NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS
The Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to recognize the achievements of our distinguished alumni with the National Alumni Association Awards. Presented to select honorees, awards are distributed throughout the academic year. The committee is currently seeking nominations of alumni from ALL class years. Please be as thorough as possible with your nomination to help us recognize our alumni more personally. Nominees who are not selected to receive an award this year will be automatically considered in next year’s application pool. Nominations are valid for a three-year period.
Please submit nominations by July 31, 2024, to be considered for the next slate of recipients. Nominations submitted after July 31 will be considered for the next nomination pool.
2024 Award Recipients
Adetola Abiade ’95
Exemplary Citizenship Award
For outstanding leadership in organizational development and human capital strategies, most recently with the United States Agency for International Development;
For promoting international economic prosperity through outreach, workforce planning, and professional training;
For fostering business agility, employee wellness, and collaboration across private and non-profit sectors;
And for tirelessly giving back as an advocate, mentor, and coach, helping others maximize their potential;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor Adetola Abiade ’95 with this 2024 Exemplary Citizenship Award.
Emily Byrne ’04
Personal Achievement Award
For exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to socioeconomic justice;
For groundbreaking research, advocacy, and policy work at the state and national levels;
For organizing efforts to uplift and empower disadvantaged children and families, formerly as founding director of New Haven Promise, and currently, as executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children;
And for continually striving to advance family economic security and dismantle cycles of poverty;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor Emily Byrne ’04 with this 2024 Personal Achievement Award.
Donald DiLauro ’68
Faithful Friar Award
For professional achievements over a long and decorated career spanning more than 40 years;
For unwavering support of the Providence College National Alumni Association, including service on the Board of Governors;
For fostering alumni connections as president, vice president, treasurer, and executive board member of the New Haven Alumni Club;
And for facilitating the Veritas Awards Dinner, providing need-based scholarships for New Haven-area students;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor Donald DiLauro ’68 with this 2024 Faithful Friar Award.
Bob Ferreira ’83
Service to the Alumni Association Award
For unwavering commitment to the advancement of Providence College, supporting institutional efforts like Reunion, Homecoming, and regional alumni programming;
For spearheading engagement opportunities for students, families, and alumni, strengthening connections within the college community;
For dedicated work in strategic planning, special projects, and donor relations;
And for cultivating Friar relationships, fostering community through personal and professional networking;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor Bob Ferreira ’83 with this 2024 Service to the Alumni Association Award.
John Formica ’81
Faithful Friar Award
For fostering alumni ties and connecting Friar students to professional opportunities;
For dedicated support of Providence College’s fundraising efforts, generating significant financial investments for the institution;
For more than 12 years of service on the Providence College School of Business Advisory Council;
And for serving the local community through non-profit work with The Connecticut Forum, National MS Society, Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Block Island Food Pantry, among others;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor John Formica ’81 with this 2024 Faithful Friar Award.
William Molloy ’69
Service to Education Award
For more than three decades of exceptional service in public education, serving as a teacher, administrator, and assistant superintendent;
For enriching the minds of aspiring educators as a full-time lecturer at the University of Rhode Island;
And for creating a legacy of international change, empowering students in more than 500 schools in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya through founding work with the Africa Teacher Foundation;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor William Molloy ’69 with this 2024 Service to Education Award.
Kevin Porras ’14
Rev. Philip A. Smith, O.P. Award
For exemplary service to the local community, leveraging a career in finance to promote social justice;
For tireless efforts in construction debt financing, providing affordable housing for those affected by redlining and disinvestment;
For advancing equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for BIPOC students, serving as chairman of the Times2 Academy’s Board of Directors;
And for embodying the values of hard work, discipline, and selflessness;
For these reasons and many more, the Providence College National Alumni Association is proud to honor Kevin Porras ’14 with this 2024 Rev. Philip A. Smith, O.P. Award.
AWARD CATEGORIES
- Service to the Alumni Association Award – This award recognizes alumni with long and outstanding records of service on behalf of Providence College and the National Alumni Association. The recipient is held in high regard as one who gives of their time and talent to further the mission of the Alumni Association through volunteer leadership.
- Personal Achievement Award – This award recognizes Providence College graduates that have attained an exceptionally high level of achievement in their respective career, chosen vocation, and/or in areas of human service.
- Bishop Harkins Award – This award recognizes alumni for outstanding service and dedication to the Catholic Church and its mission.
- Exemplary Citizenship Award – This award recognizes alumni for their development, implementation and/or involvement in social action programs that have contributed to improving the lives of others.
- Service to Education – This award recognizes extraordinary career achievements in the field of education through classroom involvement and/or administration.
- Faithful Friar – This award recognizes extraordinary and long-time dedication to Providence College with a consistent and distinguished record of service and loyalty to the institution along with a commitment to giving of time, talent, and financial support.
Members of the FOLD (Friars of the Last Decade) are eligible for the following award:
- Rev. Philip A. Smith, O.P. Award – recognizes an outstanding “Friar of the Last Decade” for exceptional achievement and significant contributions to their profession, community, and to Providence College. It is intended to honor those who seek to increase alumni engagement and are viewed as truly inspirational to others. Recipient must be a member of the FOLD (2024-2015).
If you have any questions or require additional information about the awards, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 401.865.1909 or alumni@providence.edu.
