Story in the Public Square, a program of Salve Regina’s Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, will receive the Newport Historical Society’s inaugural History Starts Here Award, offered to an individual or organization who is making history now, or making opportunities for thinking about how history is important to today.

Hosted by Jim Ludes, executive director of the Pell Center, and G. Wayne Miller, senior staff writer at the Providence Journal, Story in the Public Square features interviews with print, screen, music and other storytellers about their creative processes and how their stories impact public understanding and policy. The program is available on more than 200 public television stations across the country as well as SiriusXM satellite radio’s P.O.T.U.S channel.

The History Starts Here Award builds on the historical society’s interest in how historical perspectives help us think about the present and improve the future. “Storytelling is an essential component of history, and especially of public history,” said Ruth Taylor, executive director of the historical society. “By focusing on how story impacts understanding and discourse today, Jim and Wayne are making history, and using the techniques of historical discipline to capture important work in a variety of fields.”…Read more

President Jane Gerety, RSM, who is retiring in June after 10 years at the helm, will be awarded an honorary doctorate and will offer her reflections when the University community gathers on Sunday, May 19 to celebrate its 69th Commencement. Sister Jane’s longtime friend, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), will present the honorary degree citation, after which he will offer remarks to the University’s graduating Class of 2019.

Sister Jane joined Salve Regina’s board of trustees in 1995 and, among her leadership efforts to advance the institution, chaired its committee to rewrite the University’s mission statement re-affirming its mercy mission and Catholic intellectual tradition. Inaugurated as Salve’s seventh president in 2009, she worked tirelessly during her tenure to introduce several new academic programs, expand student scholarships, and oversee a major renovation to the University’s flagship academic building. But first and foremost, Sister Jane was known across the University community as a student’s president.

“I’ve loved being part of the spirit of Salve, which I really think is imbued with mercy,” she said. “I hope I’ve helped to cultivate that spirit.” When she announced her retirement, she told students: “You have changed in your time at Salve and so have I. Looking forward, we all share a bit of fear for the unknown and also hope for the excitement that is to come.”…Read More