Providence, RI--William D. Slattery, Jr. ’53 and his wife, Barbara, of Pawtucket, RI, have established an endowed scholarship fund to assist students with financial need.

The William and Barbara Slattery Scholarship Fund will be made available to Providence College undergraduates on the basis of financial need with preference given to students from the Pawtucket area. Details of the fund are being finalized. An endowed scholarship requires a minimum donation of $50,000 to establish.

“Bill Slattery is one of the most loyal and active volunteer leaders we’ve ever had at the College,” said Joseph P. Brum ’68, special assistant to the president for development projects. “I’ve been here almost 37 years and I’ve just never met a finer guy.”

A longtime member of the College’s President’s Council and the PC Alumni Association, Slattery began volunteering with the Annual Fund during the 1976-77 year. He was the first alumnus to serve as chair of every level of the fund. As chair of the Annual Fund/Capital Campaign fundraising in 1985-86, Slattery led efforts resulting in $4 million in contributions.

An active Providence College alumni phonathon volunteer, Slattery also has served on the Capital Campaign executive committee and the Building and Grounds Committee.

Previously, the Slatterys have made generous gifts in honor of the Chapel of Our Lady in St. Dominic Chapel and in support of the Smith Center for the Arts on campus. In recognition of their generosity, a room in the center is named in their honor.

Slattery’s contributions have been acknowledged in other ways by the College. He was awarded PC's Faithful Friar Award in 1988, the Mal Brown Award in 1996, and received an honorary doctorate in 2003.

Slattery also has received the designation of Papal Knight of St. Gregory from the late Pope John Paul II, which recognizes meritorious service to the Roman Catholic Church.

The owner of the William D. Slattery Agency in Pawtucket, he has been involved in the real estate profession for more than 50 years.

“When I was a student 50 years ago, I never thought about how the College had been founded,” said Slattery. “But years later, I realized that each building didn’t appear out of nowhere: somebody donated money to build them. People from all walks of life have donated their time, money, and energy to allow Providence College to become one of the best colleges in the nation. Now, in gratitude to all those who helped me with my education, I’m just following the tradition of giving and helping PC grow in stature and reputation.”

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