Providence, R.I.--Anticipation for the start of the 2009-10 academic year at Providence College was palpable at a reception for incoming students and their families on July 14.

Held on the lawn of Harkins Hall, the reception was hosted by the Mal Brown Club, the Greater Providence Chapter of the National Alumni Association. Robert S. Penney `89, club president, welcomed the nearly 100 guests in attendance.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, was the eighth of 16 summer receptions being held on the East Coast and in the Midwest for incoming freshmen and transfer students.

An added dimension to this year's receptions is the strong presence from the offices of admission, student affairs administration, and residence life, as well as faculty members.

Among those also in attendance at the recent reception were representatives of the Office of Institutional Advancement; the departments of athletics and recreational sports; the National Alumni Association; the Parents for Providence Association; and student leaders from the New Orientation Program.

During the reception, the Class of 2013 got an opportunity to meet and talk with one another as well as with members of the College's Dominican Community, faculty and staff members, and alumni.

The student guests included Mal Brown Scholarship recipient Caitlin Gelardi '13 of Warwick, R.I., and St. Dominic Scholarship recipients Emily Foster '13 of Wrentham, Mass., and Joshua Mazick '13 of Seekonk, Mass.

Foster, a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, R.I., said she knew in high school while attending a leadership conference at PC that this is where she wanted to attend college. She was accepted as a member of the Liberal Arts Honors Program and spoke excitedly about the academic and extracurricular opportunities ahead for her.

Foster said she is looking forward to getting involved in mock trial, student government, Campus Ministry, and theatre activities.

Legacy tradition continues
Mazick, who was valedictorian of his class at Seekonk High School, is the ninth member of his extended family to attend PC. His grandfather, Ralph Tomei '63, and his mother, Lynn Tomei Mazick '88, accompanied him to the summer reception.

Lynn Tomei Mazick said she was thrilled that her son was following in the family tradition in choosing to attend the College. She noted the sense of community and the feeling that PC is a "big family" as significant factors in her son's college decision.

Dr. Carol B. Crafts, associate dean of undergraduate studies and associate professor of biology, welcomed the students and their families and spoke about the PC experience. She noted the strong mentoring relationships between faculty and students as a defining element of their college career here. It is these mentoring relationships that really help direct the students toward their academic and professional interests, Crafts said.

Also addressing the guests was orientation leader Jaime Scambio '10 of Cranston, R.I., who advised students that the way to meet people on campus is to get involved. Scambio said she is excited for the upcoming social and service activities slated for the newly revised orientation, which runs from September 2-7.

She suggested that participation in the Urban Action Program--the pre-academic year community service initiative--and the Connections and Leadership retreats are additional opportunities to meet and get to know classmates during their first semester on campus.

"Remember, every single one of you are in the same boat right now," she said. "Keep an open mind, meet people, and get involved."

Receptions reinforce decision
After the reception, Richard DelSesto, assistant director of alumni relations, noted that more than 500 people have attended the summer receptions to date. DelSesto projects an additional 400 people will attend the remaining summer events.

"The receptions--particularly this year, with the additional presence of key staff and faculty members--have served to reinforce within the minds and hearts of the incoming students and their families that they have made the right choice in choosing PC," DelSesto said.

"This is another opportunity, prior to orientation, to give students a feel for the school and the community they are becoming a part of," he said.

The Office of Alumni Relations invites all alumni to participate in future receptions. For more, including a listing of receptions,click here.

--Joan Lamar

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