Bishop Hendricken High School will add seven to its 2017 Hall of Fame at an on-campus induction ceremony Sunday, November 5.

"Through time, talent and treasure, all of this year’s inductees have made significant contributions to the growth of Bishop Hendricken and the school’s pursuit of its mission: to bring each member of its community closer to God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – by educating the total person – heart, mind, body and soul,” said Hendricken President John A. Jackson, ‘71.

The 2017 Bishop Hendricken Hall of Fame inductees are:

Raymond T. Rider II ‘70 – Distinguished Arts Award

Mr. Rider was an important force in the Hendricken Music Department since his freshman year of high school. As a senior, he was elected President of the band, First Chair of the first clarinet section, and a student conductor. Upon graduation from Hendricken he entered URI as a music major. In the fall of 1973, then Hendricken Music Director, John Neidl, passed away. On very short notice and still an undergraduate at URI, Mr. Rider took over as music director. He is credited with saving the music program and carrying on the activities and traditions started by John Neidl, including the award winning marching band, the concert band, and the spring musicals. Mr. Rider’s accomplishments as music director include taking the marching band to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City, a special honor for any band in the US, as well as being music director and stage director of “Mame” in spring 1974, and music director of “The Boyfriend” in spring 1975.

John J. Costa – Distinguished Faculty Award

Mr. Costa began his teaching career in the Johnston Public school system in 1970 and has been a Fine Arts teacher at Bishop Hendricken since 1998. His Hendricken accomplishments include setting the foundation for the Fine Arts Program. Brother Kevin Cawley hired Mr. Costa to build the structure for a program allowing students to develop their creative talents in Visual Art, Theater, Music, and Media Arts. His end goal was to have arts students have the experience and ability to apply to colleges and universities to study their chosen Fine Arts discipline in depth. Mr. Costa quickly and efficiently built a viable and successful Fine Arts program. He served as the Arts Department Chair for 8 years before exclusively devoting his time to the Visual Arts. Mr. Costa has been instrumental in advising and assisting students with their visual arts portfolios allowing them to continue their post-graduate studies at some of the top colleges and universities in the country.

Christopher and Mrs. Mary Gentili – Volunteer Service Award

Chris and Mary Gentili, parents of Hendricken’s 2017 valedictorian, Giancarlo Gentili, have a tireless and lengthy record of involvement with the school and Rhode Island community. A list of their leadership positions includes being Co-Presidents of the Arts Council (2014-2017), Co-Chairs of the “For the Boys” Gala Committee (2016), Co-Presidents of the Theater Arts Program (2017), and Parent Council Co-Presidents (2017). In addition, the couple operate a long-time family owned business, Alexander’s Uniforms, and manage to find time to provide sponsorship and support to the following community organizations: Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Rhode Island Food Bank, The Rhode Island Veterinary Association, and the Cranston Ravens Girls’ Softball Organization and the Cranston Youth Girls Basketball Association.

Edward J. Goddard, Esq. ‘83 – Alumni Service Award

Mr. Goddard is widely regarded as a leading labor relations practitioner in the Nursing Home industry. He is licensed to practice law in 3 states, is a published author, and has a long track record of public service in the town of Wrentham, MA that includes the town’s only elementary school playground being named after him. But Hendricken is inducting Mr. Goddard, who incidentally finished 4th in his class, into its Hall of Fame for his strong track record of service to his alma mater. He has been an Alumni Chair for the school’s Annual Fund and instrumental in helping to raise needed funding and increasing alumni participation. He is described as an alumnus who clearly “gets it” and credits his Hendricken experience for forming the man and professional he has become. Mr. Goddard understands the importance of giving back, and what it means to steward the mission so that future generations of Hawks can also benefit from a Hendricken education.

Very Reverend Paul R. Grenon – Honorary Alumnus Award

The Very Reverend Paul R. Grenon is the longest serving Chaplain to Bishop Hendricken in the school’s history. Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, Fr. Grenon also served as Parish Priest at St. James in Manville and St. Clement’s in Warwick while serving at Hendricken from 1978-1991. Fr. Grenon is credited with introducing a Peer Ministry program at Hendricken that is still in existence today as 25 dedicated senior students are chosen to minister to their peers and assist the Campus Ministry staff while serving as valued spiritual ambassadors. During Fr. Grenon’s tenure at Hendricken he also served as Chaplain to the Warwick Police Department, Scout Chaplain to the Boy Scouts of Narragansett Council and the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. Fr. Grenon is currently serving as the Pastor of Saints John and Paul Parish in Coventry and the Dean (Dean 4) of the Coventry, West Warwick and Warwick area.

The Cast & Crew of The Music Man – Legends Award

“The Music Man” was mounted by Prout-Hendricken Productions in the spring of 1969. It was the first musical produced by the new collaboration between Bishop Hendricken and The Prout School and the first for either school. It was directed (music and stage) by Bro. John Neidl, Hendricken’s new music director, and produced by Sr. Lillian Dempsey from Prout, the founders of the “PH” collaboration. “The Music Man” was a huge milestone for both Hendricken and Prout in that being “the first” presented large challenges. It drew standing ovations from the open dress rehearsal through the final 3 performances, as well as excellent reviews from the media.

Matthew J. Leonard ‘83 – Distinguished Alumnus Award

Matthew Leonard is Executive Vice President of Pharmaceutical Contracting, Purchasing & Managed Care for CVS Health. Since joining the company in 1995, Mr. Leonard has been instrumental in major initiatives, leading the integration of pharmacy purchasing and operations of multiple acquisitions, including Revco Drug Stores, Eckerd Drugs, Albertsons/Sav-on Pharmacy, Caremark and Omnicare. He is a five-time recipient of the company’s CEO Award, the highest honor given at the company. In addition, Leonard was awarded the IMS Health Pharmacy Partnership Award in 2007 and Chain Drug Pharmacy Executive of the Year from Chain Drug Review in 2009. Leonard currently serves on CVS Health’s Enterprise Operating Committee and has been a member of Caremark’s Executive Committee since 2011. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Red Oak Sourcing, LLC, as well as the company’s Interim President. Red Oak is the largest generic pharmaceutical sourcing entity in the United States.

The Hall of Fame ceremony and ticket sales also support the Alumni Scholarship, awarded annually to a returning member of the sophomore class based on scholarship, service, character, financial need and the candidate who best represents the “Hendricken Man.” This year’s recipient of the Alumni Scholarship is Jake White ‘20. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and donors at every level, recipients of the Alumni Scholarship can continue to benefit from the Hendricken experience.

Tickets to the induction ceremony are available for $50 per person and can be purchased by calling Bishop Hendricken’s Advancement Office at 738-6971, ext. 130. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with a Mass in Dr. Daniel S. Harrop Theater, and an awards presentation and reception will follow.