Providence College more than half way to $300M largest ever campaign “transformative” goal

Photo, courtesy Providence College

Providence College (PC) has announced the largest comprehensive campaign in the College’s history, one that will have a transformative impact on academics, access, and the student experience.

Beyond Limits: The Campaign for Providence College aims to raise $300 million to increase student scholarships and financial aid, expand and enhance academic offerings, and deepen the student experience by supporting student wellness, faith formation, and PC’s championship-level Division I athletics programs.

”Providence College is at a transformational moment in its history,” said PC President Fr. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P.  “We are poised to realize our vast potential and build on our strengths in response to the challenges and opportunities of our time. PC has achieved a great deal in the last decade. We are sound financially, and we enjoy strong enrollment, student success, and athletic achievement, but we cannot rest on our laurels. To ensure that Providence College continues to be a beacon of hope and progress for generations to come, we need to invest in our future, a future that is beyond limits,” Fr. Sicard said.

Beyond Limits will advance PC’s standing as a premier Catholic and Dominican, liberal arts college by investing in three key priorities:

Academics

New initiatives like the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and Emerging Technologies and Culture Center will apply PC’s nationally renowned Catholic and Dominican liberal arts tradition to fields where students can be inspired to seek information creatively, use emerging technologies thoughtfully, and apply results ethically. PC also will establish new endowed faculty positions fueling efforts to attract, retain, and support leading scholars who can push the frontiers of knowledge.

Experience

Major investments in varsity athletics programs supporting student-athletes and coaches, as well as enhancements to club and recreational sports, will honor the vibrant athletics spirit that is a hallmark of Providence College. Strengthening student wellness services and building robust well-being and resilience coaching programs will help students navigate life’s challenges. Supporting student connections to their faith and to the thriving community of Dominican friars on campus will ensure students have holistic opportunities for faith, fellowship, and service.

Access

Access is a cornerstone of PC’s mission and heritage.  To make a Providence College education possible for all students, the College will increase scholarships to reduce the financial need gap, and partner with national networks like the Posse Foundation and Cristo Rey Network which support historically underrepresented students.

Supporting all these priorities is The Fund for Providence College, which is the foundation for philanthropy at the College. Each year, thousands of donors contribute more than a total of $6 million through the fund that has an immediate impact on the student experience, and which empowers the College to seize unexpected opportunities as well as navigate unforeseen challenges.

“Everyone in the Friar family has the opportunity to get involved with this campaign by investing in the future of Providence College and engaging with the college as a volunteer,” said Gregory Waldron, senior vice president for advancement. “We’ve set ambitious goals for both, and we know that this thriving community is going to meet them.”

To date, PC has raised more than $165 million toward the campaign’s ultimate $300 million goal. The College is also well on its way to reaching its goal of engaging 70% of its alumni network throughout the campaign. This will include alumni who make a gift, attend an event, mentor students, serve as an admission ambassador, and more.

“Reaching those milestones is a testament to the incredible momentum behind this campaign, said Megan C. Smith, a 1991 graduate and co-chair of the Beyond Limits Campaign Steering Committee.  “We have seen such incredible generosity and involvement from our alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the College. Father Sicard’s vision is bold, and this campaign will enable Providence College to continue its upward ascent as one of the nation’s preeminent liberal arts colleges.”

PC celebrated the launch of Beyond Limits on Friday, October 18^th at the beginning of PC’s annual Homecoming Weekend. The weekend drew some 5,000 people to campus for three days of festivities including the beloved Friar 5k, Late Nite Madness featuring the Zac Brown Band, student performances, eight athletic games and matches, and a variety of academic and community programming.

Click here to learn more about Beyond Limits: The Campaign for Providence College.

Founded in 1917, Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars and has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,400 students. Providence College consistently has been ranked among the top five regional universities in the North according to U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”