Back to Friartown: Providence College Welcomes Students, Kelly Clarkson to Headline Late Night Madness

More than 120 members of the Providence College Class of 2030 will begin their college careers the week of August 23 by participating in the college’s annual Urban Action community service program. First-year students will join sophomore, junior, and senior leaders and volunteers to beautify parks and neighborhood streets, as well as assist with classroom preparation at nearby elementary schools.

Urban Action was initiated by PC students in 1991, with 17 students volunteering in the first year. Since then, more than 3,000 first -year students have participated, with many returning as leaders of the program. The goal is to provide incoming students with an opportunity to make a positive difference in the community that will be their “home away from home” for the next four years.

First Year Move-In Day 

On Wednesday, August 26, Providence College students began returning to campus and new first-year students will move in to prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. Classes for undergraduate and graduate students begin on Monday, August 31.

The 1,308 students in the Class of 2030 come from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and 8 countries — Canada, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Egypt, and Congo. It is the largest class in college history. There are 784 women and 524 men. Nine percent are first-generation college students. About 16 percent are students of color. There are 103 students in the Honors Program, 96 student-athletes, 44 students in the Providence Opportunity Program, and 258 students with a parent who graduated from PC. The most popular majors are finance, nursing, marketing, health sciences, and management.  The Class of 2030 is joined this semester by 70 transfer students.

Late Nite Madness

Singer Kelly Clarkson (Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Kathy Reesey)

Award-winning singer, songwriter, and television host Kelly Clarkson will headline the College’s Late Night Madness on Saturday, October 3, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, as part of Providence College’s Homecoming Weekend.

The concert welcomes students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the Friar family to a special night of music and entertainment. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. Student programs begin at 8:00 p.m. and the concert begins at 9:00 p.m.

Steve Sears, senior vice president for student affairs, described the annual event as electric. “There can be only one; one night a year, one moment to experience the power of 12,000 Friar fans at a concert. That is THE “Late Night Madness” let’s go!” he added.

Late Night Madness will kick off with performances by the Providence College dance and cheer teams, along with performances by several student groups.  The evening will continue with the introductions of the 2026-27 men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the men’s hockey team. Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bryan Hodgson, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Erin Batth and Head Men’s Hockey Coach Nate Leaman will each share brief remarks about their programs.

About Providence College

Founded in 1917, Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,500 students and 450 graduate students and offers degrees in over 60 academic majors. Since 1997, 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.”