Providence College graduates overcome challenges in pursuit of degrees

Posted

PROVIDENCE — Overcoming adversity was a common theme at the Providence College commencement on Sunday, when Boston Marathon bombing survivor and PC alumna Heather Abbott offered the main address to the graduates.

“I’ve been asked to give a few commencement speeches over the past three years, and it’s always an honor and a privilege, but none so much as my alma mater, Providence College,” said Abbott, who received an MBA degree from the college in 2003.

On April 15, 2013, Abbott was watching the Boston Marathon with friends when a blast from a terrorist’s bomb altered her life forever, knocking her into a nearby restaurant and causing serious injury to her left leg. Shortly afterward, she made the difficult decision to amputate the leg below the knee in an attempt to regain her active lifestyle.

“One week after that day of celebration, I was forced to recognize what would be the new normal for my life,” she said.

Abbot’s newfound knowledge of the cost and difficulty of obtaining prosthetic limbs led her to create The Heather Abbott Foundation, which helps provide customized prostheses for those who have lost limbs due to trauma. Speaking to the graduates, she shared her philosophy of accepting the challenges in life as the first step to moving on.

“Letting go and moving forward is different than forgetting. I will never forget, just like you will never forget the experiences in your lives,” she said. “As a survivor, the only chance is to move on. To pick yourself up and get on the path to where you want to go.”

Prior to the ceremony, Abbott met with graduating senior Francisco Oller, who was born with a rare genetic condition called Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. Oller, who uses a wheelchair to get around campus, received a standing ovation when he walked across the stage to receive his degree. Abbott explained that because she was injured in a high-profile event, she received an outpouring of support from the community. Those who are born with certain conditions or injured in ways that go unknown, she said, face a steeper challenge in gaining the resources they need.

“Cisco and people like him have to figure out how to get on with life very quietly,” she told Rhode Island Catholic during an interview before the ceremony. “I feel inspired by people like him.”

Like Abbott, Oller did not allow his condition to limit his experience, participating fully in campus life and even sharing his story with students and local media outlets. He told Rhode Island Catholic that attending PC was the best decision he ever made and the support of fellow students on campus has been amazing.

“I’ve been a miracle, so why not pass that miracle on to others?” he said.

Oller’s mother, Yolanda García, held back tears as she spoke about the opportunities her son has received at the college. She and other family traveled from their hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to attend the commencement.

“I’m very much honored to have him seen at PC. To get to meet the deans and professors,” she said. “PC has been great and excellent for him. We are very happy that he got all the support.”

During the ceremony, 1,175 degrees were awarded to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as five honorary degrees. Among the honorary degree recipients was Dr. Timothy Flanigan, a deacon at St. Christopher and St. Theresa Parishes, Tiverton.

Dr. Flanigan was honored for his work helping to train and decontaminate St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, during the 2014 Ebola crisis, a job that required both his deep faith and knowledge of medicine. A professor at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, he has also been recognized for his work with HIV/AIDS patients.

Faith also played a large role for Raquel Ray, a graduate of the School of Continuing Education who received her bachelor of arts in theology on Sunday. Ray, 46, a mother of four and Air Force veteran, decided to return to school to pursue a calling to Episcopal ministry.

“I would not have gone if anybody other than God had asked me to do it,” she said. “I have this unavoidable call to ministry that I cannot turn my back on. That is what has gotten me through.”

Though for some, a devout Episcopalian might seem out of place studying in a Catholic theology program, Ray said she felt immense support from the PC faculty and saw her classes in Catholic theology as an important part of her education.

“Everything we have at the Episcopal Church is anchored in everything the Catholic Church does, so I thought it was important to learn Catholic theology to grow into the Anglican,” she said. “I would much rather prefer building that bridge between the denominations than focus on differences.”

Following the ceremony, graduates and guests gathered in the lobby of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center to take photographs and celebrate their achievements. For one graduate, Ariana Greco of Warwick, the celebration was particularly special because her 105-year-old great-grandmother, Emma Pezza, was able to attend.

“I am so thrilled. It’s the best thing that could happen,” said Greco’s mother, Cheryl. “I am so proud of her.”

Greco plans to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy at Boston University in the fall. Providence College reports that out of 905 undergraduates, 19 percent will pursue postgraduate studies and 27 percent were already employed as of graduation.