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Knights of Distinction

Knights of Distinction Society

Knights of Distinction embody the core values of our school and move them forward in ways that positively impact an ever-changing world. Extraordinary in diverse fields, honorees have uplifted and inspired others and brought honor and pride to Providence Country Day and Henry Barnard.
We celebrate honorees for their professional or academic achievement, leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and public responsibility. These individuals who “Played the Game” with excellence, grace, and character have illuminated and preserved our rich history and enduring values, as well as looked forward in aspirational and innovative ways.

Our Inaugural Class

We are pleased to announce the inaugural class of the Providence Country Day School Knights of Distinction. As part of our Centennial Celebration, we have established the Knights of Distinction Society to recognize those in our community who have embodied the core values of our school and have advanced them in ways that have positively impacted an ever-changing world, bringing honor and pride to Providence Country Day. 
 
This inaugural class, drawn from nominations submitted by our school community, represents the broad span of our great school’s history. We celebrate these honorees for their professional or academic achievement, leadership, teamwork, citizenship, service, and public responsibility. Along with their fellow Knights of Distinction – and those who will follow in future years –  they have embodied the school’s “Play the Game” ethos with excellence, grace, and character. 
 
  • William Andrade ’82 – PGA standout, Payne Stewart Award winner, and philanthropist 
  • David Bazar ’76  – Alumni leader and PCD trustee, Past President of the Rhode Island Bar Association, President of the Rhode Island Municipal Court Judges Association
  • Bertram Buxton Jr. ’36, MD – Physician and healthcare leader, PCD trustee, and parent of five PCD graduates
  • Elizabeth Chace – PCD parent, grandparent, trustee, and philanthropist 
  • John Chafee ’40 – Decorated veteran of WWII and Korean War, Governor of Rhode Island, Secretary of the Navy, and United States Senator
  • Lincoln Chafee ’71 – Public servant: Mayor of Warwick, Governor of Rhode Island, and United States Senator
  • Marcia Hoffer – Business leader, volunteer, philanthropist, and PCD sibling, parent, and trustee
  • Alanna Meredith Hughes ’01, Ph.D. – Chair, Astronomy Department, Wesleyan University
  • Earl McClellan ’93 – Faith leader and church founder; Lead Pastor of Shoreline City Church, Dallas 
  • Terrence Murray ’58 – National business leader, sportsman, and philanthropist
  • Richard Philbrick ’42 – Decorated veteran of WWII, PCD faculty member and Trustee
  • Earl Powell ’62, Ph.D. – Art historian and Director Emeritus of the National Gallery of Art
  • Aaron Samuels ’07 – Poet, Founder, Investor
  • Judith Speyer – Teaching icon, Founder of PCD’s Fine Arts Program, Freedom Rider
  • Robert Yee Tow ’55 – Entrepreneur, business leader and award-winning photographer
  • William Twaddell ’59 – Journalist, diplomat and former US Ambassador to Nigeria
 
We will honor these individuals and their guests at an on-campus dinner on the evening of Friday, June 21. We are excited to establish this new biennial tradition at Providence Country Day, confident that in coming years, the Knights of Distinction will serve further to convey the impact and influence of our fine school.

Nominations for 2026

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