The Angel Fund: Families Helping Families

Maureen and Philip Ramer '10P of Newport Beach, Calif., are the parents of Kyle, now a junior. They are also active supporters of Providence College through their involvement in Parents for Providence and as St. Dominic Society leadership giving donors. And, they have demonstrated their hospitality by hosting College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. and other PC guests at their home.

Prior to learning from Father Shanley earlier this year about how the College is weathering the current economic climate, the Ramers spoke with advancement officials about how they might support renovations to the Slavin Center and student programming by the S.A.I.L. office to enhance campus life. Once they learned that other parents might not be able to see their own students realize their dream of a PC degree, however, they discussed this new challenge with Kyle and decided not only to include the new Angel Fund in their giving, but to also more than double their gift of the last fiscal year.

In their own words: Phil and Maureen Ramer '10P

"The mission of all colleges is to help those in need and, in these economic times, the most important thing is to help students in college stay in college and finish their education. That was our biggest motivation, to help some students who may otherwise have had to drop out of Providence College because of financial reasons.

"We were really moved by Father Shanley's January update to St. Dominic Society members, in which he shared that the College was receiving an increased number of financial aid appeals from families in need of more assistance. It would be devastating for someone whose family circumstances have changed to be unable to continue their studies at Providence. The College is like a family to its students; it's not like a big state school where students are just marching through.

"We were motivated to give more this year, realizing that the financial aid need would be higher and College resources tighter. We involved our son with the decision of how we would support Providence this year. It became a three-pronged effort.

"First and foremost, Kyle felt very strongly that support for the Angel Fund should be a top priority. Secondly, we also know how important unrestricted funds are to the College, so we designated part of our gift to this area. Thirdly, as parents, we were committed to helping the S.A.I.L. office pilot a program to provide more nonalcoholic programming, to keep more students on campus. It is important to help with resources to change the campus culture.