NK Resident Receives Honorary Degree From Providence College

PROVIDENCE – David Duffy ’61, a resident of North Kingstown, and chairman of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority and the retired founder and chairman of Duffy & Shanley, a Providence-based marketing communications firm, was awarded an honorary degree from Providence College during the College’s 93rd Commencement held on May 15, 2011 in Providence, R.I.

A U.S. Army veteran, Duffy served two years’ active duty and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. Prior to founding Duffy & Shanley in 1973, he served as a special assistant to the assistant U.S. secretary of transportation in Washington, D.C., and worked on special projects for the late New York governor and U.S. Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller. In 2002, Duffy served as transition director for then-R.I. Governor Donald L. Carcieri ’10Hon.

A former vice chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, Duffy served as the chair of the Providence President’s Council for 12 years and remains a council member. In 2005, upon his retirement as chair of the President’s Council, he received the College’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

He also served as president of the National Alumni Association and received the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions as an alumnus. He has chaired or served on numerous other College committees as well.

Extremely active in the community, Duffy is a member of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. He is the founding chair of the Rhode Island Sports Council, a member of the Board of Advisors of the Rhode Island Commodores, a director of Delta Dental of Rhode Island, and a director of Citizens Bank of Rhode Island and of Connecticut. He also is a trustee of the Churchill Tax-Free Income Fund of Kentucky and chairman of the Narragansett Insured Tax-Free Income Fund.

Duffy, who received a bachelor’s degree in letters from PC, is past chair of the national Board of Directors of the National Conference for Christians and Jews (NCCJ), now the National Conference for Community and Justice. He also is past chair of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, a past trustee of Rhode Island Hospital, and the founding chair of the Advisory Board for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Pawtucket, R.I.

Duffy has received numerous honors for his community service efforts, including the NCCJ’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the “Never Again” award from the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, the Amby Smith Award for contributions to Rhode Island sports from Words Unlimited, Leadership Rhode Island’s Annual Community Service Award, and the “Anchor of Hope” award for lifetime service to Catholic education from the Diocese of Providence.

Duffy is the father of three children: Jennifer, Jonathan, and Jeremy ’93. He is married to Heidi Kirk Duffy, who is also a former member of PC’s Board of Trustees and is currently a member of the Providence President’s Council.

Story courtesy of Providence College.