September 08, 2023
The legacy of Trudi Alagero ’86 continues through student scholarship
By Natalie Buckley ’23, ’24G
For someone I did not have the honor of knowing, Trudi Alagero ’86 created a lasting imprint on my life that I truly can never repay.
Everyone hopes to create a legacy. At 19, I hadn’t given much thought to mine. When you are young, it is easy to assume you have your whole life ahead of you, with an abundance of years to make memories, acquire talents, and see places. The day I learned I had been awarded the Trudi Alagero ’86 Memorial Scholarship, my perception changed. Who was Trudi? Why was I chosen for this scholarship? How could I honor someone who was giving me the opportunity to create a legacy while incorporating me into hers?
Gertrude “Trudi” Alagero ’86 was the youngest of four, all of whom attended Providence College. From the articles I read, I learned she was a true go-getter, not afraid to step out of her comfort zone, and deeply cherished relationships with her family, friends, and fiancé. As a senior vice president for Marsh Private Client Services, a subsidiary of Marsh McLennan located in the World Trade Center in New York City, Trudi had a successful career. She had big dreams ahead and a wedding in just a few months. That ended with her death in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Her family established the scholarship at PC in her memory. After I was awarded the scholarship my sophomore year, I met Trudi’s brother, Charles T. Alagero ’78. We talked about my background, my interests and involvement at PC, changes to campus, traditions that endured, and my plans. Mr. Alagero is humorous, genuine, and caring. Connecting with him allowed me to learn more about Trudi. His presence, and that of her loved ones, reflect who she was. The word “generous” is an understatement in describing the Alagero family, yet Charles’ humility was simply incredible.
I grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, and like Trudi, I am the youngest of four. Two of my siblings are graduates of PC (Classes of 2020 and 2021). My parents had college tuition payments for 12 years straight, with many years of multiple tuitions as our college years overlapped. During my first year, my parents had three children attending PC. The scholarship helped fill a void in my parents’ finances, tremendously. The Trudi Alagero ’86 Memorial Scholarship was not only welcomed, but it has been and will continue to be sincerely appreciated.
While at PC, I was a Student Congress class representative, served on Friars Club, and was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, and Alpha Mu Alpha, the national honor society of the American Marketing Association. As president of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society that recognizes the top 10% of students at an AACSB-accredited business school, I helped lead a service collaboration with the San Miguel School in Providence. I created a Relay for Life team to benefit the American Cancer Society, and with the help of determined and passionate friends, we were the top team in donation collection. For an independent study course, I was selected to work on a team that marketed a PC alum’s Cancer Etiquette Guide, an ebook that provides insight on how loved ones of cancer patients and survivors can show their support, effectively and respectfully, for someone navigating a diagnosis. I met extraordinary people who I consider best friends for life, attended basketball games, had a blast at campus events, and participated in all the PC traditions. I am forever grateful for the home that I was able to create at Providence College. I graduated summa cum laude in May 2023 with a marketing degree and a minor in political science. I now am an MBA 4+1 student expected to graduate in May 2024.
As a student, I helped place American flags on the Ryan Business Center Lawn in memory of Trudi and all the direct and indirect victims of 9/11, and I will continue to pay tribute to her on September 11 each year. Knowing how much she was able to accomplish in her years, and the consistent, significant impression that her light left on the world, I am committed to acknowledging her invaluable contribution to my life. Her scholarship helped fund my education and fueled my PC experience. Trudi’s name will be said, read, and honored for years to come. I am part of the 80 percent of Providence College students who receive financial aid. Without the scholarship, my path may have looked very different. I strive for my legacy to amount to even a small portion of the overwhelmingly amazing legacy Trudi left behind. My goal is to, one day, be able to support another student in a similar situation and help them experience all the beauty and blessings that form Providence College.
