June 27, 2023
Providentia Fund awards first grants
Established in celebration of 50 Years of Women at Providence College, the Providentia Endowed Fund awarded its first grants to members of the Providence College community to underwrite projects, programs, and activities that promote, empower, and amplify women of all ages.
The fund has amassed gifts of more than $2 million since its inception. Fundraising came almost entirely from leadership donors who are women alumni, a first for the college.
The awards were presented on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Bouligny Lounge in Moore Hall.
Apply for Providentia GrantsNouveau Lieder: A Concert of Songs by Women
Eric Melley, DMA
Nouveau Lieder was presented as a program of music that focused on the artistry of songwriting. This concert, featuring music by female songwriters and composers, emphasized the lyrics, melody, and harmony formulated by these creative minds, centering on an ever-growing body of masterworks by women. It included songs by artists from folk, pop, rock, and jazz, and re-orchestrated them for an ensemble that embraced eclecticism, simultaneously honoring the essence of the original song and songwriter while demonstrating the versatility of the work. The concert was held on Saturday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in the Ryan Concert Hall in the Smith Center for the Arts.
Watch the concertProvidentia Lectureship in Chemical Sciences
Seann Mulcahy, Ph.D. and Maria Carroll, Ph.D.
The grant brought a leading female researcher to Providence College to present a series of lectures about the chemical sciences. The goal was to inspire young women to pursue degrees in chemistry or biochemistry by exposing them to prominent and successful researchers in the field. Melanie Sanford, Ph.D., the Moses Gomberg Distinguished University professor of chemistry and the Arthur F. Thurnau professor of chemistry at the University of Michigan, was the speaker on September 25-26.
A portion of the award also supported one female undergraduate for summer research in any area of contemporary chemistry.
Model United Nations 2023 Conference
Gabriel Capella ’25, Margaret Price ’25, Declan Kavanagh ’25, and Giavaya Harris ’24
The grant covered conference and travel fees for the April 2023 New York National Model United Nations Conference. The National Model United Nations Conference focuses on fostering values of inclusion, global citizenship, diplomacy, and diversity, as well as skills of collaboration, negotiation, researching, and public speaking.
Opportunity is Key: Supporting Women in Conservation Biology and Ecology
Patrick Ewanchuk, Ph.D.
For 30 years, the Department of Biology has offered a course in tropical biology that includes a 10-day trip to Belize to learn about its environment and conduct hands-on research. The grant financially supported the travel expenses of two female students.
Friar Women Leaders
Jill LaPoint, Martha Perez-Schmitz, and Jennifer Cunningham
The grant developed, connected, and provided professional development opportunities for female coaches, staff, and graduate assistants in the Department of Athletics.
The Fund for Providence College – Emergency Student Support
A yearly contribution from the Providentia Endowed Fund went to The Fund for Providence College, specifically designated for emergency student support.
