Providence College Special and Archival Collection

Welcome to the Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections Monday's Memories photo blog. From time-to-time we will be posting unidentified images from our Special Collections. If you recognize yourself or others, or have any information about an image, we would love to hear from you! Use the Tell us... to tell us what you know!

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These three Cranston Club members took time out from their – no doubt – busy academic schedule to welcome the freshman class of 1960.  In earlier days, the College hosted a number of student social clubs, such as the Cranston Club, the Fall River Club, and others whose sole membership criteria was to have hailed from that particular town.   

Can you guess which building is in the background or better yet recognize the sign carriers?  Were you a member of the Cranston Club or another campus club?

If you have a story or a memory to tell, please Tell us…

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These Freshmen from 1963 are ready - complete with beanie caps - to tackle their studies.  But why were they suiting up in the locker room to enter the gridiron of academia? 

If you know the answer or know who these gentlemen are, please Tell us…

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Who remembers these days?  Sweltering on hot days, freezing in the winter, and always way too much to read and study!  These young men are taking advantage of some free time in the old Guzman Hall study hall (now Martin Hall) during the 1960-1961 school year.  Judging by the stacks of books on each desk these fellows had plenty to study!

If you have a story or a memory to tell, please Tell us…

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From the 1967-1968 academic year, these Camera Club members appear to be having a lesson in developing old fashion 35mm film.  Unlike with modern digital cameras, producing a paper photograph in a darkroom could be tricky business requiring knowledge of photographic techniques, darkroom chemicals, and film development with an enlarger.

Was this just a pastime for these gentlemen or did they go on to become professional photographers?

If you know, please Tell us…

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This aspiring disc jockey is looking intently off camera.  The 1965 fall semester brought new studio facilities and a new station transmitter with FCC approval to broadcast on 91.3 FM.  Some of the new equipment can be seen in the background of this image. 

Prior to this, WDOM radio broadcast at 600 kilocycles on the AM dial through a closed circuit system.  Often referred to as the “Phantom Radio Station” during the 1950’s, broadcast times were intermittent at best due to numerous technical and financial difficulties.  In addition, the station’s broadcast range was limited to the campus and the immediate surrounding area. 

With the new studio upgrades, plus the many improvements since then, WDOM radio can now be heard throughout most of the Providence area providing listeners with progressive programming and its student operators with real life practical experience.

If you know who this is, please Tell us…

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Taken in April of 1962, members of the Glee Club appear to be arriving for the 4th Annual Catholic Inter-collegiate Glee Club Festival and Competition. The Festival, held that year at King's College in Wilkes Barre, PA, was a competition to determine who would take first place for being the "best" among eastern Catholic singing groups. 

Unfortunately, the Glee Club did not take "best" home with them that year, but none the less, the club maintained a wide following throughout the New England region.  Particularly favored events were those that included joint concerts with women's colleges in the Northeast.

Just who are these young choristers competing for the title of "best" within the Catholic Inter-collegiate Glee Club Festival and Competition?

If you know, please Tell us…

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This photograph, taken in front of Albertus Magnus Hall during the Freshman Orientation of 1961, depicts four freshman students from the class of '65 - all wearing beanie caps - as they are welcomed by the Dean of Freshmen, Father Edward B. Halton, O.P.

Just who are these young men embarking on their rite of passage into the academic world?  If you know, please Tell us...