr. Stephen J. Mecca ’64 & ’66G, professor of physics who spent half a century teaching and serving at Providence College, died Aug. 28, 2018. Dr. Mecca began teaching at PC as an assistant professor in 1969 following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. He advanced to full professor in 1979.
In his laboratory, Dr. Mecca encouraged students from all academic disciplines to join him in solving problems through systems development. Inspired by his granddaughter’s visit to Ghana, he helped to found the Global Sustainable Aid Project, which focused on education, health, and sanitation projects in that country. Beginning in 2010, he brought PC students to Ghana each summer for community-based service internships. A micro-flush toilet he developed with help from his students has been installed in more than 20 countries. Dr. Mecca also developed a solar-powered tablet loaded with a searchable database for use by health-care workers and students in areas without internet access. Through his efforts, more than 250,000 textbooks
and many computers were donated to schools in Ghana.
He held many roles at the College, including vice president for academic administration from 1982-1985. He was an adviser to the pre-engineering program from 1974-1975, program director from 1975-1982, and department chair from 1980-1982. He was a major figure in diversity initiatives throughout his time at PC.
In 1976, to encourage urban children to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, Dr. Mecca helped to found TIMES² Academy. He served on its board for 30 years, watching it develop from a grassroots program into a charter school that continues to serve Providence. He served on the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission for 30 years and spent his summers and sabbaticals working for NASA and for NATO.
His wife of 54 years, Linda G. (Merola) Mecca, died on May 5, 2018. He was the father of Lisa K. Mecca ’88, Stephen D. Mecca ’88, and Michael R. Mecca ’90 & ’92G, and the brother of Robert E. Mecca ’66 and Joseph M. Mecca ’85.
A Tribute to Dr. Mecca
