Humans of Providence College

Humans of Providence College We show you Providence College. Page managed by PC Photography Club

Created by Amy Luke, Class of 2015.

Humans of Providence College is a page managed by the Providence College Photography Club. We show you members of the PC community and share their stories. By displaying images with accompanying quotations that give a voice to the faces we see everyday, we strive to bring campus and community members closer. We hope to convey the individuality and value of each and every person. We invite you to j

oin Providence College Photography Club. For the Spring 2017 semester, we will meet every Monday evening at 7:00PM in the Ruane Center room 142. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information. Humans of Providence College is just one of Photography Club's endeavors. We also explore photography through various activities, field trips, workshops, and presentations. Students of every skill level are welcome to participate. Executive Board, 2017-2018

President: Minggui Yactayo, Class of 2018
Vice President: Truc Bui Ngo Thanh, Class of 2018
Treasurers: Fall 2017- Claire Rigaud, Class of 2019
Spring 2018- Aly Sylvester, Class of 2018
Secretary: Shalan McDonagh, Class of 2018
Publicists: Fall 2017- Liv D'Elia, Class of 2019
Spring 2018- Katelyn Hino, Class of 2021

Notes:
-Each contributing student is the original creator of his or her images published on this page, and owns all rights to them.
-The photographs featured on this page are not limited to the Providence College campus. Club members are encouraged to submit photos of the surrounding community and of the PC community both nationally and abroad. http://thecowl.com/news/photography-club-spotlight-humans-of-pc

“Women are not seen in museums as much as men due to the institutionalization of art, and an adherence of this dominance...
03/08/2020

“Women are not seen in museums as much as men due to the institutionalization of art, and an adherence of this dominance by museums. As a result, seeing women in art has allowed me to see not only myself and have a sense of representation but also it allows me to see their narratives, which are just as important and vital to history as a mans. Seeing Joan Mitchell’s evocative process in her landscape paintings, and her brushstrokes that represent her rage (this isn’t my original idea), and female architect and scientist Neeri Oxman lead major scientific projects as well as be exhibition in the MoMa not only motivates me to do better but also motivates me to be myself in my own work. What PCG has done for me is give me an opportunity to not only push my academic career but also the chance to emerge myself into the art scene and be a part of it. Under the guidance of Jamilee Lacy, i’ve grown to be both a courageous and determined student and person. Being a part of the Providence art scene has been an incredible opportunity; working with artists such as Elizabeth Corkery and Catarina Burin has opened my eyes to both the curatorial and craft aspects of art. The Galleries are an open and safe space that allow students, the public, and patrons to enter and enjoy an experience that is seen in top museums with the convenience of being on a college campus.” 📸: AJ Worsley

“I am constantly inspired by women.We grow up learning that we need to work harder, be louder, and be braver to reach ou...
03/08/2020

“I am constantly inspired by women.
We grow up learning that we need to work harder, be louder, and be braver to reach our goals. This strength that exists in all women is what binds us together in community with each other.
Through my work on campus and off campus with Women Will and Va**na Monologues I have met so many great women. It’s these people who have made my time here at PC so worthwhile. Even when I travel outside of my comfort zone, I feel so empowered when I know I have an army of brave and strong women behind me. Whenever women get together, I believe that there is very little that can stand in their way.” 📸: Julia Balukonis ‘20

“Being a woman means everything to me -- but I wish it meant nothing. Being a woman is more than just a part of my ident...
02/29/2020

“Being a woman means everything to me -- but I wish it meant nothing. Being a woman is more than just a part of my identity, it is also an unwanted qualifier on all of my other identities. I’m not just studying math or interested in politics, I’m a female math major and a young woman in politics. Being a woman should not infiltrate all of my other identities, and I shouldn’t have to downplay my femininity to validate these other identities. Being a woman is beautiful, but so are all of the other things that we are.

One of my main goals behind International Women's Week is to deconstruct this idea of being a woman. There is so much complexity packed into those five letters, and this week’s events capture all of the incredible and unique identities that coexist with womanhood. I hope the week shows people that there are limitless ways to identify while still holding firmly to everything that makes you a woman.

As for me, I will continue to wear makeup and buy pink everything, and I will get even louder about politics and graduate with my math degree.”

📸: Julia Balukonis ‘20

Live from Super Bowl LIV in Miami:“I’m so grateful to be a 49ers fan.Right now they’re incredibly fun to watch and have ...
02/02/2020

Live from Super Bowl LIV in Miami:

“I’m so grateful to be a 49ers fan.
Right now they’re incredibly fun to watch and have plenty of talent on the roster—but this isn’t necessarily why I’m grateful to be a fan. I think fandom for any team transcends the sport, and once I realized that players have real, human lives, I was instantly much more invested in the team. As a naive middle schooler, I didn’t understand this. I hadn’t watched any football before 7th grade, so when Colin Kaepernick took the league by storm and started kissing his biceps with each touchdown, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. The team was good, too, and it was awesome to watch them battle with the Seahawks, Saints, and other foes. The 49ers were my team. Then, the winning slowed down. Colin Kaepernick started kneeling. Injuries piled up. Coaches were fired. I think the lowest point for the team was when multiple players and coaches lost family members to su***de and homicide. Witnessing these distinctly human experiences has shown me that there’s more to sports than winning and losing. Athletes deal with plenty of adversity — both in and outside of the sport — and the way this 49ers team has worked through their adversity is astounding to me. They’re a paradigm for perseverance, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have learned from them.

That being said, it’s also Superbowl Sunday. LETS GO 49ERS!”

“I like connecting with the students and the people that come in here because I’m a people person. I was shy when I was ...
01/16/2020

“I like connecting with the students and the people that come in here because I’m a people person. I was shy when I was younger, but it helped a lot when I got married and had kids. I had to talk to other parents which got me out of my shyness. I find it rewarding getting to know the students: being able to mentor them, encourage them, and give them support and getting to meet their parents around graduation. That’s what this job means to me- it’s about the contacts that I make. When they come out for reunion weekend and I get to hear about their successes, it makes me so happy. They’ll come back and say, “Oh I’m a doctor now,” and, “Oh, I’m a lawyer now!”. I like to hear their success stories so I can encourage the other students by telling them what the alumni are doing. I know I make a difference in kids’ lives. I’ve always convinced people to have their kids come here! Haha

For 11 years I had an administrative position running the copy center in Feinstein, but then I lost my job for Xerox of 24 years. It was a hard transition from being an administrator to being a cashier. I was depressed. It was a very active position where I had work study students and other employees. You really felt like you were doing something. That’s how I ended up full time days until I found something for 3 years. My hope for the future is to be in a job where I’m not on my feet and I can use my brain a little bit more. I want be challenged.”

What is your happy place?

“I have an eight year old grandson Louis who is autistic and he’s smarter than smart can be and you’d fall in love with him. My happy place is when I can spend time with him.”

📸: Claire Rigaud, Class of 2019

Q: How was your experience studying abroad? What did you learn & how does an experience like this shape you? A: The deci...
11/26/2019

Q: How was your experience studying abroad? What did you learn & how does an experience like this shape you?
A: The decision to go abroad to Sevilla, Spain seemed like an easy one - I needed it to complete my Spanish minor in time, and to be able to improve my Spanish. I lived with one other abroad student in an our host grandma’s apartment near the center of Sevilla with a black lab named Belcha. What I enjoyed most was definitely the opportunities to travel throughout Europe, and to experience different cities and cultures outside of the classroom. Reflecting now, however, I think the most valuable part of being abroad was the independence it taught me, and the appreciation that it gave me for the community at Providence College. What I think is often lost among the Instagram posts and Snapchat stories that paint an idyllic and picture-perfect experience is the bad days - just like anywhere else, sometimes things didn’t go well or didn’t go according to plan. By the end, I had come to appreciate these days, as I realized that living away from Providence College in a different country that spoke a foreign language was very much a sink or swim environment, and I was able to grow to be more independent, adaptable, and resilient. I also learned a lot about my own strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly, however, I realized the strength of the community I am part of here at Providence College - I have met people here who truly care and want to help, and I believe that being abroad, more than anything, highlighted the amazing people that exist on this campus and make our school so special.
Jackson Reis, ‘20

Q: As an orientation leader at PC for the last couple of years, do you believe orientation is important for incoming fre...
11/26/2019

Q: As an orientation leader at PC for the last couple of years, do you believe orientation is important for incoming freshman & why? How does this experience both impact the freshman and the orientation leaders?
A: I didn’t want to come to PC at first. I decided at 10pm on May 1st that I’d be coming here, and I was still a bit apprehensive about it but tried to stay positive. I chose PC simply because someone told me it had a strong community feel. I have always been someone who loves meeting new people, and when I came to campus in late August 2017, I was actually excited that we were having Orientation because this was an opportunity to meet new people. This rang true, and my Orientation group became really close. In spring of freshman year, I decided to apply to be an Orientation leader myself, and was ultimately given the position! I have found that orientation is the epitome of “what you put in is what you get out”— Being an orientation leader has given me so much not because that is part of the job description, but because it has provided me the opportunity to meet so many amazing and genuine people. When any incoming student or staff member goes in with an open mind, they have the chance to create lasting connections right at the beginning of the year, and I am so thankful for everyone that I have met through this program and beyond! I think that the Orientation staff creates a sense of community right off the bat for the incoming class which represents the Friar Family here, and that is the reason why I chose to come to Providence— for the community. It was amazing to see that come to life when I was a freshman at orientation, and I am overjoyed that I am able to try and provide that every year for the incoming class!

Emily Mastroianni, ‘21

Humans of PC is back in business! Like the page to see your fellow Friars and members of the PC community and hear their...
09/18/2019

Humans of PC is back in business! Like the page to see your fellow Friars and members of the PC community and hear their stories. ⁣
⁣
“What brought you to where you are today at PC?” ⁣
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“The people, really just the community overall... they're better than every other college... very friendly, easy to approach, easy to talk to. Especially the faculty and friars, everyone feels like they're family. It definitely makes it easier to deal with any problems I have and makes me more comfortable. I can confide in people; they helped me get through the tough time I had moving through freshman year. ⁣

I came into freshman year of college with an undiagnosed seizure disorder and two broken vertebrae in my back. Going in, my two roommates handled it very well (and I am living with them again this year), and nobody I met was indifferent to me in any way. They were all so friendly and wanted to help. The whole campus was amazing and lovely and I am so grateful for every experience so far.”⁣
(📸Photo by KJ McSweeney ‘22)

"Five years ago I didn’t even know Providence College existed. My mom gave me one of those giant college books with the ...
05/24/2019

"Five years ago I didn’t even know Providence College existed. My mom gave me one of those giant college books with the 300 best colleges to choose from: I told her I wanted to go to UC Berkeley in California and she looked at me with those mom eyes and drew a five hour radius around our home in New York. The first time I visited PC, I knew in my soul it was the place I was supposed to be.

I wrote my college essay, the one which got me my Honors Program scholarship and brought me to PC, about being on a journey to find my voice. Growing up I was always very shy, reserved, and perceptive. But my father is not a good man, and his oppression caused my shy disposition and perceptiveness to deteriorate into insecurity and mental illness. I felt like I was a pointless addition to the world, that nobody liked me or ever would, and I was hopelessly alone. For most, parental divorce is a tragedy, but for me it was a liberation. Removing his toxic presence enabled me to build myself back up with the help of my mother: the one who has always been by my side doing everything in her power to let me know how special I am. When I got out of the darkest point of my life, I never wanted anyone to feel as alone, worthless, and unnoticed as I felt. We all have a purpose, sometimes it's just hard to see from where we're standing. There will be people who try to bully you and take away your voice, but know that you have value and you have the power to be a light for others as well as yourself.

It's been an honor using my newfound voice to share others’ stories and let their voices be heard with Humans of Providence College. HOPC, for me, is like putting on a superhero cape: it gave me the courage to spark conversations with strangers and it enabled me to form relationships with so many wonderful people at PC that I wouldn't have had the confidence to approach. HOPC is about celebrating differences, finding commonalities, and making sure everyone knows their worth. I'm forever thankful for Photography Club: for Tessa Bui who yelled at me to join at the involvement fair my first week at PC, for Minggui Yactayo who introduced me to a one-year-old HOPC, and for Liv D'Elia who has been by my side these past 4 years helping me build up our underdog club and becoming one of my best friends.

I graduated this past Sunday with a degree in Mathematics and Public & Community Service Studies and a wealth of new knowledge about the world, but for the first time in my life, I'm not enrolled in school and I have no concrete plans. The number of paths I can take is simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. I love to learn, so if I could, I'd become a professional student (whatever that entails). I've always been a storyteller who loves connecting to people, but for now, I’m going to look closer into my own story and spend a year reconnecting to my French roots. Providence led me here, so I’m confident that if I keep letting myself float along the breeze, I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be."

Photo by Liv D'Elia, Class of 2019

"In 5th grade I was diagnosed with ADD. Following the diagnosis, I was given modified tests and extra time, which exclud...
05/23/2019

"In 5th grade I was diagnosed with ADD. Following the diagnosis, I was given modified tests and extra time, which excluded and outcasted me from the rest of my class. This carried on through high school, and when it came time to apply for colleges, many people doubted me when I chose Providence College. I applied early decision to PC so when I got accepted, I was locked in. I was incredibly nervous about the acceptance, because I thought that the academics were going to be a challenge I could not handle. My neighbor across the street heard that I got accepted, so to congratulate me, she bought me an Alex and Ani bracelet with the Providence Friars logo on it. When I opened the box with the bracelet in it, I remember feeling a pit in my stomach, I was so reluctant and nervous because I thought I made the wrong decision. These thoughts of regret carried on with me for months, but when I toured PC that all changed. Although there were many people that doubted me, there was one teacher who knew I belonged at PC, and to her, I am incredibly grateful. After I toured PC, I knew that I was ready to take on this challenge and start a fresh new chapter in my life. I was confident that I was going to succeed.

I came into PC as a Marketing major, and knew that I wanted to study photography. My interest in photography began around my sophomore year of high school, but I never had any experience with art. One night during finals week of my first semester freshman year, I was studying for an Econ exam and my roommate, Annie, sat on my bed, and told me that she wanted to change her major. This moment was so vital for me, because I decided to change my major too, from marketing to studio art - photography. Without that epiphany moment, I would never be the person I am today. Photography has been the foundation of my experiences at PC. Through photography club, I formed a community of people with similar interests, and was able to hold workshops and relay the content I was learning in my courses to members. My curriculum allowed me to travel to Japan and Australia, where I found a love for travel photography. I was able to take courses that broadened my understanding of art and photography. Many which forced me to push my limits. My sophomore year, I took a courses where I taught photography to children in the Providence community, while working with a talented group of fellow students to create an exhibition. This class was incredibly challenging, but a highlight of my photography career at PC. I think in that semester, I knew that I could handle anything.

Every experience I’ve had at PC has taught me something new about myself. I’m passionate, stubborn, a rebel, quiet, but also confident, I’m family oriented, compassionate, driven, and many things I may have not discovered yet. I am so beyond grateful for every experience that I’ve had at Providence College, whether good or bad. Each one, whether it be in academics or social, have shaped me to be who I am, and what I aspire to be. I became a new person at PC. My ADD continued to affect me, but I never had modified tests or extra time. I took every challenge that faced me with confidence.

There are so many people that I want to say thank you to, but I will just list a few:

To my professors, especially: Eric Sung, Heather McPherson, Judd Schiffman, Deborah Johnson, Margaret Manchester, Nick Longo and Mr. J, thank you for your insight, understanding and wisdom. I will never forget you and I will cherish my time with you forever.

To my friends who have supported me through my photography endeavors, there are too many of you to list, but I am so grateful for your endless support. Thank you to those people that dropped everything to model for me or to help me set up a shoot. Thank you to those in my photography community who see the world the same way I do.

It has been an honor to run this page with photography club. I owe most of it to my president, Claire, who brought this page to life throughout our four years here. It’s incredibly enlightening to see the impact that we have on our community. Thank you to the people I have met through this page for being so brave and sharing your life stories.

For the rest of the year, I will be interning for a wedding photographer, while trying to launch my own photography business back at home. Eventually, I hope to find a job that will allow me to travel and capture the world."

Photo by Claire Rigaud, Class of 2019

"I sat in the Student Health Center one day last November, waiting anxiously for Dr. Bornschein to come see me. I had co...
05/22/2019

"I sat in the Student Health Center one day last November, waiting anxiously for Dr. Bornschein to come see me. I had convinced myself that the only reason I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning, couldn’t stay out of bed after class, and wanted to be in bed at every other moment of the day was a just mix of low iron and a chronic condition I have had forever. I was expecting Dr. Bornschein to come back with an order for simple blood work, but instead she came back with a clipboard. One with a depression and anxiety screening on it. When I got to the last question, I could have easily circled “0” for “never” and continued the trend of telling no one about the harmful thoughts, urges, and ideations I had experienced since I was a pr***en. I truly believe it was the Holy Spirit that guided my hand to put down a “1.5” instead, even though at the time I was kind of hoping it would be brushed off because it wasn’t a full blown “4” or “5”.

The risk of judgement, fear, pity, apathy, or rejection had long intimidated me into silence, but what happened after that was nothing like I expected. Though I cannot remember exactly what Dr. Bornschein said, I do remember that for the first time I felt seen and known in a way I never had.

Dr. Bornschein did not knock down my walls in one fell swoop, but she was able to scale them. Although no regular person can see and know us fully, as only God can, in that moment I caught a glimpse of Divine Compassion.

Nothing changed immediately. It took a few weeks of avoiding the phone call to Fr. Guido on the number she gave me. It took encouragement from my friend Erin, who didn’t know the full story but didn’t have to in order to know that I was in need. It took my friend Kelli talking openly about her trials, doing me a service she did not even know she was doing. When I finally called, I apologized for the delay, explaining that I was nervous. Fr. Guido just responded, “Not to worry, most people are.”

I started seeing Fr. Guido every week after that, and after only a few meetings, Christmas break, and a few more meetings, those intrusive and terrifying thoughts had gone away. I continued the meetings anyway, because they were so helpful. Some people need medication, some need more intense therapy. There should be no shame in seeking those things that are essential to our health and flourishing. What I needed was someone to listen to me and to help me work through the core of my problems, especially some tumultuous relationships and my internal emotional life.

I encourage every student to utilize the resources of PC’s counseling center in the basement of Bedford Hall. A walk in, phone call, or email could be the first step to your life changing for the better. The only regret I have is that I did not use it earlier.

Starting the end of July, I will move to South Bend, IN to pursue my Ph.D in Mathematics at the University of Notre Dame. Yes, the end goal of this program is to produce original research in mathematics, a goal which I am taking very seriously. But my first priority will always be to act as a vessel of the Love of Christ to everyone I meet and to bring His message of joy and hope amidst suffering. This includes being a supporter of and advocate for those struggling with their mental health, so that everyone can catch a glimpse of Divine Compassion as I did on that providential day in the Student Health Center."

Photo by Claire Rigaud, Class of 2019

[Far Right] “It has always been a dream of mine to work at Disney World and I can’t believe that dream has come true! Th...
05/21/2019

[Far Right] “It has always been a dream of mine to work at Disney World and I can’t believe that dream has come true! Thank you to PC and all of the people I’ve met for helping me achieve my dreams! I can’t imagine doing anything better than going to Disney after graduation. After the Disney College Program, I hope to go to grad school for ecology and someday get a job working with animals. I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity but I’ll miss PC forever and cherish the memories we’ve made here.”

[Middle Right] “While it is sad to leave a place I have called home for the past four years, I’m excited to start a new adventure with the Walt Disney Company starting in September. Growing up, Walt Disney has served as one of my idols, pushing me to strive for greatness, disavow mediocrity, and reach for the stars. Without the guidance of my family, friends, and professors at Providence College, I would not have had the courage to move across the country to pursue one of my dreams. I’m so thankful that I’m heading down to Florida with some of my closest friends at Providence. Can’t wait to show Florida what the Friar Family is all about!”

[Middle Left] "I feel so incredibly humbled to be a performer in Disney World as part of the Disney college program. To know I was selected to be a part of an organization who’s mission is to encourage people of all ages to dream big is an incredible feeling. Fr Shanley told our class at Commencement that his goal for us is to find lives with meaning and purpose, and I feel like this is mine. What makes me even more excited is to share this experience with three amazing fellow friars! It has been an absolute joy getting to know them (and hear them rock it in the pep band!) and I feel so thankful to have a little piece of our Friar Family in Orlando.”

[Far Left] “Providence College has been so so great to me these past four years. It has truly been a blessing to attend such a wonderful school that has taught me so much about love and for that I will be forever grateful. For my next step, I will be traveling down to Florida with these three members of the Friar Fam to go our next happiest place on Earth- Disney World! After that, I will be coming home to Rhode Island and getting married in September 2020 (to a fellow PC Alum!). There are so many adventures that await and they all started with Providence. God Bless and Go Friars!”

Photo by Julia Balukonis, Class of 2020

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