Fostering Global Citizens
Ralph Laurello, Jr. ’61’s journey from Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Connecticut, to a globetrotting career began with his decision to attend Providence College, drawn by its strong Catholic values and its Army ROTC program. His college years were marked by spirited debates and travel with the debate team, but financial pressures soon forced him to juggle work and his studies. Upon graduation, and after two years of studies in law school, Ralph decided that his priority goal was to see the world. With that in mind, he decided to fulfill his military commitment as a U.S. Army intelligence officer.
His first overseas assignment was at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam. Several months after his arrival and due to a set of unforeseeable circumstances during the Tet Offensive, he assumed responsibility for the protection of the American Ambassador with the assistance of six Marine Security Guards. After Vietnam, he was assigned as the first resident Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in what is currently called Congo. Following that assignment he was posted as the first security official at the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing, China. There, he met his wife, Diny, a diplomat with the Dutch service, who shared his passion for international affairs. Their love story spanned continents, with a wedding in the Netherlands and jobs in Paris and Kenya, where Ralph managed embassy security across Africa. Eventually, the couple returned to Washington, D.C. a few years later Ralph retired as a senior Foreign Service Officer to accept a position in the private sector. While Ralph’s corporate position was financially rewarding, he and Diny both missed the Foreign Service. Therefore, some years later when he was offered a position at the U.S. State Department as a full-time personal services contractor, they accepted it fully recognizing that it involved the probability of many assignments at hardship posts in Africa.
Recalling his financial struggles during his later years at Providence College, Ralph and Diny have become generous benefactors of the college through their estate plan. They are committed to providing opportunities for students to fully immerse themselves in their academic pursuits, both domestically and abroad. The Laurellos also support students majoring in political science through an endowed scholarship fund. Ralph believes that an education in political science provides historical knowledge that fosters meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation with people all over the world. Ralph fervently believes in the transformative power of studying abroad, stating,
It’s incredibly important for students to know how others around the world think, and why they are motivated to do what they do.
Just as his international experiences have profoundly enriched his own life, Ralph hopes PC students gain insights from different countries, helping them become better global citizens. Endowment support is significant for Ralph and Diny, as even modest contributions can make a profound impact on a single student’s life. For Diny, the essence of Providence College lies in the moral values it imparts on its students, especially in navigating a complex and challenging world. Together, Ralph and Diny’s philanthropy is dedicated not only to providing financial support, but also to sustaining the core values that make Providence College a shining example of integrity and character.
