Commencement Weekend 2025

·1 hr·5 clips

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox shares how a brutal betrayal reshaped his understanding of justice and leadership.

The episode opens with host Joe Carr introducing a series of speeches from Providence College's 2025 Commencement Weekend events. First, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, a 1997 graduate, delivers the graduate commencement address, sharing his personal story of arriving at PC in 1984 with basketball dreams, transferring to the School of Continuing Education, and being inspired by professors like Joseph Gemma. He describes joining the Boston Police Department after encouragement from a community officer, rising through the ranks, and experiencing a pivotal moment in 1995 when he was mistakenly beaten by fellow officers while chasing a suspect, an event that taught him about injustice and integrity. Cox discusses his career advancements, including becoming chief in Ann Arbor and returning as Boston's commissioner, linking community policing to historic low crime rates. Next, political science professor Kazem Zancherchi gives the faculty address at the academic awards ceremony, arguing that discomfort in learning—such as asking tough questions or facing complex issues—is crucial for growth, citing a Rumi quote about polishing mirrors. He connects this to current political and AI challenges, urging graduates to sit with discomfort. Then, student Samuel Seda, a theology and humanities major with a 4.0 GPA, speaks at the same ceremony, thanking professors, friars, and family, and reflecting on how the pandemic shaped his class's beginnings. He emphasizes Providence College's pursuit of truth as interdisciplinary and community-driven, linking it to service through programs like FaithWorks and My Brother's Keeper, and spiritual growth through encounters with Christ. President Father Kenneth Sicard then addresses the baccalaureate commencement, quoting Pope St. John Paul II on gratitude, enthusiasm, and confidence, and highlighting PC's 'secret sauce' of academics, personal growth, and community bonds. He encourages graduates to savor the moment and look forward with confidence. Senior Class President Connor Flynn shares brief remarks, referencing signs on campus that say 'for those who seek more' and a poem about striving, emphasizing love and faith. Finally, retired Judge Frank Caprio gives the commencement address, recounting his immigrant family's sacrifices, his father's advice to study hard, and his judicial philosophy of compassion learned at home and PC. He reveals his battle with pancreatic cancer, discusses his book 'Compassion in the Court' and 25 million social media followers, and urges graduates to leave the ladder down for others, judging success by care and giving. The episode concludes with Carr signing off.

As heard by us

A warm commencement review of Providence College belonging, truth, and service as measures of a successful life.

Commencement Weekend 2025 returns to Providence College for the Class of 2025, shaping the ceremony around truth pursued together and success understood through service. Michael A.

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Why you'd press play

You want a commencement listen where Providence College revisits 2025 graduation speeches and lands on service as the thing worth carrying forward.

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