Br. Ralph Bucci, F.S.C.
Br. Ralph Bucci, F.S.C.
Director of Residence Life
Br. Ralph was born and raised in Cranston, RI. He attended La Salle Academy in Providence. Br. Ralph came to Manhattan College in 2005 as coordinator of the Mentor Program. He now serves as Director of Residence Life. He has been trained as a visual artist working in clay sculpture and has a keen visual sensibility that uses to appreciate the ever-changing landscape of the college campus and to envision more efficient and more aesthetically pleasing rhythms of campus life. In his leisure time, Br. Ralph enjoys his plant collection of jade and cacti and spends time in the summer cultivating vegetables and planting flowerbeds.
Educational Background:
B.A. Italian Literature, The Catholic University of America, 1971
M.A.T. Art Education - Ceramics, Rhode Island College, 1982
M.F.A. Ceramic Sculpture, The George Washington University, 1987
Areas of Expertise:
Clay sculpture, design/use of space, working with people, attention to detail
On becoming a Christian Brother:
During my sophomore year of high school, I was highly impressed with the devotion and dedication of the Brothers I had as teachers. They were both larger than life and down to earth at the same time, great teachers and concerned about their students.
Other Brothers who have been inspirations or mentors:
Since I’ve been here, the fondness of the retired Brothers for their work at Manhattan College has been quite moving. The camaraderie of the current teaching Brothers and those in administration has also been inspiring.
On working with students:
One type of experience that I have found and continue to find meaningful is when I’m working with a student who has had some difficulty – misbehavior, uncertainty in their academic program, personal problem – and helping them to see the reality, meet it and develop a plan to address the issue.
What have you found to be a meaningful experience outside of teaching?
Meeting students I’ve worked with and/or taught later in life. Their reminiscences usually bring fond memories and, in essence, confirm the purpose of my ministry.
On his other assignments:
They each have had an impact on my life, each in its own way, even for the 15 years or so that I worked at Salve Regina University. Although sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, we’ve had many Brothers teaching there over the years. We had a very good cooperative effort with the sisters.
On his contributions to the College:
As coordinator of the mentor program, I reconnected with alums and demonstrated the respect that we have for them. As Director of Residence Life, I am helping to bring a new sense of concern for our student body, our staff of RAs and RDs and for the many areas that Residence Life impacts on campus.
On the future of the college:
We seem to be well focused on attracting more students, even with declining demographics. We have some challenges in refocusing our efforts to continue to develop programs for our resident students and in giving attention to making better use of our existing facilities.
More about Br. Ralph:
I continue to be positively impressed with the great affection the alums have for their alma mater!
Career at Manhattan:
Manhattan College, Director of Residence Life, 2007 –
Manhattan College, Coordinator: Mentor Program 2005-07
Br. Ralph came to Manhattan College from La Salle Academy in Providence, where he was Dean of the Class of 2005. Previously, he was at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI where he served as Coordinator of Academic Advising and Junior Senior Classes Advisor (1999-2000). He also served as Assistant to the Provincial at De La Salle Christian Brothers Center in Narragansett, RI (1998-99). From 1987-97, Br. Ralph was at Salve Regina University where he was an Assistant Professor of Art, Gallery Director and Academic Advisor. He also directed the Art in Public Places Program for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (1990-93). Additionally, Br. Ralph spent 11 years as a teacher and administrator at La Salle Academy, RI (1971-82).
