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Office of the President

A Message from the President: January 2023

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January 20, 2023

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

Welcome back to our students! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and that the first few days of the semester are going well. I have several University updates to share, but first, I want to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Brandon Gonzalez, Class of 2025, who passed away after a long illness. The 5 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on Sunday, Jan. 22, will be said in Brandon’s memory. I hope many in our community will be able to attend.

As we look forward to this spring semester, I am happy to provide the following updates and announcements:

 

Board of Trustees: New Leadership and Members

The Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of Villanova University. It is composed of alumni, parents and friends who volunteer their time and expertise to provide critical oversight and guidance for the University. I am pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has elected Elizabeth T. Mazzeo ’81 VSB, a special advisor and the former Chief Administrative Officer of Bloomberg LP, as its chairperson; Thomas M. Quindlen ’84 VSB, retired Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Diversified Value and Lifestyle Group at Synchrony Financial (formerly GE Capital Retail Finance), as vice chairperson; and the Rev. Francis J. Doyle, OSA, ’67 CLAS, as its secretary.

Six new members also joined the Villanova University Board of Trustees as of Jan. 1, 2023.

  • Joseph F. Delaney III ’85 VSB, Partner and Chief Financial Officer at Phibro, LLC
  • Susan M. DiLoreto ’80 CLAS, Founder of SMSD Designs, LLC
  • Christine A. Dorfler ’97 VSB, Chief Financial Officer of NBC Sports Group at NBC Universal
  • Rev. Joseph Mostardi, OSA, DMin, ’72 CLAS, Pastor of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish
  • Daniel F. O’Dea, Jr., Esq. ’75 VSB, ’80 CWSL, President and Founder of Delphi Affordable Housing Group
  • Rev. Donald F. Reilly, OSA, ’71 CLAS, Senior Advisor for Mission & Philanthropy at Malvern Preparatory School

I look forward to working with the new leadership team, our new members and the entire Board of Trustees as we endeavor to ensure Villanova’s continued success.

2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
This week and next, our campus joins together to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Highlighted by service, fellowship and dialogue, this annual celebration is a wonderful way for our campus to start the spring semester and work together toward achieving Dr. King’s vision of the “beloved community.”

The celebration kicked off on Monday, Jan. 16, with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Approximately 200 volunteers served 17 service sites, which included educational and religious institutions, in the Greater Philadelphia area. On campus, more than 300 volunteers completed service including sandwich making and letter writing. The efforts of the off and on-campus volunteers will benefit thousands. Many thanks to the MLK Day of Service Committee and the staff who support them for their hard work and efforts to make the day a success. Other events planned as part of this year’s celebration include:

  • On Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Villanova Room, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Address, will be given by New York Times bestselling author Jim Wallis, Founding Director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith & Justice and Founder/Ambassador of Sojourners.
  • On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Freedom School will offer hour-long, online sessions hosted by various faculty members, staff and students that relate to and extend the vision of Dr. King.

2023 Opus Prize Jury

Last month, I shared that Villanova has been selected to host the 2023 Opus Prize, which is awarded annually to individuals who champion faith-filled change and are working to solve the world’s most persistent social issues. Today, I am happy to share the names of the distinguished leaders who will serve on the jury. Jurors have the important responsibility of reviewing nominations, evaluating them based on the Opus Prize values and principles, and ultimately selecting three finalists (and an alternate) from the nominations to receive one of three awards—$1 million for first place and $100,000 to the two runners-up.

 

The 2023 Opus Prize Jurors are:

  • Madeline Bell ’83 FCN, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, Vice President for Mission & Ministry at Villanova University
  • Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, President of Villanova University, CHAIR
  • Chris Gheysens ’93 VSB, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wawa, Inc.
  • Jane Golden, Founder and Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia
  • Rev. Jim Greenfield, OSFS, President of DeSales University
  • Joseph Lenz, Senior Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross
  • Crystal Lucky, PhD, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professor of English
  • Cathy Nguyen, Villanova Class of 2023
  • Michael Nutter, Former Mayor of Philadelphia
  • Sister Mary Scullion, RSM, Activist and Co-Founder of Project HOME

The Opus Prize will be awarded to the finalists during a ceremony on campus on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. For more information, please visit the Villanova University Opus Prize website.

 

Falvey's Distinctive Collections
I am pleased to share that Falvey Memorial Library has acquired the senatorial papers of Patrick J. Toomey, who served as Senator from Pennsylvania from 2011-2023. The collection includes extensive electronic records and media, as well as papers from Toomey’s service as a member of the House of Representatives for the 15th District of Pennsylvania from 1995-2005, campaign materials and social media archives. Information about when the collection will be viewable to the public is forthcoming. 

Faith in Dialogue Symposium
The first annual “Faith in Dialogue” Symposium will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 31, featuring Philip Cunningham, PhD, and Adam Gregerman, PhD, leading scholars on the topic: “The Revolution in Catholic-Jewish Relations.” This new initiative celebrates and furthers the vital work of interfaith engagement already present at Villanova, as a University community that welcomes and respects members of all faiths. There will be a reception immediately following the presentation and conversation with Drs. Cunningham and Gregerman. All are welcome; the event is ACS-approved.

Finally, a reminder that any community member who feels more comfortable wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. Faculty may require students to wear masks in their classes, laboratories or offices, and students must comply with this request. Students and staff may ask the same of one another when meeting or getting together. The reasons why individuals may choose to wear a mask can vary widely, so everyone is expected to show respect in these situations. 

Best wishes for a healthy and happy spring semester.

Sincerely,

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Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President