Providence, RI -- Sixteen junior and senior student-athletes recently were inducted as the first Providence College honorees into the National College Athlete Honor Society.

Sponsored by the Office of Academic Services (OAS), the induction was held before approximately 45 members of the College community, including administrators, faculty, staff, coaches, and the student-athletes themselves.

The National College Athlete Honor Society is an organization of college athletes with high academic achievement, exemplary character, and positive attitude. Founded in 1996 at DePauw University in Greencastle , Ind. , the honor society recognizes juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA and who have received a varsity letter in their sport.

According to Molly E. Malgieri, associate director of academic services and academic coordinator for student-athletes in the OAS, the idea for a PC chapter came last fall when she and Phillip DeCarlo, assistant academic coordinator in the OAS, heard about the society while attending a conference. They decided to initiate one at the College.

“We wanted to establish this honor society on our campus to recognize the many student-athletes who succeed both in the classroom and in their sport. These 16 individuals clearly exemplify the true meaning of the term ‘student-athlete,’” she emphasized. 

Expressions of pride

Following remarks by Malgieri, Rev. Terence J. Keegan, O.P., executive vice president and treasurer, told the student-athletes, “You are the kind of students that PC is proud of.” He added, “Providence College is concerned with the development of the whole person; you are the multifaceted students that we are proud to educate.” In conclusion, Father Keegan told the honorees they exemplify “what PC is all about.”

Jill M. LaPoint, associate director of athletics and senior women’s administrator in the Department of Athletics, spoke next, telling the student-athletes that they are truly the “cream of the crop.” She urged them to take pride in their accomplishments. “Be proud of yourselves, we certainly are,” she said.  

Following the remarks, Malgieri and DeCarlo presented the 16 student-athletes with certificates from the National College Athlete Honor Society. The inductees include representatives from seven athletics teams. The inductees are:

• Brianne Bruni ’05 and Jaclyn Ross ’04 of the women’s soccer team
• Brigid Collins ’04 and Megan St. Ledger ’04 of the volleyball team
• Emma Foster ’05 and Carol Geddes ’04 of the women’s track team
• Patrick Franzen ’04, men’s swimming and diving
• Megan Fuller ’05, Bridget McKenna ’04, Alyssa Meleski ’05, Anne Reilly ’05, and Lyndsay Taylor ’04, representing the women’s swimming and diving team
• Richard Knightly ’05, Kevin Kornobis ’04, and Mark Rotella ’05, of the lacrosse team, and
• Thomas Geer ’05, men’s track.