[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 120 (Tuesday, June 30, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4029-S4030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND BRIAN J. SHANLEY

  Mr. REED. Madam President, I rise to join my colleague from Rhode 
Island in celebrating the tenure of Reverend Brian J. Shanley as the 
12th president of Providence College. As he completes his service, we 
thank him for his many contributions to the intellectual, social, and 
spiritual life in Providence.
  A native of Warwick, RI, and a graduate of Toll Gate High School, 
Father Shanley raised the national profile of Providence College, 
strengthening its academic programs, transforming and modernizing the 
campus, and fielding championship athletic teams. During his 
presidency, the college established its first Center for Global 
Education, the East and West Campuses were finally connected, and the 
Friars brought home the 2014 Big East Men's Basketball Championship and 
the 2015 NCAA Men's Hockey Championship.
  But the extent of his impact on students and the community is much 
broader than academic rankings, innovative land use, and sports. He 
advanced the mission of the college as an ``institution of higher 
education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit 
of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of God and neighbor.''
  The motto of Providence College and the Dominican Order is 
``Veritas'' or ``Truth.'' As president, Father Shanley worked to create 
an environment where students could discover truth both academically 
and spiritually. He established an Office of Mission and Ministry. 
Under his leadership, Providence College students have performed 
thousands of hours of community service in the city and beyond. The 
search for truth has also led to a greater commitment to racial and 
social justice on campus. When students occupied his office, calling 
for action on diversity and inclusion, Father Shanley met with them and 
agreed to concreate actions to promote diversity and inclusion in 
academics and other aspects of campus life. During his tenure the 
college also established the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, 
and Inclusion.
  As a scholar of philosophy, Father Shanley follows the teachings of 
Saint Thomas Aquinas, another Dominican friar, who wrote that it is 
``better to illuminate than merely shine to deliver to others 
contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.'' That is the kind of 
leadership Father Shanley has provided to Providence College for these 
past 15 years. He will be missed on campus and around town. I wish him 
well in his next endeavors and thank him for his service.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Madam President, I rise today, along with my senior

[[Page S4030]]

colleague Senator Reed, to mark the last day of Father Brian Shanley's 
tenure at Providence College, where he has served as president for 15 
years. Father Shanley is the longest serving president in the history 
of Providence College and the only native Rhode Islander to have had 
the role.
  A graduate of Providence College himself, Father Shanley has led the 
Catholic liberal arts college--the country's only higher learning 
institution run by the Dominican Friars--through a decade and a half of 
change. He has greatly increased P.C.'s national profile and overseen 
major capital improvements to the campus, all while ensuring the school 
remains true to its principles and a good neighbor in the Elmhurst 
section of Providence. Father Shanley created a College of Business to 
expand the school's offerings beyond its signature liberal arts 
curriculum and a Center for Global Education to foster opportunities 
abroad for students. He has taken strides to increase diversity by 
investing in financial aid, transitioning to a test-optional admissions 
model, and recruiting students and faculty from different backgrounds. 
And, of course, P.C. has cultivated a national reputation for its 
stellar basketball and hockey programs with Father Shanley at the helm.
  I would like to add on a personal note how cordial and gracious 
Father Shanley has been in all my dealings with him and with Providence 
College in his tenure. It has been a true pleasure to work and interact 
with him.
  I wish Father Shanley the very best in his well-earned retirement. Go 
Friars!

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