The Villanovan | Volume 117, Issue 1: September 11, 2024
Holy Grounds Shifts to Starbucks
Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief
On Monday, Aug. 26, Villanova’s Holy Grounds Connelly, Falvey and Mendel shifted to serving Starbucks. Now, orders in the Holy Grounds Connelly can only be made online via GrubHub – the same platform that debuted its use in fall of 2023 for Cafe Nova and in the spring of 2024 for the Exchange.
In an interview with The Villanovan, Executive Director of Dining Services Andrew Camuso explained the motivation behind the recent shift to Starbucks. Camuso said that the changes were based on a dining services survey from 2023. In this survey, Starbucks was the number three callout in the survey throughout each recommendation.
Starbucks will be around for a while on campus, as Villanova Dining has made a five-year deal with it to serve coffee on campus. The locations where Starbucks will be served are subject to change, depending on student and employee feedback.
Peet’s coffee, as well as La Colombe coffee, are still available at other Holy Grounds locations on campus. Camuso explained that while Starbucks was highly requested, Dining Services wants to ensure that the Villanova community still has the power of choice for their cup of Joe.
“If there’s a call for more Starbucks, we certainly can look at that,” Camuso said. “But just having that variety and letting the community navigate with their preferences is more of our mindset.”
According to Camuso, Dining Services has already seen sales increase in Connelly Holy Grounds with
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Is PA the Most Important State in the Election? p. 3
SGA Discusses Agenda for the Academic Year p. 9
Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against Villanova University
Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief
Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault
On Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, an article published by Philadelphia Magazine disclosed a sexual assault lawsuit filed against Villanova University, College Hall apartment complex and three male students.
The assault allegedly took place on Aug. 24, 2022 in a Sheehan Hall dorm room. Prior to the assault,
the student attended a party at College Hall, a popular off-campus housing spot for students that is colloquially known as “Courts.” At this party, underage students, including the plaintiff, were consuming alcoholic beverages.
At the time of the assault, all three of the men and the plaintiff were sophomores at Villanova University. However, only one of the male students remains actively enrolled in the University.
The suit was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas but was transferred to federal court likely because the case involves parties from multiple
states and jurisdictions. The plaintiff is seeking damages through this civil suit but does not mention a specific amount that they are seeking. However, based on the nature of the complaint and the demands for compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs and damages for pre-judgment delay against seven defendants, it’s reasonable to conclude that the plaintiff is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
The University declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The plaintiff also alleges the negligence of College Hall Defendants and Marks, the management company that owned the apartment complex. According to the claim, College Hall management was aware of the frequent parties and illegal activity but took no action to ensure safety or prevent underage drinking.
Villanova as an entity is facing multiple counts in this lawsuit, including Negligence and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress. According to the legal document, the plaintiff argues that Villanova University failed to provide a safe environment for their students and failed to educate students on sexual assault and underage drinking.
An article by The
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How to Register to Vote in PA as a Villanovan
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
It comes as no surprise that there will be a presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
With a multitude of important issues and legislation on the ballot, it is critical to get out and vote, no matter who you support. For the first time, Villanova students who live on campus no longer have to leave to cast their ballots, and instead can head over to the
Sexual Assault Resources at Villanova p. 4
Students React to New Grubhub System p. 10
John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to vote. Registering to vote can be confusing, especially
when trying to navigate how to fill out the form using one’s Villanova address. “Let’s Vote
‘Nova” is an on-campus organization dedicated to helping
for Suicide
p. 5 Through Lines Premires at Villanova p. 15
the Villanova community stay educated about voter rights and how to make sure one’s voice is heard every election day.
Hally Ammons, Villanova’s Assistant Director for Government and Community Relations, works extremely closely with “Let’s Vote ‘Nova,” in order to help inspire students, faculty and the Villanova community to go out and cast their ballot.
“Young people have a tremendous amount of power
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AD
A lawsuit has been filed against Villanova University, College Hall, and three male students. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
Villanova Raises Awareness
Prevention
Villanova Law School Chapel Damaged & Vandalized p. 6
Wildcat Watch: What You Missed Over the Summer p. 17
Villanova Hosts Fall 2024 Career Fair p. 7
Mark Jackson Hired in Same Role by Northwestern p. 21
Villanova on campus students will now vote in the Mullen Center. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography
Hannah Sweeney Co-Editor-in-Chief
Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness
September 4, Caughlin Hall
A male resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.
Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness
September 6, Good Counsel Hall
A male resident-student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS for alcohol intoxication and released to a sober friend.
Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness
September 6, Stanford Hall
A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by Public Safety for alcohol intoxication and released.
CORRECTIONS
Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness
September 7, Fedigan Hall
A female resident-student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS for alcohol intoxication and released to a sober friend.
Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness
September 8, Sheehan Hall
A female resident student, under the age of 21, was found intoxicated in a public place. The student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital by VEMS.
Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness
September 8, Sheehan Hall
A female resident-student, under the age of 21, was transported by VEMS to Bryn Mawr Hospital for alcohol intoxication.
Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against Villanova
Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief
Hannah Sweeney Co-Editor-in-Chief
Continued from p. 1
Villanovan from February of 2024 references the frequent police interactions with the residents of College Hall. In the article, Lieutenant Edward Sarama of the Lower Merion Police Department referred to the building as “an echo chamber.” He described College Hall as, “its own animal.”
The claims against the three male students are numerous and include assault, battery, rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, conspiracy
and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. One of the three male students is facing criminal charges for being the main assailant in this case.
To report a sexual assault or an act of sexual misconduct, call Public Safety at 610-519-5800; the Title IX Coordinator Ms. Ryan Rost at 610-519-8805; or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. For more information on support resources, call the Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator (SARC) at 484-343-6028. For more information on Villanova’s sexual misconduct prevention and education efforts, visit: https://www1.villanova. edu/university/sexual-misconduct/ education.html
For the National Sexual Assault Hotline, call 1-800-656-4673.
Vic Maggitti Hall Construction Commences
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
After making the announcement more than nine months ago, Villanova has taken its first step towards the next step of the Campus Master Plan. On Aug. 28, the University held a groundbreaking ceremony at the former Kennedy Hall and soon-to-be Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall, which is scheduled to open by winter of 2027.
“A centerpiece of Villanova’s campus, the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall represents a profound investment in Villanova’s future,” University President Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D., said at the time of the original announcement. “Located in the heart of campus, Maggitti Hall will have an immediate impact on our academic community, serve the University’s long-range goals and be a source of pride for all Villanovans.”
The ceremony was a few hours long, with Father Peter, alumni,
faculty and Victor Maggitti, a Villanova graduate of 1956, in attendance. Following the literal groundbreaking and some remarks from a few in attendance, the ceremony was immediately followed by a reception in the Presidents’ Lounge in the Connelly Center. Some current Villanova students, like senior AnNa Hughes, didn’t hear any word of the ceremony until it was already in progress.
“When I walked past the ceremony I was confused [about] what was going on,” Hughes said. “I didn’t hear anything about what was happening beforehand. When I walked by, there were people gathered around the dirt mound, dressed professionally. There was someone speaking. I was giving a tour when someone from admissions chimed in to say that it was the groundbreaking for the new library.”
The new building, estimated to be 150,000 square feet when completed, continues the recently announced Campus Master Plan, which is planned to be finished within the
next decade. Maggitti Hall is designed to serve as a new cornerstone of campus life at Villanova.
“Falvey Library’s new home in Vic Maggitti Hall will be transformative, enabling even greater support for the current and future needs of Villanova’s academic community,” University Librarian and Director of Falvey Library Millicent Gaskell said in December. “It will be a modern, welcoming space for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to come together as they advance their intellectual pursuits.”
For students like Hughes, the value of the new library is apparent, but there is frustration among the general body over construction in such a main part of Villanova’s campus.
“As a student, I think it’s cool that they’re doing construction on campus,” Hughes said. “I, however, wish it was in a different location because the area blocked off is a popular throughway between other spots on campus and it impedes my path from class to class. I’m excited to see how
the building looks once it’s finished but hope the construction [doesn’t] cause too much disruption in such a central part of campus.”
As the Master Plan continues, construction may just become a tradeoff for Villanovans with exciting renovations and building redesigns planned over the next 10 years. This is not exclusive to Main Campus, as the plan showed possible renovations for West and South Campus buildings.
For Maggitti, a lifelong Villanovan, he is aware of the necessity for academic facilities, particularly libraries, to be as up to date as possible.
“Villanova’s library was important to me when I was a student, and it is even more critical in today’s world,” Maggitti said. “The value and relevance of academic libraries have only expanded in the 21st century. All top-tier universities are expected to have an exceptional library with technology, study space, staffing and collections vital to research and learning—and Villanova should be no different.”
The assault followed a party at College Hall Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
Is PA the Most Important State of the 2024 Election?
Zoe Garrett Political Columnist
With anticipation for the 2024 presidential matchup continuing to rise, many citizens across the nation will head to the polls in November with the aim of making their voices heard. However, students at Villanova find themselves in a uniquely influential position: if they are registered in the state of Pennsylvania, they will cast their votes in one of the most– if not, the most– critical swing states of this general election. So, what is a swing state?
“The term swing state is often used to describe a state that is thought to be competitive for either the Democratic or Republican party in a presidential election,” political science professor Erinn Lauterbach said. “You’ll often hear other ways of referring to these kinds of states, such as ‘battleground states’ or ‘purple states.’”
As reflected throughout American history, some states are more likely to vote in favor of a particular party. For example, Massachusetts has allocated its electoral votes to the Democratic presidential candidate in every general election since 1988, and Wyoming has given its to every
Republican presidential candidate since 1968, as reported by 270toWin. Battleground states are those which are fair game for either party to win. They often do not consistently vote for one party or another.
According to BBC , there are seven major swing states whose electoral votes will have determining effects in this election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. However, Pennsylvania is shaping up to be the most sought after state of that list.
Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’s extensive campaigning in the Keystone State reflects the crucial role Pennsylvania will have in the upcoming election. According to NPR , former President Trump has visited Pennsylvania eight times during his campaign, with five of those visits since July.
Vice President Harris has visited Pennsylvania eight times since she announced her presidential campaign in late July.
Time is not the only resource Harris and Trump have been spending in Villanova’s home state. Both campaigns have poured quite large sums of money into advertising, as well. AdImpact , an advertisement analytics agency, has kept track of fund reservation for television advertising made by both campaigns and their allied
organizations. The site reports that between Sept. 4 and Election Day, the budget reserved for all presidential advertising in the seven key swing states is $401.5 million. Of that, a whopping $137.1 million– about 34%– has been reserved for Pennsylvania alone.
That figure squashes the sum of all reservations made for the next two on the list: Georgia, with a total of $64.1 million, and Michigan, with a total of $61.1 million.
Investing such large amounts of time and money are strategic moves by both campaigns, but why? What makes Pennsylvania a more influential swing state than the other six?
“Pennsylvania [has] 19 electoral college votes, [the most of any of the seven major swing states], making it a large potential prize for either presidential candidate,” Lauterbach said.
“Pennsylvania, along with most other states, allocates all 19 of its
electoral college votes according to a winner-takes-all rule, meaning the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote is awarded all 19 votes. That has the potential to make a big difference in the race to 270 votes.”
Pennsylvania’s status as a decisive swing state has crucial implications for Villanova students. Whether they are living in an on-campus dorm, an off-campus house or at home, eligible students can register and vote in one of the most competitive states of the 2024 election.
“Voting represents an important civic duty and those who are eligible should absolutely get out and vote in November, regardless of what state you are registered to vote in,” Lauterbach said.
“For students who are registered to vote in Pennsylvania, it’s worth noting that the margin of victory in the 2020 presidential election was pretty small. So go out and let your voice be heard.”
Courtsy of Shutterstock
Sexual Assault Resources at Villanova
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
Content Warning: this article speaks on Sexual Violence and Awareness on Villanova’s campus. For any concerns or reports please contact Ryan Rost at the Title IX office, located in Tolentine 207.
Sexual assault is not something anyone wants to have to be aware of on a college campus. College is meant to be fun and exciting, yet the unfortunate reality is that these cases do occur, both here at Villanova and at institutions around the world.
At Villanova, there is a multitude of on-campus organizations aimed at spreading awareness and prevention regarding sexual assault. SAPA, Villanova’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness organization, works closely with the Title IX office to give students resources and inform others on what to look for when it comes to signs of sexual misconduct.
Junior Katie Contey is the President of SAPA this school year.
“SAPA was created to really inform our peers and let them know the resources that we have on campus, because as much as you want to think, that it is some -
thing that doesn’t happen, sexual assault is something that happens all over the country in college campuses,” Contey said. “It’s so important to have a student organization for students to be able to connect and just know that there are student faces trying to lead a movement here. That’s not just the Title IX office, but that there are students who can relate to you and can understand you that are trying to spread awareness about.”
The Title IX Coordinator at Villanova is Ryan Rost. Working alongside on-campus organizations such as SAPA, as well as the University and outside support groups, Rost aims to ensure that all cases of sexual violence are dealt with accordingly and in the manner that the individual coming forward wants to handle the issue.
“Coming into our office does not immediately initiate a full-fledged process or investigation,” Rost said. “There are many people who at that moment are more interested in supporting resources.”
However, the Title IX Office does provide resources and reasonable accommodations for those who do choose to go down that path. The office can issue no-contact orders, help start investigations and provide additional resources for individuals both on and off-campus.
It is also important to note that cases brought to the Villanova Title IX office do not have to have occurred on Villanova’s property with Villanova students. Last year, 44% of the cases brought forth to the office were incidents that did not include another member of the Villanova community. They may have even occurred before the student was at Villanova, such as in high school or before.
“If You’re Reading This ‘Nova,” also referred to as IYRTN, is another on-campus organization committed to breaking the stigma around speaking up about cases of sexual violence and mental health. The organization is known for being a supportive group that allows others to come forward and share their story.
“The messages shared within our organization have the
power to bring a lot of awareness to topics that may be difficult to address,” President of IYRTN Sophia Crossan said. “Our authors share intensely personal experiences and in doing so it gives readers the opportunity to connect with them and realize that they are not alone. Reading other people’s stories also highlights the strength that’s present within the Villanova community. So many people have gone through something and seeing what they have to share is a beautiful representation of their resilience and strength.” Sexual violence is unfortunately a reality on Villanova’s campus, but with the help of Title IX, and organizations such as SAPA and IYRTN, prevention and awareness are being spread across campus and throughout the Villanova community.
VU Republicans & Democrats Encourage Student Voting
Isabella Balian Political Columnist
During the height of election season, Villanova students are making their mark on campus and encouraging their peers to become active in the political race. Villanova is home to a variety of student opinions and perspectives. Villanova has a College Republicans student organization, as well as a Democratic Party organization. In the past, both student groups have hosted meetings about certain political issues, welcomed political candidates on campus and encouraged students to vote. This year, while political tensions rise, both groups continue to advocate for their respective missions, hoping to inspire students to continue their political activism in this election.
The Villanova Democrats hope to increase political awareness on campus through their student involvement and create a space where people feel comfortable expressing their political concerns and opinions. Presidents Annie Curtis and Isabelle Clare identify the club’s role in increasing general knowledge about the election candidates on the local, state and national levels.
“Political participation can be an overwhelming prospect for many, but we aim to generate enthusiasm about civic engagement and desire to help get students registered to vote,” Curtis said.
Like the Democrat group, Villanova’s College Republicans also plan to play a large role in student involvement this semester
by bringing politicians to campus, supporting local campaigns and assisting with voter registration. Additionally, it hopes to boost political spirits at Villanova by hosting experts to discuss complex political topics with students. President Andrew Smith identified the urgent mission of the organization in light of the election and specifically with Pennsylvania’s role as a swing state.
“Pennsylvania will be one of the most crucial states in the upcoming election, which gives every student the power to make a significant impact by voting,” Smith said. “Every Villanova student is eligible to vote as a Pennsylvanian in this election, and every vote matters.”
Smith also mentioned the recent redistricting in Radnor township. Villanova previously sat in two precincts with voting locations off campus, but now Villanova has its own precincts, bringing a polling location on campus in the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.
Smith noted that both precincts are composed of mostly Villanova students, which gives students a large voice in voting. The Villanova College Republicans are working with local Republicans to make sure students have the ability to serve as poll workers and volunteers at these locations.
Like Smith, Democratic presidents also emphasized the importance of student voting.
“We believe that college students will play a crucial role in this election,” Curtis said. “We are in a unique position where if we turn out to vote in full force, our
generation can be the determining factor in who wins the 2024 election.”
When asked about important policy issues for students in the upcoming election, Smith cites inflation, taxes and unemployment. “Rents continue to rise faster than wages and college students feel this pressure,” Smith said. He also mentioned rising unemployment rates and the rising federal deficit, and how this will affect students.
“The unemployment rate continues to climb, making it harder and harder for students to find a job after they graduate.” Smith said. He believes that students can play an impactful role in the elections this year, and hopes that the College Republicans will be very active this semester.
On the Democratic side, Curtis and Clare emphasize the significance of foreign policy and
reproductive health and reproductive health rights during this election. They note that the overturn of Roe v. Wade has sparked student attention and passion to influence how the election results turn out.
They also cite the ongoing violence in the Middle East and the United States’ foreign policy positions as a significant topic on young voters’ minds.
“Many students are incredibly passionate about this issue, evidenced by the large number of political demonstrations held on campuses around the world last semester,” Curtis said.
Despite differing political opinions and policy preferences, both student groups emphasize the importance of involvement and political participation for college students in this upcoming election.
Nearing November, Villanova’s political groups look to increase political awareness. Victoria Margenat / Villanovan Photography
In Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, organizations united to spread awareness. Courtesy of Villanova University
Harris Named Exec. Director of Undergraduate Admission
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
In the wake of Michael Gaynor’s tragic passing from stage four urothelial carcinoma in August, University President, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. has announced that Matthew Harris, formerly Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, will succeed Gaynor as Villanova’s Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission.
Gaynor, a beloved member of the Villanova community and within the world of college admissions, leaves behind an incredible legacy, one Harris will strive to honor every day in the role.
“[Gaynor] did such great work at this University, and we were all so saddened [by his passing],” Harris said.
Harris, a 2006 undergraduate and 2014 master’s graduate of Villanova, is no stranger to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Harris has served within the office in some form since 2010, eventually reaching Director of Undergraduate Recruitment. In Harris’ new position, he is tasked with not just overseeing the office, but also
new opportunities and expansion on campus in terms of admissions and overall as well.
“As I move into the new role, I am just really excited about the opportunities and the team that we have in our office, that I know we’re ready for this next step,” Harris said. “I think one of the most exciting things on the horizon for Villanova is the introduction of the Cabrini campus, and all the changes and additions that will come from that, and I know the admission will be a huge piece of making sure that works well.”
One of Harris’s main goals within this new position is to continue the great legacy of Gaynor who came before him. Harris shared that he and his team are aiming to honor the legacy of Gaynor, by ensuring the incoming Class of 2029 is as strong academically, socially and spirited as the classes Gaynor brought to Villanova across his 24 years as Director and 42 years in the Villanova community.
“I think one of the great things about Villanova is that as a community we have a sense of humbleness about us,” Harris said. “And I think something Michael taught us is just how open and approachable we should be to everyone that comes through our process. And sometimes, as we
see that growth and applications, it can be numbers with a lot of people but want to remember that it’s individual lives that are going through that process. Remaining available and open to helping and having conversations, and trying to make it as least scary as people, or at least scary as it can be for people who are going through a really tough process, or maybe not tough, going through a really life changing, evolving process.”
Harris and other members of his team spend significant time traveling throughout the world, speaking to and getting to know prospective students and families, in order to bridge that connection and make applying students more comfortable with that application process.
“We really take off right after Labor Day, and we’ll visit over a thousand high schools in September and October to really make those connections truly around the world,” Harris said. Harris’ job does not end after that or stay solely on campus, however. Much of the next few months will be spent out of state at a variety of college admissions and experiences events, for both him and his fellow members of the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
“We also attend college fairs, and we’ll present on panels
and at various presentations. And [while] we’re able to visit over 1,000 high schools, we had students apply from over 5,000. And so there’s others that we will reach by phone and Zoom and email for places where we maybe aren’t able to physically get to as well, either. But that’s a big piece of trying to bring that Villanova feeling and conversation to people who maybe can’t bring themselves to campus.”
With the news of Villanova’s plans for the recently acquired Cabrini campus likely to be announced imminently, it seems likely that Villanova will be admitting larger classes beginning as soon as with the Class of 2029.
Despite that, Harris remains passionate about ensuring Villanova continues to bring in students of high morals and good character and the best incoming class to Villanova for the fall of 2025 and beyond from there.
“We’re anticipating, since we’ll have more space, that we will likely be bringing in a larger class,” Harris said. “We want to make sure that as we do that we’re not losing the character of Villanova in terms of the type of students. That is the type of students who are really committed to Villanova, and committed to our mission, and are intellectually strong and ready to come and be successful on campus.”
Villanova Raises Awareness for Suicide Prevention
Ava Petrosky Staff Writer
As Villanova students settle in and begin another semester, this month they are representing purple. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Villanovans all over campus are spreading awareness through their respective organizations. The Office of Health Promotion, the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee of Student Life and the Bandana Project are all partaking in on-campus events and spearheading activities to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness.
The Office of Health Promotion is sponsoring a check-in event led by the Student Life Mental Health and Well-Being Committee entitled “Freshcheckday.”
“That is focused on screening, [students] can come and take some self-checks, get feedback, get connected to resources or talk through something,” Stacy Andes, Director of Health Promotion, said. “[This event will] sponsor a bunch of tables that will encourage students to focus upon a different aspect of mental health.”
The event will take place at the Riley Ellipse on Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Groups tabling include the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Athletics, the Bandana Project and many more. While student, faculty and staff mental health advocates will make an appearance at Freshcheckday, suicide awareness is acknowledged all throughout campus. Members of the Bandana Project are easily
recognized around Villanova, as they sport vibrant green bandanas on their backpacks. The organization was founded in 2014 by Dr. Betsy Gerbec of the University of Wisconsin River Falls, after her son, Daniel, took his own life. The symbol of the organization was chosen to signify mental health support and awareness in memory of Daniel’s trademark, a bandana. Today, the Bandana Project has spread to 50 schools in 22 states, of which Villanova is a proud representative.
This month, the Bandana Project will hold conversations about suicide prevention at general body meetings. It will also raise awareness through social media platforms.
“I think it’s really important that we have a Mental Health Month, even though we always talk about mental health,” Katie Formato, Co-Director of The Bandana Project, said. “Remember that the month of September is really important because it’s providing more awareness to suicide prevention, but also know that [mental health support and awareness] is always there in every month.”
The members of “If You’re Reading This” (IYRT) share a similar passion for suicide prevention advocacy. This nonprofit, online mental health resource was brought to Villanova’s campus in 2021. It is a platform in which students can read letters written by both anonymous and identified authors about their own mental health journeys. IYRT empowers students to utilize peer support as a mental health resource.
“Students and faculty can write a letter about an experience they had with mental health, they will get their headshot taken by our photographer and the letter will be posted on the national organization’s website, as well as our Instagram,” Sophia Crossan, IYRT President, said. “The unique thing about all the letters is that they all start with the tagline, ‘If you’re reading this…’ and are finished as the author sees fit.”
While September is the dedicated month for suicide prevention, it remains important throughout the year.
“All the support and resources, they don’t stop just because the month is over,” Jennifer Liberato, Associate Director for Student Support, said.
On Oct. 2, the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee of Student Life will host a candlelight vigil to remember and pay respects to those lost due to suicide. Additionally, QPR [Question, Persuade, Refer] training is a yearround suicide prevention resource offered on campus. Everyone can
partake in this training to recognize potential signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in individuals.
As Villanovans strive to increase mental health awareness this September, it is important to remember the countless free resources provided for students.
“Think of all the free support you have when you’re here,” Andes said. “Take full advantage of it now. Build your toolkit, so that when you leave, and you have to pay for those kinds of things, you’re starting ahead of the game.”
Such resources like the Counseling Center, weekly Pet Therapy, Massage Chair Mondays and Well-Being Coaching merely provide a summary of mental health services provided by Villanova.
“There is always help available, even when it seems like you are alone,” Crossan said. “You heard it here—everyone at IYRT is here to support you, no matter what. If you are ever in need of help, reach out.”
The Riley Ellipse - pictured above - will be host to ‘Freshcheckday’ later this month Brian Luppy / Villanovan Photography
Villanova Law School Chapel Damaged & Vandalized
Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
Vandalism was discovered in the Villanova University Law School Chapel on Tuesday, Aug. 27, prompting an investigation by campus authorities. The chapel, located in Scarpa Hall, sustained damage to several items. No other areas were affected.
In response, the University issued a statement to law school students, confirming the involvement of the authorities.
“The Villanova University Police are investigating the incident and have identified a suspect who may be responsible,” the statement read. “The individual has been administratively removed from campus pending further investigation.”
As the investigation remains ongoing, the University is unavailable for further comment.
According to the University website, the chapel aims to provide a quiet space for future attorneys and Villanovans to reflect, meditate and celebrate weekly Mass, bringing together a community united by faith. Unverified reports suggest that candlesticks were thrown across the chapel, pages from the Bible were ripped out and the words “Pedro was here” were scribbled in the New Testament. Since the chapel was the only building targeted, it is reasonable to infer that this act may have been motivated by anti-religious sentiment. While these claims have not been
officially confirmed by campus authorities, the potential destruction of a religious space has understandably stirred strong emotions.
The incident has prompted discussions on campus about the sanctity of shared spaces.
Third-year law student Ryan Silverstein spoke about the impact he believes this destruction will have on the Villanova community.
“In the short term, I think this act of vandalism will bring the community together,” Silverstein said. “People of all races, faiths, ethnicities and political ideology have all joined together in voicing their disgust for
the desecration of a place of worship. In the long term, I don’t think this will change any of the current dynamics in the law school.”
Tory Belval, a second-year law student, expressed similar sentiments on the mindlessness of such a hateful act.
“We didn’t hear much about the incident outside of our Dean, but it was a senseless act that was clearly done on an important day for the University,” Belval said. “I’m glad that the person who did this should be brought to justice soon.”
Villanova officials expressed deep concern over the vandalism, em-
phasizing how the act conflicts with the University’s core principles.
“This incident is extremely upsetting as it goes against our community ideals and the values of veritas, unitas and caritas (truth, unity and love) we hold dear at Villanova.”
University faculty and police have been commended by students for their swift action and transparency in addressing the incident. Their efforts are seen as crucial in restoring a sense of safety and trust within the campus community.
When asked about the appropriateness of Villanova’s response to the vandalism, Silverstein expressed confidence in the University’s actions.
“As soon as the vandalism was discovered, they moved the Wednesday afternoon Mass to a different room and called the state police to investigate,” Silverstein said. “They took statements from students and conducted a thorough investigation.
The School of Law also sent out a message informing the community of what occurred and has been nothing but transparent since the incident. Villanova deserves praise for refusing to hide in the shadows and being so transparent with the student body.”
The incident brings up important conversations surrounding campus security and access. Villanova University remains focused on addressing the aftermath of this incident, ensuring justice is served and reinforcing the values that define its community both currently enrolled and alumni.
How to Register to Vote in PA as a Villanovan
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
Continued from p.1
and have a lot to say,” Ammons said. “It is our right and responsibility to be a part of this process.”
Registering to vote can provoke some questions: If someone is registered at home can they re-register to vote in Pennsylvania? How does one know they are putting the correct information on their registration? What is the deadline to register?
When registering to vote in the state of Pennsylvania, students should fill out new voter registration forms. Use the address of the University, 800 E. Lancaster Avenue, followed by the name of one’s residence hall where it asks for an apartment name. Under the mailing address is where students will put their VU Box Number and correct mailing information. By filling out a new voter registration in Pennsylvania, students will be eligible to vote on campus instead of requesting an absentee ballot to vote back home.
It is important to note that even if students have registered to vote at Villanova in the past, every year they must update their voting address to have accurate information about what dorms they live in.
When filling out a voter registration as a Villanova student, reference https://www1.villanova.
edu/dam/villanova/studentlife/ student-involvement/PA%20 Voter%20Registration_Sample%20Registration.pd, which gives the correct information for a voter registration form.
In the state of Pennsylvania, people must be registered to vote prior to Oct. 21. This is also the last day to make edits to a person’s voter registration status.
The last day to request a mail-in ballot for the state of PA is October 29th, but it differs in every state. Students can find more information for their home states on their voter registration websites.
“We know students want to participate and vote where they live, and we are very optimistic that this change will motivate a lot of people to come and vote,” Ammons said. “We hope that by making it easier for our students to vote on campus and engage in the act of voting, more students will come out to vote. We are so grateful for the county and township for taking this action.”
“Let’s Vote ‘Nova” will have tabling events happening up until Oct. 21 to help students get registered to vote. Students can also access the voter registration form for the state of Pennsylvania here.
Get out to the polls on Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. and let your voice be heard. If one has questions, they can email Ammons at hally.ammons@villanova.edu or visit her office in Tolentine.
Vandalism was found in Scarpa Hall’s chapel in late August, with a possible suspect found. Katelyn Van Mater / Villanovan Photography
A picture of the ‘Let’s Vote Nova’ and the example Will D. Cat voter registration. Courtesy of Villanova University
Villanova Hosts 2024 Fall Career Fair
Finley Triano Staff Writer
Villanova students had the opportunity to attend the annual VU Fall Career Fair this past Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Students from all different years, as well as alumni interested in exploring full-time job and internship opportunities, packed the Finneran Pavilion.
This event featured a wide variety of companies from diverse fields, making it open to students from all areas of study. With 157 employers present, students had the chance to explore numerous opportunities and potential career paths.
Students were encouraged to dress in business casual attire and bring their resumes to introduce themselves to potential employers. While professionalism was a key focus of the fair, all of the companies were exceptionally welcoming to both undergraduate and graduate students eager to explore opportunities.
Leila Black, a sophomore chemical engineering student, was one of many in attendance this past week.
“[My goal was to] practice my networking skills, get to know companies and potentially find an internship for this fall or next summer,” Black said.
“It is important for students to stop by since it allows you
to meet members of these companies and speak about your interests,” Lilli Graff, student in the Villanova School of Business, said.
The Fall Career Fair is an excellent way to kick off the year, helping students connect with companies they are interested in working with. It also gives students the opportunity to discover new companies they may not have been familiar with before.
“I had never heard of URBN and didn’t realize how connected they were to some of my favorite stores,” one junior said. “I am definitely interested in looking into them and potentially
applying for their internship.”
The Collegiate Water Polo Association, a non-profit athletic conference, sought a marketing intern for the upcoming summer.
Calianne Timothy and Dan Sharadin, this year’s representatives, discussed the benefits of joining the organization and provided a general overview of its initiatives.
As the association combines business and sports, it serves as a great example of how diverse interests can be integrated into a single enterprise.
On the other hand, Adam Jewell, a representative from the Delaware State Police Depart -
ment, expressed his interest in students pursuing full-time roles as troopers and in other civilian positions. He emphasized that although Delaware may seem small, there are many opportunities within the police force, and they are in need of individuals passionate about law enforcement.
Many underclassmen shared their reactions after attending the fair. The consensous was positive.
“This is the first time I have truly felt independent and been able to speak to members of a company about my future goals,” one freshman said.
“I really admire the professionalism and how approachable everyone was,” another freshman said. “ It helped me get a better idea of what it’s like to work in business.”
From the Collegiate Water Polo Association to the Delaware State Police Department, there was something for everyone.
Whether it was freshmen still undecided in their studies or seniors and alumni ready to commit to a job, the Villanova Annual Career Fair welcomed all students to explore their interests and engage with knowledgeable employers.
Overall, this year’s Fall Career Fair had an incredible turnout and connected both students and alumni to excellent networking opportunities, setting the stage for future career success.
Social Movements in Conflict Societies: Roundtable
Keoni Andrews Staff Writer
On Sept. 5 in Garey Hall, a roundtable talk event in lieu of social protests was hosted. This event focused on recent social movements, which have impacted various communities.
As Villanova University and its individual departments support diversity, equity and inclusion, the co-sponsorship by the Department of Irish Studies, Department of Arabic and Islamic studies and other departments is vastly appreciated and recognized.
The roundtable talk addressed the prompt matter consisting of protests within societies around the globe.
The talk began with recognizing the recent conflict within Palestine and Israel, which has been ongoing since October 7, 2023, as well as the pressing war within Sudan, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental prospects, as well as multiple other conflicts that pushed the need for protests worldwide.
“What’s critical is our movements for peace,” Professor Cera Murtagh said during the round table talk.
Peace was a central line throughout the table talk as various guest speakers touched on the topic in some form, be it a personal story, view or knowledgeable insight.
Within societies, social action is taken by victims and allies to create movement. There is often
a generalization that victims of various oppressions are often less likely to be involved in peaceful movements. However, they are typically at the forefront of the fight.
These social movements lead to pressure on powerful people in society to act. People in power’s action will speed up the resolution for change.
College students are often credited as being leaders of these movements. Examples include the student protest for Palestine at Villanova, a student-led protest at the University of Alberta, which harbored an encampment and later shut down by the university, and the student protests held at Columbia University.
The guest speakers represented a diverse range of institutions, addressing a wide array of global issues. They discussed the unique challenges in their respective countries, such as environmental concerns in Bosnia, fractured societies in Lebanon and Northern Ireland, and the impact of encampments on Swedish institutions.
The table talk expressed the importance of persevering through obstacles, people in power and social movements all together.
Social movements bring people together to fight for a cause, but it brings cultures together. People are able to learn about each other and their backgrounds through a unified fight for social difference.
The prominent engagement within social movements
leaves society hopeful for change. However social movements may not cause proper commotion unless generations before Gen Z start to participate.
To understand the need for social change, one has to gain knowledge outside of what the media shows them.
“I feel inspired about the potential of young people, especially on campuses, in our societies,” Villanova freshman Luna Berger said. “We have the power to promote change”
Being a student in the audience was impactful, thanks to
insightful educators and professionals from different parts of the world. Hearing about their personal experiences and knowledge on the widening need for social change and social movements was impactful.
“I learned about the importance of social movements in our society as we, the individuals, have the power to instill change in numerous ways,” freshman Faedra Louis said. “Also, the intersectionality that social movements possess promotes diversity which is [a] factor that brings different people together for a good cause.”
Students had the opportunity to speak to multiple employers at the 2024 Fall Career Fair. Nicole Liddicoat/Villanovan Photography
Two of the Univeristy’s Centers of Excellence hosted a discussion on social movements. Courtesy of Shutterstock
Villanovans Participate in 19th Annual Day of Service
Ava Petrosky Staff Writer
This past Saturday, Sept. 6, more than 5,000 Villanova students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends volunteered at the 19th annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service. To commemorate this ongoing legacy, Villanovans volunteered their time at a variety of service sites, including schools, gardens, churches and more. This year’s participants were representative of all types of on-campus groups, backgrounds, identities and interests, as they united to serve with one mission: to give back to the community.
This annual tradition began in 2006 as an initiative for the Inauguration of University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. The day was named in honor of the 16th century Augustinian, St. Thomas of Villanova, who devoted his life volunteering service to the less fortunate. Today, Villanova’s Day of Service is one of Delaware Valley’s largest one-day service initiatives.
“Bringing us together in the spirit of Caritas, the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service is a wonderful reflection of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic heritage, values and mission,” Father Peter said on Villanova’s website. “It is an incredibly meaningful and important tradition for our community, and I look forward to taking part each fall.”
This eagerness creates an enthusiastic atmosphere that is contagious to the day’s volunteers. Although the event took place on just the second weekend of the school year, the energy and excitement were unmatched.
The 23rd anniversary of the catastrophic events of Sept. 11, 2001 is upon us. In remembrance of one of the darkest days in American history, Villanovan students, faculty and alumni will participate in numerous acts to pay homage.
Every year, Falvey Library displays a tribute with the names and photos of the Villanovans who were killed in the attacks. They are displayed with designs of the American flag.
The Corr Hall Chapel contains a stained glass window memorial which displays the Virgin Mary on one side and the Twin Towers on the other side, along with the Pentagon and the field of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Some members of the Villanova community even began the Day of Service-related festivities on Friday night as they prepared sandwiches for Saturday’s volunteers. This year, Dr. Stephanie Katz Linkmeyer, Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry, assisted in the making of thousands of sandwiches.
“I love to give back,” Linkmeyer said. “Villanova has taught me how much more robust your life can be by giving back to others, to your community, to each other. Thousands of people go to different sites and make a difference in our community, and nothing makes me happier.”
Some on-campus groups were assigned to service sites closely related to their area of interest.
“As a dance group, we are really excited this year to be volunteering at the Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational School of
Music in Philadelphia,” said Emma Lane, 2023 Day of Service Group Leader for NOVAnoise and returning participant. “This site is right up our alley.”
While many of the day’s volunteers were returning members, Day of Service also provided firstyear students a beautiful segue into Villanova’s mission of service.
“Villanova’s mission is centered around finding ourselves in the world,” Robert Vagnini, Orientation Counselor and Day of Service Group Leader, said. “Through a restless endeavor to uncover our passions, dreams and ambitions, Villanova is rooted in helping students actualize the impact they can make on the world. By introducing first-year students to this life of selflessness, they too can begin to discover the impact they can have on the world.”
On Saturday, first-year students served with their orientation
groups to witness what it means to be a Villanovan.
Because the orientation program ended just over two weeks ago, first-year students appreciated the opportunity to reunite with their friends, while also partaking in community service.
“It was really great to connect with the [orientation] group again in a setting where we were giving back to the community,” Chris Brady, first-year student who served with Orientation Group #41, said. “It was also a great opportunity to come out and experience the Philly community.”
Megan Lawn, first-year student who volunteered with Orientation Group #64, shared similar sentiments.
“I loved being included in the St. Thomas Day of Service, where I was able to give back to the community and also have a lot of fun while getting closer to my peers,” Lawn said. “I’m so happy that Villanova gives us the chance to carry out the school’s values in such an impactful way, while simultaneously connecting [its] inner Wildcat community together in the process.”
The Day of Service Committee works tirelessly each year, ensuring the day’s success. For Service Site Committee Member Jasmine Srivastava, the greatest part of the Day of Service is “everyone coming together to offer their time to the greater Philly area to further help our community.”
The 19th annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service was a success, and students thoroughly enjoyed their Saturday of service. Students look forward to celebrating the 20th annual Day of Service next fall.
University Honors 9/11 Victims
There are a number of events that Villanova University usually holds in remembrance. For example, Villanova’s Mission and Ministry typically holds a dedicated Mass either in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church or in the Corr Hall Chapel. During this Mass, Villanovans pay respects to each of the 15 Villanovans by reading their names aloud. Their names are as follows: W. David Bauer (‘78 VSB), James P. Berger (‘78 VSB), Dennis Michael Cook (‘90 CLAS), Jeannine Damiani-Jones (‘94 VSB), Christopher M. Dincuff (‘92 VSB), Jeffrey Mark Dingle (‘90 VSB), Christopher M. Duffy (‘00 VSB), William F. Fallon (‘70 CLAS), Peter Gelinas (‘90 VSB), Michael Gould (‘94 VSB), Amy Jarret (‘94 VSB), Jennifer Lynn Kane (‘97 VSB), Danielle Kousoulis (‘93 VSB), Kaaria Mbaya (‘86 CLAS) and Matthew Vianna (‘00 CLAS).
Falvey Library and is accessible for students.
Underneath, the names of the 15 Villanovans who were killed in the attacks are written in Gothic letters. There are other details included, such as the flight numbers of the four planes, written in Roman Numerals. According to the Villanova University website, this window was designed by the late Rev. Richard Cannuli, “an Augustinian priest, an artist and a University professor, who served as a curator and director of the Villanova University Art Gallery.”
There are also other Villanovans who experienced the 9/11 attacks, such as Michael Benfante, who wrote a book titled “Reluctant Hero” and spoke at Villanova on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. His book and his speech both describe his heroic actions on that day. He, alongside a coworker, carried a woman in a wheelchair down 68 flights of stairs in order to help her escape the collapsing building. His book, alongside other 9/11 related publications, are located at
Over the course of the last two decades, Villanova has participated in plenty of activities to not only remember the victims of 9/11 but also to support those who have been affected by the attacks in any way. In 2016, Villanova’s basketball team, which was the reigning national champion, took part in a basketball tournament specifically dedicated to the Family Freedom Foundation. The reason the team participated in this tournament, which was called the “Never Forget
Tribute Classic” was to benefit and support the children of 9/11 victims.
Villanova is a school that is strongly dedicated to not only remembering the victims of the horrible events that happened 23 years ago, but also to making a difference for the future. Paying respects with events such as the Mass, hosting speakers, including books about it in the library, having designs that pay homage to the victims and participating in events to benefit families of victims all signify a respect and care for the victims of that fateful day.
The Day of Service Director’s Committee dedicated countless hours to planning the event. Victoria Diaz/Villanovan Photography
Simon Kidane Staff Writer
The Corr Hall Chapel’s stained glass window honors 15 Villanovans who died in the attack. Courtesy of Villanova University
Holy Grounds Shifts to Starbucks
Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief
Continued from p.1
the debut of Starbucks.
Despite long lines and packed crowds on the first day of classes, in the days following its debut, the chaos reduced and wait times for coffee went back to normal. Now, Villanova junior and Holy Grounds Connelly barista Delia Ciamei finds the switch to online ordering via GrubHub to be time-saving.
“The GrubHub system makes the line more efficient because students no longer have to order at the counter, then remind the barista of their order on the pick-up line,” Ciamei said.
Where the old Holy Grounds Connelly location used to have an open area where you could chat with your barista, it is now all closed off by a plastic barrier. Ciamei also commented on the shift in type of service offered at this location.
“I miss the customer ser-
vice aspect,” she said. “I absolutely loved seeing my friends stop by for coffee, so the wall and removal of in-person orders was really sad.”
As campus adjusts to the arrival of Starbucks, there is certainly room for an expansion of the menu. Camuso explained the mindset behind having a limited
menu at the start of the Starbucks debut.
“We don’t have the full menu at this moment,” he said. “We wanted to get through the first week of classes, help our staff get fully trained on those drinks and then start integrating the frappuccinos [and] the pumpkin spice [bev-
erages].”
As the University makes the shift to these Starbucks locations, it also opens the door to different dining experiences being integrated into campus. Camuso explained that the decision to implement GrubHub on campus is based on where they think it will best help the customer experience and their staff. Dining Services has no set plans as to whether it will eventually overtake the typical in-person ordering, but it is a case-by-case basis.
The addition of Starbucks might not be the only change hitting the dining halls soon. While nothing is confirmed, Camuso revealed that Dining Services also looked into the other brands that were called out into the survey, too. By using a new tool that will give them live-time feedback through students, Dining Services will make future decisions about what type of dining to implement based on what makes sense for the footprint of campus. To stay updated with Dining Services on campus, you can follow its Instagram, @villanovadining.
SGA Discusses Agenda for the Academic Year
Emma Cote Staff Writer
The start of the new school year marks the beginning of new Student Body President Dean Millard and Vice President Aleko Zeppos’ 2024-2025 academic year term. Embarking on their service in the midst of a presidential year, both sat down with The Villanovan to share their agenda plans, as well as to share opportunities for students to engage with SGA on campus.
Millard entered his senior year this fall as the University’s first Black Student Body President and is eager to continue much of the work he contributed as the 2023-2024 Student Body Vice President.
“Increasing DEI understanding, creating scholarship opportunities for students and continuing the free menstrual product program implemented in Dougherty Hall last year [are some of my main agenda items],” Millard said.
Zeppos said that the foundation of the two’s agenda is representing the opinions of the student body as a whole and maintaining connections with individuals, as well as organizations.
“Feedback, feedback, feedback,” Zeppos said was pivotal to the strides that can be made this year in regards to policy students want to see on campus.
Villanova’s campus is positioned in one of the most pivotal states in the upcoming presidential election. Both Millard and Zeppos stressed the importance of accessible voting opportunities for students, as well as encouraging civic participation.
“SGA is apolitical,” Millard said, explaining how crucial it is for student involvement in elections, as well as highlighting the first on-campus polling place
located in the Mullen Center.
The University has undergone several noticeable changes since the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. The most prominent are the new Textbook Access Program and the implementation of Starbucks in the Connelly Center. Both alterations have stirred commotion from students, producing a range of mixed opinions.
Both Millard and Zeppos concurred that the Textbook Access Program is a pilot program, and that following this year, assessments will be made in evaluation of the benefits and drawbacks it provides for students.
In regards to the Starbucks on campus, the two also affirmed they have received feedback from students and are working with dining to represent the opinions of the student body.
“We want to acknowledge both sides,” Millard said. “It’s more advantageous to some and disadvantageous to others. We see and hear students.”
While SGA currently has around 60 members, both Millard and Zeppos stressed the vitality of student body participation as a whole.
Whether it be through attendance or participation during a general body meeting, visiting during their office hours on the second floor of Dougherty Hall or just reaching out on their own means, Millard and Zeppos urge the community to provide information or feedback on policy they want to see implemented.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Zeppos said, reaffirming a key goal of the term: increasing student engagement with SGA.
“We have general body meetings, senate meetings and idea sessions that students can come to speak in order to guide our work,” Millard said, explain -
ing the multitude of ways students are able to engage with their student government. Both went on to add that students will be able to then understand the process of creating policy and addressing concerns, and actually see the course of action.
“We definitely want to have a bigger social media presence or even a newsletter,” Zeppos said. “Overall, we just want to hear from students.”
Millard and Zeppos have both spent much of their time at Villanova deeply dedicated to SGA. For Student Body President Millard, representing people’s voices has always been a passion.
In high school, Millard shared that he had lost various elections for student government.
“You either win or you learn,” Millard said, reflecting on his political journey thus far. “We are passionate about the people and Villanova’s community.”
Upon coming to Villanova and
getting involved with SGA, he felt the need to use his platform to help people.
Zeppos started as a freshman class senator with a specific interest in dining opportunities on campus and that paved the way to his current seat as vice president.
He went on to share that Millard had previously invited him to a meeting with Dining Services, where he presented his own blueprint, one that reaffirmed his passion for dining options on campus and helped prepare him for his role this year.
Both Millard and Zeppos are confident in their plans for the year ahead, and are excited to serve the entire Villanova student body.
“This is a loving community where we lean on one another when things are going well and when things are not going well,” Millard said, describing Villanova as simply “unparalleled.”
Select Villanova Holy Grounds locations have made the shift to serving Starbucks. Courtesy of Shutterstock
Student Body President Dean Millard (right) and Vice President Aleko Zeppos (left). Olutimi Olaniyi/Villanovan Photography.
OPINION Students React to New GrubHub System
Srihi Surapaneni Staff Writer
Villanova students returned to campus finding new surprises waiting for them at the Connelly Center. While students were off for summer break, Villanova’s staff was hard at work implementing new changes at Holy Grounds’ most popular location on campus, including a switch to serving Starbucks drinks and the replacement of the traditional ordering system at the counter with a GrubHub system, similar to the one used at Café Nova. These changes have been controversial among Villanova students, with some excited by the new changes and others missing the previous Holy Grounds.
The Starbucks drinks were a welcome surprise to many students who no longer have to leave Villanova’s campus to buy their favorite refreshers and other Starbucks-exclusive drinks from the nearby shopping center. While there’s no denying that Starbucks is by far the more popular brand of choice, especially among young people like college students, some miss the previously served Peet’s Coffee, which had become a Villanova staple.
Sophomore Sophia Ong said that while she likes the taste of Starbucks coffee, she prefers having Peet’s Coffee served on campus as it is “more specific to Villanova’s campus than Starbucks is.” While it is true that Peet’s Coffee is also a chain and not a Villanova-specific brand, it is much less widely-known and available than Starbucks is, creating a
more local feeling. In addition, certain drinks that aren’t Starbucks-specific have also been replaced, some for the worse. For instance, the chai lattes taste distinctly different and are now higher priced due to Starbucks’ pricing.
The response to the other main change, the GrubHub ordering system, has also been mixed among the student body. Some students say that being able to order with just a quick click on their phones while being anywhere on campus is much more convenient than having to wait in lines, especially long ones in the morning.
However, others criticized the system for actually increasing wait
times. On weekday mornings, typically the busiest time for this location, there may no longer be a long line at the counter, but wait times on the app can go up to 45 minutes.
An anonymous Connelly Holy Grounds employee reported that one concern that she has heard from customers is drinks and food not being prepared at the same time.
“Two screens have just drink orders and the other has food, but it can be hard depending on how many people are working to make sure all needs are being met,” the employee said.
Of course, it’s still early on in the year, so it’s important to acknowledge that all changes have their
stumbling blocks when they’re first implemented. With time to adjust and the dedicated work of the Holy Grounds teams, these may not be permanent issues.
Other students aren’t fans of the Grubhub system in general and oppose its growing presence on campus. Freshman Kiran Kaur expressed that she found GrubHub ordering to be “a little bit confusing” as a new student using GrubHub in this way for the first time, as most people generally use it solely as a delivery service outside of college campuses. But it’s not just new students. Senior Colin Dowdell felt similarly, calling it a “regression” from the regular Holy Grounds that he has known for years.
There’s also the loss of human interaction that GrubHub creates. Students often stood in line talking to their friends, connecting with new people and growing closer with classmates. Though the lines were long, people stood through it together. Now the wait is a solo one.
Additionally, the new wall separating the students from the workers similarly creates an impersonal feeling. In today’s world, people are becoming increasingly isolated while relying more and more on technology and the elimination of even these small acts of social interaction contribute to that.
The reception to the new changes at the Connelly Center’s Holy Grounds has been wide-ranging. While there certainly are shortcomings with the new updates, they are still new. Hopefully, with experience and adjustment, the new updates will be improved.
Villanova Textbook Program: Bargain or Bummer?
Molly Duffy Staff Writer
On February 19th, 2024, the Vice Provost of the University announced the beginning of a new system: the Villanova Textbook Access Program. This program entails an “affordable” arrangement in which students can choose to opt-in to a preset price, which is included in their tuition, to have all of the required textbooks they need each semester.
The textbook program creates an accessible system that allows students to have all of their textbooks readily available. All they have to do is stop by Garey Hall, scan their Wildcard and a member of the textbook team will collect all of their books for them.
In his email to the student body, Senior Vice Provost for Academics, Craig Wheeland, noted that students “may receive a combination of digital course materials, printed textbooks, printed lab manuals or workbooks.”
“[This new system] doesn’t give the option to choose physical or digital,” sophomore CLAS student Marina McKeating said.
Despite this detail seeming minuscule, each student should reserve the right to choose the
medium from which they receive their reading and class work.
Students have reported a lack of clarity in what kinds of books they are picking up, resulting in them standing in line only for them to get to the front and be told that all of their textbooks are digital.
As a student who is concentrating her studies on English and literature, I find the $275 fee to opt-in to this program to be a complete steal. The cost of books for all of my classes would likely surpass that amount and, as Wheeland said in his email last winter, this program will “collectively save Villanova’s students approximately $1 million annually.” That being said, it is very situational, and many students argue that $275 is too expensive for the amount of books they need each semester.
Villanova allows all students to create a personalized path for their academics. We are given many classes to choose from to explore what we may want to study. That being said, there are a slew of required classes for all undergraduate students, regardless of their academic path.
“A lot of my coursework requires digital textbooks, and it can be decently pricey,” VSB student Lindsay MacQuarrie said. “Last
year, my most expensive textbooks were from business and quantitative courses, so for me, it was very worth it.”
This goes to show that regardless of their major, it is always possible for a student’s textbooks to meet or surpass the $275 fee. Due to the circumstantial nature of whether a student would be saving or wasting money, it is significant that the university allows each student to decide for themselves if they choose to opt-in.
In the beginning of the semester, when going over syllabi in my classes, three out of five of my professors listed all the required books but then continued to note that they could be found for free online. If I had known that I could
get almost half of my books for free, I would have reconsidered opting into the program. This leads to the question of a potential lack of communication between professors and the University. Should professors add those books to the required list that students have to pay for even if they know there is a free version online?
Students are always going to have to buy materials for their classes, so it is close to impossible to find a middle ground to determine a system that will be apt for all 10,000 Villanova students. Taking these pros and cons into account, the Villanova Textbook Access Program is a step in the right direction towards an affordable system for students to get the most out of their education.
Students can order using their phones or on the GrubHub kiosks. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
Many students lamented the fact that textbooks were housed on West Campus, in Garey Hall. Courtesy of Villanova University
EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
EMMA CAHILL
HANNAH SWEENEY
BROOKE ACKERMAN
AVERY CHALK
KAILEY FAHY
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
Associate Editor-in-Chief
Opinion Editor
Opinion Editor
The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. Letters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.
POLICY
The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.
Villanova Needs a Move-In Marketplace
Carter Smith Staff Writer
As we enter September, Villanovans living both on campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods have settled into their dorms, apartments and houses for the academic year. On move-in day and shortly thereafter, students transformed their rooms from unadorned canvases to their home-away-from-homes for the next nine months.
The move-in process generates a lot of waste, as students discover what they do and do not still need from their stash of accoutrements. Often, when students graduate from the small dorms of South and Main Campus and into the apartments of West Campus and the Commons, there are some things, like minifridges or extra clothing racks, that are no longer required.
When I moved into my Commons apartment a couple weeks ago, there were a couple things I had stashed in my storage unit and the shadowy corners of my dorms over the last couple years that I had no need for anymore. I have enough closet space to not need a separate coat rack, and my roommates had already set up one of their minifridges in the living room for beverages.
As I sat at lunch with my
parents before they left to catch their flight, we discussed how we could possibly get rid of some stuff, and my dad threw out the idea that Villanova should have some way for students to easily pawn off some of their unused items to others that might have a use for them, which my mom and I thought was a really good idea.
There are a couple ways students are able to get second-hand dorm gear on campus, but they aren’t well-known.
We happened to inquire with a Public Safety officer directing movein traffic if he might have any need for a minifridge, and he told us that Public Safety runs a service where they collect furniture and decor that students don’t need and make it available for other students who might not
be able to get those things otherwise. I have never seen this talked about anywhere and would urge Public Safety to better publicize this service around the move-in and move-out windows. Public Safety was unable to be reached for comment.
Another common practice is for students to advertise supplies they are willing to part with on the Villanova class-specific Snapchat stories: a feature the social media company added a couple years ago which allows college students to view and post a story specific to their class at the school they attend (ex. Villanova 2025 for seniors). Throughout the year, students can be found posting pictures and prices of their items for other students who may want them.
Both of these options are
not well-known to everybody. There should be another way for students to pass along unwanted items that is much more accessible.
A simple solution could be for the University to create a Facebook marketplace group specifically for student exchange. Most, if not all, Villanova Students probably have Facebook accounts via Instagram, so it would be easily accessible for the student body without the University having to create new digital infrastructure.
Another potential solution would be for Public Safety to expand their already existing operation. Posting QR codes in and around dorm and apartment buildings during move-in and move-out that link to an item submission form would go a long way in publicizing the service and ensuring unused items get to students who could benefit the most. This could also be another avenue for Public Safety student outreach on campus.
Walking by the huge piles of dorm and apartment supplies in Farley Hall when moving out last year triggered something in my hippie, Pacific Northwest soul. There has to be a better way to deal with the student waste issue. Making it easier for students to donate and sell their things to their comrades who need them would be a great way to start.
Sof Says: A Chronically Online Summer
The following content is purely satirical. Don’t believe everything you read!
They say that God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and this summer, he really put this incredibly brave girl through the ringer. Do you know how difficult it is to be a chronically online satire columnist and not be able to write about current events for a whole summer?
Well, now it’s my chance to make up for lost time. Full disclosure: the jokes I am about to make are incredibly untimely, but let’s lean into it. Let me enjoy my little jokes that would have done a lot better if I made them two months ago.
Also, in case some of you didn’t have your finger on the pulse of everything pop culture this summer, allow for this to be your refresher. You’re welcome.
The Olympics: A Femininomenon
See, even my little header is a reference to a summer trend. I told you that I was chronically online.
Anyway, I don’t think there is any other way you can describe
the 2024 Summer Olympics besides a “Femininomenon.” I’m actually pretty positive that no men competed in the Olympics. Like, I think there were only women there.
I’m sorry, there actually was one man who mattered, but he only mattered because he was married to Tara Davis-Woodhall. I’m sure you can imagine how many edits I saw of the Olympian and her Paralympian husband set to the song “The Alchemy” by Taylor Swift. If you haven’t seen any, I am worried about your current habitat under the biggest rock in the world, and I suggest you try to get out of there as soon as possible.
Other than that, all that mattered were the female athletes. Why would you focus on a man when you can focus on Katie Ledecky? And, don’t even get me started on the Women’s Gymnastics Team.
The U.S. Women’s Team brought home more than half of the USA’s medals. Like, sure, the pommel horse guy was cool and Steph Curry is, like, talented or whatever, but the girls came home with 67 out of 126 medals. I think that next time we should only send women and see what happens.
Musicians: They’re Not Like Us
Music was also completely dominated by women this summer. I don’t think we heard from a single man, which is ideal, of course. It was all Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX and the Eras Tour in Europe.
Don’t get it twisted, though. Plenty of guys enjoyed the pop girl summer, too. Don’t let them lie to you. Anyone who didn’t enjoy the music of this summer, what’s holding you back? Join the dark side. Or, should I say the neon green side?
Yes, my summer was very brat, as they say. Obviously, I know all the moves to the “Apple” dance and Jake Shane’s choreography to “Guess featuring Billie Eilish.” If you don’t, maybe you should look into it. All the cool kids were doing it when it was actually a popular trend a month ago.
Music also played a pretty big role in politics this summer. Donald Trump was forced to stop playing several artists’ songs at his rallies because they do not support him. On the other hand, Charli XCX herself proclaimed that Kamala Harris was “brat.” Really tells you something, doesn’t it?
Glen Powell: My Husband (Real)
I watched every movie and TV show this summer. Like actually.
I have to say that the best thing by far was Glen Powell. Um, I mean Twisters. Twisters was the best movie because of the plot and the action, of course. Not because I’m obsessed with Glen Powell being a tornado cowboy or whatever. With that being said, I did see Twisters twice.
My recommendations?
Don’t see Longlegs unless you want to have your eyes closed for two hours. Don’t see Inside Out 2 if you have ever been a teenage girl because you will cry the whole time. Don’t watch The Bear if you’re stressed out. Don’t watch Bridgerton with your family.
My biggest recommendation goes out to those of you who didn’t watch anything I just listed. Please, stop being lame.
Tiktok: They Both Reached for Demure
Yeah, there were some great Tiktok trends this summer. They both reached for the gun. Whatever. I only want to talk about one thing right now.
I just want it to be known that I followed the demure girl (Jools Lebron) way before anyone else did. I’m telling you that I was one of the first likes on the first video. Please, I was supposed to be in the video.
Haven’t I proved that I was chronically online already?
Villanova students began moving back to campus on August 21st. Courtesy of Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography
Sof Quaglia Satire Columnist
Red, Blue and You: Is It Worth Ending Relationships Over?
Ray Singh Staff Writer
Unsurprisingly, most people in the United States feel on edge ahead of the November general elections. This year’s contest is especially tense, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump vying to be sworn into office this coming January. More than 450 congressional seats and many state and local positions on the ballot are up for grabs this year.
To make matters worse, the United States is more polarized than ever. There is little common ground on most issues between the two political factions that dominate U.S. politics: the Democratic and Republican parties. Questions regarding abortion, gun policy, immigration and the economy cannot seem to escape the minds of party-affiliated and independent voters and even non-voters. These questions seep into our daily lives, changing how we engage with information and interact with others.
The concern begins there. As a college student, I have seen those sneers and wrinkling of noses that pervade disagreements in areas like pop culture and music turn into verbal altercations when discussing anything within the realm of politics. These differences in opinion can turn one’s closest friends and significant others into strangers to avoid in public and block online. This begs the question: is it okay to end platonic or romantic relationships over politics?
When answering this question, I think it is prudent first to con-
Lexie Scibilia Staff Writer
sider what is meant by “politics.” An important distinction is the difference between political affiliation and political beliefs. Political affiliation simply refers to the political party a person is registered with, while political beliefs are the actual ideas and values a person has regarding the government and affairs of a country. It may be true that political parties tend to have a somewhat transparent platform on which they run, but there tend to be many differences in members’ beliefs. Differences in beliefs are natural and are a part of the party structure. Besides, how many people worldwide share the same beliefs and values?
Human differences are a solid reason to maintain relationships despite political divides. Friendships with diverse people broaden your perspective, promote empathy and encourage personal growth. These connections enrich your social life and help you navigate differences and assumptions more effectively. On the other hand, nobody is obliged to keep relationships they don’t want.
“Positive relationships always require free two-way participation,” senior philosophy student Justin Williams said. “Nobody should force you into participating in a relationship you don’t want to be a part of, for any reason, including politics.”
For those who see it possible to keep these relationships, maintaining them paves the way for compromise and bipartisanship, which may temper today’s storming political sphere. Friendships between leaders in our government like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia aided the structures they worked in exten-
sively.
However, there is the question of differences in values. Political and ideological beliefs are not innate within us. Nobody is born a Libertarian, waving a Gadsden flag fresh out of the womb. Values are instilled within us during our upbringing through our education and experiences. Our minds then interact with these stimuli differently to produce our diverse perspectives. That means that some opinions can differ yet come from the same place. Pro-life and pro-choice arguments can both be reduced to the preservation of life and only differ in the specifics. This is where the politics begin. The problem becomes less about people’s values and more about how we live by them. The issues are not political, the solutions are. Political affiliation is the least important aspect of this question, and political values follow closely behind. A person’s core values and beliefs, but more so the rationale for them, distinguish who you should call a friend. If a person fundamentally disagrees with you regarding important moral questions that shape them and the dogmas they may follow, that is likely grounds to end the relationship. While I stand by the principle of surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives, there are certain justifications for opinions we cannot tolerate that are simply too far.
Despite this, many political beliefs correlate with certain values. For example, xenophobia and protectionist ideas have progressively become linked. Despite this link, the problem is still the xenophobic principles, not protectionism. The latter
is an economic theory used to bolster a given country’s domestic industries, while the former is a dangerous ideology used to discriminate against people. Of the two, the negative belief is the ideological one.
The Villanova students interviewed all seem to agree that it is not a decision with an obvious choice.
“If it’s an absolute deal breaker, then yes,” senior economics student Ronik Gupta said. “But if there are ways to either remove it from conversation or make compromises, then do it instead of making a rash decision.”
Some even commented on the experiences of people in their lives.
“My parents have often voted differently and disagree politically and they’ve worked out,” senior political science student Harrison Farrell said. Students even went as far as to agree that affiliating with different parties is okay.
“There are some non-negotiables,” said senior statistics student Melissa Wright, who argued that there are differences in view that cannot be pushed to the side.
In a country becoming increasingly polarized, it is crucial to understand what divides us. Ending platonic or romantic relationships based on politics requires careful consideration. Healthy divisions should be based on views one truly cannot compromise on. Holding onto relationships can be challenging when there is friction and sharpness, but there is a difference between the sandpaper that smooths wood and the scissors used to cut ties.
Infographics: Activism or Aesthetics?
Infographics have taken over the news and social media, but it is time to confront the reality. These flashy graphics do more harm than good. Sure, they are easy to read, shareable and are often aesthetically pleasing. However, their widespread use contributes to performative activism, oversimplification of complex issues, misinformation and desensitization. These are not just minor inconveniences, they fundamentally alter how we understand and engage with critical issues.
Performative activism is one of the most glaring problems with the infographic trend. How many times have you seen someone post an infographic on their Instagram story and call it a day? This is activism at its shallowest, where the sharing becomes a substitute for genuine engagement. Posting a colorful graphic might make one feel socially conscious, but let’s be honest. It does nothing to drive real change. Real activism demands time, effort and often personal sacrifice. Infographics, on the other hand, allow people to claim they care without lifting a finger beyond their smartphone screen. Even worse, they aestheticize injustice, turning serious issues into a trendy backdrop for one’s social media persona. This trivializes the struggles and suffering that these issues represent, reducing them to mere content to be consumed and discarded.
“Some people post [info-
graphics] as a way to look like a good person rather than taking active steps to aid the situation,” junior Elisabeth Roche said.
Then there is the issue of oversimplification. Infographics are notorious for boiling down complex topics into a few catchy lines and pretty pictures. Climate change, systemic racism and economic inequality are not issues that can be summed up in a handful of bullet points. Yet, that is exactly what infographics do. They reduce intricate, multifaceted problems into overly simplistic narratives that can mislead more than they inform.
When people form opinions based on these shallow representations, we all suffer. Important discussions are stifled and critical thinking is replaced by surface-level understanding.
On the other hand, some students appreciate the way infographics present information.
“I think infographics condense information in a way that allows me to take in data or main concepts more efficiently when organized well,” senior Lindsey Nemeth said.
While this is a valid point, it does not negate the fact that oversimplification often leads to misunderstanding and a lack of depth in conversations about critical issues. Misinformation is another ticking time bomb within the world of infographics. Crucial details and context often get left behind in the rush to make information digestible and shareable. Sometimes, this is just sloppy work, but other times, it is intentional. Infographics can be ma-
nipulated to push particular agendas or to sensationalize topics, leading to widespread dissemination of false or misleading information. The viral nature of these graphics means that once misinformation is out there, it spreads like wildfire. In an age already plagued by fake news, the last thing we need is another tool for spreading half-truths and outright lies.
Desensitization is the silent but deadly consequence of consuming serious issues in bite-sized, visually appealing formats. When we repeatedly encounter grave topics in the form of infographics, we start to become numb to their significance. Instead of recognizing the urgency and gravity of these issues, we scroll past them as just another piece of content in our endless feeds. This desensitization leads to apathy, a dangerous mindset where one becomes less likely to care or take action. When serious issues are reduced to just another graphic, their impact is diminished, and the call to
action is lost.
Infographics may be a convenient way to consume information, but that convenience comes at a cost. They contribute to a culture where appearance often trumps substance, where being informed is less important than looking informed. It is time to question whether the rise of infographics is genuinely a step forward in how we share and consume information, or if it is dragging us backward into a shallow, superficial engagement with the world around us.
At Villanova, where critical thinking and a commitment to social justice are core values, we should be particularly wary of this trend. We must be willing to engage deeply. The next time you come across an infographic, pause. Ask yourself if it is giving you the whole story. Challenge yourself to go beyond the surface, to seek out the whole picture and to take meaningful action rather than settling for the illusion of involvement.
When sharing infographics via social media, it is importat to verify information. Courtesy of Shutterstock
Natalie Murphy Staff Writer
A year ago, spending six weeks in Ireland would not have been on my radar. Coming from Michigan, I was nervous going to school nine hours from home. Though I was excited to meet new people and experience a different atmosphere on the East Coast, leaving the town I had lived in for my entire life was an adjustment. As a rising sophomore, receiving the opportunity to study abroad during the summer was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of my life. Villanova’s Office of Study Abroad, a magical office overflowing with opportunity in Garey Hall, is the secret tool to receiving a comprehensive and engaging Villanova education and experience.
Though I was adopted from South Korea as an infant, my family has strong Irish roots in County Cork. My father’s family fled during the early 20th century, as my great-grandfather was an Irish Republican Army (IRA) member and sought by the government. We have a few living relatives in Counties Mayo and Dublin. Ireland has always been a very large part of my family. My grandfather has been speaking of Ireland since I was old enough to remember. When I heard of the opportunity to study in Galway from a friend, I was instantly captivated. Dr. Cera Murtagh, a political science professor and Irish native, led our program. Extremely friendly and encouraging, Murtagh was a great instrument in introducing us to the country and answering any
Everyone Should Study Abroad
questions we had.
The program began in Dublin, as we spent four nights exploring the city and its surrounding counties. We saw important sights, such as the National Gallery of Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol, Malahide Castle, the Long Room and Collins Barracks, as well as several exhibits, including Mother and Baby Homes and the Kingship and Sacrifice exhibition. Moreover, we spent plenty of time in nature. We visited Glendalough, a monastery, in County Wicklow and hiked to a beautiful lake. To finish off our orientation week, we traveled to Inis Mor, a remote island (part of the Aran Islands) off the central West Coast. This is an extremely simplified description, but, as a group, we bonded incredibly during this first week together. There were six students, which provided a great opportunity to
create close friendships. Exploring a new country and immersing ourselves in Irish culture fostered an unmistakable connection which I truly do not believe I could have found elsewhere. Upon enrolling at the National University of Ireland, Galway (known affectionately as NUIG), we were given the chance to decide which two courses we wanted to take, ranging from modern Irish history to a Villanova upper-level theology course. We had the chance to meet intelligent professors, some of whom were from the United States, others from various parts of Ireland, many of whom inspired me to minor in Irish Studies at Villanova. Outside of classes, we attended interdisciplinary seminars each week and went on field trips with our classes and assigned groups. The Cliffs of Moher, Clonmacnoise, the Ailwee Caves and Coole Park are just a few
9/11: Letter to the Editors
of the historical and scenic places we visited. We also received the chance to meet and befriend several other students from the United States and England who were studying abroad, creating friendships that lasted outside of the classroom.
But perhaps the most incredible experience was visiting my great-grandfather’s childhood home on the Beara peninsula, a rural point in County Cork. My father was able to visit me for a week. During that time, we traveled to find the family house. We had a surname, a general idea of where his house stood and an eircode (a code to pinpoint the area).
After driving through the countryside for a few hours, we came across a collection of brightly colored buildings, surrounded by rolling hills on one side and the ocean on another. We drove around in circles, stopped in a local pub to ask for better directions and said a prayer to find his home. My aunt, who had traveled to the house before, was helping us. My dad sent a picture of a front yard, to which my aunt cried, “That’s the one.” We were greeted by a smiling elderly woman who lives in my great-grandfather’s house. The back window viewed the Atlantic Ocean, and her garden was full of flowers and hills with pastures and live animals. It was a sight I will never forget. It was so quiet, yet it spoke so many things. Without studying abroad in Galway, I could not have connected with my family in such a personal way. I will forever be thankful for the opportunity that Villanova gave me to connect to the world and its people. I left the country unsure, and came back home a thousand times richer.
Michael Skurecki Alumni Contributor
As sirens and horns loudly blasted coming from fire engines, police cars, and medical response team’s vehicles, their hero drivers rushed to fulfill their unselfish duties to save lives on 9/11. Throughout the day on 9/11, we reserve a time for remembrance and reflect on the events, and share our sorrow and compassion for the victims, family members, friends and heroes. Heroes unselfishly sacrificed their lives in the Towers, Pentagon and Pennsylvania, while others sur-
vived and left with scars and memories that would last a lifetime.
We remember and honor those who were killed in...
...New York World Center Tower’s attack which included: Flight 175, passengers (56), crew members (9), Flight 11, passengers (81), crew members (11), and Tower occupants and all response team heroes for a total of (2,996) victims. Fifteen lives of my fellow Villanova graduates were lost in the Towers.
...the Pentagon attack, Arlington Virginia which included: Flight 77, passengers (53), crew
members (6), and those in the Pentagon that included military and civilian personnel (125) for a total of 184 victims. My Northrop Grumman Corporation co-worker, Julian Cooper, perished in the attack.
...on a field near Shanksville Pennsylvania, Somerset County which included: Flight 93, passengers (33), crew members (7), for a total of (40) and an unborn child. The unselfish and heroic actions on board Flight 93, prevented the aircraft from continuing on the course to what has been determined to be our White
Villanova will never forget the events of 9/11.
House. We must never forget our 9/11 victims as we love our Country and be proud that we are all Americans. In addition, and at every opportunity, we thank our military members, veterans and various agencies who are responsible protecting our Country.
On September 11, 2024 and all future September 11 days, we remember and love our 9/11 victims and heroes.
In remembering there is peace. God Bless America, Our 9/11 Victims, Families, Friends, and Heroes.
A group of Villanova students, including Natalie, at a waterfall in Ireland. Courtesy of Natalie Murphy
Courtesy of Shutterstock
CULTURE
Get Involved Villanova: Involvement Fair 2024
Sophie Latessa Co-Culture Editor
One thing about Villanova is that there is no shortage of activities to get involved in. This was immediately evident from the looks of Mendel Field, where the annual Student Involvement Fair was held on Friday.
New students were especially excited to scope out the wide variety of options for campus involvement.
“It was overwhelming, but in a good way,” freshman Ava Satterthwaite said. “It was cool to see how many different niche interests people share and want to come together for.”
A whole new world of activities opens up for students at the activity fair, making it the ideal place to find new organizations to get involved with for freshmen and upperclassmen alike.
“It was cool to see the array of activities available here at Villanova,” Carl Soderman said. “Even as a sophomore, I saw a bunch of new clubs that caught my eye.”
From dance troupes to service groups, almost every student organization on campus was represented at the fair, with colorful posters and energetic pitches scattered across the field in hopes of drawing in new members.
“I was immediately drawn to the ‘Girls Who Read’ club because it’s
a new club and the way it was decorated made it seem like a good community to join,” Satterthwaite said.
The annual fair is a staple event for clubs and groups to promote their missions and recruit new members, creating a buzzing environment across campus. Organizations had representatives present at the fair, there to meet and talk to potential new members.
“It was so exciting to see all of the freshmen interested in trying out for club basketball,” Abby Contessa, sophomore member of club basketball said. “I loved getting to meet new underclassmen and make them excited to be a part of the team.”
The Student Involvement Fair is a time-honored tradition at Villanova. A beloved event to bring students together, it unites those with shared passions and creates a vibrant sense of community felt by all.
If, after the fair, students are still looking for their place on campus, it is important to remember how many options Villanova offers. There is truly something for everyone. This writer may be a bit biased in advising readers to rush The Villanovan, but every organization on campus has something special to offer, and out of more than 300 at Villanova, there is bound to be an organization that aligns with the interests of all. Get out there and get involved, Villanova.
VillaVogue: Summer is Not Over Quite Yet
Ciara Dursee Staff Writer
Villanova is buzzing with the sound of eager students starting their new school year. After a long summer full of relaxation and rejuvenation, Villanovans have the promising opportunity to carry the summer styles they adopted in the past three months to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
As the weather continues to be a steady 70 degrees and sunny, students can showcase the charming clothes they styled in the warmth of July and August. From a new variety of denim to the accessories being brought back with exquisite flair, VillaVogue is back and thrilled to share what creativity our students have in store coming into the 2024-2025 school year. While students will soon be welcoming the crisp autumn season with fallen leaves blowing through the quad, appreciate the last pieces of summer left. So let’s get into a handful of fashion highlights from the summer of 2024.
90’s Low Waist Wide-Leg Jeans.
I am beginning to realize that 90s fashion will never go out of style, with low-rise jean sales on the rise. From a slim-fit around the waist to a subtle flare towards the bottom of each pant leg, the design is fabulously pleasant to wear throughout a day of classes. The return of this 90s trend will have you donating all the high-rise denim in your closet.
A Pop of Color.
Take a basic blue jean and white tee and turn it into a runway look. An easy fix to any basic outfit: add a pop of color on your feet. There is nothing I admire more than a vibrant addition to a neutral outfit. Lately, a common favorite I have noticed around campus is the uprise in Adidas Sambas. Specifically, the Adidas Gazelles are a good choice, offering designs from emerald green with white stripes to blood orange and pink. Big Tote Bag. Canvas, Suede, Leather, Straw, Crochet, you name it. The quintessential tote bag, a practical and fashionable school-bag choice, continues to be the star of the show. I must admit, after years of using a regular North Face backpack, I have surrendered to the tote bag trend, and I definitely will not be turning back anytime soon.
Boho Rings.
Could you truly complete a summer look to perfection without a hint of Boho jewelry? Boho fashion revolves around an expression of individuality and a free-spirited aesthetic, which fits perfectly with current seasonal trends. A unique stack of rings with emphasis on vibrant stones and various patterns will never fail in a carefree summer atmosphere. Linen. Linen took the spotlight this summer. Made of breathable, lightweight material, linen clothing is key to surviving the dog days of summer. A versatile choice that pair well with any shirt. Summer Sandals. A stylish, easy option to slip on and go. If you are looking for a summer shoe, listen closely. Perfectly casual and stylistically simple, slip-on sandals embody the
nonchalant attitude of summer. While the warm weather is subsiding slowly, we can still enjoy the perks of an open-toed sandal for the next few weeks.
Animal Print.
This past summer, animal print finally received the attention it deserved. From a lively cheetah print top to daring zebra print slacks, animal print can captivate the attention of any passerby. It is arguably a bold choice, but when styled correctly will always be a success.
Keeping it Comfy.
Nothing tops the “cute and comfy” look. I have mentioned the power of loungewear in the past, and it continued to be in full swing this past summer. There is nothing better than a crisp tan, warm breeze and a Brandy Melville lounge set.
Floral.
Shocker, right? We can always count on floral prints to be a favorite of the season, as the patterns are exemplary in the light of summer weather. Undeniably a glamorous constant in anyone’s wardrobe, while also adding a touch of femininity to any outfit.
Bermuda Denim Shorts
A drastic change to the short shorts we used to praise in years past, Bermuda-length denim shorts are a more conservative look and a game changer for an everyday class schedule. To complement a basic tee and a pair of sneakers, the long, yet flattering, jean shorts are the perfect go-to casual and playful look as we enter the school year.
The annual Involvement Fair took place on Mendel Field this past Friday. Graydon Paul/ Villanovan Photography
Sandals are just one of the style trends carrying from summer into fall this season. Maggie Fitzgerald/ Villanovan Photography
Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines Opens at Villanova
Cali Carss Staff Writer
Last Friday, Sept. 6, an opening reception was held at the Villanova University Art Gallery for a brand-new exhibition. Made by Los Angeles-based new media artist Nancy Baker Cahill, the exhibition has traveled from the Georgia Museum of Art to be on campus this semester. According to Villanova’s website, Cahill’s aim was to redefine “the possibilities of drawing in contemporary art” and to reconsider “the art historical canon in the face of emerging technologies.”
Titled Through Lines, the art depicts Cahill’s exploration of materiality and immateriality, taking up space through all kinds of mediums. Cahill’s artwork takes on a cyclical nature throughout the exhibit, as described by gallery director Jennie Castillo. Cahill started with drawings and after being told by a professor to never throw away her work, started ripping old pieces apart, using the bits of paper to create beautiful 3-D sculptures on the walls of the gallery. One original drawing on display at the exhibition depicts sweeping movements in graphite on paper. But that is not all, Cahill also uploads hundreds of pictures of her artwork into a software system that digitally renders videos to make the pieces move. According to Cahill, this process is called “photogrammetry,” a technique that originated in the 1850s, though the methods she uses today are much more advanced.
Phoebe Gerhard Staff Writer
Welcome to the weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. Each week, I will be discussing what fellow Villanovans and I are up to in a multitude of culture related areas. Following the acronym of R for reading, E for eating, P for playing, O for obsession, R for recommend and T for trying, this report is more than just a weekly news rundown. It will gauge the general trends and feelings amongst students here at Villanova.
R- Reading
On the bookshelf (or e-bookshelf, I should say) we have the Economist. Because guess what? Cool girls read the news and stay updated. Recently, I’ve been reading The World in Brief Section . This is super helpful for especially tiresome days, which might be every day, but something is better than nothing.
E - Eating Welches Juicefuls. Hear me out, please. Imagine a pack of gushers, but when opened, the candy is still intact and hasn’t clumped into one scary, sticky ball in the bottom of the bag. This snack is igniting my inner child and giving me the rush of sugar needed to function as an adult. Huge props to Conn-venience for stocking the shelves with them.
P - Playing
As summer fades, I am soaking up as much as possible
The idea of three different perspectives of the same pieces that traverse multiple dimensions is fascinating, but Cahill took her exhibit a step further. She has stills from the photogrammetry videos printed in vibrant color, taking the cycle of her art back into 2-D and completing the story. All of these parts come together to create an exhibition that is awe-inspiring and wildly unique.
“[The exhibition] traces through a lot of work and my practice,” Cahill said of choosing the name Through Lines for the gallery. [The exhibition follows] the role of
line and the role of drawing. She also included a theme of technology, with mediums spanning from graphite to an augmented reality app, a feature that allows people to see her artwork move through their phone camera as well as in the exhibit.
Additionally, every sculpture Cahill crafts is unique. Each is spontaneously built on the spot, stemming from an initial idea or concept. For the installation at Villanova, Cahill was channeling a hurricane-type energy.
“[The sculptures] defy
The Weekly Report
- an activity best accompanied with the perfect tune. In the quad, tunes blast from Taylor Swift to Kayne West. From my room, you’ll hear “Love on the Weekend” by John Mayer. It’s a perfect mix between a slow but singable song that’ll transport you back to warmer nights as the sun sets earlier and earlier.
O - Obsessions
Puzzles. That’s it. At some point, somewhere, someone told us puzzles were boring and a thing of grandparents. Well, call me Grandma because I’m officially declaring them back. The satisfaction of sliding in the last missing piece is unmatched, making the product of many confused hours something worth admiring. My most recent conquest was a 500-piece dog collection.
R - Recommend
Calm is the word of the week. I’m prescribing meditation or simply deep breathing because, let’s be honest, settling the mind is way harder than it seems. Between schoolwork and new routines, life at school can be extremely overwhelming. Remember to take time for yourself, which is important and necessary for success.
T - Trying
My roommate and I attempted [Solidcore] this past weekend, and hard would be an understated description of it. I don’t think I have ever bent and twisted quite like that, but in a weird, slightly self-sabotaging way, we both loved it. My next class is booked at the Bryn Mawr loca -
characterization,” Cahill said. “Some people see feathers or leaves; I don’t mind leaving it up for interpretation.”
This exhibition is with Villanova until January, but Cahill has many additional projects happening around her homebase in LA that are worth looking out for.
“Because I work in film, I’ve been thinking a lot about caves and cave paintings,” Cahill said. “A lot of scholars think they are pre-cinematic and primitive, but they really were very cinematic.”
She discussed recent work she did with LED screens, attempting to honor cave paintings through a contemporary lens. It is clear, through every project Cahill discussed at the opening, including Through Lines, that she takes themes traditionally considered “simple” into careful consideration, making something wonderfully complex out of them.
The final part of Cahill’s exhibition here on campus takes viewers out of the gallery, where her app shows a swirling depiction of her digital art above the Oreo. By bringing her work into a central part of campus, Cahill demonstrates the different ways art can be experienced. The exhibition is a fascinating timeline of the past, present and future of her work.
The exhibition will be housed in the Art Gallery on the second floor of the Connelly Center until Jan. 17, 2025. The hours for the gallery are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
tion, and it is the perfect distance to get a warm up and cool down walk. Trying new things is undoubtedly my mantra this week and throughout the semester. The more you try, the more you may
love or learn to love. Or alternatively, hate and never do again. It’s all about the experience.Thanks for tuning into this week’s report. It’s time to bring the fun back into news. See you next week.
Scenes from Through Lines on Friday at the Villanova Art Gallery. Courtesy of Cali Carss
The Weekly Report is a way for students to engage with the cultural mood on campus. Maggie Fitzgerald/Villanovan Photography
CogWell: Creating a Culture of Active Listening
Madison Ostrowski Staff Writer
In the age of the cell phone, it’s rare to have a conversation where both parties are completely engaged. While this can be an alienating feeling, an effort is being made to create a more connected culture by organizations like CogWell, which aims to bring active listening to campus.
CogWell is an organization that offers programs designed to equip college students with effective communication skills. Its workshops show students how to proactively manage daily mental health challenges and build meaningful connections. As a result, campus environments become more supportive and inclusive for everyone.
Active listening is a communication skill that requires a conscious effort to understand what someone is saying. This calls for undivided attention, free from distractions and the use of nonverbal cues such as nodding, maintaining eye contact and using supportive body language. It also includes refraining from interrupting, but asking thoughtful questions to clarify and deepen the understanding of what is being shared.
Through CogWell interactive workshops, students practice
communicating their own feelings while also learning how to respond thoughtfully to someone opening up. Students participate in icebreakers and role-play scenarios, allowing them to become more confident in being a person someone can confide in.
Active listening is very important in today’s era of passive engagement. Many people are guilty of prioritizing what they will say next rather than truly listening. This can lead to poor communication and be detrimental to the relationship between communicators. Dr. Melissa Rice, the director of programming at CogWell, shares a deep relationship with this program and its mission. When she was struggling with mental health issues, a friend supported her and validated her feelings, jumpstarting her passion for this project and her eagerness to share it.
“Sometimes, all we want to do is feel heard and validated and these skills allow that,” Rice said. “They also allow for those receiving the skills to recognize who they can go to when they may need support.”
Founded in 2005, CogWell was created to provide greater support for students dealing with mental health challenges. Its initial program was held at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the
past year, it has expanded to other institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Texas, Haverford College and more.
Rice brought her workshop to Villanova’s campus in 2022, starting with the varsity softball team. After participating, infielder Brooklyn Ostrowski grew an instant connection with Rice and CogWell’s mission.
“After my first workshop, I realized the importance of active listening,” Ostrowski said. “I always want to be the person that my family and friends can come to when they need someone to listen. I want to leave a positive impact on everyone I encounter. Sometimes, all it takes to make a person smile is just listening to them.”
As a member of Every Mind Matters, a Villanova student-athlete organization focused on mental health advocacy, Ostrowski recognized the value of bringing CogWell to Villanova athletics. After a year of being the CogWell Representative on the Every Mind Matters leadership team, Ostrowski wanted to open up the opportunity to the entire student body. Now, any student at Villanova can attend these workshops and join the club.
Many students who have attended the workshops realize the impact of truly being heard
and understood. These students walk away with skills that they can carry with them beyond the program and after graduation. Senior Elaina Wagner attested to this.
“I try to apply active listening in my daily life by giving my full attention to others during conversations, making sure I understand their feelings and perspectives before responding,” Wagner said. “Outside of the program, I do this with friends and family by being patient, asking thoughtful questions and trying my best to show that I genuinely care about what they are saying.”
CogWell’s workshops teach students to develop skills that shape how they interact with others in their daily lives, helping them to become more supportive and empathetic in their relationships and recognize these invaluable skills in others.
Many college students feel alone in the struggles they face and may be unsure of where to turn for support. Learning how to become an active listener can help bridge that gap and assist students in better supporting those going through a hard time. Through CogWell’s on-campus club, students have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their community, as well as a difference in their own lives and the lives of those they care about.
Wildcat Watch: What You Missed Over the Summer
Amanda McKean Sports Columnist
Here’s some of the biggest news that you may have missed in Villanova Athletics over the sum -
mer:
Softball Makes FirstTime NCAA Regional Final Appearance
After clinching the Big East Championship in late April against UConn, Villanova competed in Regionals for the NCAA Division I Softball Championship.
The ‘Cats went far, upsetting No.12 Arkansas 7-2 in the semifinals on May 18 and making history with the first NCAA Re -
gional final appearance in program history.
Despite losing 14-3 against Arizona on May 19, graduate catcher Ally Jones and sophomore second baseman Lily St. Jean made All-Mideast second team while then senior outfielder Tess Cites earned third team recognition.
Track and Field Competes in NCAA Championships
In June, six Villanova athletes qualified for the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships. Senior Liam Murphy advanced to the 1500m final for the second year in a row, and Sean Dolan finished fifth in the 800m,
earning him his seventh All-America honor and fourth podium finish in his collegiate career.
Junior Sadie Sigfstead competed in the 10,000 meters where she finished 12th overall while senior Roschell Clayton tied for fifth in the high jump.
Men’s and Women’s Basketball Round Out Rosters
The Wildcats were busy with the transfer portal as they added a plethora of new players to their rosters.
Out of the nine new players, five are freshmen—guard Aleksandar Gavalyugov and forwards Josiah Moseley, Matthew Hodges, Malcolm Thomas, and Kris Parker. For the transfers,
Lastly, junior guard Wade Chiddick was added to the roster after serving as a practice player in 2023-24.
The women’s team was in a similar position. Head coach Denise Dillon needed to fill eight spots on the 14-player roster.
The majority of new players were transfers, with the Wildcats gaining graduate guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy (Holy Cross), junior guard Ryanne Allen Continued on page 18
Volleyball Goes 2–1 Hosting Villanova Classic
Genna Cottingham Staff Writer
After winning a tight fiveset match against Binghamton at home on Wednesday, Sep. 4, the Wildcats hosted their annual Villanova Classic this past weekend.
The teams participating in the 2024 tournament included Loyola Maryland, Princeton and Old Dominion. Villanova claimed a pair of victories in the first two games of the weekend in Jake Nevin Fieldhouse before falling to Old Dominion on Sunday, Sep. 8.
The Villanova Classic tournament commenced at 4 p.m. with a matchup between Old Dominion and Princeton on Friday, Sep. 6. Villanova’s first game in the
tournament was against Loyola Maryland, where the ‘Cats pulled off a huge victory with three straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-20).
The Wildcats dominated Nevin once again with three straight sets, this time against the Tigers on Saturday night.
Once Sunday afternoon hit, the Wildcats’ luck ran loose, and Villanova fell to Old Dominion in a 3–1 upset.
For the 2024 season, head coach Josh Steinbach and the team welcomed six rookies to the roster, three of which made the starting lineup.
“The freshman group is talented, but they are also committed to being great volleyball players,” Steinbach said. “They’re great kids, they work hard, and they’ve been a breath of fresh air
as far as how they’re enjoying their group.”
Outside hitter Cat Young showed off her skills with 19 kills and 22 digs in her opening weekend at home. Next up, setter Alyssa Nelson gave the team a stellar performance of 24 digs and 57 assists.
To close out the freshmen show, middle blocker Campbell McKinnon was a powerhouse. Although Villanova lost on Sunday, their game against Old Dominion was McKinnon’s best performance of her career so far, with 17 kills and 22.5 points totaled in that game alone.
The ‘Cats have another new star on the roster, but she is far from a freshman.
Graduate student Taylor Jakubowski previously played for Seton Hall University for four years. During her time as a pirate, Jakubowski totaled 489 assists and 919 digs.
In her first home weekend as a wildcat, Jakubowski recorded 34 assists and 28 digs in just three games.
“She’s a good fit for our system, good leadership for our young freshmen setter, she’s been great,” said Steinbach.
Sophomore outside hitter Abby Harrell continued to impress to start off her second season, with undeniable strength and poise personality on the court.
Recording a combined total of 48 kills during the Villanova Classic, Harrell achieved a career-high of 22 kills in a single game on Saturday against Princeton.
“It feels so awesome to be in a good rhythm playing now,” Harrell said. “It is starting to be smooth and almost poetic, and less robotic.”
On Saturday, Harrell had a .576 hitting percentage and graced the Wildcats with a career-high 24 points that game. Last year, Harrell received many accolades for her outstanding performance, named Big East Freshman of the Year.
With back-to-back games and practices all week, players worked with staff to receive proper rest, hydration and nutrition.
“Sean Doherty, our sports performance guy, is fantastic,” Steinbach said. “Our players are doing a great job of taking care of themselves as well and we just feel really good right now.”
The Wildcats got their start to the volleyball season on Aug. 30 with the Catholic Challenge at Santa Clara University, where they went 0-2. Now in their third week of play, Villanova has a record of 3-3.
Looking forward to games away, Villanova will take on Yale in New Haven, CT on Friday, Sep. 13.
Junior pitcher Kat Gallant earned the win for Villanova over No. 12 Arkansas on Saturday, May 18. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Senior Liam Murphy achieved a personal best in the men’s 1500 meter final at the 2024 Olympic Trials. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Outsider hitter Cat Young was one of multiple freshmen to stand out in the 2024 Villanova Classic. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Continued from p. 17 (Vanderbilt), senior guard Jaliyah Green (Southeast Missouri), graduate forward Lara Edmanson (Santa Clara), and junior forward Denae Carter (Mississippi State). As for freshman, the Wildcats signed guards Dani Ceseretti and Jasmine Bascoe, and forward Rachel Wirts.
Big East Signs New SixYear Media Deal
In late June, Big-East athletics signed a six-year media rights agreement that kept FOX Sports as the lead network provider. In addition, NBC Sports and TNT Sports will provide full coverage on Big East basketball starting in the 2025-2026 season.
Villanovans in the Olympics
At the end of June, Liam Murphy competed in the Olympic Trials for the 1500 meters. Although he did not qualify for Paris, Murphy did achieve a new lifetime best of 3:36.37 and moved into sixth place in school history for the 1500m.
Villanova did not go unrepresented in the Olympics, as 2016 alum Patrick Tiernan competed in the marathon representing Australia, marking the 20th consecutive summer Olympics with at least one Villanovan. Lastly, assistant coach of women’s field hockey, Karlie Kisha, competed on the USA Field Hockey team.
Women’s Basketball, Volleyball and Field Hockey Go Abroad
Multiple women’s programs traveled to Europe to com -
pete in international tournaments.
In their first foreign trip since 2015, the women’s basketball team embarked on its Italy Tour and competed in three international games.
In their first game in Florence, the ‘Cats lost 55-65 against the Spanish All Star Team, with Maddie Webber and Bronagh Power-Cassidy leading scoring with 12 points apiece. The Wildcats bounced back in Venice, crushing the ASD Basketball Sisters 82-36, led by Webber’s 13 points. In their final game in Milan, they beat Rīga Stradiņš University 91-56. Jasmine Bescoe led the scoring with 18 points, while Ryanne Allen secured 17 points.
The volleyball team embarked on its first foreign trip in program history, stopping in Maribor, Slovenia to compete in the
2024 European Maribor Matches against the Czech Republic U22 National Team and Serbia’s U22 National Team. The team also took a tour of Italy, going up against the Diavoli Rosa Club Team in Milan and Volleyro Casal de Pazzi in Rome. Lastly, making their way through Europe and vlogging the whole experience, the field hockey team traveled to Amsterdam and Harleem in the Netherlands.
Villanova competed in two games against Overbos Dames 1 and Hockeyclub Myra in which it tied 4-4. Next the Wildcats traveled to Antwerp, Belgium where they watched three FIH Pro League games. They completed their trip with one last game against SVHC in Delft, Netherlands before heading back home to Philadelphia.
WEEKLY SCOREBOARD
Sep. 1 – Sep. 10
Sunday, September 1
Golf @ Alex Lagowitz 4th of 15 (final)
Field Hockey vs. Sacred Heart 3–0 W
Women’s Soccer @ No. 1 FSU 2–0 L
Monday, September 2
Men’s Soccer @ Western Michigan 5–1 L
Wednesday, September 4
Volleyball vs. Binghamton 3–2 W
Thursday, September 5
Women’s Soccer vs. Wake Forest 1–0 L
Friday, September 6
Field Hockey vs. Drexel 3–2 L
Volleyball vs. Loyola Maryland 3–0 W
Saturday, September 7
Men’s Soccer vs. Lafayette 1–1 T
Football @ Colgate 28–3 W
Volleyball vs. Princeton 3–0 W
Sunday, September 8
Volleyball vs. Old Dominion 3–1 L
Monday, September 9
Field Hockey vs. Mercyhurst 9–0 W
Men’s Soccer Ties Lafayette 1–1, Searching for First Win
Elijah McDow Staff Writer
The start to the Mark Fetrow era of Villanova’s men’s soccer remains winless after the Wildcats played to a 1-1 draw with Lafayette at Higgins Soccer Complex on Saturday.
The team, still in search of its first win, is 0-3-2 through the first five games of the season.
Senior forward Vincent Petrera evened the game with a goal in the 74th minute to salvage a draw for the ‘Cats. Villanova was outshot by the Leopards across the game, 19-13.
Fetrow, who took over in November after long-time head coach Tom Carlin announced his retirement plans, made it clear after the match that a draw is not a result that he and the Wildcats celebrate.
“I think we saw some of the same things we saw in the first four games today,” Fetrow said. “We can’t give up soft goals. We’ve got to be clinical in the final third. We’ve got to create more chances out of our possessions. We’ve got to do a better job of connecting passes. We had way too many unforced turnovers for a team that wants to focus on possession.”
The game was fast-paced and featured a number of tackles, counterattacks and defensive recoveries from both teams.
The Villanova defense was anchored by the efforts of graduate defender Cole Knapp. In just
six games for the Wildcats, Knapp has already emerged as one of the most prominent members of Fetrow’s lineup.
Despite a strong start, the Wildcats’ defense eventually lapsed.
In the 33rd minute, freshman midfielder Cade Maglione put away the game’s opening goal for the Leopards.
The Leopards launched five shots on goal in the first half, four of which freshman keeper Alex Yagudayev saved. He finished the match with five saves.
At halftime, Fetrow made two tactical changes. Graduate midfielder Jorge Garcia came on for sophomore forward Jevon Daniels, and sophomore midfielder Josh Oladele was dropped deeper in the team’s formation.
“We just made a change of keeping [Oladele] a little deeper and letting [Garcia] be more of a free flowing role,” Fetrow said. “[Garcia] on his own was coming in on deeper pockets, which really helped our possession because he’s really confident on the ball and playing forward.”
Coming out of the break, the game’s intensity picked up.
Senior midfielder Jordan Canica who had been dangerous in the first half, continued to be a threat on the left wing.
Canica nearly scored in the 55th minute but his shot was saved by Lafayette senior keeper Griffin Huff. The ‘Cats shot on frame four times throughout the match.
The Wildcats would have
several more chances to score, eventually capitalizing in the 74th minute with a goal from Petrera.
After a quick check for offsides the goal was confirmed. Graduate midfielder Jason Bouregy was credited with the assist to Petrera.
“We knew after going down in the first half that we had to make a strong response in the second,” Petrera said. “We had a lot of chances before it and I think it was just the resilience to keep going, to keep making runs. It was a beautiful ball from Jason and once I was one-on-one with the keeper and saw him step off the line, all I had to do was just flick it over and I had him beat.”
Petrera also had high praise for Knapp whose performance helped secure the draw.
“The hardest worker today was Cole Knapp at center back,” Petrera said. There wasn’t a play when he wasn’t sprinting 100% and even in the 86th minute he’s chasing one of their fastest players around and beats him to the ball.”
Along with Yagudayev, Knapp’s performance proved to be a big difference maker as toward the end of the game there were nervous moments for both teams. Lafayette had two chances to take the lead but both were snuffed by the Wildcat defense.
As the final minutes of the game approached, Fetrow made an adjustment.
While the Wildcats pushed to find the winning goal, Fetrow brought on freshman midfielder/
forward Karson Vasquez in the 82nd minute.
The Florida native is a player to watch for the future and one who is already making an impression on his coaches.
“Karson… he has the ability to have electric moments,” Fetrow said. “He’s very creative when he’s in front of goal, he’s got a quick trigger and he’s got an ability score.”
Fetrow has high expectations for Vasquez’s development as a player for the offense to depend upon.
“For us it’s [Vasquez] continuing to build confidence, so that he has consistency in his performances,” Fetrow said. “He’s obviously a guy that we believe a lot in, because at the end of the game when we’re trying to win and score a goal he’s a guy that we feel comfortable going to.”
Following Saturday’s draw, the Wildcats will be back on the road, matching up on Sept. 14 with Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m.
“Anytime you concede first and you can come back to tie things up, that’s always a positive and it shows the fight and the belief you have in your guys,” Fetrow said. “That was good but it wasn’t enough. We’re here to win games, we’re here to compete in the Big East and we’re still working towards being a team that’s gonna do that consistently.”
In the days ahead, the Wildcats will look to improve from their draw with Lafayette with the hopes of securing their first win.
After filling eight new roster spots, women’s basketball went on an Italy Tour of summer competitoin. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Women’s Soccer Suffers Late 1–0 Loss to Wake Forest
Katie Lewis Co-Sports Editor
Determined to improve last year’s underwhelming 1–7–2 Big East record, Villanova women’s soccer is preparing by taking on a demanding non-conference schedule in 2024.
On Thursday, Sep. 5, Villanova (3–3) hosted Wake Forest (5–1–1) and came out with a 1–0 loss.
Wake Forest is the second ACC team in a row to face Villanova. The Wildcats’ previous trip to Florida culminated with a 2–0 loss to No. 1 Florida State on Sep. 1.
“We were really prepared [for Wake Forest] from the standpoint of we’ve been working a lot on our defensive shape,” head coach Samar Azem said. “We knew these last two games would be our toughest defensive tests, and we know we’ll have to be good defensively to win games in the Big East.”
In the highly-contested defensive battle, Villanova’s back line withstood Wake Forest for 84 minutes before Demon Deacon Alex Wood was able to sneak one in the goal off a cross.
Junior goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson put her shot-stopping expertise on display. It was the USC transfer’s second consecutive game in which she recorded 10 saves.
Dickinson’s impressive performances since joining the Villanova roster have made her the current conference leader for total saves, with 19. In the last two weeks, she earned
Big East Goalkeeper of the Week and a spot on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll.
“We knew when we recruited [Dickinson] that she was a very smart goalkeeper,” Azem said. “She can keep the back line very organized and she’s very strong in the air. She showed that [against Wake Forest.]”
While defenders fought to keep the Demon Deacons at bay, the Wildcat offense struggled to keep possession on the opposite end of the field.
Wake Forest outshot Villanova by a tremendous margin, launching 29 shots throughout the game and 11
shots on goal.
The Wildcats’ two shots of the game were delivered by freshman forwards Alex Little and Madison Shumate.
One cause of Villanova’s ails was an injury-stricken roster, forcing some players to play out of their usual positions.
“Playing FSU, we tried a different style defensively,” freshman defender Meredith Palmer said. “We used that a little bit today because we’re short on numbers, and it worked.”
The Wildcats have two more games ahead before starting high-
ly-anticipated conference play later this month. On Thursday, Sep. 12, Villanova will host Bucknell (3–2–1). After a two-day recovery, Villanova will go on the road to play Cornell (1–1–3) on Sunday, Sep. 15.
“If we keep people healthy, this is going to be the best I’ve seen us do in conference play,” Azem said. “I’m very excited and optimistic about what this team is doing this year. We have a lot to work on and we’re a young team.”
Kickoff against the Bison at Higgins Soccer Complex on Thursday is set for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FloSports.
Field Hockey Falls to Drexel and Dominates Mercyhurst
Ali Benjamin Staff Writer
The ‘Cats are back on the field with two games during their second week of regular season play. Coming off of a win at home against Sacred Heart on Sept. 1, Villanova (2–2) hosted the Drexel Dragons on Friday, Sept. 6.
On Monday, Sep. 9, Villanova hosted Mercyhurst and claimed a 9–0 win.
With an early goal from Drexel in the first minute, the ‘Cats responded with a successful shot on goal by sophomore back Gemma Lysaght just shy of five minutes into the game.
After an otherwise quiet remainder of the first half, filled primarily with substitutions from both teams hoping to regain offensive control, sophomore forward Colleen Finnan put Villanova ahead in the game’s 34th minute. This followed an unsuccessful shot attempt by Finnan only one minute prior. It was Finnan’s first goal of the season.
The Dragons had an opportunity to bring the game to a tie with a penalty corner following a foul on Villanova, but a save by sophomore Maddi Sears kept the ‘Cats ahead to end the period.
Coming off of a yellow card on freshman back Molly Zimmerman at the end of the third period, the ‘Cats came out for the fourth down a player for four minutes.
“Our third quarter was fantastic and we completely controlled the play,” head coach Joanie Milhous said. “At the end of the third quarter
we got a yellow card to put us down for four minutes. Before that we were out shooting them and out cornering them. And then that fourth quarter was totally different and it was a little frustrating.’
With an early penalty corner, followed by four more immediate shots on goal, Drexel tied the game 2-2 in minute 48.
“They had 11 shots to our one and they had six corners to our one,” Milhous said. “That was a big momentum change and we didn’t play it very well being down numbers. We didn’t value our possessions which we needed to do, so that was the difference unfortunately.”
Villanova finished the game with an attempted penalty corner and an unsuccessful shot on goal, and eventually fell to the Dragons, 3-2.
Following its loss at home to Drexel, Villanova hosted Mercyhurst University on Monday evening, in which the ‘Cats walked away with a better outcome, marking a dominant 9-0 win.
“Our takeaway from Friday’s game is you had Meghan and Sabine and neither one of them had a shot on goal,” Milhous said. “They’re our two best players, so when neither one of them has a shot, that’s a bad sign. Our main goal was getting shots and taking shots, which we did. It was a great response…The players are just totally bought in, and they’re accountable. I give them a lot of credit to be able to respond in that way.”
This was an extremely offensive game for the ‘Cats, who took 22 shots on goal throughout the entirety of the game.
Thirteen of these attempts were saved by the Lakers, who played a very defensive game without any scoring attempts of their own Graduate student forward
Ava Borkowski had a stand-out performance with three of Villanova’s nine goals, the first of which was her first of the season and the third being unassisted.
Fifth-year back Sabine de Ruijter also had a stellar performance against Mercyhurst, scoring once on a penalty corner and once nearing the end of the first half, immediately preceding an assist to one of Borkowski’s successful scoring attempts.
Coming off of this win over Mercyhurst, the ‘Cats now sit at a 2-2 record, with two City 6 matchups ahead of them. They will travel to face St Joeseph’s (2–1) on Friday, Sept.
13 and will return home for another local matchup on Monday, Sept. 16 against La Salle (4–0).
“We stopped playing [St. Joe’s] for a period of time but now we are back playing them consistently because it is a rivalry we should always be playing,” Milhous said. “They just got ranked 13th in the country so we’re really excited to play them. We really respect them. They’re a very talented team and have a really great coach. La Salle is obviously another City 6 school that we completely respect, as well, and they’ve got a lot of talent also but we’re excited to show what our team has.”
Conference play also approaches for the Wildcats. On Friday, Sep. 20, Villanova will host Georgetown (1–2) in its first Big East matchup of the season.
Continuing a challenging non-conference schedule, Villanova fell 1–0 to Wake Forest last Thursday, Sep. 5. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Villanova is 2–2 on the season after defeating Mercyhurst, 9–0, on Sep. 10. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
No. 5 Villanova Looks Forward to CAA Opener vs. Towson
James Haupt Staff Writer
Villanova football will be back on its home turf this weekend to open the conference slate, as the Wildcats host Towson (1-1, 0-0 CAA) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Wildcats are looking to improve to 3-0, continuing an undefeated start to the season. The ‘Cats are the only undefeated team in the Coastal Athletic Association through the first two weeks.
Towson’s first game was against FBS Power Four member Cincinnati and resulted in a 38-20 loss. The Tigers competed
with the Big 12 team, with senior quarterback Carlos Davis leading the way. The UMass transfer was 21-of-37 attempts for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Towson earned its first win of the year over Morgan State last Saturday, 14-9. The Tigers relied heavily on their defense to secure the win after two first half touchdowns. They recorded five sacks and limited Morgan State to 249 yards of total offense.
Davis had another 200yard showing, while Senior running back Devin Matthews performed well with 95 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Towson has various weap -
ons that the Wildcats will have to look out for. Limiting Davis and forcing the Tigers to run the ball more will likely be a key for Villanova.
In its 2-0 start, Villanova has shown that even after losing its three best running backs from 2023, it still has a formidable ground game.
In the 24-17 win over Youngstown State, the Wildcats combined for 249 rushing yards.
Last weekend, the ‘Cats went on the road and defeated Colgate, 28-3. Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins showed off his passing ability with 247 yards
and two touchdowns. Graduate receiver Devin Smith recorded six receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wildcats have proven they can utilize both the running and passing game to defeat their opponents. This situational offense combined with great defense to start the season should give them the edge over Towson.
Villanova is 11-5 against Towson since 2004. In last season’s meeting, the Wildcats claimed a 33-10 victory. The ‘Cats are hoping to replicate that result on the road this year. The game will be available to watch on FloSports.
Watcke Places 8th at World Athletics U20 Championships
Dylan Johnson Staff Writer
As the 2024 academic year kicked off and Villanova students returned to the Main Line, one Wildcat instead found himself in Peru.
Sophomore Dan Watcke participated in Lima, Peru’s World Athletics U20 Championships on Aug. 27 through 31. The World Championships had 33 countries represented across all events.
After working his way through two qualifying heats, Watcke placed eighth in the 800-meter final, finishing the race at 1:50.55.
Although early in his collegiate career, Watcke is no stranger to the big stage. To qualify for the World Championships, Watcke competed in the USATF U20 Championships in Oregon back in June. Recording a time of 1:47.59, Watcke placed second in the 800-meter final.
It was the third time he medaled in the 800 meters at the meet, as he previously won a pair of bronze medals at the championships.
The first of three races at the World Championships for Watcke started on Aug. 27. With only the top three qualifying in each heat, Watcke had work to do. Watcke finished third, finishing in front of third place by only 0.30 of a second. Watcke’s thirdplace time was 1:49.86.
The semifinal round was split into three heats. Qualifications for the final were to finish first or second in one’s respective heat or have one of the two fastest times after the six top qualifiers.
Watcke was put into the first heat of three in the semifinals. In a close finish, Watcke came just short of finishing second to earn a spot in the final. Instead, Watcke finished third with a time of 1:47.68, just 0.15 of a second behind second.
Due to Watcke being in the first heat, he needed to wait for the other two heats to see if his time was good enough for one of the two fastest-time qualifying spots. Watcke’s time was fast enough to earn him a spot in the final. His 1:47.68 semifinal run set at the 2023
Big East Outdoor Championships. A loaded final consisted of representation from Kenya, Canada, Qatar and others. Watcke was the only runner representing the United States of America in the 800-meter final.
Watcke lined up in lane four. He split 25.45 at 200 meters, 52.39 at 400 meters, 1:20.09 at 600 meters and crossed the finish line in 1:50.55. It was Watcke’s slowest time of the championships, but his third race in four days. With three years of college eligibility left, Watcke’s potential has a
high ceiling.
College athletes leave their mark on a program and on the way out, pass the torch to a new generation. Sean Dolan ran the 800 meter for the Wildcats for four seasons. During Dolan’s time as a Wildcat, he crossed the finish line first in every 800m race he ran at a Big East meet.
To put Watcke’s potential in perspective with Dolan, Watcke finished second in the Big East Outdoor 800-meter championship last year. The only person who finished in front of Watcke was Dolan.
Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins had 247 yards against Colgate. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Dan Watcke started his sophomore year by placing eighth in the 800 meter race at the U20 World Championships in Lima, Peru. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Villanova holds the No. 5 ranking in the FCS Stats Perform Poll. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Villanova Recieves Big East John Thompson Jr. Award
Elijah McDow Staff Writer
Villanova University and Villanova Athletics pride themselves on service and making a difference in the community.
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Villanova was recognized with the 2024 John Thompson Jr. Award for its efforts to promote inclusivity and social justice.
The Big East selected Villanova and St. John’s University as co-winners. This is the second year in a row that the Wildcats have won the award.
The John Thompson Jr. Award is given to athletic departments whose teams have spent significant time on work centered around societal change and social justice initiatives.
The award also celebrates the life and memory of former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson Jr. As a coach, Thompson Jr. won multiple national and conference championships, but off the court he was a man who fought for social justice and inclusivity.
The Big East Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Working Group was responsible for selecting the recipients. Villanova was selected for its efforts with UNITAS and the promotion of belonging, multiculturalism, inclusivity and equity on campus and beyond.
The efforts surrounding UNITAS issues centered around student-athlete affinity groups, work with
the BIPOC, LGBTQAI+, international and disabled communities, and mental health promotion.
“We commend St. John’s
and Villanova for their comprehensive and sustained efforts to orient their student-athletes, coaches and other administrators to the principles
that Coach Thompson so deeply espoused,” Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement. “Both schools have created impressive frameworks for athletics DEI through a medley of education, awareness, professional development and inclusive hiring practices, and their templates offer a model approach to campuses striving to promote tolerance and a welcoming environment for all. We want to offer our special thanks to Nancy Kaplan at St. John’s and Leashia Lewis at Villanova for their long-standing service on our working group and their outstanding leadership in facilitating DEI effectiveness on their campuses.”
University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. released a statement celebrating the reward.
“Villanova is honored to be once again recognized by the Big East for our commitment to igniting positive change on our campus and in the community,” Fr. Peter said. “I would like to thank Leashia Lewis for her leadership in bringing our Augustinian values to life for our student-athletes and express my gratitude to everyone in Villanova Athletics for their efforts to enhance the experience for all who compete for Villanova.”
The efforts to advance positive social change has already begun for the new academic year with a meet and greet for international student-athletes in August and the second annual UNITAS kickoff scheduled for Monday, September 9th.
AD Mark Jackson Hired in Same Role by Northwestern
Katie Lewis Co-Sports Editor
Northwestern has secured a deal with Villanova Athletic Director Mark Jackson to make him the school’s next athletic director. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Aug. 28 and confirmed on Aug. 29 in a statement from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D.
“Since arriving on the Main Line in 2015, Mark has been a tremendous leader and innovator, partner and friend to so many at Villanova, helping elevate our
Department of Athletics to unprecedented heights,” Fr. Peter said in the statement.
Villanova brought on Jackson as athletic director in September of 2015, and added vice president to Jackson’s title in January of 2020. During Jackson’s tenure, Villanova has claimed 34 conference championships, two men’s basketball national championships and produced a men’s cross country individual national champion.
Villanova has also claimed the Big East Presidents’ Award four times under Jackson.
Jackson was reported as a finalist for the Northwestern
role Tuesday, and by Wednesday evening Thamel reported that the school was “targeting” Jackson to fill the position.
Prior experience with football administration makes Jackson a quality hire for the lakefront Wildcats. Before coming to Villanova, Jackson worked as a special teams coaching assistant under then-New England Patriots head coach Pete Carroll. Jackson stuck with the Patriots for a season after Carroll was dismissed, then reunited with him at USC as director of football operations and assistant athletic director. Jackson also has experience as director of football
development for the Oakland Raiders, a position he held for one year.
As Jackson’s new deal becomes official, Villanova will need to conduct a search to replace him.
“I will work with the Board of Trustees and University leadership in the days ahead to determine a transition plan, to identify an interim Director of Athletics and to map out a plan for a national search to fill the position,” Fr. Peter said.
Villanova has not yet appointed an interim athletic director.
Journalist Dana O’Neil Joins Villanova Athletics as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communication
Dylan Johnson Staff Writer
Villanova announced on Monday, Sep. 9 that it has added award-winning writer Dana O’Neil to the athletics staff.
O’Neil will fill the newly-created Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communication role.
O’Neil has over 25 years of experience as a sports journalist. She started in 2001 as a beat writer for the Philadelphia Daily News , covering Villanova Basketball.
O’Neil joined ESPN as a national correspondent after her stint with
the Philadelphia Daily News
Her most recent work before joining Villanova Athletics was with The Athletic
At The Athletic , O’Neil covered many notable sports stories, including World Series runs, Final Fours, Super Bowls and more.
During her stint with The Athletic, O’Neil also authored three books, two of which highlighted Villanova. O’Neil grew up in Stockton, New Jersey, then eventually settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Although she has a storied career in sports journalism, that was not her original career path.
“I went to Penn State intent on majoring in business,”
O’Neil said to Visit Bucks County Pennsylvania. “I figured out after one week of economics class that it wasn’t for me. By luck, the resident advisor on my floor was on The Daily Collegian. I made the paper and declared to my parents that I wanted to be a sportswriter.
I’ve never looked back.”
O’Neil is pivoting her career to a new form of work. She is
excited and ready to bring her vast experiences and work to Villanova.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with Villanova, a university and athletics program I know well and have always respected,” O’Neil said to Villanova Athletics. “College sports are evolving rapidly but Villanova’s commitment to its core values has long set it apart from the rest. I look forward to helping the University navigate the changes while maintaining its identity, and what makes it a truly special place.”
Villanova was recognized by the Big East for its efforts to advance positive social change. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
No. 5 Villanova Defeats Colgate, 28-3
Dylan Johnson Staff Writer
After scoring just one touchdown in the first half, Villanova found a way to win on Saturday night at Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, New York.
The Wildcats flipped the game out of halftime for a 28–3 victory, extending their record to 7-1 against the Raiders.
Villanova improved its regular season win streak against FCS non-conference opponents to 18. The Wildcats were favored over Colgate after coming off an impressive 24–17 win against Youngstown State on Aug. 29.
Villanova is known for its rushing ability, especially sixth-year quarterback Connor Watkins. The Wildcats leaned heavily on the passing game in the first half instead.
It was a rough set of drives for both offenses. Villanova and Colgate could only cross onto their opponent’s side of the field for a select few drives.
The Villanova offense was quiet until Watkins connected on a 71-yard pass to graduate transfer Devin Smith for a touchdown. It broke the stalemate. Villanova went up, 7-0, heading into the second quarter.
Watkins finished the night throwing 18 completions for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts.
On the next drive, Colgate
quickly worked its way inside Villanova’s 25-yard-line. With the help of a loaded Wildcat linebacker room, Colgate was forced to settle for a field goal. Villanova’s seven-point lead was cut to four.
Besides the two scoring drives, every drive ended in a punt except for one, which was a missed field goal attempt.
The Wildcats entered the half in an opposite manner of last week against Youngstown St. Out of Villanova’s 336 yards of total offense in the first half, only six were rushing.
Last week, throughout the entire game, Villanova rushed for
246 yards and passed for 90 yards.
The Wildcats received the ball to start the second half and returned to the run game. A pass for six yards kicked off the drive.
Redshirt freshman Isaiah Ragland sat in the backfield ready to cause damage. He took a handoff for 23 yards to push Villanova into Colgate’s territory. That set up a 25-yard pass from Watkins to junior Jaylan Sanchez, putting Villanova on the four-yard-line. Ragland took one final rush for a one-yard touchdown, ending Villanova’s first drive of the second half with a score. Villanova led 14-3.
That was not the end of Ragland. The CAA Offensive Rookie of the Week rushed for 58 yards on a team-leading 12 attempts and caught two passes for 10 yards. Ragland is the first player in Villanova history to earn league Rookie of the Week accolades in more than one season
After rushing for only six yards in the first half, Villanova ended the game with 132 rushing yards.
Smith found the end zone one more time following his 71-yard first-half touchdown. The grad transfer led the Wildcats in receptions and yards with 6 catches for 116 yards. It was Smith’s third career 100-yard receiving game.
On the other side of the ball, Villanova’s defense came up huge on multiple drives. Linebackers Shane Hartzell, Richie Kimmel and Brendan Bell combined for 21 tackles. Bell led the team in tackles with 10.
After Watkins ran in a late touchdown, Villanova led Colgate 28-3, with 3:59 left in the game. Colgate relied on the passing game to move the ball quickly down to Villanova’s 22-yard-line.
Colgate sophomore quarterback floated a pass to the corner of the endzone and Villanova safety Christian Sapp came away with the game-sealing interception.
Villanova improved to 2-0 after a strong second half.
The Wildcats will return home to play their first conference game of the season against Towson. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. The game will air on FloSports.
Photos: Women’s Soccer vs. Wake Forest
Junior keeper Hannah Dickinson made 10 saves against Wake Forest. Graydon Paul/ Villanovan Photography
Graduate reciever Devin Smith caught two touchdowns against Colgate. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Wake Forest outshot Villanova, 29-2, over the course of the match. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
Villanova is 3-3 in its first three matches. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
