The Villanovan | Volume 117, Issue 5: October 9, 2024
Social Justice Documen-
Cali Carss Staff Writer
Tucked in the back of Garey Hall, there is a small “lab” room where a course called Villanova University’s Social Justice Documentary meets. Each year, the students who make up this two-semester course create a unique production company and throw themselves into creating a documentary about a specific community from somewhere in the world. The 2024-2025 group has formed itself into a company it is calling Pinctada Pearl Productions and will be traveling to the Philippines for 10 days, departing on Oct. 11.
“The course has been going on for probably around 15 years,” producer Meg Martin said. “Typically, we’ll take around 20 people each year. I’ve heard it be called a filmmaker’s bootcamp because it doesn’t really matter what major you are. If you’re interested in social justice, if you’re interested in documentaries or filmmaking or in learning more about yourself and your relationship to other parts of the world… really anyone in any major can register for the class.” This diversity is not only allowed, but encouraged, as each production company is influenced by the different identities of the students who make it up.
“The people who constitute the company each come in with their individual ‘why’ they want to produce a documentary and why it’s important to them to be active in the social justice climate, and that collective ‘why’ that we come together to create is the production company,” Director of Photography Elizabeth Bojdak said.
This group emphasizes the importance
Continued on p. 14
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognized p. 3
Stickers on Laptops: Insights Into Who People Are p. 9
Defendant Charged in Commons Rape Case
*Content warning: mentions of sexual assault.
*All students who spoke in this article have chosen to remain anonymous, due to the sensitive nature of the subject.
Villanova University students received shocking news on the evening of Sept. 20: a rape had occurred inside of the Commons. The incident, which took place in Hovnanian Hall on Sept. 13, involved an Uber driver who allegedly raped a student in her dorm room. News has recently surfaced that the assaulter, Mirvan Dinler, a 26-year-old from Trappe,
Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including rape and sexual assault. While the University has taken steps to inform and reassure students, the attack has sparked concern about safety on campus.
On Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:08 p.m., students received word of a sexual assault that took place on campus. Villanova University’s Department of Public Safety disclosed basic details about the crime, a rape occurring in the Commons, an on-campus residence hall.
The attack occurred on the night of Sept. 13. The victim reported the incident to University officials the following week.
Villanova’s Public Safety Department took swift action upon learning of the incident, emphasizing that sexual assault will not be tolerated on campus. A Safety Alert email was sent to the student body from Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police, David Tedjeske.
“Villanova University Police have since identified and contacted the Uber driver, who has been banned from University property while this matter is being investigated,” the email read.
“The incident has also been reported to Uber.”
As the investigation was active and ongoing, University officials were unable to provide any further informa-
tion or comments about the assault.
The timing of the Safety Alert release was criticized because it was sent out during Hoops Mania, which began at 7 p.m that same Friday. A community member raised a question about this matter during a recent Community Conversation on Sexual Violence at Villanova. To this, Tedjeske emphasized the importance of balancing timeliness and accuracy in Public Safety communications. He explained that the report was finalized the same afternoon they interviewed the victim and underwent several rounds of editing before being released to the community. Tedjeske addressed that
Continued on p. 3
Sorority Recruitment Set to Move to Campus
Avery Chalk
Co-Opinion Editor
Meet the Greeks, Mock Recruitment and other recent panhellenic events have generated chatter around Villanova. After two months on campus, many students have officially caught the Greek life bug. As recruitment season approaches, both potential new members (PNMs) and active members await initiation with anticipation. However, sorority
University Celebrates Eighth Annual 1842 Day p. 4
Meet the Greeks: Your Guide to Sorority Recruitment p. 14
recruitment will look different this year. While formerly housed at the Villanova Inn, all events will relocate to Villanova’s campus for the 2025 cycle.
The National Panhellenic Conference at Villanova University consists of the following eight sorority chapters: Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha
Espiritus Nova: Capital Campaign for Villanova University p. 7
Shelf Care: The Classics Aren't All That Bad p. 16
Villanova Hosts International Sustainability Conference p. 7
MBB Showcases New Talent in Blue and White Scrimmage p. 17
Gamma Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma. From Jan. 7 to Jan. 12, 2025, each chapter will recruit its spring member class. The process will be newly held in multi-purpose spaces throughout campus. This decision was made to accommodate an increased interest in those wishing to join Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). Due in part to a lack of fraternity and sorority houses, Villanova
Continued on p. 6
Campus Must Do More to Address Sexual Violence p. 8
Women's Tennis Competes at Cissie Leary Invitational p. 20
Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
Students were made aware of a rape which occured in the Commons last month. Victoria Margenat/Villanovan Photography
Sorority recruitment will no longer take place at the Villanova Inn. Lauren Armstrong/Villanovan Photography
BURGLARY-UNLAWFUL ENTRY (NO FORCE), THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION
Reported: 10/1/2024 Occurred: 9/27/2024
TOLENTINE HALL
A staff member reported someone entered a locked university office and removed property from within. The amount of the loss is $300.00.
CARRYING A FALSE IDENTIFICATION
CARD, LIQUOR UNDERAGE
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
ALUMNI HALL
One male resident student, under the age of 21, was found in possession of a false identification and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital by Radnor ALS for alcohol and drug intoxication.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
STANFORD HALL
A female resident student, under the age of
CORRECTIONS
21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication by VUDPS.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
STANFORD HALL
A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS Ambulance for alcohol intoxication.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
FEDIGAN HALL
A female resident student, under the age of 21, was observed intoxicated in public and evaluated by VEMS Ambulance.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
SULLIVAN HALL
One male resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication by Radnor EMS and released.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
MORIARTY HALL
A male resident student, under the age of 21, was observed intoxicated in public. The student was evaluated by VEMS and transported to the hospital.
PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
AUSTIN HALL
A male resident student, over the age of 21, was evaluated by Radnor ALS for alcohol intoxication.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
Reported and Occurred: 10/6/2024
SULLIVAN HALL
A Resident Assistant reported vandalism in a communal restroom within a residential building. The extent of the damage is currently undetermined.
Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are brought to The Villanovan’s attention. Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.
A Preview of Villanova’s Fall Election Series
Isabella Balian Political Columnist
Villanova’s Political Science Department is hosting an election programming series focused on unpacking the fall elections and addressing critical policy issues. These panels are mainly hosted by the Political Science Department but are joined by adjacent departments that contribute with their respective knowledge. Chair and Associate Professor of the Political Science Department, Dr. Camille Burge, spoke on the mission behind the election series.
“We want students, faculty and staff to have the best information available from experts on key issues to ensure that they are making informed decisions at the ballot box,” Burge said. “We selected a few of the most hotly debated topics and have experts from all ideological perspectives participating in our series. We also hope to amplify the narratives of people we rarely hear, especially on contentious issues. Our goal is to have an engaging and informative event series.”
On Sept. 25, the department hosted a panel, Situation Critical: Executive Disability and the Dangers We Face, which focused on the dangers of presidential disability. They discussed current guidelines concerning presidential disability and succession and what this means for the course of fall elections. Students were joined by many professors and attorneys from the surrounding states to lead the conversation.
Last week, the department hosted a panel to discuss the economy: Is It the Economy, Stupid? The COVID-19 Recovery, Trade, Inflation and the 2024 Election. The panelists highlighted the important role the economy plays in elections, and the way it pertains to voter choices. Economic conditions like inflation, employment rates and economic growth affect the lives of voters. Panelists discussed the way economic factors and policies contribute to the political atmosphere and influence the 2024 Presidential Election.
The panel was moderated by
Political Science Department professor, Ryan Weldzius, and featured knowledgeable professionals Christopher Kilby, Amanda Blunt and Shawn Patterson. Kilby teaches at Villanova as an economics professor and was able to contribute knowledge on international organizations, political economy and foreign aid.
Blunt currently serves as General Counsel for General Motors but was a former counsel for the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office of the White House during Trump and Obama administrations. Patterson is a research analyst at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at UPenn and shared his expertise in political parties, organized interest and public opinion. Students who attended were able to hear more about the intersection of politics and the economy and their relation to the upcoming presidential election.
“One of the core tenets of democracy is an engaged and informed citizenry,” Burge said. “It is of the utmost importance for students to learn not just about this election but about politics in general. Given the wide range of opinions and experiences represented on each panel, it is my hope that people with different perspectives will want to attend, feel empowered to ask tough questions, and engage in civil discourse.” Burge then spoke about the upcoming panels this month.
“Two of the last three events are on incredibly contentious political topics: reproductive health and immigration,” she said.
After Fall Break, on Monday, Oct. 28, the Political Science Department is hosting a panel with the Gender and Women’s Studies Department, titled What’s at Stake With Reproductive Health. The event will take place in the Driscoll auditorium at 5 p.m. This panel will feature Dr. Nancy Sharts-Hopko, Ph.D.; Professor Ann Juliano, J.D.; Chelsea Gerrard; and Professor Elizabeth-Jane McGuire.
Panelists will converse on the underlying values and beliefs regarding reproductive health in America. Sharts-Hopko taught at Villanova’s Louse M. Fitzpatrick College of Nursing for 35 years and served as
the inaugural director of the Ph.D. program for 15 years. With invaluable research experience, she will speak from a medical perspective on women’s health and reproductive health.
A professor at Villanova’s Charles Widger School of Law, Juliano will be able to share from a legal perspective. Juliano has been teaching at Villanova’s Law School for 26 years. Her scholarship focuses on employment law, employment discrimination, harassment, Federal Indian law and gender and the law issues. Her research has appeared in many reputable journals, including but not limited to Cornell Law Review, Boston University Law Review, Georgia Law Review, St. Louis University Law Review and Tulsa Law Review.
Director of Communication at Villanova’s CLAS, Gerrard will share her personal experiences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication from Wheeling Jesuit University and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. Gerrard brings a unique perspective as a patient who dealt with infertility and fertility treatments, which are important components of reproductive health.
McGuire received her doctorate in theology from the Catholic University of America, and she enjoys thinking about the ways spirituality and daily life intersect, especially in music. She serves as an Associate Teaching Professor for the Augustine and Culture Seminar Program at Villanova. Dr. McGuire is a pro-life, pro-family advocate and will be able to speak from a Catholic perspective. These knowledgeable community members will address this topic from diverse perspectives to inform students.
Programming Director of the Gender and Women’s Studies Department, Dr. Kelly-Anne Diamond spoke on their mission for this panel. “Gender and Women’s Studies is committed to providing the Villanova community with educational programming and an arena for productive discussion,” Diamond. “GWS hopes to offer students four distinct perspectives on significant issues, along with a forum to discuss them.
We hope the audience will guide this conversation and make it relevant to them, to provide a valuable learning experience.”
The Political Science Department will wrap up the Fall Election Series with a post-election panel titled, Red, Striped, or Blue?: Examining the 2024 Elections with Polling and Election Experts. This event will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. in the Topper Theatre at the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts. Many people tune into their favorite news networks to see how local, state and national elections unfold, but are unaware of how the process works.
Burge spoke on her hopes for this last panel.
“The final event, Red, Striped, or Blue, is an event that I'm incredibly excited about because this is a space where I do real world elections work,” she said.
During this panel, the Villanova community will hear from a team of major news networks like CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS, as well as pollsters to debrief the 2024 elections. Each news network has a Decision Desk Team that works to analyze voting data coming in from precincts and counties. Students, faculty and staff will be able to hear about the behind the scenes madness from the people closest to it. This event is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Region AAPOR Chapter and the Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest. The Villanova community will hear from Jennifer Agiesta, Ken Goldstein, Kristen Conrad, Kabir Kanna and Josh Clinton, all members of news teams or research groups.
“We will hear from individuals from all the major news networks that lead the Decision Desk teams on election night or are responsible for polling and analytics at these networks,” Burge said. “When you are in college, you have a unique opportunity to hear from some of the greatest minds in academia and in public practice for free. Students should take advantage of these amazing opportunities.”
All of these events are ACS-approved.
Defendant Charged in Commons Rape Case
Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
it would be irresponsible to withhold information about immediate safety concerns, with the intent of prioritizing an athletic event.
Major updates have since surfaced from the case. The defendant has been identified as Mirvan Dinler, a 26-year-old located in Trappe, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement officials apprehended and officially made an arrest on Oct. 4, following the investigation.
Dinler has been charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and indecent assault. He was allegedly unable to post bail, which was set at 10% of a $250,000 bond.
Dinler is believed to have driven a 21-year-old Villanova student home from a Philadelphia nightclub on Friday, Sept. 13. The student reportedly fell ill before arriving at the event and left alone in an Uber back to Hovnanian Hall, located in the Commons, where the pair arrived around 11:08 p.m.
Villanova’s digital key log and security footage showed Dinler allegedly entering the hall at 11:10 p.m. He entered the victim’s dorm room two minutes later. He followed her and used her Wildcard to gain access.
According to the affidavit, the
defendant raped her while she was unconscious.
The Villanovan will refrain from disclosing more specific details regarding the explicit nature of the case. Those interested in further information can refer to court documents and reputable news sources.
Dinler returned to the victim’s room shortly after the assault, attempting to collect $150 from the woman, allegedly for a mess she left in the back of the car.
He interacted with a resident assistant in the victim’s hall, claiming he was an Uber driver trying to collect the amount. Allegedly, the victim had asked the resident assistant to request that he leave.
After collecting the money via Venmo, Dinler left the premises. He was seen in a Toyota Prius heading away from campus at 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 14.
The woman identified the man as her assailant after viewing campus security footage.
In light of these developments, Tedjeske communicated with the student body via email detailing the decision made by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and the Criminal Investigations Division. The University’s prompt follow-up was met with appreciation from the community.
The assault has invoked a spirit of fear for many Villanova students, particularly among female
students residing close by in the Commons. Some residents agreed to comment anonymously, and similar sentiments were expressed among those students.
“I believe I can speak for many women on campus when I say that things like this make me nervous,” a sophomore resident of the Commons said. “The fact that this could happen at Villanova makes this issue so much more real. As a woman, I’ve always felt unsafe and have had to keep my guard up when going out. But now, I feel unsafe not only outside but also in my own dorm room.”
“It’s shocking to hear something like this happened here, but honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised. This is the world we live in,” another student said. “It really makes you question how safe we are on campus and highlights the need for us to look out for each other more. I’m happy that the police were able to bring justice and arrest the man involved, but it’s just disgusting that this happened at all.”
The student body has come together in support of one another following this event.
“It’s important that we all do our part to keep [each other] safe,” an anonymous student said. “I'm making sure none of my friends are leaving anywhere alone, and I'll be checking in on everyone to make sure we all get back safe. We cannot let things like this scare us, we just need to be more
aware of our surroundings and keep an eye on each other.”
The response taken by Public Safety and local authorities has been crucial in apprehending the suspect and ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to prevent further harm.
However, this event has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of current safety protocols, particularly when it comes to third-party access to campus facilities.
As the community processes the gravity of the situation, there is a growing call for increased security measures, more transparency and a broader discussion on how to better protect students.
Sexual assault is an unfortunate but very real issue on college campuses, including Villanova’s.
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.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognized
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
Content warning: the following article covers topics of domestic and dating violence, as well as sexual assault and violence. For additional support please contact Villanova’s Title IX Office.
October marks Domestic and Dating Violence Awareness Month, and with that comes a plethora of events, resources and support being provided by the University for Villanova students and the greater Villanova community.
On-campus organizations such as POWER and the One Love Club are working alongside the Office of Health Promotion and Title IX to host events to raise awareness about the signs and actions to take if you yourself are in a relationship entailing dating violence, or in the relationship of a loved one.
“We have a sexual misconduct policy, and sexual assault of course, is included in that, as is dating and domestic violence,” Title IX Coordinator Ryan Rost shared. “More often than not when someone observes a sexual assault, that is likely more recognizable and more people seem to know what that is. In regards to dating violence, that is not as easy to recognize, or it might be something that people do not want to see.”
Dating violence is oftentimes overlooked and misrepresented in media and everyday life, hence the importance of awareness and looking for signs in
personal relationships or those of friends and loved ones.
The One Love Club and Workshop is an organization aimed to bring awareness to college campuses by sharing the true story of Yeardley Love, a student at the University of Virginia whose life was taken by her boyfriend at the time.
“One of the things that [One Love] talk[s] about a lot is that you do not need to know as a friend, what exactly is going on, but if you see changes in your friends behavior, like disengaging from things they previously did, even checking in, like how is your relationship going, beyond the social media, and truly how are you doing, it gives your friends the option to share if there are things going on,” Shannon Barnett from the Title IX Office said.
Throughout the month of October, Villanova and on and off-campus partners such as the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Delaware County Victim Assistance Center, Public Safety and the Office of Health Promotion will be providing workshops, interactive events and information to be spread around campus and the greater community.
Events such as the “Ask a Sex-Pert” virtual workshop and “Trauma Informed Yoga” are being brought to campus, both virtually and in-person in order to break the stigma regarding these topics, and to make the Villanova community more aware of safe practices within relationships.
“The cool thing is we are talking about sex,” Rost said.“It
is not a taboo topic for those presenting, and the alternative is learning from friends who might also not have the knowledge or experience.”
Dating and domestic violence are not easy topics to talk about, nor are they simple to recognize in day to day life, both in oneself and in other relationships. Through the efforts of the on and off campus resources, Villanova is hoping to promote healthy relationships and spread awareness on these topics.
“People may not recognize it because it is not always physical, and it is not always physically violent,” Rost said. “There may be things that are violent, that are verbal or emotional, and there are things that might go on behind closed doors, but there are often warning signs and red flags. That is one of the things we really try to
help people learn about.”
“As far as signs, there is a ‘Ten Unhealthy, Healthy’ signs,” Barnett said. These can be found on both the One Love Website and the “It’s On Us ‘Nova” Instagram page.
To report an act of domestic and dating violence, 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 Domestic and Dating Hotline, call 1-800799-7233.
Students leave messages of support for victimes of domestic violence. Courtsey of @onelovevillanova on Instagram
University Celebrates Eighth Annual 1842 Day
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
For the eighth consecutive year, Villanova University held its annual day of giving, honoring the year of Villanova’s foundation: 1842. While donations were available to go to academic causes and the areas of greatest need on Villanova’s campus, more than 70 student organizations and clubs might ring truer for students, with these organizations ranging from student media organizations to Greek Life to club sports.
The day, as always, was chock full of different celebratory events to donate and for students to raise money and earn prizes. This included an Activities Passport for the chance to win a variety of things, “Cat Cabs” to answer Villanova trivia in a titular Cat Cab around campus to raise money for a student organization and club of their choosing and Oreo Dunk, which is playing a Plinko-like game for the chance to win Villanova gear and prizes.
But this 1842 Day, in the wake of the recent announcement by University President Rev. Peter M.
Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. that Espiritus Nova: the Campaign for Villanova University, a campaign to raise over 1.25 billion dollars, rings just a bit more impactful, with all donations made today helping to reach that goal.
With the University having raised more than 13.3 million dollars during 2023’s 1842 Day, this year, it set an ambitious goal of aiming to have more than 8,000 donors make gifts to whichever area of Villanova they desire.
“1842 Day means a lot to me because it's a day about giving,” senior Isabella Ledet said. “But you can specifically donate your money where you feel it can be put to best use.”
Student clubs and organizations also held a tabling event at the Quad, where the band, dance and cheer teams performed, as well as a variety of on-campus vocal and dance groups. Organizations provided prizes for donations, snacks and activities and information on how to become more involved within their group on campus.
This also included, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the “Power Hour.” During this specific hour, each organization received an additional link
Camuso Joins Dining Services
Emma Cote Staff Writer
When Andrew Camuso came to Villanova this year, he had big ideas and plans for dining services. Using his five pillars for the department: culinary excellence; operations excellence; sustainability; diversity; equity and inclusion; and technology, Camuso has already begun to implement change for the community.
Camuso’s background is deeply involved with higher education with his experience at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Saint Joe’s.
“My first day, I noticed how everything used to be wrapped in Saran-wrap,” Camuso said, explaining the changes he’s already established. “We got rid of that that day.”
This was not the only immensely quick change either. As an avid advocate for student feedback, Camuso stated that he heard complaints on the rice in Cova being described as “off,” and instantly had the recipe reworked to suit these demands.
While these short-term changes have already been established on campus, many other long term ones are already planned to follow suit. As stated by Camuso, that includes an acai bowl station in Cafe Nova, a possible sushi-station in the works and even latte art at the Drosdick Hall Holy Grounds.
Despite the hectic nature of all that is going on, Camuso has absolutely no intentions of slowing down.
“Tweaking recipes, for example, or breakfast at dinner?” he said. ‘Let's do it. Also at Cafe Nova, Cova Greens has already taken a great start.”
Beyond the food, Camu -
and QR code, and based on a tier of involvement scale (based on general body size within said organization), the top organizations in each tier based on the amount of donors, earned a bonus in the form 500 dollars towards their organizational budget. The way they get that bonus, however, comes in a variety of creative and entertaining ways.
“My club, [Villanova Television (VTV)], is participating in the Giving Power Hour to raise money, [with] some of our members taking pies to the face,” Ledet, Vice Presi-
dent of VTV, said. “VTV uses our donations for new equipment, merch, or bonding events, which are extremely valuable to our club and can really only happen because of 1842 Day.”
The eighth annual 1842 Day was a major success, with many different organizations and parts of campus benefiting from donations from fellow Villanovans, both past and present. For more information on the event and how to sign up one’s student club or organization for the 2025 edition of the event, visit the University’s 1842 Day website.
Students Reacts to VP Debate
so sees incredible opportunity in technology. While currently students lack most, if not all, connection to various food spots that have collaborated with GrubHub, this inconvenience will soon be remedied with a variety of programs that will connect students to the chefs to make changes or seek allergen information.
In regards to sustainability, Camuso passionately shared a plethora of concepts including green to go boxes, food waste meetings to limit overproduction and promote innovation, as well as scales in dining halls to make student food waste impact more noticeable.
All of these changes that are available at the University’s fingertips due to flexibility.
“The rest of higher education is running away from franchises, and Villanova is running towards them.” Camuso said. “For me, I want to work at Villanova Dining where we have free reign.”
This “free reign” opens up limitless possibilities for Villanova and Dining Services, which much of it being contingent upon student feedback. Therefore, because most students are concerned about variety, Camuso is seeking to provide them with just that.
Camuso is already establishing end of semester survey forms on dining, along with appearances and meetings with student government.
Because of this, whether it be concepts for Cabrini’s newly acquired campus or methods to bring Villanova into the national spotlight, Camuso is open to anything and everything and the door is wide open for that vision to be taken in whichever way is best for Villanovans.
“I want to make dining fun,” Camuso said. “It’s not just food. It is also about experience and education.”
Isabella Balian Political Columnist
Last week, the vice presidential candidates met in New York City to engage in a political debate about their visions for the future of America. Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz engaged in their first and final debate. It’s unclear as to whether political debates sway public opinion, but they can be helpful to hear more about a candidate’s policy proposals and beliefs.
The debate was moderated by CBS Evening News anchor and Managing Editor, Norah O’Donnell, and Face the Nation moderator and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Margaret Brennan. O’Donnell and Brennan stated their goal of ensuring a civil conservation that helps voters better understand complex policy positions. They asked the candidates about issues like the economy, democracy, abortion, gun control and more.
Many Villanovans watched the debate last week.
“It was appropriately dry,” a senior political science student who requested anonymity said. “Harkening back to a debate forum yesteryear formed around policy rather than insulting each other. There was a touching moment when Walz talked about his son’s experience with school shootings, and you could see that Vance consoled him authentically. It shined a glimmer of hope for a return to a more compassionate political landscape.”
Some Villanovans took more passionate approaches.
“After watching the vice presidential debate, I am still shocked how someone believes that Trump and Vance are fit to represent the United States and fight for
democracy, especially when both cannot admit that Trump lost the 2020 election,” sophomore student Caroline Keegan said “I was appalled when Vance referred to immigrants as illegal aliens and his plan to decrease school shootings was to [make the doors lock better].”
She also commented on Walz’s performance.
“I was impressed by Walz’s passion for women’s reproductive freedom and stance on gun control after admitting his position changed after meeting parents of Sandy Hook victims,” Keegan said.
Students commented on both candidates' performances.
“I thought both Vance and Walz did pretty well, all things considered,” junior student Daniel Sobol said. “Vance was very composed, and I think he did a good job defending some of his more controversial views on the border and abortion. I also greatly support his proposals on expanding access to housing development. Walz had a couple of nasty gaffes like saying he was ‘friends with school shooters.’ Overall, Vance was the winner of this debate.”
Students also commented on the respectful demeanor held by the candidates, despite this election's divisiveness on both sides and on both tickets.
“I was glad that the two were civil and respectful with one another,” an anonymous freshman student said. “I was happy with Tim Walz's performance. While he was obviously very nervous in the beginning, later in the debate he was back to the same old Coach Walz. Personally, I believe he won the debate for the sole reason that he answered each question by defending and explaining policy. I just can’t say the same for Vance, who told many ‘half-truths,’ to put it lightly.”
Villanova held its eighth annual 1842 Day yesterday. Courtesy of @villanovau on Instagram
Meet Your New Class of 2028 Senators
Katie Bryda Staff Writer
It has been a few busy weeks on campus as midterms approach, and in the fray were the freshmen senate elections. Six positions were available, with 12 candidates running, and election week was filled with posters, videos and meet-andgreets. The Senator position is part of Villanova’s Student Government Association (SGA) Legislative Branch, where senators from all four classes advocate to make what they think are important changes on campus.
In a year where elections are at the forefront of our minds, many freshmen might be wondering who is representing them and who will be representing them likely for the next four years.
Nicholas DeRosa, ‘28
First of the freshmen senators is Nicholas DeRosa, who is quite familiar with student government leadership, as he spent time serving on his high school student council, and was the president of his class. DeRosa is a prospective double major in mathematics and finance. He ran his campaign with the slogan “The Man with the Plan!” to highlight his past student government experiences. He plans to create an environment of transparent representation of students and hopes to “...improve the Villanova experience.” One long term goal of DeRosa’s is to expand the Holy Grounds chain onto South Campus.
Elizabeth Howard, ‘28
“Experience, Integrity and Hard Work” were the defining traits of Elizabeth Howard’s campaign. Howard will be double majoring in both political science and communication. She based her campaign around hard work and integrity, two things she plans to bring to the student body. After listening to her peers, Howard decided that public safety is her biggest concern and she “...would like to push for new, brighter lighting on Wildcat Path.” With prior student and local government experience, Howard is determined to represent the student body the best she can and make positive change that reflects the wants and needs of the students. She hopes to make her legislation “... meaningful” and “...help foster an environment of inclusivity on campus.”
Brady Keane, ‘28
Brady Keane is a political science major. When asked about his biggest campus concern he said, “My biggest concern that I want to address is campus safety…we should definitely start a discussion surrounding these ideas.” One thing a lot of incoming freshmen are told is to not walk Wildcat Path at night, and one of Keane’s campaign videos highlighted the darkened path and where he would advocate to install more safety measures. Keane said he cannot wait to work with the other freshmen senators and represent the Class of 2028 the best he can.
Maya Matthews, ‘28
Maya Matthews is currently undecided within the Villanova School of Business, considering majors like accounting and finance. One of the freshmen senators to run without a campaign slogan, Matthews put a focus on the theme of unity in her campaign, saying, “The feeling of unity is what I want to see most among the freshmen class.” Matthews puts diversity at the core of her mission, with a goal to make Villanova a diverse community, and emphasize different thoughts and opinions. What Matthews plans to be for the SGA is a leader, and she wants to grow alongside the community she hopes to build on campus and empower new and strong voices within the student body.
Matthias Miller, ‘28
If one saw a freshman walking around campus in a suit and tie all of election week, that was Matthias Miller. A finance major, Miller wore this suit all week to make sure he was noticeable to students so they could talk to him about his plans and their issues. He ran with a campaign slogan inspired by this year’s Hoops Mania
performer Gunna, saying, “Let's make this year ‘One of Wun.’” His main goals are to not only refurbish the gym equipment in both Davis and Stanford, but also to make free feminine products available in all campus restrooms, something not even currently available in freshmen housing. He wants to make this a year that is “...unique and unable to replicate…” and the SGA is where he plans to start.
Victoria Myers, ‘28
Victoria Myers is a nursing major. She is probably noticeable from her catchy slogan, “Stick with Vic,” which she said a friend from her hometown helped her come up with. Heavily concerned with freshman housing (something a lot of freshmen are always talking about), Myers wants to address a number of issues such as “...rodents, cleanliness and the lack of changing areas.” A long term goal of hers is to also join the SGA’s Climate Action Committee in order to fight vigorously for the issues the Class of 2028 wants to see resolved across their time at Villanova.
Community Conversation on Sexual Violence at Villanova
Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, a Community Conversation on Sexual Violence at Villanova was held in the West Lounge of Dougherty Hall. The conversation was led by Police Chief David Tedjeske, Title IX Coordinator Ryan Rost and other campus partners. Others in attendance included members from the Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator (SARC) team, Public Safety officers and Title IX case managers and investigators. Attendance was open to all students, faculty and staff.
Opening the conversation, Rost commented on the purpose of having these discussions. According to Rost, as there is increased public attention to the sexual violence in light of recent reports of sexual assault, the conversation is an opportunity for the Title IX Office and the Department of Public Safety to provide insight on this pressing issue. However, this also includes working on prevention and response methods all year long, she said, remarking that when certain cases become more public, it does not diminish experiences that go unreported through the year.
In response to a question from The Villanovan regarding the possibility of expanding mandatory bystander training, Rost responded that a yearly mandatory training is not in the works, emphasizing that the current training available is substantial. Rost mentioned that one initiative the University is focusing on is updating
its training of the “Moments That Matter” training during New Student Orientation. According to the feedback that the University receives every three years, it updates the programming of this training accordingly. She also referenced the mandatory training for those involved in Greek Life at Villanova.
Another point of conversation was access to public information as safety issues arise. According to Tedjeske, there must be a balance between informing the community and respecting the information and privacy of victims. Tedjeske referenced Department of Public Safety resources that keep students, faculty and staff informed. Tedjeske compared campus communication to that of one’s respective hometown. He remarked that he would be surprised if anyone had that level of communication in their hometown, as the Department of Public Safety goes “above and beyond trying to get the word out.” Tedjeske referenced several resources including the Nova Alerts, Safety Alerts, the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and the Crime Map.
A community member present raised the question of why the Safety Alert regarding the rape reported in the Commons was released during Hoops Mania. Tedjeske explained that the report, which was made the afternoon of that day, requires several rounds of editing before reaching the public. Tedjeske remarked that when it was fully finished, the message went straight to the community. While to some, the timing did not seem ideal, Tedjeske raised the point that it would be wrong to withhold information regarding the immediate safety of others, especially
if the only purpose of it was to prioritize Hoops Mania.
The conversation also addressed important aspects of our campus climate, discussing community response, the Climate Survey and more. The conversation raised a point that when numbers are up, it is a reflection that people feel comfortable enough to report. Stacy Andes, Director of Health Promotion, remarked that community response is crucial in shaping an environment for students to feel comfortable sharing their experiences or reporting instances of sexual violence. One aspect of this is social media. Tedjeske and Rost urged that when something is posted online that is offensive, harmful or threatening, students should report it. They referenced EthicsPoint, a third-party reporting line used to report non-compliance or misconduct. There was also discussion on the cultural aspects of college life. Specifically, the dialogue turned to the social dynamics surrounding college parties, particularly concerning events that may foster unsafe situations, such as those that require transportation exclusively by fraternity members and the fact that many of these parties only invite females. Both Tedjeske and Rost expressed concern over practices that may restrict individuals’ ability to leave, prompting a reflection on how to cultivate a safer party culture.
Additionally, Rost talked about the Student Sexual Violence Climate Survey, which is taken every three years and will be released in this academic year. She remarked that this will be an opportunity to gauge the numbers of underreported crime.
While the numbers of instances of sexual violence measured
in the survey compare to a similar number than universities of Villanova’s size, Rost said,“Until [the numbers] are zero, we have work to do.”
The conversation concluded with a call for continued dialogue and engagement, reminding everyone that while public safety plays a crucial role, it ultimately falls on the community to look out for one another. This reframing emphasizes the shared responsibility individuals have in keeping each other safe.
Tedjeske encapsulated the theme of the discussion with the idea that it is “never too late to say anything.”
He noted that Public Safety has successfully investigated cases even months or years after an incident has occurred. Participants were receptive to the discussion, allowing them to collaboratively and constructively address the current challenges of sexual violence, recognizing that the path forward requires shared responsibility and proactive measures.
Sexual assault remains a significant issue on college campuses, including Villanova’s.
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, you can call 1-800-656-4673.
Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
Villanova's Student Government Associated has elected their freshman senators. Courtesy of Villanova Student Government Association
Sorority Recruitment Set to Move On Campus
Avery Chalk Co-Opinion Editor
Continued from p.1 is not historically known for its Greek life. However, the student culture of Villanova has become increasingly attentive to FSL in recent years.
“As chapters continue to grow, we want to ensure the health and safety of our participants are prioritized,” Ella Doda, President of the Villanova Panhellenic Council, said. “Moving recruitment to campus ensures that more women can participate safely by utilizing larger spaces than the Inn could provide.”
Recruitment consists of three rounds: Sisterhood, Philanthropy and Preference. Sisterhood round spans two days, while all other rounds are conducted over one. The process is four days long in total, concluding with Bid Day. While the schedule will change slightly, the amount of recruitment days will remain the same as years past.
Sisterhood round will allow PNMs to meet all eight chapters. It is designed to help the women learn more about each sorority's values, personalities and other unique elements of membership. After the round has concluded, PNMs and chapter members participate in a ranked matching system that facilitates the remainder of the process.
Since the pandemic, Villanova has conducted its Sisterhood
round virtually via Zoom. This practice will remain unchanged this year.
“Virtual sessions help streamline logistics and ensure everyone has a chance to engage, even if they have scheduling conflicts or concerns about attending large gatherings,” a recruitment representative who requested anonymity said. “After Sisterhood round, recruitment will transition to in-person events on campus, providing a dynamic mix of virtual and face-to-face interactions.”
During in-person rounds, each sorority decorates its event room to reflect the spirit of the chapter. Despite the switch to on-campus spaces, the sororities will continue to do so. This will help maintain an inviting atmo -
sphere for PNMs, helping the women get a memorable feel for each chapter.
“I loved how A-Phi decorated their room at the Inn,” Alpha Phi member and sophomore Lily Lincoln said. “I’m excited to see how that energy translates to a bigger space during this year’s recruitment.”
The first in-person component of recruitment is known as Philanthropy round, during which PNMs are invited to up to five chapters. Through speeches and presentations, the women learn about the charitable partnerships of each sorority. Examples of various philanthropies include heart health, domestic violence prevention and service for sight.
After Philanthropy round,
the women re-rank their top chapters. The matching system then presents up to two sororities for PNMs to attend for a final day, called Preference round. This round is traditionally the most intimate of the process, wherein sorority members reflect on what Villanova sisterhood means to them. For a final time, PNMs will rank their remaining chapters.
Bid Day, the final component of recruitment, marks an end to the process. During the event, PNMs receive an invitation to join a chapter.
They then “run home” to their respective sorority, spending the day with chapter members and bonding as a sisterhood. Bid Day has always been conducted on Villanova’s campus, so the event will remain virtually unchanged.
While recruitment in the Spring of 2025 will look different than years past, Villanova Panhellenic Council assures students that the integrity of the process will not be compromised. In fact, it is confident that the change will provide an opportunity for PNMs to experience campus culture in a setting that truly reflects the spirit of Villanova
“It is a beneficial change for the Panhellenic community,” Doda said. “Hopefully, it will give Panhellenic the chance to showcase all of its organizations and women in its entirety.”
Registration for the Spring 2025 recruitment process will open on Nov. 1, 2024. For more information about FSL, follow @villanovapanhel on Instagram.
Villanova Welcomed Best Selling Author Kelly Corrigan
Ava Petrosky Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, the Villanova University Writing Center sponsored a visit from bestselling author, host of the PBS Series Tell Me More and top 1% podcaster, Kelly Corrigan, in the Connelly Center Cinema.
Corrigan grew up in Villanova, Pennsylvania, just a few blocks away from campus. Villanovans of all ages gathered in the Connelly Center to hear Corrigan’s thoughts about creativity, well-being and life.
The talk was set up in a discussion-based style between Corrigan and Professor Marybeth Simmons, Senior Director of the Writing Center.
“[What I admire most is] her versatility,” Simmons said. “She’s in print, she’s on PBS, she is on the airwaves. [I admire] her dedication to curiosity. That’s something that is very appealing to me about her work. And the art of asking, not just a question, but the right question.”
Her PBS Show, Tell Me More , features conversations with well-known guests discussing thought-provoking questions. She has invited guests on her show including Steve Kerr and Samantha Powers.
The show’s title, Tell Me More , developed from a method
concocted by Corrigan and her husband as they raised their daughters.
“I was parenting middle school girls, and I was noticing how often [my husband and I] thought after they said a few sentences about whatever had put them in whatever foul mood they had come home in, that we had this strong sense of what had happened, and that we were compelled to advise them on a set of actions that they could take,” Corrigan said. “We started to say to each other that we have to remember, just keep saying, ‘Tell me more.’ It was this reminder, this call to action, that my husband and I would just start saying to each other. Don’t guide them, just say, ‘Tell me more.’”
Her first memoir, The Middle Place , guides the reader through her father’s battle with cancer, as she simultaneously fights her own at 36 years old. She originally wrote this piece for her father, giving him something small to read.
“Knowing I could create and hand something to my dad was incredibly motivating for me,” Corrigan said.
However, her words were so impactful that, today, it is a published memoir, relatable to all readers.
Midway through the discussion, Simmons referenced an article published in The New York Times entitled, “Careerism is Ruin -
ing College,” published in September of 2024 by a 2023 University of Pennsylvania graduate. It pinpoints the insistent pressures implemented among the youth, especially college students.Thus, careerism is ruining the college experience.
“You feel like people are looking at you; you’re all looking at each other,” Corrigan said. “Everybody’s saying, ‘Who’s gonna get the good gig?’ And that’s because you’re in this [college] context. So, maybe, my piece of advice would be to get out of this context more often in a given week. [College and careerism] isn’t the only thing that is happening in the world. I think that you could rest your mind and your heart…by removing yourself from this context more frequently.”
“I’m in that process now, looking for jobs and doing interviews and having to make myself look shiny and perfect,” Mary Corrigan, senior environmental science major and niece of Corrigan, said. “I guess it’s nice to know that it doesn’t need to always be that way. I’m putting myself in this category of wanting to do [jobs and interviews], but what’s the harm in showing you don’t have all the experience you want in your life yet, and you have a lot of growing to do.”
Corrigan further connected this advice to social media.
“The accounts you follow
are the things you think about,” Corrigan said. “You’re deciding what you’re going to think about when you decide who to follow. You pick your thoughts when you pick the accounts you’re going to follow. And that’s your context, and you do have a lot of agency over this context.”
Her advice transcended college-aged students, reaching and impacting the multigenerational audience.
“I was pleased looking out into the audience and seeing a cross-generational presence,” Simmons said. “We had [people from ages] 18 to 75. There was a nice range. What she has to say really speaks to everybody, especially when she talks about wellbeing and taking care of herself.”
Corrigan’s visit inspired Villanovans of all identities, ages and backgrounds.
Her versatility and authentic nature contribute to her success.
“[I am most proud of my aunt for] the way she’s able to articulate things and tell stories in a way that’s not ‘Me, me, me, me, me, here’s my experience, my experience,’” Mary Corrigan said. “But, in a reflective, overarching way. I think that’s a really interesting skill to have to use such hand-selected words and terms for describing things and experiences that everyone has had in their life.”
Villanova's Panhellenic sororities are excited for the return of recruitment this year. Courtesy of @axo_vu on Instagram.
Villanova Hosts International Sustainability Conference
Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, Villanova University’s Office for Sustainability in Mission and Ministry hosted the 2024 International Sustainability Conference. This is the first time that this event has been hosted at Villanova.
The conference, entitled Our Common Home, Our Common Hope: Community Engagement for a Safe and Just Future, aimed to showcase interdisciplinary research that encourages communities to adopt sustainable lifestyles that benefit both people and the planet. The goal of the event was to foster collaboration, share cutting-edge research and generate solutions that address environmental issues worldwide.
The Villanovan had the opportunity to speak with Villanova’s Assistant Director for the Office of Sustainability, Aldo Pierini. He shared
his thoughts on what he saw as the central theme of the event.
“Hope will be the central theme,” he said. “That we can hope for a better world which serves as an impetus to do something. We also want to see a more positive tone in the climate discourse. That we can make a difference.”
Prominent keynote speakers delivered powerful messages throughout the event. Notably, renowned climatologist Dr. Michael Mann addressed the audience on “How Lessons from Earth’s Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis,” offering insights into the urgent need for climate action.
Pierini emphasized the importance of Mann’s keynote address.
“One challenge that was discussed is to move from researching what is already known to researching solutions that can address the problem,” he said. “Another challenge is how to integrate sustainability across
diverse disciplines. The discussions that took place at the concurrent sessions laid the foundation for further interdisciplinary research moving forward.”
Several Villanova faculty members had the opportunity to submit abstracts for a chance to be selected to present. Additionally, Villanova students played a crucial role in the conference, showcasing their research through innovative presentations and participating in discussions. The conference’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research was clear, with over 50 presentations covering a wide range of topics.
The broad disciplines included Health & Ecology, Engineering, Education, Arts & Humanities, Policy, International Development, Philosophy, Economics, Religion and Technology. Each research presentation drew in a crowd eager to learn more about how sustainability can reach all corners of study.
The conference also featured a wide range of panels, including discussions on socially responsible research, climate and migration and the future of transportation. These sessions encouraged participants to consider innovative solutions to some of the world’s most complex environmental challenges.
The 2024 International Sustainability Conference at Villanova University not only provided a platform for sharing ideas but also fostered collaboration across disciplines.
Pierini commended the Villanova community for playing active roles in organizing the conference, recognizing that "The generosity of the Villanova community was impressive.”
As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, events like this remind us of the importance of collective action and innovative thinking in securing a sustainable and equitable future.
Espiritus Nova: Capital Campaign for Villanova University
Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor
On Oct. 5th, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D., announced the launching of “Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University.” This fundraising campaign has a $1.25 billion dollar goal to benefit Villanova and the school’s community.
“The name - Espiritus Nova - describes the strong, generous, unshakable spirit that connects all Villanovans,” Fr. Peter said in his announcement. “This spirit is the foundation and the rallying cry for Villanova’s largest and most ambitious campaign to date. With this campaign, we will significantly enhance all aspects of the Villanova experience, especially the educational opportunities for future generations of Villanovans.”
The University’s campaign will be headed by three chairpeople, all alumni of Villanova: Justin G. Gmelich '90 Villanova School of Business (VSB), Co-Chief Investment Officer at Millennium Management; Catherine Keating '84 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Global Head of BNY Wealth; and Joseph V. Topper Jr. '77 VSB, Chairman, CrossAmerica Partners LP.
With this new campaign, Villanova is looking to further strengthen its academics and to amplify the Augustinian mission both across the nation and the world.
Additional goals of the campaign include increasing financial aid to address the needs of future Villanovans, expanding research opportunities and investing in campus facilities to meet the demands for future Villanovans.
This campaign more than doubles the goal of Villanova’s previ-
ous fundraising and campaign work, which surpassed its original $600 million goal and concluded in 2018 with more than $760 million raised. The University has already raised more than $640 million towards its $1.25 billion goal.
“Villanova is an institution on the rise, and the University’s academic reputation will only continue to grow through the support of this campaign,” Kevin Noller, Vice President for University Advancement, said in the announcement to the University. “There is great enthusiasm for Villanova as evidenced by three $20 million gifts, and 10 gifts of $10 million or more, received as part of this campaign to date. Importantly, it is through the generosity of all our donors that the University is able to meet its ambitious goals.”
The launching of this campaign comes shortly after a large number of positive remarks have been
published regarding Villanova, including but not limited to being named among the top producers of Fulbright U.S. Students for 16 consecutive years with 92 Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients since 2020, including 18 for 2024-25, as well as continuing to set new standards on the admissions front, receiving 23,842 applications this year—the University’s second-highest total—for an enrolled class of 1,723 students. This campaign also follows the recent opening of Drosdick Hall, the new home for the College of Engineering; the groundbreaking for the new 150,000-square-foot building for Falvey Library in September, to be named Vic Maggitti Hall in recognition of a $20 million leadership gift from Victor J. Maggitti Jr. ’56 Villanova School of Business; and the school’s assuming ownership of Cabrini University’s campus in Radnor.
Students Combat Censorship by Presenting Banned Books
Finley Triano Staff Writer
On Oct. 2, Villanova's radio show WXVU hosted an event featuring members of Dr. Heidi Rose’s COM 3247 Storytelling class. In honor of National Banned Book Week, celebrated in the last week of September, students had the opportunity to perform excerpts from their chosen currently banned or challenged book in the United States.
Many students may not be aware of the record-breaking surge in book challenges that occurred in 2022 across the country. A book that a student has read in the past may still contain elements that have been censored in certain regions. These stories impart unique values to children and young adults, exposing them to important real-world lessons.
However, they often face censorship due to allegedly unethical themes. This is why educating listeners about the various challenged books is crucial to raising awareness. Performers challenged the challengers by combating the stigmas surrounding these controversial narratives.
Rose offered insight into the goals of her Storytelling class.
“I want my students to recognize the power and purposes of storytelling by discovering their distinctive voice as a storyteller,” she said.
Students successfully achieved this aim, particularly senior Katie Tuberosa, a communication major with a theater minor. Her performance of the well-known graphic novel Drama by Raina Telgemeier resonated deeply with her, reflecting her own passion for theater, much like the main character, Callie.
Tuberosa shared her enthusiasm.
“I couldn’t wait to read a book about a middle schooler involved in theater just like me,” she said.
Her profound connection to the story was evident throughout her performance, where she skillfully embodied the characters and their personal struggles.
The most shocking aspect of the performances was the number of well-known books that have been challenged or banned. The Hunger Games, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Lord of the Rings were among the titles performed. Tuberosa expressed her astonishment upon discovering that her chosen book is one
of the most frequently banned books in the United States.
“When I saw that Drama kept being listed as a top banned book on different websites, I was confused,” she said.
The novel has faced challenges nationwide for its discussions of sexuality and LGBTQIA+ characters, particularly a scene where two male characters share a kiss.
Since students were presenting their ideas over a microphone rather than performing on a stage in front of an audience, they had to adapt their techniques. Tuberosa reflected on this adjustment and the methods she employed during her performance.
“When I discovered this was a radio performance, I realized I had to adapt from what I’ve always known about performance and focus on my voice,” she said. “When I brought the three characters to life, I had to play with pitch, tone, volume and pace.”
Kaleigh Brendle, another student in Rose’s storytelling class, performed an excerpt from Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Her rendition highlighted the friendship between two 10-year-old girls, Annemarie (a Christian) and Ellen (a Jewish girl) during the Holocaust.
Annemarie's family hid Ellen
from the Nazis by forging her identity as Annemarie's supposed sister. Brendle chose an empowering section depicting a Nazi officer entering Annemarie's home and questioning her family and Ellen.
Brendle skillfully applied the performance techniques she learned in Rose’s class, enabling listeners to grasp the difficult themes of the story, which may have contributed to its challenges across the country.
Rose hopes that students will take away valuable insights from listening to the excerpts.
“I want listeners to reconnect with books they remember reading and loving while learning to speak out against the censorship of books,” she said.
As books continue to be banned or challenged, it is crucial to pay attention to their content and familiarize society with the numerous banned and challenged titles in the United States.
For readers interested in listening to the production, the recording is available not only on the WXVU website, but also on Apple Podcasts by searching for “WXVU Podcasts.” The recording can additionally be accessed through Spotify's podcast section.
OPINION
Campus Must Do More to Address Sexual Violence
Hannah Sweeney Co-Editor-in-Chief
*Content warning: article contains mentions of sexual assault and rape
On Sept. 14, a female student was raped by a male Uber driver inside of the Commons residence hall. This incident is not isolated. On Aug. 24, 2022, a sophomore student was sexually assaulted in her dorm room in Sheehan Hall. Just a few months earlier, in May, a 40-year-old man broke into Good Counsel residence hall and was caught photographing female students.
Although these events appear to be infrequent, they serve as a reminder that such threats do occur, even on a seemingly safe campus like Villanova.
While it is recognized that men are victims of sexual assault, the issue as a whole is inherently gendered, and women are disproportionately impacted.
Given the concerns about sexual assault, there is a pressing need for the University to further educate male students about the consequences of sexual assault and how to actively prevent becoming a perpetrator.
“In my four years at Villanva, I was never formally taught about sexual assault other than a 15-minute video we had to watch freshman year that everyone seemed to skip through,” a male alumnus from the Class of 2024 said. “Other than that, sexual assault was never really brought up in a serious way. It’s just not talked about.”
Especially as new incidents occur and the culture around sexual assault on campus changes, having University-wide training on sexual assault just once in four years is not only shocking but also extremely disappointing. The University needs to ensure that sexual assault prevention education is a topic that is continuously addressed.
Although the University, Title IX Office and Public Safety Department host events throughout the year, these sessions are optional, rather than mandatory. And while most people likely agree that sexual assault is an important issue, the reality is that, in the busy lives of college students, attending such events often falls low on their list of priorities.
Unlike the rest of the student body, student-athletes are required to participate in annual education, intervention and prevention training. The University should consider implementing this policy to all students on campus, whether it be through their academic school, a club or both.
In addition to increased training, the training should also be adjusted to be more engaging and personal, as opposed to online modules. For many students, especially male students, sexual assault is a subject that is only talked about in theory. Oftentimes male
students do not know of anyone who has experienced it, and therefore do not see the repercussions in real life. To help humanize the subject and show male students the severity of sexual assault, the University should take a more personal approach to its training. This could include having survivors share their stories, hosting peerled panels or requiring students to partake in small group discussions on the subject.
One student who requested anonymity described the discussions that occur at his fraternity's chapter meetings.
“After joining our fraternity all new members go through a required online sexual assault prevention training provided from nationals, along with an in person training from Villanova officials,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t take this very seriously, though. My fraternity honestly does a great job of addressing issues at chapter every week, even if it is something like a rumor about an incident at a party that someone heard through grapevine. Our exec team does a great job of investigating the issues, talking it out at chapter and addressing, or even removing, anyone necessary.”
In addition to educating men on how not to be perpetrators and how they can support their peers, sexual assault discussion would also allow male survivors, an underrepresented population, to come forward and seek help.
To supplement the training, the University should also work to increase physical safety features across campus.
“There’s an illusion of being safe until something actually happens,” a senior who requested anonymity said.
She continued by sharing an experience that occurred during her freshman year at Villanova that has made her more alert
when walking alone at night.
“At around 10 p.m. I was walking back from the library with my roommate,” she said. “We were walking down the Wildcat Path and all of sudden a girl came up to us and said, ‘Run, somebody is following me.’ I saw a man running at us and so we ran and eventually made it to the intersection between South Campus and the Wildcat Path, where we saw a Public Safety car with an officer”
While Public Safety reported the incident, the man was never found.
“Though I know Public Safety did their utmost to help us in this situation, it felt extremely scary to know that that person was still out there,” she said.
When students were asked where they felt the most unsafe on campus, the Wildcat Path was the most common response. To combat this issue, it is recommended to have a Public Safety officer be stationed at the top of the Wildcat Path during the night hours.
Another senior student who wished to be anonymous also shared her experience feeling unsafe on campus, despite security.
“I had a pretty traumatic experience last year with a Lyft driver who took advantage of the fact that I left some of my personal belongings in the car the night before,” the student shared. “We were trying to get in contact with him all day, and when we finally did, he started sending creepy messages via text asking me to meet up with him and go on a walk with him.”
The driver also asked her for money and then threatened her.
After the student reported the incident to Public Safety, the Lyft driver’s car was banned from campus. When asked why she felt she needed to do this despite the security booth on West Campus
she explained that
“In the past, security would let anyone through, especially on West Campus,” she said. “And thinking about the Commons, there is really no security at all. I think that making sure his car was banned was important because the campus is so open that people in other places besides West [Campus] that do not have a security booth might feel more vulnerable.”
To enhance safety, the University should consider putting security booths in these open areas, such as South Campus. South Campus is not only filled with freshmen who are new to campus, but it is also more isolated from the rest of campus and surrounded by neighborhoods unaffiliated with the University.
These security booths would not only make students feel more comfortable, but would discourage outside individuals from violating student’s privacy.
The safety of students, staff and community members is a top priority. And while the University is working hard to protect students, there is more work to be done. And for students, it is critical we hold our peers accountable and approach this issue with the gravity it deserves.
To report an act of sexual misconduct, call Public Safety at 610-519-5800; the Title IX Coordinator Ms. Ryan Rost at 610519-8805; 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.
Sweeney argues Villanova needs to improve campus safety measures. Ryan Sarbello / Villanovan Photography
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.
Stickers on Laptops: Insights Into Who People Are
Zoe Schack Staff Writer
Central Perk. Cape Cod. Society of Women Engineers. The Villanovan. These and hundreds of other slogans, titles and graphics adorn the computers Villanovans see every day, from inside the Connelly Center to in the classroom. Computer stickers, a trend among college students over the past few years, remain a campus staple and an easy way to learn more about those around us at a glance.
By peeking at the decor some of my peers choose for their laptops, I’ve been able to strike up conversations with my classmates, people in my dorm and even strangers walking through Holy Grounds. I bonded with my roommate during Orientation over our shared love for the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours, thanks to a custom Etsy album cover decal on my MacBook. Other times, stickers pertaining to clubs or activities on campus have welcomed me to ask friends about their involvement and how they like their extracurriculars.
“I think it’s a good way of being able to tell what another person is passionate about or involved with on or off campus, so I enjoy looking at stickers in class,” freshman Cait Jhin said.
My all-time favorites, though, are the references to shows or music intended for only true fans. The
Ava Satterthwaite Staff Writer
“Find the herd.” One little buffalo (cow? moose?) has gathered Villanovans and thousands of universities worldwide into their collective circles. Envision massive bulletin boards stretching across Lancaster Avenue, littered in doodled discourse from Wildcats far and wide. Sounds harmless. In all seriousness, a shared soundboard seems useful: somewhere students can remind their roommates of dorm behavior, scold Conn’s undercooked chicken and debate whether “JJs is the move this weekend” with no shame of an attached name.
YikYak, in an ideal world, is the ultimate resource for ever-assimilating students. So, where does the issue lie?
Our buffalo boasts one critical feature other fashionable medias lack: a confidential interface. This shield of freedom– entwined with the exclusive five-mile radius of each herd–is YikYak’s prime distinction from similar forums. And, all too often, this freedom is abused.
“if-you-know-you-know" nods to things like the fictional town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls or Taylor Swift lyrics in their classic cursive font. The feeling of immediately knowing that someone shares your interests and being able to say, “I like your sticker” is truly unmatched. However, at a school as academically and professionally-driven as Villanova, it’s worth noting the concern that a computer covered with stickers could be perceived as juvenile in some settings. Naturally, one might already feel out of place at an internship or upper-level course where they are the youngest
in the room. Having a device completely shrouded by a collage of stickers, when others keep their computers squeaky-clean, can definitely contribute to some worries about presenting in a formal manner.
This is especially important, considering that those of older generations (professors, mentors and employers) may not be as familiar with the practice Villanovans have grown so used to seeing. It’s completely valid to wonder whether stickers could put us at a disadvantage by painting students as immature.
“If it were in a class, I
YikYak: Helpful or Harmful?
As an underclassman, for instance, I never hesitate consulting older students. Whether I’m in need of directions to some obscure office or a consoling nod when asked if the printers “are just like this,” vetted Villanovans serve their successors well. But I’ve noticed our Communi-
tas-core is abandoned online. Instead of rescuing wandering freshmen from the Hillside, it seems YikYak herdsmen have taken their hooked staffs and just started stabbing.
Look, I understand. As a runted little sister, I’ve been poked and prodded for errant behaviors before.
wouldn’t think anything of it, but in a professional setting, it might seem a little juvenile,” freshman Nathaniel Hauenstein said.
Among female students, for whom this fad is more popular, and who are more likely to face negative stereotyping in the classroom or workplace, this can be seen as just another avoidable barrier in the way of being taken seriously, a sentiment expressed by other students interviewed.
One trick I recommend is putting stickers on a clear computer case rather than the laptop itself. That way, when you’re in a more professional space, you can simply pop the cover off and have a plain computer, but put your personal flair back on whenever you want. Plus, this avoids the issue of leaving residue on the computer when you inevitably get tired of whatever microtrend you might fall victim to. In my case, a sticker that reads “Espresso,” as a tribute to the song of the summer.
While opinions and norms on the laptop sticker craze may differ across campus, one thing is for sure: they aren’t going anywhere. So, whether you choose to decorate or not, try to be non-judgmental of your decal-devotee classmates and take the opportunity to ask what their stickers mean to them. You might just end up with a new friend in the process.
And sure, I found being blacklisted quite amusing. Scolding audacious freshmen who resell their Hoops Mania tickets for $150? Fair. The trouble with YikYak is, unlike well-intentioned older sister, users will reprimand just about anyone with no remorse or alternative counsel. Whether aversions are directed toward certain fraternities, a barista who gave them caramel instead of vanilla or some professor who scheduled their midterm the same date of another midterm, Yakkers are ruthless. Even PubSafe was chastised for bidding “on [our] downfall.” No one is safe.
Like I said, I have never witnessed said behavior in-person. I feel comfortable interacting with the bulk of Villanovans. So, does YikYak somehow evoke these odiums?
“I don’t think the app itself is the issue,” freshman Jenniferr Alvarez said. “People just lose themselves in the jokes and fun. They forget they’re hurting real people.”
Before posting, ask yourself, if people knew these words were mine, would I still use them? Is this what it means to be a Villanovan?
Villanova students often decorate their laptops with stickers. Avery Chalk / Villanovan Photography
Villanova students are often using YikYak. Massimo DiLeo / Villanovan Photography
Villanova Needs a Produce Market
Molly Duffy Staff Writer
At least two times a week before my mom ends her phone call with me, she reminds me to eat my vegetables. This sounds simple enough, right? In theory, produce should be readily available wherever I get my food, but recently that does not feel like the case.
My least favorite day of the week in Dougherty Hall (Pit), is Wing-It Wednesday. I know this may be a hot take, but I just find it impossible to get a sufficient meal from Pit on Wednesdays when I do not like chicken wings. This past Wing-It Wednesday, I was fine with joining my friends in Pit because I planned on just getting a bowl of fruit and maybe a quesadilla, which they usually serve on Wednesdays. Much to my dismay, there was no quesadilla station and, in addition, there was no fruit. Every station in the dining hall was overtaken by wings, ranch and buffalo cauliflower. Don’t get me wrong, I can see how this would be appealing to some, but sometimes I just want some fruit, and I do not think that should be a difficult thing to ask.
Going to a different dining option seems easy enough until I remember that I don’t really want chicken tenders or a salad with wilted lettuce from Belle Air. Then I am reminded that Cova Greens exists, and I get excited for a split second… until it hits me that it closes before 4 p.m. every day. Now, I propose a simple
Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer
solution for this issue: produce should be sold on campus.
Yes, there are many dining options on campus, more than people give the University credit for, and I am not a picky eater. You can ask anyone I know, but finding something to eat on campus that won’t make my stomach hurt is a close to impossible task. If I had the opportunity to buy a few pieces of fruit or vegetables every once in a while, my experience here would be elevated times a million.
Whether this is a small farmers market every weekend or even just some produce being sold in Conn-venience, I believe that it would get a great amount of traction from students.
I am not proposing that Villanova add a whole grocery store to campus because that seems a little unrealistic, and we kind of have that already with Spit’s convenience store, Conn-venience and 2nd Storey. Along with this, most first and second-year students don’t have kitchens, so there
is no point in giving them food to make meals. It would be so much more convenient to have access to a bag of fresh greens and maybe even some fruit, other than cantaloupe and soft grapes.
One thing that the University might not take into account with the lack of fresh produce on campus is the fact that many students who are living in on-campus apartments do not have cars.
“It drives me crazy having to go to the grocery store and spend money on food and Ubers,” Commons resident Megan Pisani said. Students choose to live in on-campus apartments because it is so convenient and much nicer than dorm life, but this lifestyle becomes difficult when they cannot get food to cook in their kitchen.
“I prefer to cook my food because all of the food in the dining hall is either fried or gross,” Pisani said. “I wish they had more options, especially
for fruit here.”
“Resident freshman and sophomores are not permitted to have vehicles on campus,” states Villanova's student parking website. This seems valid because there is not enough room for everybody to have cars, but it is definitely something to consider when allowing sophomores to live in rooms with kitchens, but without access to groceries.
“There is a Villanova shuttle that goes to Wegmans on the weekends, so you can get groceries from there,” Commons resident Aagam Kothari said.
Kothari’s point shows that the University has perhaps already considered its students’ healthy habits. However, I personally had no idea about this shuttle. It is possible that with stronger advertising, this need for fresh produce could be fulfilled.
The challenge of accessing fresh produce and healthy food options on campus highlights a gap in the student dining experience at Villanova. The absence of healthy alternatives like fruits and vegetables can leave students feeling frustrated and deprived of essential nutrition to combat the well-known and loved symptoms of that wretched cold that everybody has at some point. By introducing more accessible produce options, the University could enhance the dining experience for all students. Addressing this need would allow the University to show support for students' healthy eating habits and would contribute to a more satisfying and well-rounded campus life.
The Value of Low-Impact Exercise
and clear my head.
I hate exercise. I mean, I love getting out and getting active, but I dread getting out and going to the gym. Staring at a wall while lifting weights is just not something that appeals to me. My goal with working out has always been to maintain a healthy lifestyle, while staying in shape so that I can maintain a certain physical appearance. I am going to be honest: those have always been my goals. While other people may enjoy going to the gym for hours on end and bulking, I simply want to go and get the results I want that lead me to live a healthy and longer life.
I have tried to adapt to the “gym girly” lifestyle, but over multiple years of trial and error, I have realized that walking is so much better than high-impact exercise. I get so bored sitting inside of a dark gym with music blaring and people sweating on top of one another. I prefer to go outside, get some sun and enjoy nature. I believe it is important for one’s mental health to get out of the spaces one is constantly in and to be with the elements.
As cringey and almond-mom as it sounds, going outside has truly helped me. Especially in adjusting to the college lifestyle, I am not used to this level of constant high-pressure work, so I often find myself just wanting to walk in circles outside to let loose
Waking up sore and having to trek over to West Campus for my 8:30 a.m. class is not a feeling I ever desire having in college, and I feel that walking gives me way more room for improvement on my health.
I also feel like the hours are way more flexible. Most high-impact exercise requires gym equipment, so it has been hard fitting my schedule around the gym hours. Walking has no schedule, and you can decide to take a walk whenever you feel that you need it. I feel that walking is a better fit for the stressed college student that is looking for a way to release some energy during the day but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
According to a study conducted at Harvard University, walking “helps to boost energy levels by releasing certain hormones like endorphins and delivering oxygen throughout the body.”
Walking leads to a happier lifestyle because it allows us to release the endorphins we need while also bettering our bodies. Our bodies need to be outside in order to function, fresh air and oxygen are what we thrive on. As students at Villanova, we spend a lot of time in the Reading Room and the Connelly Center, but when we are walking just for fun with no purpose, we are spending well-needed time outside.
Additionally, as someone with chronic back and joint pain due to plantar fasciitis, it is hard to find high-impact exercises that
aren’t painful after a few reps. Walking, with the correct sneakers, allows for me to get in exercise without it feeling painful. I think this is why I have always hated high impact exercise, because for my body, the pain outweighs the reward. I do not see the purpose in torturing myself when there is a better alternative that helps me to get to the goals I have set for myself.
“I prefer weightlifting because I enjoy building my physical strength and improving my lifts,” senior and Girl Gains Club member Kena Ruggia said. “I still walk, but I feel I wouldn’t personally be as satisfied walking for an hour as I feel when I lift for an hour.”
Some students on campus, including Ruggia, prefer the
high-impact workouts because for them they feel as if they are getting more out of their workout and are gaining energy from the exercise. I see where these ideas come from because growing up playing sports that involved this kind of exercise, I understand the energy boost that can come from performing at this physical level. However, I still believe that walking around the campus is more enjoyable than sitting in the Davis Center or the Stanford Gym for an hour working out. I get way more out of walking miles than performing exercises that I dread and leave me not wanting to get up in the morning. So, I will continue to put on my walking shoes and leave my gym sneakers in the corner.
The Bryn Mawr Farmer's Market offers produce on weekends, but is located off-campus. Avery Chalk/Villanovan Photography
Villanova has five on-campus fitness facilities. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography
Sof Says: Fall Break is Overrated
Sof Quaglia Satire Columnist
The following content is purely satirical and entirely fictional. Don’t believe everything you read!
What does fall break mean to me? Well, picture this: It’s the middle of October. There are leaves on the ground. There are pumpkins on porches. Hocus Pocus is on Freeform every hour of every day. All Reese’s are shaped like pumpkins or ghosts. We have the week off of school. It’s perfect. And I actually don’t care. Those pretty leaves that are on the ground? They’re dead. The pumpkins you carved? They’re going to decay. Do you know how many people died during the Salem witch trials? Hocus Pocus should not be glorified like that. And don’t even get me started on the money trap that is the holiday Reese’s.
I don’t care about any of these things. They all mean nothing to me. They’re all sad and dying and boring and stupid. Fall is stupid. Fall break is stupid. And even if it weren’t stupid, I wouldn’t have time to care about it anyway. How could I when I have 75 papers, 46 exams and just about a million other responsibilities to be concerned with right now?
“I need fall break right now because I can’t handle another test,” sophomore Kaitlyn Walker said. “I need to go home and see my dog and my family.”
I feel like that’s probably a common thought among most students, but as a self-proclaimed fall break hater, I can’t agree.
It’s a real chicken and egg situation, isn’t it? Do we have a million things due before Fall Break because professors know that we’re going to have a week off, or do we have to have a week off because the school knows if they don’t give us a break after midterms that we might actually die?
Because I might die. I might actually. If I have to think about Organic Chemistry for another second, I might actually pass out. It’s killing me, just like those stupid leaves on the ground.
Maybe that’s what fall break is. Maybe it’s not a break from school. It’s just supposed to signify a mental break, a psychotic break, if
you will. That would make a lot of sense considering I still have things to do during fall break. Maybe I just had the definition wrong the whole time.
If that’s the case, I think that we should get rid of fall break. If it’s just supposed to signify the break in my mental stability, then let’s get rid of it because I actually don’t need to be reminded of how poorly I’m doing at this point in the semester.
But if we undo fall break, maybe it won’t be that bad. Maybe taking a break with fall break would make our lives easier. Maybe fall break is the real villain in this story.
If we get rid of this little break, we can spread out some
of the work. Instead of having 15 things due one week, we can have a nice, humane seven or eight, or whatever.
Personally, I would sacrifice my week off for three weeks of class in peace. Can you imagine? Three whole weeks where they are less stressful, instead of one week that is crazy stressful, a week of nothing, and then another insanely stressful week.
I’m not the only one who thinks that might be better though.
“Can professors stop making assignments due immediately after break because ‘We’ll have time during break?’” sophomore Fatima Salman said. “How is it a break then?”
I agree. How is it a break? It’s more of a silver lining of peace right before I’m thrown back into a pit of despair the very next week. It’s kind of like letting prisoners go outside on a sunny day.
It’s actually sad because I do love fall. I do love Gilmore Girls and Halloween, and I do really like Reese’s pumpkins. It’s just that all of that is now synonymous with exams and papers and responsibilities. It ruins my favorite part of the year, and that might be why I hate it so much.
So I guess to answer the question, fall means something to me, but I hate fall break so much that it kind of ruined the whole thing for me. I guess you could say that I don’t hate fall break; I just hate everything surrounding it. But that’s too nuanced for me, and I really don’t have the energy for all that right now.
Letter to the Editors: Mike Pence's Visit to Villanova
David M. Barrett Professor Contributor
To the Villanovan Editor:
I regret to say how very disappointed I was in the former Vice President Mike Pence event recently held at the Law School. Mr. Pence did not give a speech, but instead answered questions posed by a moderator. (I and others who pre-registered for the event were invited to submit questions in advance.)
In the event, Pence was not asked a a single tough or probing question. While I admire him for not bending to pressure from then-President Trump to “accept” alternate Electoral College slates that would vote for Trump, there are many controversial and questionable aspects to Pence’s career. How could there not be when he supported every other awful thing that Trump said (“Lock her up!”) as a candidate 2016 and did (too many examples) as President?
All persons of power/ influence who speak on this campus should face critical questions (respectfully spoken, of course). I fear there is a growing trend on campus to “protect” speakers-to baby them really--from actual probing questions from attendees.
(I see that those registering for the military policy symposium on campus soon thereafter were
also asked to submit questions online. Sigh.)
I agree with many, many things Pence said, and I admire his resistance to Trump’s pressure, so it’s nothing personal against him. But, at a good university or law school, this sort of thing should never happen.
Villanova University’s speakers policy says that it is understood that “some speakers will hold, offer, and defend positions that differ from Catholic Church teaching. The expectation is that they will do so in an academically responsible fashion, be open to questions and challenges from members of the audience….”
I accept that Mr. Pence considers himself a faithful Christian, and he seems like a nice guy; but it is hard to square active support of Trump for 4 years with authentic Christianity. Audience members should have been allowed to ask him about this and other things. No doubt he could have responded.
He’s a big boy, with no need for protection from tough questions. If Kamala Harris were on campus, I’d say exactly the same thing. We are not a second-rate university and do not have a second-rate law school. Visiting, controversial speakers should be treated as a first-rate university would do—with respect, but plenty of challenging questions.
Many students will be flocking to the train station or airport to travel home for break. Avery Chalk/Villanovan Photography
Former VP Mike Pence pictured with students at his recent event. Courtesy of Villanova Charles Widger School of Law
MID-TERM IN REVIEW:
Courtesy of Maggie Fitzgerald
Courtesy of Erick Quezada
Courtesy of Brian Luppy
Courtesy of Graydon Paul
Courtesy of Cali Carss
Courtesy of Let's Vote Nova
Courtesy of Graham Sukup
Courtesy of Graydon Paul
CULTURE
Meet the Greeks: Your Guide to Sorority Recruitment
Alex Cooley Staff Writer
For most students, coming into a new college or university freshman year is filled with fun and friends, but it also can be difficult at times. On Villanova’s campus (but not affiliated with the University), there are many options for extracurricular involvement. Many students and faculty encourage each other to get involved in the community. A great way to do so is through a sorority or fraternity. For current freshmen, or even students who are currently not involved in Greek Life, it is an amazing way to make new friends, seize new opportunities and give back to your community, all in one organization.
Each year, sororities hold several events to inform newcomers of their organizations and their purpose, and also give current members the ability to talk to potential new members about formal recruitment, which takes place at the end of Winter Break and before Spring Semester begins. This school year, each sorority participated in the Involvement Fair, which took place Sept. 6. More recently, each group participated in “Meet the Greeks,” on Oct. 1 on the Rowan Campus Green. This was for prospective members, or anyone interested in meeting current members in all sorority and fraternity life.
For anyone debating if they should participate in recruitment this upcoming winter, The Villanovan asked several women in each sorority on campus why they love their organization.
Evelyn Dunne - Alpha Phi
“A-Phi has truly been one of the best additions to my life. It has brought me to my people that add to my life a joy, happiness and love that I have never had
before them. I found my favorite people in A-Phi.”
Micki Loud - Alpha Gamma Delta
“My sisters are always there to support me no matter what is going on in my life. At the end of the day, I know I could talk to anyone in Alpha Gam, and they would be there for me, and that’s something super special.”
Ava Tower - Chi Omega
“I love [Chi Omega] because of the amazing support system it has given me throughout my college experience. These girls are so genuine and thoughtful, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to call them my best friends.”
Jesley Delgado - Delta Gamma
“I have met the most empowering women that will forever be my sisters. DG has made my four years at Villanova the best years that I will cherish forever.”
These testimonies show the excitement and care that women have for each of their prospective organizations. They provide a social structure for women to be around empowering women, no matter the age or background they have.
For those looking for something more, each sorority contributes and works with philanthropic organizations. They hold events to raise awareness, and fundraise money to donate to each philanthropic organization.
Morgan White and Emily Ciccarone - Alpha Chi Omega
“We support a cause that is really close to our hearts, domestic violence. By doing events like ‘AXO Open’ and ‘Ladies Tea,’ [we] raise money for the Laurel House, a local women’s shelter. Overall, [it is] the best group we have been a part of on campus and has changed our college experience for the better.”
Grace Nugent - Delta Delta Delta
“Tri-Delt has not only given me the opportunity to meet new friends, but
to give back [to] my local community through Alex’s and Saint Jude on a larger scale.”
For women who want to form meaningful bonds with one another, and who are nervous about being accepted at college, sorority life can create lifelong friendships and allow you to be yourself and feel accepted doing so.
Mia Clingham - Kappa Kappa Gamma
“Coming from a toxic high school experience, all I wanted was to find a community that accepted me, for me...I truly believe that Kappa and the connections I have made within this group of women are the reason that I have found the confidence, empowerment, and happiness that now occupy my life.”
Sophia Warner - Kappa Delta
“Wherever I am, I know I’m only one corner or call away from someone who would have my back in any situation. More than that, we are a group of intelligent, confident leaders who make an impact all throughout campus. I am so proud to lead this organization of women.”
There are also several culturally-based sororities within Greek life at Villanova. These culturally-based fraternal
organizations carry out their own formal recruitment, separate from the Villanova Panhellenic Recruitment. They participated in the involvement fair, as well as “Meet the Greeks.”
Tesh Jean-Philippe - Delta Sigma Theta
“I love Delta Sigma Theta for the sisterhood it gave me for a lifetime. I’m forever grateful for my line sisters and my chapter members. To know I will always be loved, supported and seen no matter [what] is a blessing.”
Keshyne Washington - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
“Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has provided me with a network of like-minded individuals who enjoy serving our community and genuinely care about my success.”
Andrea Morales - Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated “These women are truly incredible in all that they do and push me to constantly be the best version of myself.”
For those interested, this can be a fulfilling undergraduate experience. Sorority connections in college help women with academics, friendships and community service, but they help form lasting connections after graduating, for job connections and so much more.
Social Justice Documentary: Pinctada Pearl Productions
Cali Carss Staff Writer
Continued from p. 1 of staying true to its “why” constantly, and that comes through in their plan for the documentary. Even the name has a meaning rooted in this purpose, stating that every story is like a pearl, a precious gem which can shine on its own.
As for how the group settled on the Philippines as the focus of the newest documentary, co-director Olivia Speaker shared how the course’s professor, Hezekiah Lewis, created a foundation for the project over the summer through his own travels.
“Every year, our professor goes and kind of picks a country,” Speaker said. “And then he’ll go in the summer and … go around the country and meet people and talk to people and then he’ll come back and give us his experience and then we kind of base our story off of that.”
This process gives the company real stories to work with from the beginning. In the case of Pinctada Pearl Productions, Lewis chose the Philippines and out of his travels the group has settled on going to two island communities: Halian and
Boracay. Speaker went on to share more about one of the group’s most prominent contacts, Tasha, cousin of co-Director Daniela Ortiz, who works with Halian in conservation and other environmental efforts.
This familial link is extremely fitting for the major themes of the production. Each student involved in the course writes their own ‘why’ statement about their choice to participate, and many of them mention an idea of searching for and finding connection. Whether it is across cultures, generations or even just individuals, connectivity is essential to the ethos of the project this group is embarking on.
“We want to make sure we’re going to these indigenous communities with more of a purpose,” Marketing Executive Tara Ford said. “We are avoiding any sort of troupe of white saviorism or anything in that regard, and we do have motives for wanting to give voices to or amplify voices in these communities and allow them to use our documentary to do so.”
“Showcasing our individual, personal connection to the story and the location we’re documenting brings a universality to our project so that people in Villanova and people in the greater Philadelphia community, people hopefully across
America are able to resonate with the story that is being told not in a like exhibitionist sense,” Bojdak said.
Beyond the main body of work, the film, Pinctada Pearl Productions also houses a multimedia team whose job it is to find other ways to share the stories of these island communities with their audience back here in the States. One strategy is through stand-alone feature stories.
“Our reasoning for the vignette spotlights, which is what we’re calling them, is just to highlight the voices and the people that we weren’t able to highlight directly in the [documentary],” co-Multimedia Director Soledad Robbins said.
The first spotlight will likely go to the company’s close collaborator, Tasha, to give her a platform to share her work in Halian environmental justice and land rights. Another possible short story to be featured outside of the film is about fishing and what it means to the culture of the communities they will be working in. There may even be a more interactive element of the company’s project right here on Villanova’s campus.
“We are hoping to have an exhibit in the [Villanova art] gal-
lery itself,” co-Multimedia Director Olivia Hansen said. “Or if there is no space to have one kind of just outside in the Oreo, somewhere where all campus can see.”
Hansen emphasized that the group is “looking to collaborate with local talent, as well, and highlight the voices not only in the Philippines but also Filipina Americans here.”
This exhibit would be a way to get more students involved in not only this project, but in social justice ideas and movements. Even if it is just a passive interaction with art, putting social justice projects at the forefront of students’ minds is incredibly important at a school that can seem very closed off from the outside world at times.
With the group’s departure date approaching, the wider Villanova community can only look forward to what Pinctada Pearl Productions will create. The film’s premiere has been set for the end of April or beginning of May, and will showcase the communities living in Halian and Boracay through this group’s storytelling talents and those of the communities themselves.
Students can follow along with Pinctada Pearl Productions on Instagram, @pinctadapearlproductions.
Consider getting involved in fraternity or sorority life. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
CSA Hosts Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
Christopher Brown Staff Writer
Villanova’s Chinese Culture Club and Chinese Student Association (CSA) united as one to pay tribute to one of the richest facets of Chinese culture: the annual Mid-Autumn Festival. Taking place inside the Topper Theatre at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, attendees were treated to dazzling shows from various performance groups, both inside and outside campus. Afterwards, they feasted on rich Chinese catering and mooncakes to honor the customs of the cultural event.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated all throughout China to mark the end of the autumn harvest season,” senior Chinese Culture Club co-Founder and administrator of this year’s celebration Becca Wang said.
As one of China’s major traditional holidays, the festival is a time to honor the laborious efforts during the harvest and to pray for fortune and longevity. Calum Huang, a Villanova junior and CSA founder, compared the festival to Christmas and Thanksgiving, when families come together to share in enjoyment together.
The Chinese Language Class Choir kicked things off with a unique rendition of “Prelude to the Water,” a traditional Chinese melody inspired by the words of famous poet Shi Su.
A group of students taking advanced Chinese classes demonstrated their skills by acting out a skit entirely in the language. Huang and his fellow juniors Priscilla Zhang, Julia Lubas and Maria Procaccini gave a vocal and instrumental performance for the piece “A Songstress’ Charm at Mid Autumn.”
The Villanova Taekwondo
Club also performed. Determined to make this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival more extraordinary than ever before, the Chinese Culture Club and CSA reached out to the superlative Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society (PCOS) and the enchanting Main Line Chinese Culture Center (MLCCC) Dance Troupe. To say their skills mesmerized the crowd would be an understatement.
“Their performances represent the thriving culture of traditional Chinese arts in the Greater Philadelphia area, and we reached out to them as our goal is to include the wider community in this celebration,” Wang said.
The PCOS’s first production, Farewell My Concubine, featured a dignified female warrior performing an elaborate combat dance with dual blades. The second production, Dream in Lady’s Chamber, centered on a Lady’s feelings of longing and disappointment in her partner, with her slower movements and silk robes fitting someone of her status. The third production, Celestial Flowers, was perhaps the most magnificent
of them all, taking the audience on a journey with the singer across the realm of the divine in a windy night sky.
The MLCCC Dance Troupe graced the audience with some real showstoppers themselves, such as Graceful Butterfly and Waves of Wonder. In Graceful Butterfly, the women danced in harmonious, melodic fashion like fluttering gold butterflies. Waves of Wonder used dance to tell the story of a mermaid’s pursuit through the water as she reaches towards the moon, the symbol of her freedom.
The colors red and yellow were noticeably prominent among the hosts and dancers. They could be found on many of the ensembles’ outfits or on some of the Culture Club women’s qipaos, which are traditional Chinese dresses.
“The color red, although not directly associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, represents fortune and auspiciousness in Chinese culture,” Wang said.
Huang described yellow as representing royalty and empowerment.
The program was topped off with a special Villanova tradition. Huang took to the stage once again and called all willing attendees to partake in a famous Chinese square dance.
After the program’s conclusion, attendees dined in Bartley Hall over spring rolls, dumplings, General Tso’s and more. Special mention goes to the sweet mooncakes, a type of Chinese confectionary product traditionally saved for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Dr. Hailin Zhou of the University’s Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies generously provided them.
Being there inside Bartley and witnessing countless individuals sharing in a communal banquet paints a picture of what the Mid-Autumn Festival is most about. Regardless of differences in class, race or anything else, all people are called to share and nourish one another with the gifts of the earth.
“Our goal for this event is to showcase the talent in our local community and unite students, faculty and community members alike in the joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival,” Wang said.
“My hope from this event is that everyone can experience this part of Chinese culture, outside of the food, but the art, the dance and everything in between,” Huang said. To stay up to date on information concerning the Chinese Culture Club or the CSA, one may follow their respective Instagrams, @ villanovachineseclub and @villanova_csa. For more information about PCOS and the MLCCC, visit their official websites at www.philapcos. org and mlccc.herokuapp.com. Let us unite as one to honor such unique cultures, and hopefully look forward to what the students have to offer for the Lunar New Year.
Fall is Here: What the Season Brings to Villanova
Allie Hesler Staff Writer
As the leaves slowly begin to change and a slight chill enters the air, fall has officially begun at Villanova. A fan-favorite season, and arguably one of the most beautiful on campus, has arrived. Sweaters are reemerging from the closet, “Gilmore Girls” rewatches are occurring, and the famous pumpkin spice latte is being consumed.
Students are excited for fall to set in around campus.
“I cannot wait to see the leaves changing and to be able to wear sweaters to classes,” freshman Heather McCalla said.
The autumn foliage and changing leaves are a popular conversation topic around this time of year as campus transforms for the fall weather.
“I love when the trees change because the trees near the church are very pretty and I love to romanticize my walk,” junior Ainsley Payne said.
Though fall is a beautiful time at Villanova, it can also cause hints of seasonal depression with colder weather beginning.
“The gloomy fall weather often makes me feel like I want to take a nap,” freshman Claire Rafferty
said.
This is why many students like to partake in fun fall activities to embrace the season. Everyone has their own seasonal traditions, making fall an exciting and nostalgic time.
“I always love going apple picking and making homemade applesauce with the fresh apples after,” Rafferty said.
“Pumpkin carving with my friends is always the most fun,” McCalla said.
Payne also has a fall tradition related to pumpkins, and it is a very local one.
“I always go to Linvilla Orchards to get pumpkins with my family every year,” she said.
Linvilla Orchards is an orchard with apples and pumpkins that also offers cider and baked goods. It is only about 30 minutes from campus, located in Media.
Villanova is known for its beautiful architecture, and nothing quite brings out that beauty like fall foliage. With red, orange and yellow colors cascading across campus, it already is beginning to look like an amazing fall.
Besides looking out for the natural changes on campus, students can be sure to also notice classic fall trends in clothing.
“I love wearing a cozy sweater in the fall, especially when the weather hits that perfect temperature,” McCalla said. Sweaters are a common fall trend, with many using a chunky white sweater to channel their inner Rory Gilmore.
For astrology lovers, it is officially Libra season, and the other autumn signs, Scorpio and Sagittarius, will be coming around soon, as well.
“I am definitely a fall person,” McCalla said. “My birthday is in fall, and all of my family's birth-
days are in fall, and I love to do fall activities with them.”
Whether it is enjoying the outdoors by going for a walk or having a cozy night in with friends, there are endless options for immersing oneself in the season.
“I love watching fall movies such as Hocus Pocus with my friends and having a seasonal movie night,” McCalla said.
If one is looking to achieve that “granola girl” aesthetic or is more of a homebody, fall is a season that has something for everyone on Villanova’s campus.
Villanova's CSA created an onstage celebration of the annual Mid-Autumn Festival. Courtesy of Christopher Brown
Fall creates beautiful scenery all around Villanova's campus. Graydon Paul/ Villanovan Photography
Shelf Care: The Classics Aren’t All That Bad
Alex Pultz Staff Writer
When thinking of classic literature, one’s mind might direct them to an assigned reading from high school that generates inevitable hatred towards literature written before the 20th century. I’m here to tell you that it's not all that bad. Yes, reading a 500-page book dated to the early 1800s might not be so great, but there are more than tolerable classics with storylines you might even recognize in modern media.
1. Emma by Jane Austen
Honestly anything by Jane Austen is worthwhile. If you are into Bridgerton, she’s just your vibe. I would call her the OG of romance novelists. You may recognize her most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice, either from English class or from the 2005 movie adaptation starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden. My personal favorite of Austen’s romances is Emma, which I might go as far as calling my favorite book ever. The storyline consists of a young woman, Emma, who proclaims herself town matchmaker. While she makes pairings for the rest of her little town, she doesn’t realize she might just be finding one for herself. In the 19th century, Emma was a little different from the women of her time. She is witty and independent, setting a different standard for the ladies of the town. This book has a truly beautiful plot with entertaining characters and a great romance. Most people don’t know that the 1999 movie Clueless was based on the plot of Emma. Give this novel a read and the movie a watch.
2. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
As I discussed once before, I am not a fan of #Booktok (the popular book platform on TikTok). It usually provides pretty controversial takes on books and discourages
readers from reading certain texts. Something that Booktok did provide me was Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar at the ripe age of 15. Warning, this book is not for everyone, as it deals with pretty heavy themes, such as depression and suicide. While this book was published in 1963, it is considered a modern classic. The haunting novel takes place in the mid-20th century as young Esther Greenwood navigates her life in New York City and attempts to find happiness. This is an entry way into the literary world of modern classics written by sad women. If you enjoyed The Bell Jar, Plath’s journals were published where you can get a glimpse into her own life and challenge whether she “is” Esther.
3. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
If you are a Gossip Girl fan, like me, Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence is the perfect classic for you. I picked this book up in my senior year of high school and was immediately captured by the glitz and glamor of Wharton’s depiction of New York
City in the 1870s. Wealthy Newland Archer is about to marry sweet May Welland, but an introduction of May’s mysterious cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, may shake up their plans. Wharton highlights the beauty and allure of the people of this inner society while paying respect to the duties that each character has to carry out in order to be socially accepted. I read this senior year, and I also devoted my entire senior lit thesis to this novel; it is safe to say I love this story. Character Ellen Olenska challenges societal rules while May Welland conforms to them all, creating an elegant depiction of the challenges of being a woman in the time. This is a mustread and a favorite of mine among Wharton’s pieces.
4. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne I admit, I did just read this book this semester. It was an assigned reading for one of my classes, and I had no prior engagement with the text in high school. When people think of Hawthorne’s novel, their minds connect it to their high school
English class. Reading this in college, I realized this story has so much more to it. Themes of society and feminism contribute to the novel’s overall objection to modernity and expectations of the time. Protagonist Hester Prynne is ordered to wear a red “A” on her chest, standing for adulterer, to punish her for a child born out of wedlock. Society views Hester as a complete outcast while she tries to navigate her world with this label, as well as having a new child. The novel spans seven years, and each chapter is just as engaging as the last. For movie watchers, the movie Easy A pays much reference to this novel, as well as loosely basing its plot on it.
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott A book turned into a movie once again, Little Women might be the most classic of the five books selected. Most people are able to recognize at least the title of this comforting and bittersweet story. Louisa May Alcott wrote this novel in respect to her own life with her sisters. The novel follows the lives of four sisters in their childhood and teenhood, with flashes to their adulthood. Warning, this book will make some people (me) cry. The relationship between the sisters is complex, creating a beautiful tale of growing up. I think that every girl can find themselves in one or all of these sisters. Whether that is mature and traditional Meg, independent and bold Jo, witty and artistic Amy or kindhearted and shy Beth, these sisters represent different parts of everyone. I find myself to resonate with each sister, finding myself most in Jo and Amy. This story was a way for my mom and I to bond, which is why it holds such a special place in my heart. While classics may be daunting (there are so many that are), these books hold so much value to my life are perfect introductions into literature before the present modern era as they are popular for a reason. Happy reading.
BoF Villavogue Takeover: Tarte’s PR Debacle
Finley Triano Staff Writer
In honor of Public Relations, Media and Advertising Month, this week's issue of Villavogue is a Business of Fashion Society takeover. The Business of Fashion Society is a student-run organization that merges fashion with business-related disciplines. With so many networking options and internship opportunities out there, the Business of Fashion Society strives to get students in contact with notable sources.
From its Shape Tape full-coverage concealer to its Creaseless setting and brightening powder, Tarte Cosmetics is a very notable company in the beauty industry, whose mission statement centers around defying beauty stereotypes and standards. However, recent controversy challenges these missions, as the media has been criticizing Tarte for its gifts to influencers. PR packages, containing items ranging from the lavish Mini Clic Kelly Bracelets from Hermès to a singular gold hoop earring, gifts that sparked anger within the media. Influencers even began to use their platforms to express their distaste towards the company.
Shawnda, an African American content creator known as “life-
coachshawn” on TikTok, expressed her dissatisfaction with the company in a video.
“Tarte seems to be allergic to fairness,” she said. “Whether it’s brand trips or their PR packages, someone is always given less than someone else.”
Alexis Oakley, a notable celebrity makeup artist, shared her Tarte PR unboxing on Sept. 13, where she was seen to have received the aforementioned Hermès bracelet and expressed her clear enthusiasm towards the jewelry.
On Sept. 14, following Oakley’s video, influencer Kennedy Eurich posted a video where she shows a personalized Evry Jewels gold-plated necklace with her name on it, gifted to her by the Tarte PR team. She accepted the necklace, but made it clear that she was expecting to receive the Hermès bracelet.
“They are picking favorites,” Eurich said of the company in her video.
Influencer Paloma Sanchez uploaded a video on Sept. 19, on which she showcased her Tarte PR package. Comments on her video claimed it was more of a “goodybag” than a gift when compared with packages other influencers had received that week. Tarte included
a few of its makeup products which, upon application, Sanchez said were “drier than [she] anticipated,” as well as packs of earrings. The gold hoops appeared tampered with, as there was only one earring in the package with the other seemingly missing.
With the majority of the influencers who received the Hermès bracelet being white, many began questioning Tarte and its policy of inclusivity. A spokesperson for Tarte spoke to PEOPLE and debunked this rumor about its alleged discrimination by stating that 33% of creators who received PR, specifically the bracelet, identified as Black, and 50% identified as BIPOC.
Beauty and fashion-focused influencer Melina Melrose is an example of an African American influencer who received the luxurious bracelet, along with other makeup products. She expressed her excitement and gratitude towards the gift as she has been a consistent marketer for Tarte Cosmetics.
Many on social media also claimed that only larger influencers were receiving these gifts, yet the packages containing exorbitant gifts were not limited to influencers with a large platform.
Michelle York, known as
“michellesays” on TikTok, is a podcast host with a comparatively smaller following to the other influencers receiving the packages. She has 236,000 followers and recently posted a video explaining that she received the bracelet. She explained that she talks about Tarte and its products on her social media often, but confirms to never have been paid by Tarte to advertise the brand. She said she believes that the influencers who promote Tarte products the most are among the ones who received the more lavish gifts, assuming this increases their consumer traffic via stores and online. Contrary to the majority of the media bashing Tarte’s marketing strategy, York displayed her affection towards the company in the video.
“They are the kindest, most inclusive, most considerate, loving, equitable brand I have ever met in my entire life,” York said.
Tarte continues to be one of the many beauty companies that faces media-wide backlash for its distinctive PR strategies. What Tarte’s future looks like is heavily dependent on the decisions the company makes to combat these statements. What will the company do? Keep up with some notable influencers to find out what’s next.
Shelf Care writer Alex Pultz's 5 classic novels to read around campus this fall.
Last Saturday, freshman running back David Avit broke a 46-year-old Villanova record for most rushing yards by a freshman in a game.
In the 42-24 win over Stony Brook, Avit rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries. He topped Pat O’Brien’s 173-yard performance against Delaware on Oct. 15, 1977. Along with this record setting performance, Avit was named as Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week and earned CAA Rookie of the Week for the second week in a row.
Avit, a true freshman from Potomac, MD, has been a feature in the Wildcats’ backfield in the past two games. He rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against LIU. Avit’s preparedness to contribute early in his career stems from the desire to be the one with the ball that he has held since youth football.
“I remember playing pretty young, it was first or second grade,” Avit said. “At the time, quarterbacks really couldn’t throw the ball because we were so young. So the person who would always get the ball was the running back. I wanted to play running back because I thought I would always get the ball.”
Avit’s mentality carried him to great heights during his career at Winston Churchill High School. He finished his career with 3,841 rushing yards, setting a new benchmark for the team. He was also named 2023
Maryland 4A Player of the Year and Montgomery County Offensive Player of the Year after his senior season.
Even before his successful senior year, Villanova saw recruiting potential in Avit.
“I was most involved with the early recruitment of [Avit] in his junior year,” Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante said. “He was a guy that we just liked from junior film. And when you see him in person, he’s pretty young in age, but he’s pretty physically gifted and talented in size at six-foot [and] 225 pounds. I really thought he was a great student, a great player, but also a good person.”
Villanova was the first program to extend a scholarship offer to Avit on June 5, 2023. Avit, who was an unranked recruit, was impressed by the Wildcats’ early interest in him. He committed to Villanova over other FCS offers and offers from FBS programs Akron, South Florida and Navy.
“I really liked [Ferrante],” Avit said. “My dad was trying to convince me to go to Villanova for a really long time. I was pretty on and off about it. But, towards the end, I thought, ‘Well, the coaches have been here for a long time and really want me to come here, so it must be a good spot for me.’”
Avit’s decision has proven to be a good one. While the offense struggled early, Avit was able to bring the Wildcats back from behind. He scored three touchdowns across 13:28 of game time in the third and fourth quarters, taking the ‘Cats from a 10-point deficit to an 11-point lead.
“At halftime I was just look-
ing at myself in the mirror like, ‘Man, we’re down, and this team is not better than us,’” Avit said. “I really just talked with my [offensive line] and they said, ‘David, just be patient. It’s going to be there.’ So I just had to put my trust in them because I knew they were going to do their jobs. And [they] did a great job because the holes were open, and that’s just a testament to them.”
Two of Avit’s second-half touchdown runs came from the ‘Cats own half of the field. Avit punched in a 59-yard run with 3:47 remaining in the third to give the Wildcats their first lead of the day. On the ‘Cats’ second drive of the fourth, Avit rushed up the middle for a 72-yard touchdown.
“Our motto is ‘Tap the Rock,’ so we just kept tapping the rock and persevered through the ups and downs,” Ferrante said. “And for [Avit] to hit those long runs in the third and fourth quarter just broke the game wide open with those ex-
plosive plays.”
Even with Avit’s record setting performance, there are still areas for the freshman to improve.
“We just want consistency with everybody,” Ferrante said. “ [Avit] still has some things to learn in the pass game and pass protection aspect of a running back. What we need [Avit] to do is just to stay humble and stay consistent, and come out each week with the same preparation that he's had these last two weeks.”
Villanova is 5-1 this season, with FBS Maryland as its only loss. The ‘Cats are 2-0 in Coastal Athletic Association play, but have faced some early scares. A missed field goal against Towson and an explosive second half against Stony Brook, spearheaded by Avit, prevented the ‘Cats from stumbling in their quest for a CAA crown.
Avit and the team say that if they can produce a complete effort for the remainder of the season, a CAA title will certainly follow.
MBB Showcases New Talent in Blue and White Scrimmage
James Haupt Staff Writer
Villanova basketball has finally made its way back to the Finn with the Blue and White Scrimmage on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The highly anticipated intrasquad matchup marks the first live look at the Villanova Wildcats as the new season approaches. It is more important than ever for the Wildcats to make a strong first impression, as the team is coming off back-to-back NIT losses and in search of a return to the NCAA tournament.
Ten players took the court for the Wildcats to play in four separate scrimmages, with the teams being scrambled each time. Notable players to not make an appearance included redshirt freshman guard and Alabama transfer Kris Parker, freshman guard from Bulgaria Aleksandar Gavalyugov and redshirt freshman forward Jordan Dumont.
Each matchup started with an even 50-50 score with six minutes left, simulating the ending of a close game. Sophomore guard and Penn transfer Tyler Perkins got the scoring started with a tough jumper off a skilled move. Perkins had a strong performance in all four scrimmages.
“We saw [Perkins’] talent level, what he did against us, I’m not
surprised at all,” head coach Kyle Neptune said. “To his credit, he came in as in-shape as he was last year. He’s really changed his body. His jump shot has really improved as well. He brings a level of toughness and nastiness to practice and we expect him to bring the same into games.”
Game one finished with a score of 63-60, in favor of the Blue Team led by sixth-year Wildcat Eric Dixon, who recorded six points. The offense went cold in game two, as both teams were tied 52-52 after six minutes to go to overtime. The game finished in favor of Blue again as they put up seven points in OT led by graduate guard and La Salle transfer Jhamir Brickus, who scored four.
The last two games were much higher-scoring as the offenses heated up. Dixon and fellow returning senior guard Jordan Longino started game three exchanging a pair of three-pointers. Longino finished with ten points for Blue, but it wasn’t enough. Blue lost 68-63 due to an offensive explosion from senior forward and Fresno State transfer Enoch Boakye, who dropped seven points while working exclusively in the paint.
Game four resulted in a 6961 victory for blue led by eight points from Brickus, including a pair of smooth threes. Neptune wrapped up the night with a speech thanking the fans for their support.
The Blue and White Scrim-
mage gave a glimpse into what’s to come for the 2024-25 season. There was high energy, aggressive play, and impressive defense and offense all around.
“Really, you’re just judging how bought-in your team is and how much they’re reacting to whatever you’re asking them to do,” Neptune said. “Thus far they are, at least in practice.”
The Wildcats are a team with only three returning players so it’s important to see how this chemistry develops as the season nears. The new recruits played well this game, as they have left a mark on their fellow teammates, coaches and fans.
“We have a really good mix of younger guys and some older guys, and then some guys who are coming back as older guys as well,” Neptune said. “I love our mix just in terms of the team chemistry, and I think our guys are on the same page.”
The Wildcats will have another chance to showcase their new squad before the new season with a home exhibition game against Robert Morris on Sunday, Oct. 27 at noon.
Villanova will return once again on Nov. 4 to play Lafayette in the season opener. Fans are eager to pack the Finn as the new year arrives.
Villanova football freshman running back David Avit.
Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
The Blue and White Scrimmage takes place every year to kick off the start of the basketball season. Massimo Di Leo/ Villanovan Photography
Men's Soccer Breaks 19-Game Home Losing Streak
Elijah McDow Staff Writer
On Friday, Oct. 4, Villanova men’s soccer lost to UConn at home, 3-0, to extend a 19-game winless streak that dates back to September of 2023.
Four days later, the winless streak ended when the Wildcats secured a 2-1 victory over Columbia.
This brings the Wildcats' record to 1-7-4 and 1-2 in the Big East. The win over Columbia at Higgins Soccer Complex snaps the ‘Cats’ losing streak and marks the first win on home turf since the home finale of the 2022 season.
In the 89th minute, graduate midfielder Jorge Garcia scored off a free kick to secure the victory.
“At the end of the day it’s a team effort,” Garcia said. “But it also has been a matter of being there for teammates and making myself more available each year. Obviously, as you get older more guys look up to you, so it’s just about making sure I’m there and making myself more available.”
Head coach Mark Fetrow was also pleased with the performance and was more happy for his players than anything else.
“I’m just happy for the guys,” Fetrow said. “When you work as hard as we do everyday and you don’t get the benefit of results it’s hard to bring everyday as a player. As a coach, it’s easier
because this is what we do, this is what we’re all about but as a player it starts to wear on you. So for them to get the result today, I’m happy for them.”
After the loss to UConn on Friday, Fetrow had a much different reaction.
“I didn’t like our attitude, I didn’t like our effort," Fetrow said. “I thought our body language was unacceptable when we gave up the first goal, and it got even worse when we gave up the second and third goals.”
Eight minutes later, while a play was under review Fetrow displayed this disappointment, showing some frustration that could be heard from the far sideline bleachers.
For the remainder of the half, the Wildcats seemed to respond well to a powerful message. They were aggressive in their attack and won several corner kicks.
Following halftime, Fetrow made two changes, bringing on junior defender Foday Bangura and freshman forward Jasper Zulman. Bangura, who usually plays as a left back or left-sided center back, spent the majority of his time on the field playing as a forward.
Fetrow emphasized Banguara's necessity on the team.
“[Bangura’s] such a great soldier for us and such a great team guy,” Fetrow said. “We’re still trying to find a role where we can have some longevity with him,
so we had talked at the beginning of the year about potentially giving him some minutes up top.”
While Bangura provided physicality up front, his presence on defense was missed.
In the 63rd minute, the Wildcats conceded a third goal when UConn junior midfielder/ forward Charlie Holmes found the back of the net.
After the third goal, the ‘Cats lost much of their energy and intensity. For the remainder of the game, there were a number of fouls, as well as words exchanged between teammates.
The season has been frustrating for the coaches and for the players. The loss to UConn shined a light on the mental and physical impact of an ongoing winless streak.
“We’ve given up way too many goals, and I think we have good moments throughout and some good performances but I think as a team we could come up short in key moments of the game,” Fetrow said. “Defending the box is a big one, so there's still things we’ve got to continue on and do better.”
The Wildcats’ next two matches are two crucial Big East fixtures on the road in the Midwest.
On Saturday, Oct. 12, they will face Akron at 7 p.m.
A week later on Saturday, Oct. 19, they will match up with Creighton at 3 p.m.
SCOREBOARD
Oct. 2 –Oct. 8
Wednesday, October 2
Thursday, October 3
Women's Soccer vs. DePaul 1–1 T
Friday, October 4
Women's Tennis @ Cissie Leary No Team Scoring
Men's Tennis @ St. Joseph's No Team Scoring
Field Hockey @ No. 8 UConn 5–0 L
Men's Soccer @ UConn 3–0 L
Volleyball @ DePaul 3–1 L
Saturday, October 5
Baseball vs. Le Moyne 16–3 W
Football @ Stony Brook 42–24 W
Sunday, October 6
Field Hockey @ Penn 5–1 W
Volleyball @ Xavier 3–0 W
Monday, October 7
Tuesday, October 8
Volleyball Continues Undefeated Big East Streak WEEKLY
Genna Cottingham Staff Writer
Villanova volleyball continued its unbeaten streak in conference play this weekend, claiming victories over DePaul and Xavier in the second week of Big East competition.
Last Friday, Oct. 4, the ‘Cats went 3-1 against DePaul (11–5, 3–1 Big East) before traveling to Cincinnati, OH on Sunday. Villanova swept Xavier (4–10, 2–2 Big East) in three straight sets, accounting for its seventh sweep of the season.
Along with Creighton (13–2, 4–0 Big East), Villanova is one of only two teams that remain undefeated in the Big East conference. The Wildcats and Bluejays are tied at the top of the conference standings. Villanova is now 4-0 in conference play and has an overall record of 11-4.
"We have fourteen matches left, it’s a long way to go,” Villanova head coach Josh Steinbach said. “I think this team can make a run and I think we’re continuing to get better. If we continue to get healthy and improve at a good rate, then I think we have a chance to cause some people some problems."
The team started its stellar weekend in Chicago, IL to defeat DePaul (25-21, 25-13, 22-25, 2519).
Sophomore outside hitter Abby Harrell had the highest kill count of the night, recording 12
kills, along with two aces and three blocks.
Graduate outside hitter Riley Homer accomplished ten kills of her own, as well as the blocks.
Graduate transfer Taylor Jakubowski pulled off 20 assists to help her fellow Wildcats on Friday.
The DePaul game catapulted Jakubowski to hit the monumental threshold of 2,000 career assists. "[Jakubowski] is just a great communicator and a great leader, who’s competitive and has a good perspective on how to play the game," Steinbach said. "She’s done a great job for us and we’re super excited that we get to have
her on our team this year.”
Rookie setter Alyssa Nelson achieved her first Big East award of her career, earning Big East Freshman of the Week status.
Nelson had one of her best games yet, managing 21 assists. She also executed 15 digs against the Blue Demons for a new career best.
Despite coming up short in the third set, the 'Cats powered through with a quick turnaround. They ultimately came out with the win against the Blue Demons after the fourth set.
"Anytime you win matches, it feels good, especially doing it on the road,” Steinbach said.
Men's Soccer vs. Columbia 3–2 W
Men's Basketball Blue & White Scrimmage
With a well-deserved day off on Saturday, the ‘Cats went on to defeat the Musketeers on Sunday afternoon (25-18, 25-15, 25-22).
Senior middle blocker Ozzie Ozonoh achieved the most blocks of the night, with five. Freshman middle blocker Campbell McKinnon notched eight kills along with an ace. Jakubowski got another 20 assists under her belt on Sunday as well.
Harrell scored 13 points for her team and racked up 12 kills. During the second set of the match, Villanova only allowed the Musketeers to get to 15 points, having them win by a margin of ten points.
The closest margin was the third set, where the ‘Cats allowed Xavier 22 points, and only won that set by three to close out the match.
Looking forward to the third week of conference play, the Wildcats will be back at home this weekend and look to extend their winning streak.
On Friday, Oct. 11 the ‘Cats will take on Creighton in Jake Nevin Field House at 6 p.m. Both teams will be reluctant to give up their first Big East loss of the season.
Then, on Sunday, Villanova will face Marquette at 1 p.m.
"We're playing here at our home court, and we’ll play loose, free, and aggressive," said Steinbach. "It's going to be a battle this weekend. They’re good, but we’re going to give it our best shot."
Villanova is now 4–0 in the Big East with wins over DePaul (3–1) and Xavier (3–0) this weekend. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Women's Soccer Draws DePaul, 1-1
Amanda McKean Sports Columnist
Villanova women’s soccer tied DePaul, 1-1, at home on Thursday, Oct. 3. Senior midfielder Susanna Soderman scored the Wildcats’ lone goal of the contest from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. DePaul equalized in the 63rd.
With the draw, the Wildcats now stand at 4-5-3 overall and are in fifth place in the Big East with a 1-12 mark in conference play.
“DePaul capitalized on how slow we were making our decisions,” head coach Samar Azem said. “Our speed of thought wasn’t fast, so then our play was slow. We were trying to make too many decisions. [DePaul] capitalized on that because they are the type of team that wants to press you, and then they want to counter on you. We gave up the ball way too much, too many turnovers, and so that’s something we want to do better.”
The attacking advantage switched between teams in both halves, with Villanova dominating in the first and DePaul taking over in the second.
In addition to her goal, Soderman recorded all three shots on goal the Wildcats accrued. Sophomore forward Alex Little provided opportunities for her team with her deliveries inside of the box.
Villanova’s defense held its own for most of the game even when things started to go against its favor
in the second half, with graduate defender Olivia Neal’s skillful decision making in the midfield and senior defender Myla McLeod shutting down the Blue Demons on counter attacks.
“[Neal] brought a lot of experience to a young team, but she’s young to this team, to this league, to playing against these teams,” Azem
said. “She has brought experience in her play, but she’s still learning a lot, and this is all very different for her. She’s brought a great competitive nature, willingness to go forward that’s been very valued.”
Towards the end of the first half in the 38th minute, Villanova got the opportunity they were looking
for after a DePaul foul and later VAR decision awarded Soderman a penalty. She easily converted the penalty, sending the Blue Demon keeper the wrong way.
DePaul came out of the halftime break with an aggressive mindset. The decision-making of the ‘Cats in the first half was disrupted as they constantly found themselves on the losing ends of challenges, struggling to chase after the Blue Demons.
Finally, DePaul capitalized on one of its many opportunities in the 16 yard box when sophomore midfielder Shayna da Silva hit a close strike in the box that found the back of the net.
From here, Villanova played on the defensive for most of the game, as DePaul kept knocking for a second goal that was only stopped due to the efforts of junior goalie Hannah Dickinson. Dickinson finished the match with four saves.
Towards the end of the game, senior forward Lauren Belcuore along with Soderman and Little tried to help the ‘Cats on the offensive end with a few good looks, however, the team could not find another goal.
“It takes guts,” Azem said when asked about what it takes a team to finish in the final third.
“Right now we’re working on it.”
After a small break, Villanova will return on Sunday, Oct. 13 where it will celebrate Senior Day against Big East opponent St. John’s. Kick off is set for 1 p.m. at Higgins Soccer Complex on West Campus.
Jordan Canica Finds Success in Senior Year
Elijah McDow Staff Writer
Standing at 5 feet, 7 inches, Villanova men’s soccer senior midfielder Jordan Canica is often one of the smaller players on the field. After missing all of the 2023 season, he has returned as one of the team’s most important leaders.
Canica has made eight starts across the ‘Cats’ first 10 games, and has scored three goals.
“Just as with being taller there’s an advantage, sometimes being shorter has an advantage,” Canica said. “You're quicker, so I use it to my advantage…I’m not going to be winning a header against a 6-foot-4 center back, so, trying to read where the second ball is gonna land is a big part of my game.”
Growing up in a Portuguese family, Canica spent his childhood watching European games on television and playing on the local fields of Somerset County.
“It's always been soccer,” Canica, a native of Hillsborough, NJ, said. “I have two older brothers who pushed me along the way. They always played soccer and they always trained me, so I credit my brothers for pushing me when I was younger.”
The training from his older brothers helped Canica to develop the skills that he needed to play at the collegiate level.
Despite his Portuguese heritage, Canica does not model his game after the likes of Portuguese soccer legends Cristano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes or João Félix. Instead, Ca-
nica tries to emulate 5-foot-9 Belgian forward Eden Hazard.
“When [Hazard] was at Chelsea, I really liked the way he played,” Canica said. “Right footed, kind of a stocky build like me… short to the ground and low to the ground.”
Modeling his game after Hazard, who scored 85 goals over seven seasons at English Premier Leagueside Chelsea in the 2010s, helped Canica climb the ranks of New Jersey and excel at Gill St. Bernard’s School. Canica’s work ethic, his right foot and his agility on the field are what earned him a spot at Villanova.
After committing to Villanova in the spring of 2020, Canica arrived on campus in the fall of 2021. He played sparingly in his freshman and sophomore seasons, totaling 162 minutes across 13 matches. He also missed the entirety of the ‘Cats’ 2023 campaign.
However, it was not until the summer of 2024 that his role on the team expanded.
In the current landscape of college athletics, most players not getting significant playing time would enter the transfer portal, but, even when it was difficult, Canica never thought of leaving.
“Not playing frustrated me,” Canica said. “As a player you always wanna leave your mark, so I didn’t want to leave and not make an impact. I wanted to stay and do what I could to help the program and stay committed to my four years here.”
When former Villanova head coach Tom Carlin retired after the 2023 season, former Wildcats assistant, Mark Fetrow, was named as the new Villanova head coach.
With the hiring of a new coach, it meant a new opportunity for players to audition for a coveted spot in the starting 11.
Canica capitalized on this opportunity. By August it was clear his work had caught the attention of Fetrow and his staff.
Despite seeing limited playing time for much of his career, Canica’s mentality and encouragement have always made him popular among his teammates.
Canica was part of the Wildcats’ 2021 recruiting class, which included senior forward Balthi Saunders, senior forward Vincent Petrera, and senior defenders Tommy Johnson, O’Neil Dawes and Kyle Dixon.
Canica and Saunders have been roommates for all of their time at Villanova.
“He cares a lot about his teammates, and he’s also a super passionate guy,” Saunders said. “He always cares about the team and is always willing to put in the work. Those traits in general just make him a really good team guy but also a really good player.”
While the two have always enjoyed taking the field together, it is the off the field moments that have created a friendship that will last beyond Villanova.
“We like to play video games, which we do a lot,” Saunders said. “We also like to take walks and we both enjoy food, so sometimes we’ll go get dinner or we'll go on walks. He’s a really down-to-earth guy so we do a lot of wholesome stuff.”
For Saunders, seeing his roommate finally have a breakthrough year has been no surprise.
“I think he always contributed a lot [to the team],” Saunders said. “This year, now that he’s gotten an opportunity to really get more minutes, he’s helped us a lot. He’s very good on the ball, and he can score goals so just having him on the field adds a lot to the team in the attack.”
On the field, Cancia understands the goal is to win games and leave his mark on the program. Off the pitch, he understands that the work in the classroom is also important.
When asked about how his classes and how being a part of this program has helped him grow, Canica gave credit to his coach, but also the school as a whole for giving athletes the resources to succeed beyond their playing days.
“I think everyone’s goal in college is to come out and be a better person than when they first came in,” Canica said. “Coach Fetrow does a good job of developing me as a person on and off the field, same as Villanova in general. As far as life after college, Villanova’s a great place to prepare you for life after college and it's why I plan on being here for a fifth year.”
In October, Canica and the Wildcats have a big stretch of games. Six of their seven remaining regular season games will be played this month so the importance of staying locked-in is bigger than ever.
“As far as my goals for the rest of the year, obviously the team is struggling right now but we’re looking to bounce back,” Canica said. “We just have to play the next game and go from there.”
The draw with DePaul is Villanova's second conference draw of the season. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Women's Tennis Competes at Cissie Leary Invitational
Casey Healey Staff Writer
This past weekend, Villanova women’s tennis traveled down the road to compete at the 27th Annual Cissie Leary Invitational, hosted by Penn. Along with Villanova, Delaware, Drexel, Temple, Cornell, St. Joseph’s and UConn competed at the invite.
Reflecting last week’s struggles with injuries, only nine players on Villanova’s roster of 12 played throughout the tournament, with two appearing sparingly on the court. Senior Emma Brogan and sophomore Jenna Stevens (concussions) are expected to return next weekend at Lehigh.
Meanwhile, graduate Sophia Edwards is still recovering from a knee injury that forced her to redshirt last season, and is slowly working her way into the rotation.
Despite these setbacks, every injured member was able to make the trip to Penn to support their teammates.
The match was considered to be “Hidden Duel”, and formatted differently than last weekend’s Navy Invitational. Instead of competing in flights, teams faced one another separately, and had all their players play one another in singles, doubles, or both.
This was the favored format for the coaches, as it allowed for more competition in a shorter amount of time.
On day one of the invitational, Villanova faced Temple in both singles and doubles.
Once again, freshman Olivia Corcoran stood out, defeating Temple 6-4, 2-6, 10-6. She fell short in her doubles match against the Owls, where she and Valieriia Kornieva were defeated 8-6. Corcoran has only lost one singles match this fall so far. Villanova ultimately lost all four doubles matches to Temple.
The Wildcats claimed four victories over Temple. Along with Corcoran, graduate Florida State transfer Sophia Edwards won 6-0, 6-1. Sophomore Maddie Hills won 6-4, 6-4, and senior Valieriia Kornieva won in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 10-6.
For the remaining singles matches against Temple, junior Savie Seebald was defeated 6-4, 6-2, and sophomore Lauren Monti lost 6-2,
Day two proved to be a success against City Six rival St. Joe’s, as the Wildcats claimed five doubles victories.
Villanova head coach Steve Reiniger was optimistic about the team’s doubles performance following the weekend.
“Everyone is really improving at the net, and their position is looking much better,” Reiniger said.
Reiniger attributes much of this improvement to the impact of Edwards, a new transfer player from Boston College. So far, Edwards has proved to be the team’s strongest doubles player. Reiniger described Edwards as “a perfect example for everyone on how to play and compete.”
Junior Maggie Gehrig and Monti achieved a convincing doubles win against St. Joe’s, defeating the
Hawks, 8-0.
Corcoran and Hills won, 8-4. Valieriia Kornieva and Lauren Monti alos secured a win, 8-7 (3). Olivia Corcoran obtained yet another victory against St.Joes alongside Chloe Floyd, 8-5.
Edwards and senior Chloe Floyd fell short, 8-5, as the Wildcats’ only doubles loss to St.Joes.
Villanova concluded the weekend against Delaware.
Gehrig and Corcoran were the only doubles pair to secure a win, as Floyd and Savie Seebald fell short 8-2, and sophomore Miriam Gondorova and Monti were defeated 8-7 (2). Reiniger had high praises for Gehrig, saying she “played the best doubles match of her life” alongside fellow North Carolina native Cocoran this past weekend.
Corcoran finished her weekend exceptionally well, with a win against Delaware in two sets (6-3, 6-2). Valieriia Kornieva also secured a victory 6-3, 6-2. Savie Seebald was defeated 6-0, 6-1. Chloe Floyd lost 6-0, 6-0. Maggie Gehrig fell 6-2, 7-5. Lauren Monti lost 7-5, 6-2.
Overall, Reiniger was excited about the Wildcat’s performance this weekend.
“My number one priority is to make us better in doubles,” Reiniger said. “Last year, I don’t think we did as well, but I thought we competed extremely well in singles and doubles this weekend.”
Villanova’s next match will be at Lehigh, Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20.
Baseball Plays Preseason Series at Cooperstown
James Haupt Staff Writer
Villanova baseball had an exciting start to its preseason with a trip to Cooperstown, NY, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The action-packed weekend, sponsored by Mike Beckerich '95, included a scrimmage at Binghamton University on Friday, a trip to the Hall of Fame on Saturday morning, and a preseason game against Le Moyne later in the day.
The weekend’s highlight was Villanova’s “Hall of Fame” game with a 16-3 win against Le Moyne. The game lasted ten innings, despite the lopsided score, allowing both teams to unload their benches. The Wildcats played their stars along with testing out the new freshmen and transfer recruits. Mulvey was generally satisfied with the team's performance.
“It’s tough for me to single anyone out because of how well everyone played,” said head coach Kevin Mulvey, who is entering his eighth season at the helm of the program.
Villanova took care of business on offense, recording 20 hits, including five home runs and five doubles. The defense and pitching dominated as well, allowing only three runs and collecting 18 total strikeouts on the day.
“We played very solid defense, and it was just an all-around great job by our guys,” said Coach Mulvey.
The Wildcats are coming off a season in which they went 18-33 overall and 8-13 in conference rank-
ing them fifth in the Big East. They finished last season with a series win against a competitive conference rival in Xavier.
Heading into the upcoming season, Villanova has lost some key players, including infielder Jack O'Reilly, who was dominant for the Wildcats in the past few years.
O’Reilly was one of the offensive leaders on the team last year. O’Reilly recorded nine home runs, 19 doubles, and 43 RBIs with a .285 average while playing multiple positions on the field. He wrapped up his college career earning Philly-SIDA Academic All-Area honors: a prestigious award limited to 10 student-athletes that exemplifies his accomplishments on and off the field.
The Wildcats have lost several other core players, but Villanova is still in a promising position to start the fall. Graduate student catcher Jason Neff looks to be solid behind the plate. Neff is coming off a season where he batted .260 with 51 hits, 9 home runs, and 43 RBIs.
Another returning player who will look to produce is junior infielder Michael Whooley. He batted .258 with 5 home runs and 31 RBIs last season.
Villanova also has recruited several freshmen along with players from the transfer portal. Some of these include freshman switch-hitter Austin Lemon and Holy Cross transfer Jake McElroy, who both played well in the outfield against Le Moyne. Some other new freshmen who have stood out are second basemen Brayden Leonard and pitcher JP Podgorski.
Although the Wildcats may be younger this season compared to recent years, there is much to look forward to this season. The ‘Cats will look to compete yet again in the tough Big East conference.
“I’m just excited for this group,” Mulvey said. “I think we have a lot of guys that have a team-first mentality. I think they’re hungry to
win. I think they play together.” Villanova’s next matchup is against Swarthmore this Saturday, Oct. 12, at their home field in Plymouth Meeting. This marks the second preseason game with the 2025 season still nearly four months away. The Wildcats aim to show out yet again opponent as they continue to train hard in the offseason.
The Cissie Leary Invitational allowed the 'Cats to compete against local schools Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Villanova is looking to improve on an 18-33 2024 campaign. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Photos: Men's Soccer vs. UConn
Junior keeper Sebastian Cutler DeJesus made five saves against UConn. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Villanova's 3-0 loss to UConn dropped the team to 0-6-4. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Senior defender O'Neil Dawes has started in seven games for the Wildcats this season. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Villanova has not scored more than two goals in a game this season. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
UConn's defense limited Villanova to seven shots in the loss. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
