PROVIDENCE COLLEGE DEDICATES NEW RESIDENCE HALL NAMED FOR FR. BRIAN J. SHANLEY, O.P., THE 12TH PRESIDENT OF PROVIDENCE COLLEGE
(Providence, R.I., September 29, 2023) – Providence College (PC) today will formally dedicate Shanley Hall, the College’s new six-story, suite style residence hall built on the Eaton St. side of campus.
Shanley Hall is named for former PC President Rev. Brian J. Shanley O.P., ’80, PC’s 12th president, who led the College from 2005-2020. Fr. Shanley is now the president of St. John’s University in New York. The 120,000 square foot building features approximately 370 beds and is home to most of PC’s sophomore class. The rooms are in a semi-suite configuration with two double rooms sharing one shower, one bathroom and a common vestibule with a vanity, sink and closet.
“Shanley Hall represents the most recent significant investment in the residence life experience here at Providence College,” said Providence College President Fr. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78. “At PC, we are constantly working to foster student development in places beyond the classroom, including recreation facilities, sacred spaces, and our residence and dining halls. It is fitting that this impressive edifice is named for Fr. Shanley, not only because of his stellar leadership as PC’s longest-serving president, but because, as a former PC student he, too, benefitted from this approach of educating and nurturing students in a holistic way. It is a beautiful continuum that runs through the life of Providence College, and we are blessed to be here today to celebrate with Fr. Shanley and his family,” Fr. Sicard said.
“I am deeply grateful to Providence College for this honor,” said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80. “When I came to PC in the Fall of 1976, I would never have dared dream of a moment like this. The foundations of what good I have done in my life were laid in my undergraduate days here,” Fr. Shanley said.
Dimeo Construction, based in Providence, was the general contractor for the building. SMMA, with offices in Providence and Cambridge, MA was the architect. The cost of the project was $74 million.
Participants in the dedication ceremony will be PC President Rev. Kenneth Sicard O.P., Former PC President Rev. Brian Shanley O.P., Executive Vice President Ann Manchester-Molak, members of the Providence College Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College. PC Student Congress President Bryan McGinn ’24 will also speak to represent the student body. Dr. Steven A. Sears, Ed.D, MBA, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, will emcee the event.
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