PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

REVEREND KENNETH R. SICARD, O.P. PRESIDENT

A native of Fall River, Mass., Father Sicard was named Providence College’s 13th president on Oct, 4, 2019 and he took office on July 1, 2020.

Father Sicard holds a Ph.D. in business education from The Ohio State University, awarded in 1997. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Providence College in 1978 and a master’s degree in business administration from the College in 1982.

From 1978-1984, prior to entering the Dominican Order of Preachers, he was employed by Fleet Financial Group in Providence, beginning in an entry-level position and rising to audit manager.

Father Sicard was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. He holds a master of divinity degree and a bachelor of sacred theology degree from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

His first assignment after ordination was to Ohio Dominican College in Columbus, where he served as chaplain and a full-time faculty member, teaching courses in finance, money and banking, auditing, and accounting from 1990-1997. He also was responsible for the spiritual and sacramental needs of students and Dominican religious sisters.

Father Sicard returned to PC to serve as dean of residence life from 1997-2005. He oversaw the supervision and security of all residence halls, the department’s operating budget, the hiring and supervision of more than 100 staff, and the creation of policies that ensured a quality of life for students consistent with the College’s mission.

During that time, he also served the Dominican Province of St. Joseph as director of vocations for two years. In addition, he served as provincial treasurer from 2002-2010 and as a member of the Economic Council from 20102016, working on behalf of the Order in international operations related to portfolio management, accounting operations, property sales and acquisitions, construction and renovation, and financial planning.

In 2005, he was appointed College executive vice president and treasurer by Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, who took office as PC’s 12th president on July 1. In that role, Father Sicard directly supervised many College operations, including athletics, student affairs, general counsel, mission and ministry, external affairs and marketing, human resources, and public safety.

He served as the president’s chief of staff and as a member of the President’s Senior Cabinet. He oversaw the creation of three of the College’s strategic plans, including PC200, adopted in 2018.

Father Sicard served as acting PC president from July 2018 to December 2018 while Father Shanley was on sabbatical.

EXPERIENCE A CITY IN RENAISSANCE...

Providence, Rhode Island is among America’s most dynamic, diverse and exciting new destination cities. Come and see it for yourself. Gather with thousands in the rejuvenated downtown for a magical WaterFire display. Catch a Broadway-bound show. Enjoy dinner in one of the city’s many award-winning restaurants, then head to Federal Hill to sip an authentic caffe latte. Mingle with the more than 27,000 students who attend the city’s five colleges and universities. Explore internship opportunities with the city’s businesses and nonprofits and see a real-world path to career success. Providence College’s scenic 105-acre campus is located just 10 minutes away from one of the most historic and cosmopolitan city centers in the United States. Come to Providence and embrace all that America’s Renaissance City has to offer.

A LIVELY DOWNTOWN SCENE...

It’s where Colonial-era cobblestone streets intersect with gleaming new office buildings. Where young men and women from across the nation intern with some of the most recognized names in finance, business, technology and healthcare. In Providence, there’s always something happening, always a new exhibition, bookshop or bistro to check out. The New York Times describes it as “one of the hippest towns in New England.” And Money Magazine calls it “the best city in the East for young professionals.”

A WEALTH OF WEEKEND DESTINATIONS...

Known as the Ocean State, Rhode Island boasts more than 400 miles of stunning coastline. The world-famous mansions of Newport, along with the shores of Narragansett Bay are just a 30-minute drive from Providence. The ski slopes of New England make a great day trip, and the beaches of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are all within easy reach.

YOU’RE CLOSE...

Providence is a short drive from T.F. Green Airport. Known as the “hassle-free gateway to New England,” the airport is conveniently located close to Interstate 95 and offers non-stop flight connections to cities throughout the United States and Caribbean.

PROVIDENCE IS AMERICA’S NEWEST DESTINATION CITY... HERE’S WHY:

• The Providence Performing Arts Center is the second largest indoor theater in New England

• The Dunkin’ Donuts Center (home of Providence College basketball) has hosted the NCAA Hockey Championship and NCAA Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds among other major sporting events

• At the upscale Providence Place Mall, you’ll find more than 160 shops, theaters, acclaimed restaurants and an IMAX Theater

• The renowned WaterFire display on the Providence River is one of the many attractions that draw thousands to the city’s dynamic downtown

• With seven historic districts featuring beautifully preserved 18th-and-19th century architecture, Providence is one of the most historic cities in America

• Providence has the country’s largest per capita concentration of college students (27,000 in a city of just under 178,000), making it one of the nation’s most student-friendly cities

• Providence has a rich diversity of neighborhoods offering a wide selection of ethnic cuisine, from pad thai to paella

• The nationally acclaimed Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to hundreds of rare animals from around the world

The Grand Reopening of Providence College’s Schneider Arena was held on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 to celebrate the renovation of the 40-year old arena. It was a festive evening as more than 500 fans attended the event.

The celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a blessing of the building, featuring President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ‘80, and Athletics Director Bob Driscoll. The renovation project was completed in just under eight months and has transformed the home of the Friar lacrosse program into one of the finest facilities in the nation.

The renovation and 30,000 square-foot addition include a new atrium, ticket office, concession stands, coaches offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, athletic training room and a strength and conditioning facility.

Schneider Arena was dedicated and is named in memory of the late Reverend Herman D. Schneider, O.P., the founder of the Friars’ highly successful hockey program and a long-time member of the school’s faculty. The first game to take place in the arena was a 1-0 victory by the men’s team over the University of Pennsylvania on September 24, 1973. Dan Kennedy scored the game-winning goal for the Friars, with assists from Steve Heggison and Shawn Howard, and Michael Zyburra made 26 saves to earn the shutout.

The Providence College women’s soccer program recently moved to Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium. The program shares a space with the men’s soccer team and the men’s lacrosse team.

The soccer program has brand new gameday locker rooms and a top-notch weight room and training room. The facilities are state of the art and provide the Friars with the hope of developing into a championship program.

The Ruane Friar Development Center (RFDC) is a multi-purpose building that opened on Sept. 29, 2018 and has significantly enhanced Friar athletics, student services and College community life. The 56,000 square foot facility includes a 15,481 square foot, two-court practice facility for men's basketball. It also features improvements for other student-athletes, including an Innovation Lab, an expanded Canavan Sports Medicine Center and a student-athlete fueling station. Other highlights include an athletic training center, offices, a new Friar Athletics Hall of Fame, and a statue of legendary Providence College Men's Basketball Coaches Joe Mullaney '65 Hon & '98 Hon and Dave Gavitt '89 Hon, located just outside the main entrance. The large patio serves as a useful outdoor function location and an impressive backdrop to the Ray TreacyTrack at Hendricken Field.

Photo: Copyright Sarah Mechling. Courtesy Perkins Eastman.

INNOVATION LAB

The Innovation Lab is available to each of our 350+ NCAA Division I student-athletes. The lab is part of the overall Sports Medicine Department, with a primary focus on rest and recovery. The facility is one of very few in the country at the collegiate level. The facility houses the following amenities:

• Mindfulness Room: Five (5) nap pods for sleep/meditation • Recovery Area: Five (5) zero gravity recliners with massage and heat, which may be used with recovery pump gear • Two (2) sensory deprivation float rooms – 30 minutes of total relaxation, floating in 95 degree salt water in darkness • CryoTherapy Chamber – Standing chamber uses liquid nitrogen to bring temperature to -130 degrees as you rotate in the chamber for three minutes • Bod Pod: Used for total body composition • Offices for sports nutrition, sports psychology and the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Health & Wellness

Dimeo Construction of Providence served as the general contractor for the RFDC. Perkins Eastman of New York served as the building's architect. Advent, which is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., created the branded spaces through design, stories and digital elements.

On April 23, 2016, Providence College Athletics officially dedicated Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium, the new state-of-the-art facility for the men’s and women’s soccer and men’s lacrosse teams. The stadium features seating for over 1,500 fans, chair back seats, a new press box and two luxury boxes for entertainment. In addition the stadium also has new locker rooms for home and visiting teams and a 13HD Daktronics video board. Even in its infancy, the stadium has played host to multiple NCAA and BIG EAST Tournament events. The venue also has served as host for the USILA North/South All-Star Game [lacrosse] in 2017 and 2018. The New England Revolution [soccer] hosted its Fourth Round match in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the facility.

RAY TREACY TRACK AT HENDRICKEN FIELD

The Ray Treacy Track serves as the primary training facility for the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams. The complex has a six-lane lane track with eight-lane straightaways, which encompasses a turf field. Hendricken Field, which situated on the interior of the track, is used by the College's rugby team and other intramural sports. The complex has seating for more than 300 fans, as well as a press box and a scoreboard.

Opened in 1973, Schneider Arena recently underwent a massive renovation project that culminated in a Grand Reopening on Sept 27, 2013. The eight-month renovation project turned Schneider into one of finest on-campus facilities in the country. The Grand Reopening celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a blessing of the building, featuring President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80, Athletics Director Bob Driscoll and distinguished guests. The renovation project was completed in just under eight months and included a 30,000 square-foot addition. Highlights of the addition and renovation include a new atrium, ticket office, concession stands, coaches offices, shooting room, locker rooms, meeting rooms, athletic training room, press box, five luxury suites, dasher boards, glass, video boards, video ribbon boards, scoreboards, a renovated Friends of Friar Room and a strength and conditioning facility. Schneider Arena was dedicated and is named in memory of the late Reverend Herman D. Schneider, O.P., the founder of the Friars' highly successful hockey program and a longtime member of the school's faculty. For the men's program, since its opening night win, a 1-0 decision over the University of Pennsylvania on September 24, 1973, Schneider Arena has been the home of 428 Friar victories and a .608 winning percentage. At tournament time, either ECAC, Hockey East or NCAA, Providence has an impressive 30-13 mark in Schneider. The Friars' complete 44-year record stands at 428-249-61. Built at a cost of $1.8 million dollars in 1973, Schneider Arena also serves as the home of PC's women's hockey team and also houses the men's lacrosse team. Schneider Arena is one of Providence College's buildings that is in constant use. It serves the needs of the men's and women's hockey programs as well as the men's lacrosse program. The Providence College club hockey team and intramurals are also played at the arena. The building also serves as the home of many of Rhode Island's youth and high school hockey teams as well as junior hockey programs.