Barbara Papitto, a generous philanthropist and an advocate for education, will be the speaker at the St. Andrew’s School commencement on Saturday, June 1. 

Over the last 40-years, Papitto has given her time to organizations and causes where she believes she can make a difference. She is currently on the board of ReFocus, Inc., a nonprofit human service agency which serves adults with differing physical and developmental needs. She is also a supporter of St. Mary Academy - Bay View, and has been active with St. Gabriel’s Call, an organization operated by the Diocese of Providence that supports single mothers and their newborn children. 

Papitto’s prior involvements include serving on the Board of Trustees of Bryant University and as president of the former Nickerson Community Center in Providence.

“It is an honor to have Barbara Papitto deliver this year’s commencement address,” said St. Andrew’s Head of School David Tinagero. “Her lifelong thirst for knowledge and commitment to serving others are inspiring, and I am excited for her to share her passion, wisdom, and experience with the Class of 2024 as they head off on their next adventures.”

St. Andrew’s School will honor the 50 members of the graduating class of 2024. The commencement is scheduled to begin on campus on the Buckley-Henius Quad at 9 a.m.

Papitto said she has been impressed by St. Andrew's Chapin Tradition of service, action, and inclusion and witnessing how students live out that mission every day.

“I am pleased to be able to share my perspective about these ideals to the Class of 2024 so that they can continue to impact the world around them,” Papitto said. 

Papitto received graduate and undergraduate degrees in accounting from Bryant University, working for some time in accounting for an engineering and architectural firm that was heavily involved in building government-assisted housing in greater Providence and the Blackstone Valley. 

In 2008, Papitto and her late-husband Ralph founded Read to Succeed, a program to help inner-city children improve their reading skills and earn scholarship funds. The program’s mission is to improve literacy for Providence underserved students by encouraging them to address their learning loss over the summer with the powerful incentive of a $1,000 college scholarship awarded to them each year for five years. Since it began, Read to Succeed has funded more than $2.7 million in scholarships.

In Dec. 2020, Papitto founded the Papitto Opportunity Connection as a continuation of the long-time commitment she and Ralph have made to supporting nonprofit organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Rhode Island.