National Alumni Association Election

May 2025

Greetings Providence College Alumni:

It is a privilege to present to you the candidates for executive vice president for election to the 2025-26 Providence College National Alumni Association Council. As the association’s president-elect and co-chair of the nominating committee, I am delighted that these accomplished, committed, and enthusiastic alumni have come forward as candidates.

As part of the election process, we asked each candidate to supply biographical information, including details about how they have remained connected to Providence College. The candidates also provided a reflection on the association’s mission and their thoughts on how they will serve the alumni population if elected.

Ballots have been distributed to all alumni who have donated any amount to Providence College during the immediate past or current fiscal year. All ballots are due no later than June 13, 2025, and the results will be announced and posted on our alumni web page in July.

My sincerest thanks to the two candidates for their leadership and interest in continuing to serve Providence College.

Kathleen McGinley ’82
Executive Vice President
National Alumni Association Council

Brian Gay ’11

Residence/Hometown: Middletown, CT/East Walpole, MA

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Humanities, Providence College, 2011
Executive Masters in Clinical Quality, Safety & Leadership (EMCQSL), Georgetown University, enrolled, expected graduation December 2025

Employment: Director of Quality Assurance, Whiting Forensic Hospital, Middletown, CT

PC Volunteer Positions:

National Alumni Council – member-at-large (’21-’23), Secretary (’23-’24), VP of Operations (’24-’25)
Hartford Alumni Club – member and social media chair (’21 – present)

Honors, Recognitions, and Awards: Dean’s List, National Society of Collegiate Scholars

PC Student Involvement:

Friar Phoneroom – fundraiser (’07 – ’08);
ECO PC – member (’07-’08)
PC for Life – member (’07-’09)
Office of Residence Life – Resident Assistant, 4^th Floor Fennell (’08-’09);
Office of Institutional Advancement – Reunion Volunteer (’09);
Feinstein Institute Federal Work Study Program – City of Providence (’09), International Institute of Rhode Island (’10)
SHEPARD – member (’09), treasurer (’10) & vice president (’11)

Community Involvement:

City of Middletown, Connecticut – Justice of the Peace, (2025 – 2029)
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Research Institute – Technical Work Group Member (2024 – present)
Birth Support, Education and Beyond, Inc. – Board Secretary (2023–present)
AmeriCorps VISTA/Serve Rhode Island – Youth & Family Volunteer Coordinator (2011-2012)

Family Affiliated with PC:

John F. Gay, CPA ’74
Susan J. (Marzul) Gay, Esq. ’75
Lorelle R. (Gay) Croall, ’03

“How will your candidacy help promote the mission of the National Alumni Association?”

I hope my candidacy will help to bring Friars back into the fold who may have drifted away or become estranged from PC, to remind them that there is always a place for them within the Friar Family. I believe that the diversity and vibrance of our alumni/ae is a vital asset which supports us in our mission to build the Beloved Community that we aspire to achieve as part of our Catholic and Dominican tradition, and I would seek to ensure that such diversity and vibrance is well represented on the Council.

During my time on the Council thus far, I have been able to establish and maintain positive relationships with a variety of alumni/ae from all walks of life – different class years, regions, professions and cultural backgrounds – a skill which is key to this role.

I have also been involved in various levels of alumni engagement, including my local regional club, where I have helped with event planning, coordination and marketing, in addition to my ongoing involvement on the Council as a member-at-large, secretary and currently as the Vice President of Operations. I believe this engagement at different levels of the organization will allow me to strengthen existing relationships with diverse members of the alumni community.

Finally, if elected, I hope to use my role to continue to advance philanthropic education and support of the college so the good work the school is doing may continue well into the future to benefit the coming generations.

Richy Kless ’74, ’78G, ’82SCE

Residence/Hometown: Cranston, RI

Education:

BA Social Work ’74
MA Religious Studies ’78
BS Fire Science ’82

Employment:

Retired PC Student Affairs Administrator
Taught Theology classes in PC’s School of Continuing Education
Previous career in Public Safety as EMT/FireFighter, Fire/Arson Investigator

PC Volunteer Positions:

Class Reunion Committee
Class Representative National Alumni Council

Honors, Recognitions, and Awards:

Mal Brown Club Fr. Dore Award

PC Student Involvement:

Football
Track
Student Congress
Friars Club
Intramurals
Doogans!
Founded Fountain of Life Christian Bookstore w/Chaplain’s Office

Community Involvement:

Church Choir, Men of St. Joseph
Eucharistic Minister
Previously coached Boys and Girls CYO basketball, youth soccer and basketball leagues and HS football

Family:

Wife Terri (Supple) ‘76
Son Eric and wife Alex live in New Orleans with Maggie and Joe
Son Justin and wife Lindsay live in Pearl River, NY with Luke and Layla
Daughter Jenna ’14G, ’21G and husband Cory Bouchard live in Cranston ,RI with Brooklyn and Madisyn; Cory works at PC

“How will your candidacy help promote the mission of the National Alumni Association?”

My story at Providence College is a lifelong journey of faith, service, and community. Most of my adult life was spent being a part of PC. Yes, filled with flaws and triumphs.

As a 17 year old kid from Brooklyn NY, I arrived at PC seeking opportunity but found something even greater: a campus community of young people rooted in love of learning and seeking the Truth about the world. More importantly we were seeking the truth about ourselves as we engaged the world. It changed my life.

Over the decades—as a student, teacher, and administrator at PC I have been blessed to walk with several generations of students on their journeys, always inspired by the Dominican spirit that is our Friar family.

For more than 4 decades, I taught theology in the School of Continuing Education, helping students engage with the deep questions of faith, justice, and purpose. In every role I had within the Student Affairs division, working with RAs in residence halls, advising student staff on The COWL and VERITAS or meeting students during a student conduct hearing, my focus was on the individual student while fostering a community grounded in respect, dialogue, and care for others.

As President of the National Alumni Council, I offer my experience and see opportunities to deepen our alumni connections by centering our efforts on our FRIAR community’s educational mission that first led us to PC. Our college has given me more than I could ever give back. I want every alumnus to feel the same sense of belonging, purpose, and responsibility to our Alma Mater. Our communities, nation and world all need more of the gospel values a PC education enkindles within us. Together, we can honor our traditions, invigorate pride in our school while assuring the Dominican values continue to illuminate a path forward beyond limits, for future generations.