WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 111 | ISSUE 9
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
COVID-19 Tracker p. 2
History in the Making: Women Lead Five of the University’s Six Academic Colleges
Public Safety Blotter p. 2 OFSL Implements Social Moratorium p. 3 Students Share Quarantine Experiences at the Inn and at Home p. 4 Letter to the Editors: Make Election Day a Villanova Holiday p. 5 Bursting Bubbles: Professional Sports during the Pandemic p. 5 AI: The Problem No One is Talking About p. 6 Killing the Spotted Lanternflies: A Communal Catharsis p. 6 Letter from the Editors: Get Registered to Vote p. 6 Book Buzz: Novels to Look For p. 7 Freshman Life During COVID-19 p. 8 Still Woozy Talks His New Single and More p. 8 Students Report Strange Dreams During Quarantine p. 9 Action is Greater than Words: UNITAS p. 10 Women’s Rowing Begins Training p. 10 Golf Team to Host Fundraiser for B+ Foundation p. 11 2020-21 Basketball Season to Start on November 25? p. 11
A car passes on Lancaster Avenue, in front of the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. Courtesy of The Villanovan
Jack Birle Staff Writer On July 31, Dr. Michele Marcolongo began her tenure as Drsodick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering. With Marcolongo’s appointment, for the first time ever, five of the six academic deans at the University are women. Marcolongo spent the last 20 years of her career at Drexel University. Most recently, she was the department head of Materials Science and Engineering in Drexel’s College of Engineering. Along with Marcolongo, Dean Adele Lindenmeyr, Ph.D. of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dean Joyce E. A. Russell, Ph.D. of the School of Business, Dean Donna S.
Havens, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, of the College of Nursing and Dean Christine Kelleher Palus, Ph.D of the College of Professional Studies serve as the other female academic Deans at the University. The University’s leadership looks to these Deans as a positive change for students and faculty. In a statement, University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti echoed these ideas. “We are proud that Villanova is among the leaders on this front, with five of the University’s six colleges led by women,” Maggitti said. “In Deans Havens, Lindenmeyr, Marcolongo, Palus and Russell, Villanova has five exceptionally talented leaders, scholars and educators. Their strong, groundbreaking leadership sets an inspiring example for their students and faculty
members, and we hope more will follow in their footsteps.” According to the Deans, the group of women work closely together in a collaborative effort to better their respective colleges. “Coming from a variety of academic disciplines and various other universities and backgrounds, I think we all bring a unique perspective to the table,” Dean Palus said. “In my own career, I can’t say there has been a lot of moments where most of the people at the table are women, so it is really an interesting dynamic, and it is great to be a part of.” “[The Deans] are all really good friends,” Dean Russell said. “Other senior leaders have said [the Deans group] is probably the closest it’s ever been at Villanova. We are very
collaborative…and we want each other to be successful.” Since joining the University faculty in 1987, Dean Lindenmeyr noted how the landscape for women has changed for leadership roles in higher education. “There are just a lot more women,” Lindenmeyr said. “There are not only women in the deans positions, but also women in the [University] President’s cabinet. Where there are still few women is in the ranks of senior faculty.” Dean Havens sees the future landscape for women in higher education involving more representation and opportunities in leadership. “I think the door has been opened and people are seeing the value of what Continued on p. 2
University Ranked #53 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges Ranking Emily Cox Co-Editor-in-Chief The University has again been included among the top National Universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 “Best Colleges” rankings. Although ranked #46 last year, the new ranking among the nation’s best colleges and universities is still an indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum. Over the past five
years, the University’s undergraduate applications have increased by more than 30%. Students at the University consistently earn some of the nation’s most prestigious national scholarships and awards, with 50 Villanovans receiving Fulbright U.S. Student Grants in the past two years. Upon graduation, Villanovans are highly sought-after by top graduate schools, companies and organizations across the country and around the world, with a successful placement
rate of 96.7% for the class of 2019. U.S. News uses numerous indicators of excellence in determining the rankings, including academic reputation, student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and graduation rate performance. This year’s edition includes several updates to the methodology that address important issues directly impacting students and families. These new measures look at topics like student debt, social mo-
bility and test-blind admissions policies. Of the approximately 1,400 four-year colleges and universities nationwide listed by U.S. News, 389 schools are officially classified as National Universities. Princeton University, Harvard University and Columbia University were ranked as the top three National Universities. In addition to the #53 rank, the University ranked #36 in Best Undergraduate Teaching and #64 in Best Value Schools.
