David O'Connor, Franklin Square Resident Spends Spring Break Volunteering in Ecuador

2012 Apr 18

David O'Connor, a resident of Franklin Square, NY and a member of the class of 2014 at Providence College, recently spent a week working in Ecuador, as part of the College's Feinstein Academic Institute's Alternative Spring Break 2012 program.

O'Connor was among nearly 60 Providence College students who volunteered to spend their spring break to work in 4 different locations around the world. Two courses taught at PC allowed 17 students to travel to Quito, Ecuador. The courses are The Global Community Lens, taught by Dr. Nicholas V. Longo '96, associate professor of public and community service studies and director of the Global Studies Program, and Eric E. Sung, assistant professor of photography, and Peace and Justice, taught by Dr. Jeffrey D. Pugh, assistant professor of political science.

Students have been studying the theme "Visualizing Peace and Justice." Community Lens students worked at Providence CityArts for Youth during February, teaching children ages 10-15 the basics of digital photography while also taking their photographs. In Ecuador, they worked with the Center for Mediation, Peace, and the Resolution of Conflict (CEMPROC), an organization founded by Pugh, and took photographs as well. The students' photos have been on display at Providence CityArts.

Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News' America's Best Colleges.