Former Governor Donald L. Carcieri  will be honored Saturday for his years of dedicated public service to Rhode Island at Epoch: The 2023 Gala for Hendricken

Hendricken president and pastor of St. Kevin Church, Father Robert. Marciano, will present Governor Carcieri with the Bishop Hendricken Distinguished Public Service Award which is presented each year to a Rhode Islander whose dedicated themselves to serving the state and local communities. Governor Carcieri is the second to receive the award. The inaugural recipient was Judge Frank Caprio.

"Governor Carcieri has dedicated his life to his Catholic faith, his family, and his service of others," said Fr. Marciano. "We are pleased to salute him with the Distinguished Public Service Award as part of an evening that will celebrate our school and our beautiful home state."

After working as a manufacturing company executive, bank executive, and teacher, Donald Carcieri was elected the 73rd Governor of Rhode Island in 2002, serving for two terms. While leading the people of Rhode Island, Governor Carcieri responded to several state disasters and emergencies, including The Station nightclub fire in 2003 and severe flooding of 2010. As Governor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he attended every Rhode Island National Guard troop deployment and return, often times late at night or in the early hours of the morning. As a devout Catholic, he and his late wife, Sue, led the way with statewide respect for life values. Prior to serving as Governor, Carcieri moved his family to Jamaica in 1981 to head the Catholic Relief Services' West Indies operation. They also co-founded the Academy Science Center for children in East Greenwich which generates community education and engagement.

Carcieri and his family will be in attendance to accept his honors and deliver remarks to attendees. Tickets are on sale no. All proceeds from the gala benefit tuition assistance for boys who wish to attend Bishop Hendricken, but need help to make it a reality. The gala will be held at the school.