Providence, R.I. - Rev. Thomas J. Ertle, O.P., assistant chaplain at Providence College for the last 10 years, was named the recipient of The Reverend Philip A. Smith, O.P. Award at the recent Spring Faculty and Staff Meeting. The announcement was made by College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.

The Reverend Philip A. Smith, O.P. Award was established in 2002. It is named in honor of the late Father Smith, who served as the College's 11th president from 1994-2005.

Individuals bestowed with the honor are those whose contributions have made a significant impact in furthering the mission of PC. Father Ertle is the fourth recipient of the award.

Father Ertle has served the College in a variety of capacities for more than 20 years. In addition to his duties as assistant chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain/Campus Ministry, he is the chaplain to the College's student-athletes and the subprior of the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas on campus.

A native of Jersey City, N.J., Father Ertle first came to PC in 1947 as a student. He holds two degrees from the College, earning a bachelor's degree in 1951 and a master's degree in 1982. He was ordained a Dominican priest in 1956. For more than 20 years, he was assigned to parishes in New Jersey and Ohio, and for several years he was part of a group of "itinerant preachers" who gave parish retreats on the East Coast.

Father Ertle returned to PC in 1979. He served as College chaplain from 1979-1982, and as assistant/associate chaplain from 1982-1984. He also was prior of the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas from 1981-1984.

He was a member of the Providence College Corporation from 1982-1986 and 1988-1993, serving as chair during the latter term. He was a member of the Board of Trustees in 1992-1993.

Father Ertle also served the Dominican Province of St. Joseph in several administrative capacities in the 1980s and 1990s, including as prior provincial from 1993-1998.

During the past decade at PC, his responsibilities in the chaplain's office have included serving as acting College chaplain in 2000-2001.

"The students have been a true blessing," Father Ertle said. "I love them. They have helped make this the greatest assignment in the world."

In addition to his work on campus, Father Ertle volunteers at the soup kitchen at St. Patrick's Parish in Providence and has had a longtime involvement with the area's deaf community, for whom he has celebrated Mass.

"The simplest way to describe Father Ertle is he is much beloved on this campus," said Father Shanley.

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