Live Like Andrew:
Joe McDonough Shares Andrew’s Story
Emma Cote Co-News Editor
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
“To live like Andrew” is a way of life that can be found across Villanova’s campus, and as students count down the final days to the NOVAdance marathon on Saturday, March 29, the motto feels more true than ever.
Andrew McDonough was a star soccer player, an “A” student, and a beloved son and brother from Wilmington, Delaware.
Joe McDonough, Andrew’s father and the founder of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a foundation that fundraises for pediatric cancer and supports B+ Heroes and their families, spoke with The Villanovan to share his son’s story.
“This foundation was born out of the tragedy of my son’s passing,” McDonough said. “On a Saturday he had helped his travel soccer team win a Pennsylvania state championship, and two days later we were at our children’s hospital in Wilmington, and we’re told that Andrew has leukemia, septic shock and then cardiac arrest.”
While many who learn of a cancer diagnosis ultimately leave the hospital for some time during treatment, Andrew never did and spent 167 days in the Ne -
mours Children’s Hospital before his passing. During this time, his family showered him with love and support, and they taped a picture of Andrew to his hospital bed as a reminder to the hospital staff of who they were fighting to save and bring home.
Two weeks prior to this unexpected hospital stay, McDonough shared that Andrew had inquired about his blood type, which was B-positive. During these horrific circumstances, the blood type became a way of life, to “Be Positive.” His sister, during his time in the hospital, took to creating a sign for the hospital door. The message? “Do not come in this room unless you are going to be positive!”
“It was just the way my boy lived,” McDonough said. “If you knew him for five minutes, you would have said he was your best friend.”
McDonough began his work on the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation in honor of his son. Seventeen years later, the foundation is the largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer in the United States and also a powerhouse of a funder of research globally. To live like Andrew is to live like your best, and to love everyone, a staple sentiment of the Foundation today.
McDonough shared a story of just what it means to live like Andrew. When he had dropped off his son at his friend’s house to play basketball, Andrew ran back to the car to kiss his father on the cheek
to thank him and tell him he loved him.
“At that fork in the road, he stopped and ranked the risk of his friends saying something,” McDonough said. “I drove home that day from Chadds Ford Pennsylvania to Wilmington Delaware just beaming with a smile.”
Andrew remained positive in the face of tremendous adversity. McDonough shared that to live like Andrew was especially import -
ant when we encounter these forks in the road, big or small.
“We have an opportunity every day to make someone’s life a little bit better,” McDonough said. “Andrew made a difference in a lot of people’s lives.”
McDonough went on to describe the tremendous effort for the foundation by the University students, highlighting year-long efforts along with the day-of, specifically.
Whether it is meeting heroes and families, canning for donations or the committee’s dedication in their weekly meetings, he applauded the students’ hard work for the foundation that means so much to the campus.
“Really, it is a joy to work with the students at Villanova. They just get it,” McDonough said. “They’re kind and compassionate, and to see the way they rally for our kids with cancer, those they get the chance to meet in Jake Nevin when they run through the big tunnel to the kids that they help that they’ll never meet.”
As students approach the day of, their yearlong efforts culminate into one 12-hour long dance marathon celebration. During this exciting time, all are thinking of Andrew and each B+ Hero.
“Here’s a part of our society that really needs help, give a voice to the voiceless and [not] to be too philosophical, but I think societies are judged in history, how they treated their most vulnerable,” McDonough said. “Their elderly, their disabled, their children and their children with cancer, and I think it’s really important as a society that we give these innocent kids a chance to grow up, and I stress the word innocent because not one of these children that are diagnosed today, the 46 kids diagnosed [everyday], not one did anything wrong. purely innocent children, like my son Andrew.”
Joe McDonough, Andrew’s father, continues to share his son’s legacy long after his passing. Courtesy of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
The B+ Foundation was founded in honor of Andrew McDonough, whose story inspires many. Courtesy of @nova_dance on Instagram
Professor Hosts Activism Discussion
Julia Heurtley Staff Writer
On Thursday, March 20, Professor Billie Murray, Ph.D. held a conversation on “What’s Happening with Student Activism” in St. Rita’s Hall.
Murray is an Associate Professor of Communication and the Assistant Director for Academics for the Center for Peace and Justice Education. Her research focus is on community response to instances of hate speech. She is a longtime activist who is well versed in many social justice issues and has abundant firsthand participation in activism as she has played organizational roles in protests and other acts of civil disobedience.
“College is the first time a lot of people have been exposed to activism and intervening,” Murray said.
University students have historically played a key role in activism for a number of reasons. For example, throughout higher education, students are exposed to new ideas and material causing them to challenge the status quo.
Murray described how students hold a unique position to challenge this status quo because they are enthusiastic and flexible. They do not have the responsibilities that often prevent older generations from taking action. Additionally, colleges are localized and close-knit which theoretically makes it easy to spread awareness and organize. However, in the age of social media there are barriers to organizing and rallying tangible support for causes.
Murray opened the conversation up to the students in the group. She wanted to hear directly from the source to see how students view activist culture
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WHM: McNulty Institute Highlights Female Research p. 5
Vigil in Solidarity With Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants p. 30
The Night for A Cappella: A Cappella Palooza 2025
Cali Carss Staff Writer
On Friday, March 21, Villanova’s eight a cappella groups put on their highly anticipated spring showcase: A Cappella Palooza. Jake Nevin Fieldhouse was full of friends, family and excited students waiting to hear all the performances these groups have been working hard to prepare. The first group to take the stage was Measure Up. It offered a wonderful, emotional performance that was the perfect way to begin A Cappella Palooza. Its choreography was
smooth and brought out the songs and formations.
The second group in the lineup was the Villanova Melodics. They began with “Space Oddity” by David Bowie, setting up an extraterrestrial storyline throughout the first half of the performance. The participants wore pastel outfits and the audience loved every second. Next up was the Haveners. This all-female group always amazes, and their performance at A Cappella Palooza was no different. Senior Vanessa Rosado’s solo to “Bust Your Windows” by Jazmine Sullivan garnered some of the loudest cheers of the night. Her powerful deliv -
ery amazed the audience and was magnified by the group’s effortless choreography. The final group to perform in the first act was Minor Problem. Its members took the stage in all white and delivered an incredible performance. Beginning with a duet to “Telephone” by Lady Gaga, its set immediately had the audience engaged. The rest of the set was equally energetic, even as it switched genres to Hozier in order to close out the first act of A Cappella Palooza. “All the groups were so impressive,” sophomore Angie Rodriguez said. “I loved the whole event, es -
pecially when I knew some of their songs.”
After a brief 10-minute intermission, we were back to a cappella. The second act opened with the Sirens, fittingly in all black in contrast to the previous act. Their set was beautiful, with powerful vocals shining through each song. They also performed one of the most well-known songs of the event: “lovely” by Billie Eilish.
Next, perhaps the most recognizable Villanova a cappella group was set to perform. In its usual blazers and denim combo, the Spires took the stage in an absolutely awe-inspiring
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Football Team to Host Bone Marrow Drive
Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor
Villanova football will host its 17th annual Get in the Game Bone Marrow Drive on Wednesday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m in the Connelly Center, Driscoll Hall and South Campus.
The drive is an annual partnership between the football team, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation and the M. Louise
Reusable Takeout Box Program Begins At Villanova p. 5
Lent on Villanova’s Campus p. 31
Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. Through the Andy Talley Get in the Game Drive, there have been more than 1,600 bone marrow and blood
stem cell transplants. The annual drive aims to help patients with different types of blood cancer who need a bone marrow or stem
The Impact of Department of Education Downsizing p. 6
Catching Up With the Cats: Eric Hinds p. 33
is More Than Baksetball p. 8
Pappas Breaks Villanova’s All-Time Goals Record p. 34
cell transplant. These cancers can include but are not limited to leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anemia.
Since 1987, the NMDP has connected patients with donors across the country. Its registry now included millions of possible donors. However, despite having millions of possible donors on the registry, patients need a genetic match with the donor which is difficult to find in some cases. For some patients, a family member is a great way
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Sof Says: Fire More People! p. 9
Denis Fargione An Impact as a Freshmanw p. 36
The Haveners were one of eight a cappella groups that performed for the student body on Friday night. Cali Carss/Villanovan Photography
Villanova
Defensive lineman Ayden Howard promotes the mission of the bone marrow drive. Courtesy of @novafootball
PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER
THEFT
February 19, MENDEL HALL
A female resident student reported her apple earphones missing from inside of Mendel Hall. The amount of the loss is $600.00.
ARSON
March 18, SULLIVAN HALL
A staff member discovered soot from a fire on the underside of a toilet seat in Sullivan Hall.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
March 18, BARTLEY HALL
A male resident student reported being harassed by three females.
THEFT
March 18, FALVEY
A male resident student removed a wall clock from the Idea Lab.
CORRECTIONS
Menstrual Product Initiative Begins
Finley Triano Staff Writer
For the first time, menstrual products have become available in women’s school bathrooms around campus. They can be found on the first floor of Dougherty Hall and the ground floor of Mendel Hall and will be available on the first floor on Tolentine in the coming weeks.
This initiative was made possible by the Villanova Student Government Association (SGA), which is the student-run organization that ensures to represent the undergraduate student body on campus. Actions were taken to satisfy students’ wants and needs as they continue to develop on a daily basis especially when it comes to the accessibility of menstrual products around campus.
SGA President Dean Millard and Vice President Aleko Zeppos were instrumental in turning this idea into reality.
The Menstrual Products Bill, which authorized the purchase of new dispenser machines, was passed by sponsors Gigi Giuliano and Savie Seebald, along with co-sponsors Brian Messalti, Jenna Angelini, Matthias Miller, Ella Mattocks and Claire Kirby. This legislation laid the foundation for the purchase, installation and stocking of the dispensers in select bathrooms.
Previously, finding menstrual products in bathrooms was a challenge. The dispensers were either out of date and broken or empty. It got to a point where faculty members were donating products to be placed in the bathrooms.
Junior Sara Ledyard pointed out this struggle through her observations as a female student.
“I would see a few bathrooms that had those old-fashioned dispensers or just a bowl of products and it was common that they wouldn’t have any products left,” Ledyard said. “There were times I would see girls take handfuls and walk out.”
SGA prioritized addressing
PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
March 22, SOUTH CAMPUS
A male resident student, over 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and released.
HARASSMENT
March 22, DONAHUE HALL
A dining services staff member reported a delayed incident of harassment at Donahue Hall.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE
March 23, STANFORD HALL
A male resident student, UNDER 21, appeared in public intoxicated. Student was evaluated by VEMS and released to a sober friend.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
March 18, BARTLEY HALL
A male resident student reported being harassed by three females.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
March 24, SULLIVAN HALL
A staff member discovered a damaged bathroom stall door at Sullivan Hall.
THEFT
March 24, DOUGHERTY HALL
Rental property valued at $400.00 was removed from a campus building without authorization.
this issue after receiving numerous student complaints similar to Ledyard’s. Millard explained how the initiative began.
“SGA has been interested in implementing free menstrual products on campus for years,” Millard said. “However, we worked with the Custodial team to find a dispenser that they could stock and maintain.”
Female Villanova students agree and appreciate the easy access.
“While I keep these products in my room, it is nice to know that these products are available if an emergency occurs,” junior Danielle Lopes said.
Students get a choice of either pads or tampons which are displayed with separate dispensers.
“As a Biology major, I find myself spending most of my day in Mendel Hall,” Lopes said. “Living on West Campus is also hard since I cannot just run back to my room and grab what I need. It is so convenient that I can just walk down the hall and find a pad or tampon that I can use.”
SGA looks forward to expanding access to menstrual products campus-wide. With support from other organizations, they aim to achieve this goal in a timely manner.
Kenza Idrissi Janati, SGA Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, shared her perspective on the initiative.
“Access is everything,” Idrissi said. “Ensuring that all students have equitable access to essential resources, including menstrual products, is the key to fostering an inclusive and supportive campus. No student should have to worry about access to basic necessities while pursuing their education.”
Zeppos discusses what this initiative would look like as the year moves forward.
“This is just the beginning,” Zeppos said. “As SGA transitions into new leadership, we hope to build on the progress we have made and expand access across all academic buildings. Our partnerships with maintenance and administration will be key in making that happen.”
WHM: The Space
Zoe Schack Staff Writer
As Villanova has continued to celebrate Women’s History Month this March, a relatively new female-driven organization on campus had the opportunity to table and raise awareness for its cause.
The Space, founded in the 2023-24 academic year, focuses on issues of women’s rights, specifically reproductive justice. Its concerns have also paved the way to advocacy for other topics under the wider women’s empowerment umbrella, including the intersection of race and gender, political activism, healthy relationships and domestic violence awareness. The Space also participates in service projects as a means of uplifting women on campus and in the local area.
Previous activities this year furthered the goals of this club, include “Cookies and Conversation” meetings for open dialogue, guest speaker features such as Democratic Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, who represents PA’s 5th District, “Wear Denim Day” to raise awareness for sexual violence, and placing donation bins in Bartley and the Connelly Center to support local women’s shelters.
Collaboration with other groups at Villanova, like Amnesty International and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness organization, have widened the scope of The Space’s impact, introducing the group to a wider audience.
“We know there are a ton of people that care about reproductive rights and justice on campus, and it can be hard to find a ‘space’ where we can freely talk about it,” Social Media and Marketing Director of The Space, Scarlett Quisenberry said.
On Tuesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 20, members of The Space tabled in Connelly and outside of St. Rita’s on behalf of their organization. This served as a chance to not only to honor Women’s History Month, but also to invite Villanova
students to learn about the group, ask questions, and get free merchandise. This event was in collaboration with the Villanova Center for Peace and Justice Education, which houses student groups and runs courses and events throughout the year. On both days, The Space’s representatives volunteered their time to cover the tabling slots of two to three hours.
“Ultimately, tabling is the best way to get our name out there and talk to other, like-minded people,” Quisenberry said. “We want to show the University that this matters to the student body.”
On Wednesday, March 19, The Space joined with other Villanova organizations focused on women’s rights, opportunities and accomplishments. Gathered in a line by the Oreo, several organizations held tables bearing pink decorations, blasted music by female artists and encouraged passersby to join their mailing lists and get involved. Alongside groups like the Women in PreLaw Caucus, Girl Gains, Pink Club and Girls Who Read, The Space supported female empowerment.
“We decided to table this week because now more than ever it is imperative to talk about injustice,” co-President Sophia Lemmons said.
“Despite this being a Catholic campus, we know that many members of the Villanova community care about reproductive healthcare. We tabled for Women’s History Month and Advocacy Week, and distributed stickers and flyers promoting reproductive justice without administrative resistance. We look forward to continuing this strategy to spread awareness and advocate for our cause.”
Overall, the tabling initiatives run by The Space seemed to accomplish what these leaders had in mind. The organization saw high rates of attendance and engagement among students on each of these days. As Women’s History Month draws to a close, it is clear that the mission of The Space and other women’s groups on campus are eager to continue making an impact, today and every day.
WHM: McNulty Institute Highlights Female Research
Katie Bryda Staff Writer
As March marks Women’s History Month, Villanova has taken the time to highlight and uplift female voices on campus. The real highlights have come from the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership, which has been using Instagram and LinkedIn to create small bios on female Villanova students doing research on and off campus.
The Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership describes itself by a primary goal of “...foster[ing] women’s advancement through education, advocacy, community-building and the collaborative creation of new knowledge.”
The Institute, located on the second floor of Tolentine Hall, took time to ask female researchers on Villanova’s campus what Women’s History Month means to them.
The McNulty Institute started the month by highlighting senior Glory Wells, a senior Communication major and presidential scholar. Wells has participated in a number of roles on campus, including being a marketing and communication assistant at the Villanova School of Business.
She is also the Founder and President of the Association of Black Communication Students, as well as many other extracurriculars on
campus. The Anne McNulty Institute commended Wells for her work within the Communications department, as well as leading the Association of Black Communication Students to their first ever CultureCon. The Institute describes Wells as a student who “...created a space for students to develop their creative talents and access professional opportunities.”
Talking on Women’s History Month, Wells noted the intersectionality that has to be considered when talking about what it means to be a woman.
“As a Black woman…my intersectional identity makes me more vulnerable to these issues,” Wells said. “This month is a time for women to shine, to be recognized and to reflect on the challenges we’ve faced while uniting to share our stories.”
In her endeavors, Wells has expanded access to professional opportunities for students and promoting creativity for Black students at Villanova.
Next, the Institute shed light on the research of environmental science and geography major Emma Spangler. Spangler, a junior at Villanova, has been heavily involved with sustainability research, serving multiple roles within the Office of Sustainability and the Waste & Recycling Office. Studying under Dr. Steven Goldsmith, the Institute wrote that Spangler is “...analyzing how different environmental conditions influence
various types of debris.” She examines plastic degradation and how toxic metals can accumulate on surfaces.
She is also currently a student research fellow within the Goldsmith Laboratory, where she does much of her research. With March also being Women’s History Month, it’s a month of great importance to Spangler.
“[It’s] deeply personal to me,” Spangler said. “I naturally took on the role of guiding and supporting my sisters. In doing so, I became even more aware of the importance of strong female role models.”
The McNulty Institute also highlighted senior Abby Maroun, a senior philosophy major with minors in psychology and English. Maroun, while involved in campus with NOVAdance and Phi Sigma Tau, spent the spring of her junior semester studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she conducted research on the experiences of women in Sweden and Denmark who live with HIV. Of her research, the McNulty Institute says that her “... literature revealed four major themes to us: feelings upon diagnosis, impacts of stigma, sexual health and wellbeing and fertility, family planning and motherhood.”
One of the most significant parts of Maroun’s research was the group of six women she worked with hailing from the U.S. and Sweden. Maroun also noted the importance of looking up to the women around you.
“Our mothers, teachers, coworkers, friends and strangers,” Maroun said. “There are so many incredibly smart, talented and kind women in this world.”
Lastly, the McNulty Institute acknowledged the research of sophomore Adriana Fernandez, a biochemistry major who hopes to work in genetics and microbiology. Fernandez works under Dr. Jacob Elmer, Ph.D., researching development of “a polycistronic expression strategy for multimeric proteins.” Doing a number of experiments utilizing chromatography to E. coli, Fernandez works on gene expression and protein litigation and separation. With her work in STEM, Fernandez also spoke about the women who are forgotten in the history of STEM.
“Science history…hides many bright women who have helped advance our understanding of the scientific world,” Fernandez said. “But have not received the recognition they deserve.”
The goal of the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute has not only been to highlight the achievements of these four brilliant students, but also to make known the opportunities that female students at Villanova have across all disciplines. Whether it is in STEM, business or academic research, the McNulty Institute is determined to let young women know their potential impact and what resources they have on Villanova’s campus.
Reusable Takeout Box Program Begins At Villanova
Emily Shultz Staff Writer
Recently, Villanova University took another step toward its sustainability goal by introducing reusable takeout boxes. It aims to reduce on-campus food waste and promote an environmentally conscious dining experience.
In the current spring rollout, buffet-style locations like Donohue and Dougherty will offer the boxes. After this semester, the potential for it to expand to all dining locations in the future is a strong possibility, including the Connelly Center which at this time, is still using paper to-go boxes.
According to Executive Director of Dining Services Andrew Camuso, the program is designed for efficiency and student ease. Villanova students can access the program through the GrubHub app upon entering a dining hall and return it in quick fashion.
“You just click it when you wanna take it, you’ll scan it,” Camuso said. “And then, when you return it, [this] will go through the dish machine and it’ll pick up the return through the QR code, so you don’t really have to worry about it.”
If a student forgets to return their container, they will receive a reminder text. Unlike other schools that have instituted similar policies, Villanova will not fine or levy actions of punishment against those if they forget to return the container within the three-day period.
The Student Sustainability
Committee backed the decision to transition to reusable takeout boxes. The committee holds meetings to lead new sustainability and advocacy initiatives on campus; and works closely with the Office of the President, Mission and Ministry, Waste and Recycling and Sustainability. Emma Spangler, a junior and Executive Chair of the committee, explained that before the COVID-19 pandemic, dining halls were solely dine-in. When the pandemic began, Dining introduced disposable utensils and takeout boxes to ensure social distancing and lower transmission rates.
“We just hit five years postCOVID,” Spangler said. “And, I think the most consistently and abundantly disposed of things I see on campus are to-go boxes and plastic utensils and cups, things that just really didn’t exist on this campus prior to 2020.”
Spangler also discussed how food waste is especially difficult to get rid of. However, Villanova’s Dining Services actively works to reduce food waste by using biodigesters in some dining halls. She is hopeful that the reusable containers will improve the issue.
Despite the setback, Spangler still shares in the vision of making Villanova a sustainable institution. One that aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. Camuso also asserts that Villanova is determined to reach a zero-waste goal.
“Our goal, it’s an aggressive goal,” Camuso said. “But, when we get to the Cabrini opening, these are all you’re gonna see.”
Even with the anticipated mixed reaction, some Villanova students have already formed favorable opinions about the new program.
“I think that it takes maybe four minutes extra, and you just bring it right back,” freshman Kelsey Therrien said. “You don’t even really have to interact with anybody to do it. They’re nice, sturdy containers. And, yeah, I think that it’s nice that we can all come together to help the environment a little bit every meal.”
Some meanwhile, like freshman Leyla Dickinson, wished certain aspects of the program were a little different and preferred that each student had more freedom with additional responsibility added on.
“I think it’s just a little unreasonable to have to bring them back,” Dickinson said. “I feel
like if you want to have reusable containers, you should give one to each student and have them just bring it every time and wash it on their own terms. Otherwise, I feel like the other containers were just easier to handle.”
Spangler acknowledged and anticipated the student population’s potential apprehension about the change. But at the same time, she also sees the great value that this change can have.
“I think a lot of times, people see new change as something really scary, and they’re opposed to it initially,” Spangler said. “But it is that change that really drives, you know, a meaningful future, especially since we are in a climate crisis, if we don’t do anything about these issues, they’re just going to compound and make it even worse in the future. So that’s really what we want to try and prevent.”
Professor Hosts Activism Discussion
Julia Heurtley Staff Writer
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both in the world and specifically at Villanova. Students began by acknowledging how the expectations and norms of Villanova differ from other schools based on the above average socioeconomic status of most students, the nature of the administration as a private Catholic university, and its status as a primarily white institution.
Murray touched upon the idea of “Nova Nice,” or a widely recognized phenomenon of performative charm and people pleasing that students exhibit rooted in economic and racial privilege.
Murray said that because of the homogenous nature of Villanova, aspects such as race and class go widely unacknowledged. This serves as a barrier to fostering effective protest and change because it reinforces complacency under the illusion that everyone is happy and accepting.
This distinct student culture at the University differs from other nearby campuses. As news circulating the inredibly large protests at the University of Pennsylvania against the United States’ stance on the conflict in Gaza, and the atten-
tion given to them in the media, the University for example saw nothing of that scale last year.
The line of the conversation shifted to talking about the impact of social media and the consequences of performative activism.
Murray emphasized that for a long time, people believed social media would be a medium to connect people and facilitate discussion, fostering unity and organization for a cause or group. She further described how there was a gap between the people who were out fighting for change and people who wanted to act, but did not know how to get involved.
“Social media was supposed to be the thing that bridged that gap,” Murray said.
Murray described how this is not always the case. It is challenging to drown out the noise when filtering through the endless content of social media, and this leads to people missing important calls to action. This effect coupled with the idea of online activism drives complacency, because people think they have effected change with the tap of a button.
Reposting something to your story “gives us a feeling of satisfaction, but actual material change does not follow.” Murray emphasized that educating people and spreading the word is still a noble pursuit, but it is a small piece of the puzzle.
The speech drew attention to how community is not built online, and sometimes reaching millions of people’s screens is not as valuable as sitting down with 15 people from one’s community— one’s school, neighborhood, religious institution, workplace—and having a real live conversation.
“For decades now we have been pushed away from each other and pulled apart from talking to each other,” Murray said.
“Talking about community online is not the same as actually having a conversation with your community.”
This idea of community is
at the heart of Murray’s discussion because she believes in mutual aid. Mutual aid is cooperation and aid between members of a community that a bigger organization or power cannot provide.
“We help us, we protect us,” Murray said as she concluded her speech.
She left the audience with a lasting call to action.
“Let’s celebrate them not only this month but all year,” Maroun said.
This lecture was intensely relevant, as students anxiously watch reprecussions for student activism.
The Impact of Department of Education Downsizing
Zoe Garrett Political Columnist
On Tuesday, March 3, the Department of Education, following the Trump administration’s directive, issued a press release announcing significant cuts to its workforce, aligning with the executive’s overall mission to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.
Such dramatic reductions have resulted in important consequences for students across the country, one of the most critical being impacts on federal loans and financial aid.
As per the release, the Department of Education declared a downsizing of nearly 50%, slashing its personnel by 1,950. These individuals were placed on administrative leave starting last Friday, March 21, and will continue to enjoy full pay plus benefits through June 9.
Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education as appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate earlier this month, discussed this action taken by the Department.
“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents and teachers,” she said in the release. “This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”
The press release also stressed that this reduction in personnel would not affect its duties
of distributing federal funding through student loans, Pell Grants, funding for students with special needs and more.
However, according to USA Today, early counts of the cuts show that within the Department, the Federal Student Aid Office which processes student loan applications and handles financial aid distribution may have received some of the most severe reductions in manpower.
Because of this, many critics worry that the significant reduction in staff responsible for the management of financial aid will hinder the Department’s ability to distribute the funding to students effectively and efficiently.
According to Pew Research Center, approximately 9.9 million students in the U.S. received financial aid through grants and loans from the Education Department in the fiscal year 2024 alone, with funding totaling a whopping $120.8 million. Thus, it is clear that a significant amount of students rely on federal financial assistance in order to pursue higher education.
Many are concerned that the gutting of the Department as directed by the executive could impact the ability of these almost 10 million students to apply for and receive funding on time, reports Forbes. The mass cutting of employees within the Department could cause delays in the reviewing of these applications.
Such setbacks could potentially prevent students from receiving aid packages on time, hindering them from meeting tuition deadlines and ultimately applying
to colleges on time.
Related organizations, such as the National Association of Student Financial Aid, have released statements denouncing the downsizing, claiming that such an influential reduction will undoubtedly have negative implications.
“Claiming that eliminating half the Department won’t affect its services without any clear plan to redistribute the workload is, at best, naive and, at worst, deliberately misleading,” the organization said.
These consequences may disproportionately impact certain groups of students who rely on federal financial aid at higher rates, including those who are low-income and first-generation college students.
The Trump administration’s halving of the Department of Education’s workforce will likely have implications that extend
further than just to the almost 2,000 staff members laid off. One of the Department’s most critical responsibilities is the disbursement of federal loans and financial aid for students seeking enrollment in higher education institutions.
The reduction is responsible for managing those applications may dramatically hinder processing, impacting students’ college plans and timelines. Such delays will potentially leave millions of students uncertain about their ability to afford college tuition, possibly forcing them to defer or abandon their education plans altogether.
As students across the nation watch for the Trump Administration’s next move regarding the Department of Education, many have already began to reconsider higher education all together, alter post-graduate plans and look into other careers.
Students across the country face extreme financial anxiety regarding loans. Courtesy of Shutterstock
Students at the University participated in protests in support of Palestine last year. Dylan Johnson/Villanovan Photography
Public Speaking Center is Revamped
Isabella Carlin Co-News Editor
The Villanova Center for Speaking and Presentation is implementing new changes for the upcoming school year.
The Center opened in 2017 as the idea of Communication Performance Studies Professor, Heidi Rose, Ph.D. It is currently housed in Old Falvey in Room 301. Students can attend the Center for Speaking and Presentation to learn tips on how to manage speaking anxiety, audience analysis and design visual aids.
Juliana Studer, Assistant Director of Tutoring Services, shared her experience of overseeing the Center for Speaking and Presentation.
“You can come here for support in any kind of speaking that you might be preparing for,” Studer said. “Maybe you are preparing for a formal presentation of your research as a final project in your class, or maybe you’re giving a speech at a friend’s wedding in a couple of months, and you’d like to brush up on those speaking skills. So anytime you’re going to have to present yourself verbally. We are here to support what that technically looks like in a one hour long private tutoring session might be just working through kind of the sources of speaking anxiety.”
Communication Department graduate students currently serve as the tutors at the Center for Speaking and Presentation.
“I think it is hard for students to look for help when it comes to public speaking because some people view it as really embarrassing, just willing to accept that it is something they won’t get better at and will have to get a bad grade,” current Center for Speaking and Presentation tutor Milan Hall said.
There are typically two or three students available at any given time to tutor. The Center is planning to modify the current schedule and availability of tutors to accommodate for the undergraduate class schedule.
“From the student services side, we would like to provide a service that’s more applicable to the undergraduate day student’s schedule,” Studer said. “So, our graduate student tutors have their courses in the evenings, but typically, our undergraduate students want to come for their sessions in the evenings, because we tend to have our classes earlier in the day. So that has, at times, been a little bit tricky to manage, and we think that by inviting undergraduate peer tutors for the first time to be a part of the program in the fall, we will then open that up and have more staff members available in those evening hours to work with our speakers.”
In collaboration with Com-
munication Department Chair, Thomas Ksiazek, Ph.D. and Communications Associate Professor, Amy Way, Ph.D., the Center for Speaking and Presentation created a recruitment plan for undergraduate tutors.
“People feel more comfortable with peer tutors because they are going through the same things as them,” Hall said.
The tutors could give the students more insight if it was a class that they have taken or a subject that they have knowledge on. I’m excited because the new undergraduate tutors can bring in a new perspective or tutoring style.”
Prospective tutors are required to be declared Communication majors, have taken the Public Speaking course, and be nominated by Communication Department faculty members.
“We’re going to have monthly training sessions that are run by our full graduate assistant in the program,” Studer said.
Graduate tutors are required to attend a three-day training course to review tutoring techniques and best practices. “We’re also going to move to a demand-driven model,” Studer said. “We’d like to restructure so that students can book all the way up to 24 hours before the appointment time. The tutor only has to show up for that scheduled time if somebody has booked an appointment in advance, and that way those
other hours can be put towards developing the many areas of workshops that are requested from our center.”
This update will allow for a greater emphasis on tutor training and workshop planning. For example, the Center for Speaking and Presentation hosted a workshop as part of the Center of Health Promotion’s “Joy of Missing Out” Initiative in the fall.
“We had about 45 attendees at this workshop,” Studer said. “It was just about how to make small talk work for you and putting your phone away so you can meet a new friend.”
Looking forward to the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall, the Center for Speech and Presentation will have a new dedicated space for future speaker tutees.
“When we move into the new library, there will be a tutoring center covering lots of subjects, and then there will be two private conference rooms off that large tutoring space,” Studer said. “They’ll be decked out with podiums and with all the presentation gear that you might need. You’ll be able to close the door and not have the intervening noise from all the other tutoring going on in the space.”
The Center for Speaking and Presentation is available for students to make an appointment whether they are seeking advice on a specific assignment or just want to improve their public speaking skills.
Comms and GIS Discuss Recent Federal Policy
Cate Torrey Staff Writer
On Friday, March 21, 2025, Villanova’s Communication and Global Interdisciplinary Studies departments welcomed students, faculty and staff for a casual, open Q&A discussion on the implications involved with recent federal executive orders by President Donald J. Trump. With 93 executive orders issued since January, the rapidly shifting politics have sparked confusion and concern among many members in the Villanova community, as well as across the nation. These orders have targeted a number of issues, such as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), immigration and higher education policy.
The event was organized by the Department of Communication’s Diversity Committee, and served as a space to analyze these changes, ask questions and support students who are attempting to navigate the uncertainty of these federal orders. Faculty speakers emphasized that many of these policies undermine academic freedom and the right to encourage education in a way that reflects diverse perspectives.
The discussion also highlighted how these political shifts align with broader historical patterns that represent restrictive governance, specifically questioning experts and institutions.
A central theme of the conversation was the importance of Villanova’s mission and history in the face of these challenges. Villanova University was founded in 1842 and acted as a refuge for Catholic immigrants who faced discrimination and violence from so-called “nativists.”
There was a valuable emphasis on the University’s core values of unitas, caritas and veritas, which emphasize inclusivity and respect for all.
Gordon Coonfield, a professor in the Communication Department, brought about concerns regarding the Villanova community, as well as the broader political atmosphere in the United States of America.
“Our whole system of government, our very nation, is founded on ‘self-evident’ truths that are created equal, that all have an ‘unalienable’ right to ‘Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,’” Coonfield said. “Since when did all mean some? Since when did ‘unalienable mean available only at the whimsy of a precious authoritarian?”
Another key topic of the discussion involved the reinterpretation of student classifications for funding admissions, due to the recent “Dear Colleague” letter.
While not legally binding, the document has already led to preemptive changes in some university programs, with many institutions fearing loss of funding. Attendees also expressed concerns over changes in immigration policy and the Department of Education’s evolving role, particularly in relation to accessibility and protections for international students.
Today, those values are reflected in Villanova’s commitment to ensuring accessibility support for students with diverse learning needs, providing educational opportunities for working parents and veterans, and encouraging cultural student organizations that allow students to understand and celebrate their identities.
Students in the group asked
questions and made comments regarding the fact that these principles are now being put to the test with federal policies threatening to roll back long-standing protections and resources for marginalized communities.
Megan Cardwell, professor in the Communication Department, as well as a member of the Diversity Committee, helped organize the event and facilitated key aspects and concerns in the discussion. She emphasized that building intellectual community through open conversations is more critical now than ever.
“We cannot let fear and uncertainty stop us from living in our Augustinian mission and values to protect, serve and support one another even when it doesn’t directly impact us because make no mistake, someday a slow deterioration of human rights will impact us all,” Cardwell said.
Throughout the discussion
there was a strong call for action. Faculty encouraged students to use their voices, whether through petitions, discussions or organizing, to advocate for their rights and the integrity of their education. They warned that the slow erosion of support systems and rights is often a strategy that is designed to create exhaustion and discourage hope and resistance.
“They’re trying to confuse and tire people out so that they won’t push back,” Coonfield said. “But everyone in this room has power and a voice.”
As policies continue to evolve, much of the future is unknown. But this event largely encapsulated a call to action to stay informed, engaged, and united. The discussions held were a key example of how collective dialogue and persistence can empower communities to navigate challenges and advocate for the values that define Villanova.
OPINION
Villanova is More Than Basketball
Avery Chalk Co-Opinion Editor
The first time I ever heard about Villanova University was during its basketball team’s 2016 hot streak. I wasn’t an avid follower of intercollegiate sports. Nor did I particularly care about basketball. However, as an impromptu participant of my family’s March Madness competition, I blindly selected Villanova to crown my bracket.
I found myself watching game after game, becoming invested in the success of Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. They quickly became household names, topics to talk about in my middle school cafeteria. As my bracket soared, so did my enthusiasm for the school. I eventually won $75 for the sheer dumb luck of picking Villanova to follow. It was a single moment that changed the trajectory of my academic career.
When it came time to tour colleges, Villanova was naturally at the top of my list. The school’s academic selectivity, supportive alumni culture and gorgeous campus are what solidified my decision to enroll. However, I don’t pretend that its nationally-recognized basketball program didn’t play a factor.
Across the country, intercollegiate athletics have become a defining aspect of many schools’ identities. This practice can be positive, as it provides the student body with a sense of unity that
Molly Duffy Staff Writer
extends beyond the classroom. However, there’s a downside to relying on sports for school identity. When campus morale becomes tied to a team’s performance, it leaves the student body vulnerable to the inevitable ups and downs of competition.
Was Villanova considered a “better” school during its championship-winning years? Academically, no. But socially, the answer might be different. “If Villanova didn’t have basketball, this school wouldn’t be well-known,” Chris Buscemi, a sophomore engineering major, said. “People don’t choose schools based on academics unless they’re Ivy Leagues, and everyone wants
to be part of a winning team.”
Buscemi’s comment emphasizes the reality that sports often serve as a gateway for student recruitment. For many, the prospect of joining a community with athletic esteem is just as appealing as academic opportunities. This sentiment isn’t unique to Villanova. As prestigious universities have become more equalized in their academic prowess, sports are increasingly serving as a deciding factor.
“I chose my school because I wanted to go somewhere with a prominent sports presence,” Reece Allen, a sophomore at Purdue University, said. “I like going to football games and tailgates. I
honestly prioritized that sense of community when I was choosing schools, especially when I was between two schools that were close academics-wise.”
While sports certainly play a significant role in fostering school spirit, they can overshadow other aspects of campus life. For example, students who aren’t fans of athletics may feel excluded from these unifying experiences. Additionally, when schools overly prioritize athletics, it can divert resources from academic programs or development to campus infrastructure.
Villanova’s basketball program has faced its share of recent challenges, including Kyle Neptune’s departure as the head coach of the men’s basketball team. This decision has sparked uncertainty about the future of the team and the sense of pride that has long been associated with its success. As such, the next coach will inherit not only the responsibility of maintaining the program’s legacy but also the task of keeping campus morale high amidst inevitable changes.
While athletics can unite a campus, they shouldn’t overshadow other aspects of the institution. A well-rounded college identity should celebrate academics, diversity and student achievements alongside its athletic accomplishments. The University must ensure that its identity is resilient enough to withstand athletic upheaval, inviting students to embrace the countless other characteristics that make Villanova, Villanova.
Who Should the Next Head Coach Be?
the University to look beyond the current program and hire someone from the outside.
The Villanova men’s basketball program has an incredible history of success, with 39 NCAA tournament appearances, three national champion titles and a reputation for producing NBA-caliber talent. After the recent news of head coach Kyle Neptune’s departure, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will take the reins of one of college basketball’s most storied programs? Villanova students’ perspective offers valuable insight into the direction the program should take in this post-Neptune era.
While Neptune’s tenure was fairly brief and ended with mixed results, Villanova fans and students alike are already looking ahead to the future. So, who do they want to see step into the role of head coach? And, who can find the balance between the strong legacy of the Villanova men’s basketball program and implementing fresh ideas to make the program excel even further?
While students hold a deep connection with the program’s roots, and some are advocating for a coach who understands the culture of the school and of the community, there is a resounding consensus for
“I would like to see them look outside the program to reset the culture a little bit,” sophomore Marc Nakashian said.
Yes, Villanova basketball has a powerful reputation due to Jay Wright’s famous run, but in recent years, campus morale has been low and it might be time to bring in someone new to bring back the energy and school spirit. On March 15, when University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. sent an email to announce Neptune’s departure from the program.
“This morning, we met with Kyle Neptune, who has led our men’s program for the past three seasons, to let him know we are making a leadership change for Villanova Men’s Basketball,” Father Peter said.
Students had incredibly strong reactions.
Just moments after this email was sent, the anonymous app, Yik Yak, flooded with students rejoicing words. One student posted “The bad man is gone” while another asked, “Guys, are you excited to reclaim our place amongst the nation’s elite?”
Based on these reactions, it is safe to assume that many Villano-
va students are more than content with the opportunity to welcome a new head basketball coach into the community. Writer for the Sports section of The Villanovan, senior Elijah McDow, shared a similar view as Nakashian and most other students.
“I think it’s time that Villanova looks from the outside,” McDow said. “The landscape of college basketball has changed so much since Coach Wright retired at the end of my freshman year. The ‘Villanova Way’ is outdated and needs to adapt.”
There are a few names being thrown around regarding potential new coaches for the Wildcats. Sophomore and basketball fanatic, Aagam Kothari provided insight into some of the top contenders.
“Some possible options would be Kevin Willard who’s the current head coach for Maryland,” Kothari said. “He’s coached in the Big East before and Maryland just had a great season. We could also get Richard Pitino. He’s the head coach of New Mexico and he’s looking like a great candidate for the job.”
McDow also shed light on a few more names to watch out for.
“I think Porter Moser from Oklahoma would be a great hire,” McDow said. “While the ‘Villanova Way’ may be outdated, the University mission is still very import-
ant and I think Moser would get that. He has experience coaching at Catholic school and he also has experience coaching in the Final Four…I think Moser is the ideal choice.”
McDow continues to build on Kothari’s point by noting “Another name to keep in mind is Pitino who is the son of Saint John’s coach Rick Pitino. Richard Pitino has done a great job at New Mexico State and brought the Lobos to the second round of the NCAA tournament. He was a proven head coach at Minnesota and now New Mexico. He’d be my second choice.”
As Villanova embarks on the next chapter of its basketball program, the departure of Neptune has ignited a debate about the future direction of the team. As the University looks to find the right leader of the team in order to restore the success enjoyed under Jay Wright, names like Kevin Willard, Richard Pitino and Porter Moser come up as potential candidates capable of balancing Villanova men’s basketball’s proud history with the evolving demands of modern college basketball. Ultimately, the next head coach will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Wildcats, and students are hopeful that the right choice will bring the program back to national greatness.
Villanova has a strong basketball culture, but its other characteristics should also be celebrated. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
BROOKE ACKERMAN
Editor-in-Chief
NICOLE LIDDICOAT
Editor-in-Chief
LAUREN ARMSTRONG
Associate Editor-in-Chief
AVERY CHALK
Opinion Editor
KAILEY FAHY
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
The Modern Pressure To Secure An Internship
Juliana Burke Staff Writer
We have all experienced it, regardless of our majors or individual career goals. We open our LinkedIn feeds and suddenly everybody has a Goldman Sachs Internship. People ask about summer plans and give a side eye when they hear someone is planning to lifeguard for the sixth consecutive year. We start to wonder when we all collectively grew up and decided that summer is no longer summer and when networking became a common verb in casual social discourse.
Back in previous decades, the collegiate experience consisted of attending lectures and spending nine months a year in dedicated study. Now, the college experience is a fulltime, 24/7 way of being. We spend our time out of class trying to connect with recruiters, sending endless LinkedIn messages, and our search histories are filled with inquiries such as “What is a cover letter?” This pressure is newfound and not one that is understood by older generations, whose common advice is “You have your entire life to work. Why begin the rat race before you have to?”
This is because internships were once an optional treasure, the cherry on top of an already robust
The following content is purely satirical. Don’t believe everything you read!
I cannot state whether or not I believe Kyle Neptune should have gotten fired. I know nothing about him. I know nothing about basketball. I am not qualified to have an opinion. Whether or not Neptune deserved to get fired, I support it. Do I support him getting fired because I know about his coaching skills or even his personality? No.
I support Neptune being fired because I think more people should get fired just because we don’t like them. That’s amazing.
All I know is that I heard a public uproar about how Neptune should get fired, and all of a sudden I was told that he had gotten fired. As far as I’m concerned, the people in charge listened to the public.
It is in my humble opinion that more people should get fired just because the majority does not like them.
It is in my not-so-humble opinion that more people should get fired for the simple fact that I do not like them.
So, here are my top 10 picks
sundae of education. Now, they are seen as a rite of passage essential for survival in the modern job forest, where employers wield job descriptions like swords, cutting through the jungle of potential candidates. Perhaps the primary reason for this dramatic change in student expectation stems from the concept of the “squeaky wheel syndrome.” This proverbial “wheel” refers to the idea that those with more verbiage on their resumes attract the most attention. With everyone recognizing this concept, it only makes sense that the way of “one-upping” the competition would be to achieve academic goals even in the allotted rest period from school. However, once everyone catches onto that no-
tion, it no longer becomes the “extra mile,” but the expected prerequisite to virtually any form of corporate employment.
Secondly, the technological revolution and rise of Artificial Intelligence has surprisingly added more complexity to the workforce than it has lessened the burden. A bachelor’s degree alone used to be more than sufficient enough to land a job, and once that entry level position was gained, there was a promising chance one would receive a promotion and work their way up the “corporate ladder” so that they could provide for a family, own a nice home and enjoy the various luxuries life has to offer. With the technological evolution of sectors such as healthcare
Sof Says: Fire More People!
for who should get fired Kyle Neptune style next.
10. The Steve Rogers Captain America at Disneyland
Why is this guy still around?
Steve Rogers isn’t Captain America anymore. I want Sam Wilson Captain America, and Sam Wilson Captain America only. Disneyland, do what needs to be done.
9. Travis Kelce
I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I love the guy. Really, I do. I just think it’s time to pack it up. Call it a day. Quit while you’re ahead.
He’s never going to quit, though. He’s just going to keep playing until he dies, and it’s going to get embarrassing soon. It’s kind of embarrassing now.
The only way to make him stop playing is to fire him. I’m begging. Please.
8. Lorne Michaels
I actually also love Lorne Michaels. I think he’s done a great job running Saturday Night Live for the last 50 years. He’s great.
But don’t you think SNL could be better? Don’t you think that they could get an even better producer?
7. Adrian Brody
I don’t even need to dignify this with an explanation. I am still so
mad that he won the Oscar. Take away his SAG card. Ban him from being in movies. I don’t care.
Maybe he can make a career out of using AI to get ahead. He seems good at it.
6. My Least Favorite Professor
For obvious reasons, I will not be sharing the name of this professor. Surely, they know who they are. Or, they will when they get fired after this article.
Sorry, buddy. You won’t be missed.
5. Nick Jonas
Now this might be tough considering his brothers would have to be the ones to fire him. That seems like a tricky situation, but I actually don’t care.
In fact, I think his brothers would agree with me. He’s annoying and pretentious and I don’t like his vibe.
Plus, if my brother acted like he was more talented than me, I would also kick him out of our band.
4. King Charles III
I actually don’t think that you can fire a king, but in the spirit of exercising our democratic rights as citizens of the world, I think this would be pretty cool.
I do think it would be consid-
and finance, skills that were formerly valued are now made obsolete by the swiftness of new technological innovation.
Coupled together, “Squeaky Wheel Syndrome” and the rise of technological innovation are a perfect recipe for morphing an internship experience from being a casual extracurricular option into a necessary stepping stone for student success in their respective career field. So how do we, as collegiate students, navigate this new and daunting landscape of expectation?
What many students may fail to remember amidst the fervor is that experience is what we make of it. Each effort—a part-time job in retail, leading a college club or volunteering with a service organization—is valid. Each contributes to a larger, multifaceted narrative of a student, the aspiring professional. So, as this college internship frenzy perpetuates itself like a never-ending hamster wheel, consider stepping off for a moment. Take a deep breath. Reach out for internships if it’s what is interesting—but also explore the breadth of opportunities that enrich character and skills that are not merely confined to the “internship” category. They may not look as appealing on a LinkedIn page, but they will contribute greatly to personal, academic and professional development.
ered a revolution of some kind, and, as long as it doesn’t affect our country, I could be down with that.
3. Luka Dončić
Yes, I did have to copy his name from Google because I didn’t know how to spell it.
Now, some people might think this is cruel. He’s already been through so much.
I think it’s time to put him out of his misery. Let the poor guy go. He clearly doesn’t want to play in LA. Just let him find another career at this point.
2. Gleb From Dancing With the Stars
Nobody hates this man more than I do. I hate him. I need him to get fired. I’m being so serious. If this man is on my TV screen next fall when the new season comes out, I will wreak havoc. Fire him. Now.
1. The Villanovan co-Editors-InChief, Brooke Ackerman and Nicole Liddicoat
Coming in first place are the first and only women on the list. I would never take a job away from a woman. But, I have to make an exception for these two.
I’m sorry. I have to speak my truth. It’s time for them to go.
It’s time for a fresh face to take over The Villanovan. Perhaps a really talented satire writer.
In the modern workforce, internship pressure is all-consuming. Courtesy of Shutterstock
Sof Quaglia Satire Columnist
What Should the Eagles Do in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Carter Smith Staff Writer
Just over a month ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on their shoulders after routing the three-peat-seeking Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. As the offseason begins, there is one goal on the minds of the Eagles organization: do it again.
As the NFL enters free agency and the new league year, a handful of key contributors have left the team: defensive tackle Milton Williams, edge-rusher Josh Sweat, veteran cornerbacks Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers, the resurgent offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, and safety C.J. Gardner Johnson.
With longtime stars defensive end Brandon Graham and cornerback James Bradberry retiring, the roster has a few holes. The handful of free agent role-players signed to cheap, one-year deals signals that General Manager Howie Roseman primarily intends to reload the roster via the draft at the end of April.
The Eagles have eight draft picks, all in the top five rounds. Because they won the Super Bowl, the team is last in the 32 team draft order. However, there will still be plenty of talent available for Roseman to draft when the Eagles are on the clock who can begin filling the shoes of the departed vets and help the team repeat last season’s success.
There are three positions the Eagles must reinforce via the draft.
The team lacks a starting edge-rusher opposite Nolan Smith Jr. as well as an outside cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Finally, with Gardner-Johnson being traded, his former role as the free safety roaming the backfield must be filled.
There are four positions where added depth would be nice to have. Reports indicate that the Eagles are searching for the successor to tight end Dallas Goedert. The gap at defensive tackle should be addressed in this deep class. Another linebacker would be a nice addition with an injury likely sidelining starter Nakobe Dean for the early part of the 2025 season. Finally, the running back depth behind Saquon Barkley has worn thin, so a late-round investment there would be prudent.
Below is my mock draft of the players I would select if I was in Howie Roseman’s shoes for this year’s draft. I assume the Eagles make no trades to move up or down the board; a likely outcome based upon the team’s recent draft history.
To get an in-depth look at my evaluation of both the Eagles’ needs and the following prospects, read the online version of this article at villanovan.com.
With their first round pick (32nd overall), my pick would be Boston College edge-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku. He is a complete prospect at the position with a history of production throughout his career and has myriad ways to get to the quarterback. He does have trouble consistently converting speed to
power, but the Eagles have an experienced defensive line coaching staff, who could improve his technique.
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison could be a good option for the Eagles with their second round pick (64th overall). Morrison has performed at a high level throughout his career with the Irish, with the accolades and stat sheet to prove it. His 2024-25 season was cut short after five games due to a hip injury, which sank his draft grade to the second round. Since he is expected to make a full recovery, he would be a steal.
Texas safety Andrew Mukuba would be a good use of the third round pick (96th overall). His high-level ball-tracking and coverage skills earned him a reputation as a stand-out safety prospect, and could develop into a nice successor to Gardner-Johnson.
In the fourth round (134th overall), the Eagles find their Goedert successor in Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans. Evans possesses sturdy blocking and passing fundamentals which lend well for potential development into a reliable third option under the tutelage of Goedert.
The four picks in the fifth round (161st, 164th, 165th and 168th overall) should be used to add quality backups at those “nice to have” positions. An option at 161 could be Oregon defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell. While lacking top tier production at Oregon due to competition with Derrick Harmon, he has the mastery of his imposing
frame necessary to be the anchor at the center of the defensive line. Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser would be my selection at 164 (can you tell I like the Irish?). Kiser’s game ascended on the road to the Irish’s 2025 National Championship game appearance, proving himself as one of the best multi-talented linebackers in this class. While he will already be turning 25 during his rookie season, his wealth of experience against high-level talent allows him to contribute immediately.
At pick 165, I find Central Florida running back R.J. Harvey to be a suitable backup to Saquon Barkley. His squat but built stature allows him to burst through a defensive line while also being a shifty runner who’s tough to tackle in openspace. He also offers pass-catching versatility as a part of his impressive toolkit.
Finally, Louisiana State guard Miles Frazier would be a good add at pick 168. Since Cam Jurgens slotted over to center after Jason Kelce’s retirement, the right guard position has lacked continuity. At 6’5”, 320lbs, Frazier provides a hulking frame and workable fundamentals which offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland could school into a powerful blocker.
The above selections would be my recommendation to Howie Roseman as to how to reinforce the Eagles’ roster with the youth necessary to replicate their recent success and become back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
Change The Coach, Keep The Culture
Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer
“Did they win, Mom?” That was always my first question when I woke up during the month of March. As the child of a Villanovan, I spent my entire childhood sitting in front of the television watching basketball games. Rooting for the Wildcats has been a passion of mine long before I ever became a Villanovan myself. I have always wanted the best for the basketball program, and, like many, I was not only shocked but disappointed when Jay Wright announced his retirement. When Kyle Neptune was named as the next man for the job, there were mixed opinions. How was anyone supposed to fill the shoes of Jay Wright?
Over the past three years, I have watched this team try to claw its way back to what it once was, and more notably, I have watched Neptune take the complete and utter fall for every failure. As Neptune’s era comes to an end, I believe it is important to note that what makes Villanova’s basketball team so incredible isn’t the glory it has experienced over the past 20 years but rather something much more.
I have watched these players my entire life, and the reason I looked up to this program wasn’t because of their championships but because of what Villanova basketball stood for. It is a public display of what Villanova is all about. This program is defined by the content of the character of the athletes that choose to come here, as the coaching staff maintains a high
standard of excellence for players past and present. Wright built this championship-winning program off things like respect, hard work, grit and attitude. Those values have been ingrained into the program, and just because Wright put them there, doesn’t mean that Neptune didn’t continue to carry on that legacy.
As a community, we have gotten so used to the glitz and glamour of the past decade of Villanova basketball that we forget the years prior. The lost games, let-downs and failures, all came at the hands of Wright, the legend himself. We have gotten used to such an unrealistic standard for our coaching staff and men’s athletes. Expecting a Final Four appearance every year or a championship trophy simply isn’t feasible. However, what we can continue to expect is the program to maintain the same standards for its athletes and coaching staff it always has. My entire life I have known the men and the coaches of the Villanova basketball team to be a respected and honored group of people because of the way they held themselves and the way they chose to play the game. Neptune may have let us down when it came to a trip back to the tournament or a Big East Title but he made it his responsibility to honor what Villanova basketball has always been all about.
In my opinion, this is way more important. Championships, medals and glory will come and go, but the content of the character of the athletes is what will continue to define the program as well as the University. That is Villanova basketball. While we have much we can criticize
Neptune for, we can also appreciate and commend him for continuing to make this standard his priority and protecting the uniqueness of the program.
Tommy Petrane is a freshman, as well as a lifelong Villanova basketball fan.
“People outside of it think Villanova people are overly obsessed, but it is really a culture,” Petrane said. “This culture is heavily in thanks to Jay Wright, and his mantra was the word ‘attitude,’ which is a great way to describe our program.”
No matter how anyone feels about the dismissal of Neptune, we can all acknowledge the reality that he spent his time here at Villanova working to keep the heart and soul that Wright instilled over two decades ago. By respecting and honoring the
foundation of the program, Neptune was given the daunting task of building upon what had already been built.
“This job is one of the hardest to step into, and we recognize and thank Neptune for his efforts, and I hope the rest of the Villanova community is a little more lenient than they are right now,” Petrane said.
As we close the chapter on Neptune’s tenure at Villanova, it’s important to remember that the legacy of this program isn’t just built upon championships or titles. It’s about the enduring values of respect, hard work and attitude that have been passed down through generations of athletes and coaches. The road ahead may not always be easy, but the heart of Villanova basketball will always beat strong, no matter who is leading the way.
Many students want a return to the “Jay Wright” era rather than appreciating its legacy. Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography
Zoe Schack Staff Writer
On the morning of March 15, just under a week before the start of the NCAA tournament, Villanova broke the news that head men’s basketball coach Kyle Neptune had been notified of a leadership change following the end of the season.
Over the years, Villanova has been hailed as a powerhouse school when it comes to its accomplishments in the sport. With three championships, one in 1985 and two more recent wins in 2016 and 2018 under Jay Wright, basketball has come to define Villanova’s culture as we know it, serving as a valuable tool in uplifting the school’s name. In addition to its major NCAA wins, the team has also reliably reached the Final Four and Sweet 16 in previous years. This year, though, things were different, and students, alumni and other fans alike were unhappy.
This discussion reminded me of a question that I came across in the comments section of a Villanova basketball post months ago: are these complaints about our less-than-stellar record under Neptune justified, or are Villanova fans just spoiled?
The email sent to the Villanova community from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. on Saturday cited the change in performance under Neptune this season as a determining factor in a decision that Villanovans have heard whisperings of all year.
Are Villanova Fans Spoiled?
“Villanova basketball is a source of enormous pride for countless Villanovans, and there are high expectations for the men’s program,” he wrote, emphasizing the hopes for victory that supporters have held, considering Villanova’s track record. Freshman Jack McCormack came to Villanova out of state from Colorado and says it was the team’s success that drew him to the school.
“The Villanova team has a long history of success, drawing applicants from across the U.S.,” McCormack said. “The past few years have diminished school spirit and changed the energy of the community.”
There’s no question about the fact that the winning team has benefited the school beyond athletics. Thanks to the team making Villanova a household name beyond the local area, there has been a correlation
between a win the previous year in the ‘16 and ‘18 championships and a sharp rise in applications from every region of the country, according to information from the Common Data Set. As such, Villanova’s acceptance rate has fallen from 49% in 2015 to about 25% in 2024, a major difference for a span of only nine years, as Villanova has attracted a larger and more varied audience.
Lakisha Kirnon is a junior who, during her three years at Villanova, has never seen Villanova appear in an NCAA tournament.
“As a junior, I’ve seen firsthand how Villanova basketball has elevated our University’s reputation,” Kirnon said. “As a tour guide, I’ve noticed a rise in campus visits, with more students asking about academics and university life, showing how basketball has helped improve our school’s
visibility and appeal.”
It’s clear that the sport has helped Villanova in countless ways, and that the University as we know it would not be the same without the reputation we’ve gained for basketball. Whether we want to admit it or not, we do rely on it as a means of bringing in students, making money and popularizing the school’s name. Considering our many years of success, it would be a disservice to ignore the role that basketball plays in Villanova’s overall thriving.
As we look ahead to another year of March Madness where Villanova isn’t represented, Father Peter said it best, “Villanova men’s basketball is a valued and highly visible part of our University community. With world-class academics, incredible fan and donor support, first-rate facilities, a storied history and an enduring commitment to success in basketball, Villanova is poised to reclaim our place among the nation’s elite.”
Maybe we Villanovans are spoiled: students expect wins and the benefits that victory can bring. Many factors off the court are directly impacted by our team’s record on the court. The future of the University’s reputation, prestige and culture will depend on the choice made last week, as well as the selection of a new coach—for better or worse. Villanovans have never shied away from expressing opinions when it comes to their legendary team, so if this change in leadership can bring about some improvement, the school’s appreciation will outweigh this season’s disappointment.
The Capitalized Divide of Women’s History Month
Natalie Murphy Staff Writer
While Villanova University practices holistic admissions today, women were not officially admitted to academic classrooms or included in campus athletic programs until 1968. This is merely one of the examples of the ingrained misogyny and systemic gender oppression in society.
Unfortunately, the education of women’s history has remained traditional in the United States, often emphasizing stereotypical notions of femininity and focusing on the experiences of white women. As a result, the narratives of unconventional feminine figures are forgotten and femininity is confined to stronger stereotypes, causing a capitalized divide amongst social identities.
This is what America’s oppressive patriarchy is trying to achieve–communal fragmentation. Women’s History Month is more than a celebration of the long advocacy for women’s equality; it is about the intersectionality of women of color, the support of transgender women and feminine-presenting gender minorities, demanding access to life-saving women’s healthcare and gender-affirming care, and the daily acts of resistance against a paternalistic society.
Similar to Black History Month, Women’s History Month began as a week-long celebration in California in 1978. This designated week in March was supposed to be a continuation of International Women’s Day, which became Women’s History Week in 1980 under President Jimmy
Carter. Though several resolutions were passed following 1980, it was not until 1995 that Women’s History Month became nationally recognized. Women’s History Month was not acknowledged by the U.S. government until ten years before I was born.
The Trump Administration is equating feminine individuals with monetary value. I must mention that this bipartisan issue is nothing new; both parties have practiced this since the founding of the United States. However, since January 20, awareness of this problem has become increasingly apparent to the public eye. In recent reports, the Trump administration has cut federal funding to any institution that incorporates an inclusive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework (DEI). In response, Women’s History Month has been erased from several companies’ recognition, including Google Calendar. Additionally, several large technological corporations rely on DEI programs for female hiring. Without a DEI framework, women face a stifling of opportunities in both education and the workplace.
This reinforces a system where women are unrecognized, but furthermore, stuck in a position that makes it impossible for them to ever be recognized. A very similar timeline occurred during Reconstruction, as southern cities rebuilt natural resources away from Black neighborhoods. Black women often relied on running water for their jobs, condemning them to poor health and an impoverished life. Because social status was connected to wealth, Black people were systemically viewed as inferior.
The President has switched to
officially only recognizing two genders in government, shadowing early American gender ideology. The cult of domesticity, a doctrine declaring genders “separate but equal” spread across the U.S. in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It confined women to the home, further stereotyping them as “nurturing,” reproductive homemakers and restricting their personal autonomy. The cult of domesticity sought to force the population to strictly adhere to a traditional definition of femininity, excluding gender non-conforming individuals and those who did not live accordingly.
The same rhetoric is being used today, forcing women to adhere to a specific gender ideology while excluding other gender identities. According to the official White House website, “[The Trump] administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by
using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.” Trump is fear-mongering people to believe that women need male protection. Why is the federal government allowed to define femininity? Is the United States a truly “free” country if women are forced to adhere to a patriarchal system? How is a man (and moreover, a sex offender) trusted to “safeguard” women’s equality?
The pillars of Women’s History Month should be honored every day. As the current administration erases Women’s History Month and gender equality only increases, it is essential for us to remain in tight solidarity with one another. After all, injustice presents an opportunity for resistance. While political leaders can eliminate our memory, equality and accessibility, they can never eliminate us.
Have years of athletic success made Villanova spoiled? Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
March should be a time of female celebration, not political uncertainty. Avery Chalk/Villanovan Photography
Ava Petrosky Staff Writer
Twelve years ago, the B+ Foundation was brought to Villanova’s campus.
Joe McDonough, the organization’s founder, visited Villanova to share the B+ message. He spoke about his son’s, Andrew McDonough, 167-day battle with pediatric cancer and his family’s mantra to “be positive.”
Together, a member from Sigma Nu fraternity and a member from Delta Delta Delta sorority at Villanova were inspired by Andrew’s story and wanted to further spread it around campus.
NOVAdance was founded in 2013. The goal was to raise $20,000 with 350 participants.
One year later, NOVAdance had the same financial goal of $20,000 and raised $67,000.
Since then, the organization has blossomed into a notable presence on campus. The student drive to fundraise has become increasingly more passionate and ambitious.
In 2024, NOVAdance raised more than $600,000, a record-breaking total since the organization’s establishment on Villanova’s campus.
Saturday, March 29, 2025 marks the 12th annual NOVAdance dance marathon. The goal: $700,000.
Each year since 2013, the fundraising total has increased on each dance marathon day. However, this trajectory was disturbed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Villanova students were sent home Friday, March 13, 2020, one week prior to the scheduled dance marathon. Devastated by this unexpected cancellation, the committee members still engaged via Zoom.
NOVAdance: A History
The final fundraising total was revealed through a video, and the organization broke $502,000 that year.
“Even though it was all virtual and it was on Zoom, people were still stoked,” NOVAdance 2022-23 co-Executive Director Shannon Kauber said. “You could still feel the excitement, the optimism, the positivity just, like, radiating through the screen. It was just the vibe and culture of NOVAdance still all there even though we weren’t all together.”
The following year, the dance marathon took place outside. Participants adhered to the safety precautions put into place to ensure the health and safety of all the B+ Heroes in the midst of the pandemic.
The Villanova Public Safety Department led a car parade in which the heroes and their families engaged with the student body from a safe distance. Then, “Hero Hour,” the hour in which student clubs honor and recognize their paired
Saturday marks the 12th annual NOVAdance. Natalie Zickel/Villanovan Photography
B+ heroes, took place at a park in Bryn Mawr.
Although the outside venue was unconventional, Villanovans still commented on the positivity emitted throughout the day.
NOVAdance 2022-23 co-Executive Director, Ally Dorsey, noticed a wider campus reach due to the outside activities.
“I personally loved it outside,” Dorsey said. “I thought it was a really cool way to get the whole school involved because people walked around campus and they were, like, ‘What is this?’ Whereas, when you actually have to go into Jake Nevin to figure it out.”
NOVAdance 2023-24 co-Executive Director, Caroline Jukubik, noticed the consistency of the NOVAdance message, regardless of location.
“NOVAdance and the dance marathon really is all about the energy, the setting doesn’t matter as much as the energy and the heart that goes into the day,” Jukubik said. “No matter where it is, it feels the
same.”
In 2022, the dance marathon was moved back inside the Jake Nevin Field House for the first time since the pandemic. Jake Nevin has been associated with the dance marathon since it was first hosted there in 2015.
Jake Nevin has seen the different themes of NOVAdance created throughout the years. Each theme is specifically crafted to properly encapsulate the B+ message.
“I think one of the great things about NOVAdance is, I think a lot of our themes typically relate to this idea that there is no limit to your capabilities and the possibilities that lie ahead of you,” Kauber said. “I think it not only sends a great message for our B+ Heroes and their families, but I think it’s just a great reminder for the Villanova community that, like, no matter the struggles you’re going through, there’s always going to be a community behind you just to support you. There’s people that love you.”
Directly relating to that theme of community, this year’s theme is a fitting one: “So No Hero Rides Alone.”
NOVAdance 2023-24 co-Executive Director, Kathryn Scotto, shared how special the B+ Heroes are to this community.
“I could just say time and time again I could hang out with the kids we work with forever,” Scotto said. “They are the most fun, spunky, fantastic, smart, loyal, hilarious, talented people I’ve ever met. And they are also so incredibly strong.”
The heroes remain the center focus of the organization and community.
The 2022-23 and 2023-24 co-Executive Directors have all said they look forward to seeing how this NOVAdance community will grow in the future.
Heart of the Matter: What Does NOVAdance Mean?
Natalie Hyde Staff Writer
Every Villanovan knows something exciting is right around the corner.
And no, we did not make March Madness. I hope I’m not the first to tell you that.
The buzzing excitement and palpable thrill of campus all circles around this upcoming Saturday: NOVAdance.
NOVAdance is a yearlong fundraising initiative that culminates in a 12-hour dance marathon each spring. Dedicated to supporting the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, NOVAdance seeks to bring hope to those impacted by childhood cancer.
Through fundraising, fostering campus unity and promoting messages such as “Be Positive” and “Live Like Andrew,” NOVAdance has made a significant impact on families battling cancer and on our campus.
As one of Villanova’s most widely participated student-run events, NOVAdance claims a place in the heart of many around campus.
It was no surprise that everyone I ran into had an answer to my simple question: what does NOVAdance mean to you?
Sophomore Avery Nichols, who is involved in the Engagement Coordinators of NOVAdance, discussed how NOVAdance brought
her community.
“NOVAdance means so much to me,” Nichols said. “I was able to find an organization on campus where I found genuine connections with friends, which was something I was looking for my freshman year.”
NOVAdance provides a perfect opportunity for students to connect over something larger than themselves, and Nichols’ passion for NOVAdance did not end after meeting her friends; she continues to NOVAdance for the kids and has been looking forward to this dance marathon since the day after last year’s. “I NOVAdance so the chil -
dren and families don’t have to go through something so scary alone and allows the children to get the chance to be a kid,” Nichols said.
Sophomore Angelina Graceffa, although uninvolved in NOVAdance, still recognizes its influence.
“I am excited for next week to go and support,” Graceffa said. “NOVAdance is such an important part of campus and I am honored to go to a school where so many people participate in organizations like this.”
One does not need to be a NOVAdance committee member to see how Villanova rallies around the Be Positive Foundation.
Junior Ellie Buchanan, who volunteers in the PR, Media subcommittee, shared her why as well.
“I’ve found a second home in NOVAdance, and being across the country from home, finding the people and space that made me feel this way has meant the world to me,” Buchanan said. “I know from personal experience how much difference even the smallest gesture can make to both an individual and a family battling a cancer diagnosis. Through my three years involved in NOVAdance, I’ve found such joy and purpose in bringing these small gestures to families across the country.”
NOVAdance has a Midas quality to it. All it touches turns to gold.
Whether one is a receiver of its donations, an active committee member or simply a student supporter, everyone feels the love from NOVAdance. It has a unique ability to bring communities together and make a difference in every life it touches. What an exciting time to be on campus.
The Villanova community is invited to attend NOVAdance and discover their own answer to the question: what does NOVAdance mean to you?
The dance marathon will be occurring in Jake Nevin Fieldhouse beginning at 10am. Students can register to participate this week or at the door. See you on March 29.
Senior Sentiments: The Last (NOVA)dance
Emma Cahill Former Co-EIC
As the 12-hour dance marathon approaches, Villanova seniors involved in NOVAdance fall into a familiar rhythm: late nights during work week, long hours of planning and the eager anticipation of the big day. Now, as they prepare for their final marathon, seniors are reflecting on how NOVAdance has made its mark on them.
When senior Haley Smith arrived at Villanova, she was immediately drawn to joining the NOVAdance program Sidekicks, a group of first-year students who attend weekly meetings and hold fundraising campaigns. This soon became a defining part of her college experience, shaping her involvement over the next four years.
“I found my home at Villanova through NOVAdance,” Smith said. “Coming to college, I knew I wanted to be involved in organizations that were mission-driven and brought the school community together. In high school, I pursued various leadership roles and wanted to continue that at Villanova. The people make NOVAdance so special. All of us come together under a common goal, to fight against childhood cancer and everything we do, we do for our B+ Heroes.”
Now serving as NOVAdance’s Director of Public Relations, Smith has worn many hats within the organization. She previously served on the Morale Committee (MoCo) and as the Family Relations co-Chair. After
four years of involvement, Smith touches on a common mantra of NOVAdance: her “Why,” also known as the purpose driving her NOVAdance career.
“I NOVAdance for my two grandfathers, both of whom have passed from pancreatic cancer; for Camille, a girl from my hometown currently on her 11th round of osteosarcoma chemotherapy; for Kevin O’Neill who inspired me to join this organization upon entering Villanova as a first-year student; for everyone else’s ‘Whys’ that develop each and every year, but most importantly for our B+ Heroes,” Smith said. “The B+ Foundation was unfamiliar to me before coming to Villanova but has become one of the most important aspects of my college experience.
For senior Sam Blume, it was not until senior year that she joined NOVAdance committee. Over time, NOVAdance’s message of positivity drew Blume to become more and more involved over her four years at Villanova.
“The idea of community and the collective goal of the student body to spread the B+ message was definitely what made me want to get involved with NOVAdance in some capacity, so I tried my hand at joining the Morale Committee or ‘MoCo’ and becoming an Engagement Coordinator over the next two years,” Blume said. “These experiences propelled my love for the philanthropic roots of NOVAdance, as well as the network of NOVAdancers that student leaders have built up throughout the years.”
For Blume, what stood out
most was that B+ Heroes are at the heart of NOVAdance. She was moved by the belief that it is not ‘Villanova students supporting our B+ Heroes,’ but rather ‘B+ Heroes inspiring Villanova students.’
After her junior year, Blume was inspired to apply for committee and landed a role as MoCo Chair.
“Hearing the various stories and identities held by each one of our 17 B+ Heroes always reminds me that our B+ Heroes are so much more than their cancer, and their constant positivity and warmth is the reason that Villanovans are called to provide any ounce of financial and emotional support they can,” Blume said. “I have learned to hold both aspects of NOVAdance’s mission - our B+ Heroes and the people supporting our Heroes - close to my heart, which is what finally pushed me to apply for the Committee for my senior year. I continue to learn so much from our Heroes, members of MoCo and the NOVAdance committee who all bring their own unique perspectives to their work within NOVAdance, and my ‘Why NOVAdance’ continues to evolve with me.”
Reflecting on some of these meaningful moments that provoke her own “Why,” senior Meredith Sheftel looked back on meeting Chi Omega’s new B+ Hero, Julia, as a standout memory of her time on committee.
“She is the most spunky, and full-of-life six-year-old I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Sheftel said. “Spending time with her to trickor-treat on West Campus gave me a chance to learn more about what makes her and her family so spectac-
ular. Even while going through active treatment and adjusting to all of the changes that cancer brings into her life, she still gets excited telling knockknock jokes and twirling around in her Elsa costume. She was so excited to show me how much her hair had been growing back since it first fell out during treatment, and in that moment I knew that NOVAdance’s efforts are truly something special, because they make moments like that possible for patients just like Julia all over the country.”
Serving as Awareness Chair, Sheftel has been involved since her freshman year. Like Smith, she has also held a position on the committee since her sophomore year. This last marathon will be the culmination of everything Sheftel has worked so hard for for the past four years.
“As a senior, I’m most looking forward to seeing how newer students fall in love and make new connections with our mission of spreading positivity,” Sheftel said. “I think that what makes the NOVAdance community so close-knit is the fact that we are all bound together to our commitment to providing a strong support system to families that are fighting a tremendous battle. I think that, as a senior, I am going to be filled with bittersweet nostalgia during my fourth dance marathon. It makes me so proud to be a part of something that has the capacity for making immense change for families fighting childhood cancer.”
Though this is their last marathon, the legacy of these seniors’ hard work will continue long after their graduation.
Students will unite in Jake Nevin to celebrate the “Be Positive” message this weekend. Natalie Zickel/Villanovan Photography
Madeline Okenquist Copy Desk Chief
One of the biggest events of the year for the Villanova community, NOVAdance will be held on Saturday, March 29. The 12-hour dance marathon has been planned by the NOVAdance Committee, and has been anticipated by Sidekicks, Engagement Coordinators, Morale Committee (MoCo) members and all Villanova students.
NOVAdance fundraises for the B+ Foundation, which is an organization that raises money to fight childhood cancer in honor of Andrew McDonough. NOVAdance’s day-of event is an opportunity to showcase how much money has been raised over the school year, as well as to celebrate and honor Villanova’s B+ Heroes.
The day-of is broken down into 12 hours. Each hour has a different theme, creating a day full of excitement and positivity for all attendees. Some of these hour themes include “Moving and Grooving,” “Oldies” and “Disnelodian.”
“[Disnelodian is great for] heroes who might be there, kind of a younger crowd, as well as bringing back nostalgic purposes for people there,” senior and Director of Logistics Quaid Mullane said.
“Pop Hits,” “Musical,” “Hero Hour,” “Country,” “Live Music,” “2000s/MoCo,” “Lip Sync,” “Glowin-the-Dark” and “Reveal” are the later hours of the day.
NOVAdance Day-Of Overview
“It just in terms of time of day, [MoCo found a time that] would really capture the type of energy and crowd that they’re trying to reach out to,” Mullane said in regards to the new hour that is dedicated to MoCo. Lip Sync Hour and Hero Hour are two of the most popular hours of the day.
“Right before those two hours start, you always see, like, huge surges of crowds of people coming in to check in,” junior and Operations Chair Annie O’Brien said.
Lip Sync Hour offers the opportunity for different organizations on campus or groups of friends to sign up to do a lip sync performance. Last year, Alpha Phi Omega won the
lip sync battle after attendees voted on each group.
“Seeing your friends up on stage is always a fun time,” Mullane said.
Hero Hour is one of the most impactful hours of the day, as well as one of the most emotional. During this time, each hero is introduced by the on-campus organization with which they are paired.
“I think it’s a really great way to really, obviously, highlight each individual hero and also the organizations that they’re paired with on campus, and how the hero has impacted the organization, and how the organization has impacted the hero,” O’Brien said. “So it’s just a super cool
spotlight, and also serves as, kind of like a first introduction to a lot of, like, maybe freshmen on campus who haven’t gotten to meet our heroes yet.”
In addition to the themed hours, different activities are offered throughout the day. This includes a raffle, carnival-themed games such as cornhole and Kan Jam and an organized game of knockout.
“Our big activity on the dayof this year will be a soccer shooting game, so thinking, like, a carnival-type game over three rules and someone can try to shoot the ball,” Mullane said. “One of the biggest events that they always [play] with some of our heroes is their game of knockout on the basketball hoop. And so we’re hoping to this year implement a more wide-scale competition to draw more attention to the competition, as well as the heroes who are playing in it.”
The raffle is something that occurs each year and is organized by NOVAdance’s Hospitality team. People will purchase raffle tickets and enter on the day-of. Raffle prizes that will be offered this year include Phillies opening day tickets and a signed hockey stick from the Rangers.
The final hour of the day is the reveal of the amount of money raised. Last year, $601, 507.81 was raised, which was a record-breaking amount. This year, the goal is to reach $700,000.
NOVAdance is a great event for those heavily involved in NOVAdance, B+ Heroes, their families and all Villanova students to celebrate the money raised throughout the year.
NOVAdance’s Year-Long Fundraising Efforts
Isabella Balian Staff Writer
Every year, Villanovans finish a year of fundraising and service with a weekend-long dance marathon to fight against childhood cancer. The annual NOVAdance will take place this weekend on Saturday, March 29 and consists of a 12-hour dance marathon to support the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Through fundraising efforts and the dance marathon, Villanovans and contributors strive to instill hope in the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. As one of the largest philanthropic organizations on Villanova’s campus, the organization provides more than $600,000 in aid yearly to the B+ Foundation. The organization strives not only to provide financial aid, but also emotional support, hope, and friendship to the families and children that they partner with.
Fundraising and community outreach are integral parts of the NOVAdance marathon that take place throughout the school year leading up to the event. NOVAdance provides various ways for companies, students and alumni to provide donations and receive sponsorships.
Companies or representatives who provide a donation may have the opportunity to be represented at the dance marathon and gain the unique opportunity to connect with Villanova students, families, and the Main Line community through the meaningful cause.
The Villanovan spoke with
members of NOVAdance’s Hospitality Team and the Community and Alumni Relations Team to spread awareness of their fundraising efforts throughout the year.
Members of both teams discussed the year-long fundraising events that took place to work up to this weekend’s dance marathon. Senior student and member of the Community Relations Team Thomas Dewitt spoke about some of their fundraising events and purpose of fundraising.
“We organized events throughout the year that brought together Villanova students, alumni and community members in support of NOVAdance,” Dewitt said.
Dewitt and other members of the Community Relations Team spoke about their favorite fundraising events.
“These included a fall pickleball tournament, a spring basketball tournament, two ‘Grog Nights’ at The Grog Grill, a bracelet-making workshop and more,” Dewitt said.
The team also spoke about their efforts to reach Villanova alumni and increase alumni engagement with NOVAdance.
“This year, one area of focus was working to increase alumni engagement with NOVAdance,” another team representative, Jugat Singh, said. “We created the NOVAdance alumni group as a way to offer Villanova alumni the opportunity to remain connected with NOVAdance.”
The Community and Alumni Relations Team also spoke about their creation of the NOVAdance Alumni Advisory Board. This new effort
paired interested alumni with subcommittees within the NOVAdance Committee.
Two other members of the team, Lauren Markarian and Emma Cote, discussed the goals of their new initiatives with alumni engagement.
“Our goal was that these student-alumni pairings would lead to opportunities for the sharing of ideas and wisdom, and also serve to deepen alumni engagement and provide mentorship opportunities,” Markarian said.
Representatives from the Community and Alumni Relations Team expressed their excitement and joyous anticipation for the dance marathon this weekend.
Members of the Hospitality Team, Maddy Murray and Olivia Winchenbaugh, echoed these sentiments of excitement about fundraising efforts.
Junior Olivia Winchenbaugh discussed the team’s efforts in partnering with outside organizations to fundraise towards the mission.
“Being a part of NOVAdance means you support the families of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and any family that is going through these difficult times,” Winchenbaugh said.
She noted that fundraising may not just go towards families’ medical bills or cancer-related support, but also toward electrical bills or car payments. The fundraising for families is to take a load off their stressful time, and aid them in whatever way possible.
“It has been super rewarding to share the message and purpose of NOVAdance with places like Blue
Mercury, Goodness Bowls and so many more,” Winchenbaugh said. “It has also been amazing to have people reach out with personal connections want to give so much to this incredible organization. At the end of the day, what brings people together more than food?”
Murray also discussed the role of hospitality in connecting to the larger community. She discussed the organization’s fundraising events throughout the year, where they organized dine-out events in collaboration with small businesses and corporate partners to raise funds.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with businesses eagerly contributing to support this meaningful cause,” Murray said.
She expressed gratitude for the entirety of leadership.
“I’ve witnessed every committee member give their all, fueled by the leadership of Laine, Jack and our incredible directors,” Murray said.
“The energy and enthusiasm are at an all-time high as we gear up for the marathon, pushing ourselves to raise as much as possible.”
She also addressed the last part of their mantra.
“And above all, we are scrappy,” she said. “We’ve spent the year brainstorming creative ways to maximize donations, whether it’s posting on Facebook and LinkedIn or reaching out to former coaches, bosses and teachers. Every effort counts, and we’re leaving no stone unturned.”
Fundraising efforts are not over until the end of the 12-hour marathon on March 29. There is still time to donate and contribute to beating childhood cancer.
Lip Sync Hour is one of the most anticipated hours of the dance marathon. Courtesy of NOVAdance Media Team
“Why NOVAdance?”: Students Share Their Why’s
Emma Cote Co-News Editor
“Why do you NOVAdance?” is a question the hundreds of NOVAdance participants are no stranger to being asked. Why do you commit to dance for a full 12 hours? Why do you attend multiple meetings each week? Why do you continue to show up every day committed to the cause?
This week, students will be engaging in NOVAdance’s “Week of Why,” a week packed with events to spread awareness and connect with the reasons behind their hard work. This year’s “Week of Why” features a lantern send-off, friendship bracelet-making, B+ Hero talks and a pop-up flower stand.
Whether one is a general participant or on the executive board of NOVAdance Committee, everyone has their own unique “Why.” As students approach a culmination of their yearlong efforts in a 12-hour dance marathon on the day-of, many are reflecting on their “Why NOVAdance” now more than ever.
For current sophomore and Engagement Coordinator Emma Maguire, her why extends to all those impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
“My reason is that I dance for the families,” Maguire said. “I know how much cancer doesn’t just affect the person who’s sick but the people around them. This money
Sophie Latessa Co-Culture Editor
cannot just be life changing for the kid, but also the people who love them.”
The Engagement Coordinators are a group of students across grade levels who wanted to get more involved with the planning and preparation of NOVAdance. This year, these events have included “EC Notes for NOVAdance” along with a St. Patrick’s Day event.
Sidekicks are a freshman-only department on NOVAdance that assists in planning events and several fundraisers. Notably, the Sidekicks just completed their second annual jogathon, in which freshman members pledged to run a certain amount of laps around the Univer-
sity campus for donations.
Freshman Grace LaFond is a current Sidekick. She voiced her immense excitement for her first day-of, and the close-to-home reasoning for her dedication to NOVAdance.
“My ‘Why NOVAdance’ is for my cousin Lexi who had pediatric cancer,” LaFond said. “I NOVAdance so I can provide families relief from the financial and emotional stress of taking care of a sick child. I also want to help fund a cure so that no child has to experience pediatric cancer.”
The Awareness Team of NOVAdance has spent the past few months preparing for the “Week
of Why.” The team has planned and promoted a variety of events to spread awareness on campus, one of which included decorating the campus in student’s “Whys,” as well as a gold-ribbon fundraiser in support of pediatric cancer.
For media team member Ellie Buchanan on NOVAdance Committee, her “Why” is centered around not letting any kid fight alone. This purpose hits close to home, and is the reason for her clear dedication to the cause.
“I NOVAdance so no one fights alone,” Buchanan said. “Even the smallest gestures can make a world of difference to someone battling cancer.”
Buchanan shared that her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer during her freshman year at Villanova.
“I felt helpless from 2,081 miles away, not even able to give him a hug,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan’s best friend visited home for a weekend during this time, and she gave Buchanan’s dad a hug for her. This made a world of difference for him.
“I NOVAdance so everyone battling can receive these gestures, no matter how big, to feel loved and supported in their fight,” Buchanan said.
Regardless of grade level or position in NOVAdance, students are encouraged to attend “Week of Why” events happening on campus this week, as well as to reflect on their own “Whys” as the dance marathon draws closer.
The Friends We Make Along the Way
friendship.
Villanova’s organizations will always ride for their heroes. NOVAdance offers many wonderful opportunities for both Villanova students and B+ Heroes, but one of the most meaningful results is ongoing year round and can last for many years: the strong bond heroes form with their Villanova organization.
Villanova has 17 B+ Heroes who are either currently battling or have battled cancer in the past. Each hero gets paired with an organization on campus, whether that is a sorority, fraternity or other organization, such as Blue Key. There are currently heroes or forever heroes, heroes who have sadly lost their battles with cancer. They are paired with 15 different organizations across campus. Each organization has Hero Liaisons, who act as a direct point of contact with the hero’s family in order to connect them more closely to the organization’s members.
“As a Hero Liaison, I have gotten the amazing and unique opportunity to interact with Chi Omega’s hero, Julia, and her mother and family firsthand,” junior Michelle Berke said. “My other hero liaisons and I interact with Julia and her mom weekly, chatting about Julia’s treatment and planning events they can come to. We also have done several Zooms with Julia to chat and catch up.”
Throughout the year, organizations plan events and activities with their B+ Hero, creating a lasting
“In the past, we’ve gone to [our hero’s] birthday parties off campus and thrown her parties on campus,” senior and Blue Key Hero Liaison AnNa Hughes said. “This weekend, we are going to a local farm and cow cuddling because Lilly’s favorite animals are cows.”
The relationships the heroes develop with their organizations give them a place to belong on campus, and a smaller, individual community to support them.
“Getting to know our hero Pascal and his family over the past year has been a really great experience,” sophomore and Beta Theta Pi Hero Liaison Kyle Sonders said. “To see someone who has been through so much approach every day with such a positive attitude has inspired me to be positive in my everyday life.”
Berke echoed this, describing her experience getting to know Julia personally.
“Chi Omega’s relationship with Julia has had such a profound impact on my life,” Berke said. “Through growing closer with her and her family I have been able to get to know Julia and her personality. Julia inspires all of us to look for the good in every day and to be our genuine selves. Her jokes never fail to make us laugh and inspire us to lean into our goofy side.”
Villanova has four forever heroes: Blair, Frankie, Jirbil and Tony, as well as the original B+ Hero and the namesake of the foundation, Andrew McDonough. Beloved B+ Hero Frankie, who is forever paired with Kappa Delta, passed away in
April of 2024. Frankie was very close with many members of the sorority, and Kappa Delta remains connected to his family, just recently hosting a party called “Frankie’s Favorites” in his memory.
“Kappa Delta’s forever hero, Frankie, recently passed away,” sophomore and Kappa Delta Hero Liaison Ally McManus said. “By maintaining close connection with our hero’s family, we can keep his memory alive and support the family in various ways.”
The profound connection a hero forms with their on-campus organization is a lasting one, and brings joy both to their lives and the lives of the students they interact with.
“Supporting our hero has brought [our organization] closer as a group and reinforced our values of leadership, service and positivity,”
Hughes said. “For our hero and her family, our relationship has provided a source of encouragement, joy and unwavering support.”
These relationships between heroes and students is one of the most special parts of NOVAdance, giving heroes and their families a more personalized connection to Villanova and making them feel even more supported.
No matter the organization a hero is matched with, one thing is for sure: the hero and organization pairings create special friendships that endure the test of time.
Whether one is directly involved with a hero or not, we can all do our part to make our B+ Heroes and their families feel supported, just like our Villanova organizations do. So get dancing, ‘Nova.
Students decorated lanterns to kick off the “Week of Why.” Emma Cote/Villanovan Photography
Organizations across campus cheer on their heroes beyond just Day Of. Courtesy of NOVAdance Media Team
Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC
Seniors Jack Doolin and Laine Aries are the 2025 co-Executive Directors of NOVAdance. Both Doolin and Aries have been involved with NOVAdance during their entire Villanova journeys, beginning as Sidekicks their freshman years to being the people behind the project three years later.
While their stories are unique, they took similar paths to get there. After being a Sidekick, Doolin became the Red Team Morale Committee (MoCo) captain sophomore year. Junior year, he served as the Director of Human Resources.
Aries was the Blue Team MoCo captain her sophomore year and served on the operations committee her junior year. Now, in their final year on campus, they have been selected to serve as the co-Executive Directors.
NOVAdance fundraises and spreads awareness for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. McDonough battled a 167 day fight against AML Leukemia. McDonough’s blood type was B-positive, inspiring the name of the organization. His story and positivity is what inspires many students to get involved with NOVAdance.
“I went to an info session and they played a video that shared Andrew’s story,” Doolin said. “His attitude really struck me, it was something that was an important value of mine but I hadn’t seen expressed like that before.”
Through their time as MoCo captains, Doolin and Aries enjoyed seeing the message resonate with Villanova students.
“You get to work with tons of different Villanova students and all the different paths that bring people to that,” Doolin said. “NOVAdance can be a way of taking something that is really challenging, whether it’s grief or loss or just struggling with the idea of why did kids get cancer, and channeling that into really beautiful work that helps a lot of families and really supports, specifically the 17 families that we are paired with.”
Doolin and Aries have been working since last year to ensure that the 2025 NOVAdance is the biggest and the best yet. With that comes setting higher fundraising goals than ever. This year, NOVAdance is aiming to hit $700,000 raised for the B+ foundation.
“We always strive to top our fundraising goal,” Aries said. “Our freshman year we hit the 4[00,000], our sophomore year we hit the 5[00,000], last year, obviously, we hit $600,000, which is insane and crazy. In Jack and I’s meetings and planning fundraising we both had in our mind that we are striving for 7[00,000] this year.”
The two set out to make this goal a reality.
“We worked backwards from there,” Aries said. “We knew we wanted to end at this number and from there we break that down and we see what different groups or organizations fundraise in years past and from there we set the bar higher for them…putting the pieces together to get us to that overall goal.”
This is the first year NOVAdance has shared the overall fundrais-
The People Behind The Project
ing goal with the Villanova community.
“We are trying something new this year by sharing our goal with the entire community, which is very exciting,” Aries said. “We’ve seen really good effects of that, people are really rallying behind it and taking that goal to heart. They really want to see us hold that seven up on March 29th.”
While individual fundraising may seem daunting, Doolin and Aries agree that it is best to just go for it.
“I’ve learned a lot through four years of NOVAdance about how easy it is to underestimate people’s generosity,” Doolin said. “I’ve learned a lot about trusting people’s generosity and how that can surprise me.”
This year’s theme for NOVAdance is “So No Hero Rides Alone.” The theme is developed by the Awareness Team on the NOVAdance committee.
“We look for something that embodies the B+ message,” Aries said. “We think to our 17 B+ Heroes and what they enjoy most, and walking into Jake Nevin on that Saturday for them to look and be, like, ‘This is all for me’...They go through so many different ideas and what has been done in years past, that it is something new and something that college kids will enjoy, but also, that our B+ Heroes, most importantly, will really think that this is so cool.”
Doolin echoed this statement.
“What we liked about this year’s theme is that it speaks to something that can be very ordinary, it is an ordinary space that becomes this really exciting, imaginative, childlike wonder space,” Doolin said. “We liked that idea because it celebrates what our Heroes do, which is take something that feels challenging, that feels like every day, and they have an attitude that completely transforms that, so we like the idea of Jake Nevin transforming into that space that feels like, a space that people know, but also, kind of has a new twist with the B+ message on it.”
The 17 B+ Heroes NOVAdance holds close to their hearts are paired with different organizations on Villanova’s campus.
Christos is paired with Alpha Phi Omega, Correll with Tri Delta, Danny with Sigma Nu, Ellie with Alpha Chi Omega, Harry with Alpha Gamma Delta, Jack with Brothers of Jack, James with Phi Sigma Pi, Lilly with Blue Key, Sebastian with Pi Kappa Phi and Rebekah with Alpha Phi. NOVAdance also recognizes Forever Heroes, who are no longer fighting their battles against cancer. These
Heroes are Blair with Delta Gamma, Frankie with Kappa Delta, Jibril with Tri Delta, Tony with Alpha Phi Omega and McDonough, who is held in the hearts of everyone involved with NOVAdance.
Additionally, since the 2024 NOVAdance marathon, two new Heroes have been matched with Villanova organizations. Julia has been matched with Chi Omega and Pascal with Beta Theta Pi.
“[Being matched with Heroes] is a completely transformative thing,” Doolin said. “Anyone that you have talked to who has been involved with NOVAdance and has gotten to work with a Hero, or have had their organization been paired with one, it totally transforms their way of thinking, because you can’t think about the issue the same way again…you can totally see it with chapters, before and after they’re paired with a Hero, 100% I can see a change.”
For Doolin, forming relationships with B+ Heroes has transformed his NOVAdance experience.
“For me, meeting our B+ Hero Harry, the more close I got with him, the more I couldn’t see the issue the same as before,” Doolin said. “He kind of completely transforms your mindset, that someone can have that kind of attitude and have dealt with something so hard as a cancer diagnosis as a kid, and knowing that you get the opportunity to amplify that story, to help other kids is the coolest thing ever.”
It is not just the Heroes who feel the NOVAdance impact, but their families as well. Harry’s mother came to campus at the beginning of the academic year for an Awareness Panel to share her story.
“Hearing her side of it, and I know Harry as a kid, but I would never know what he goes through behind the scenes,” Aries said. “He is in remission now, he has been cancer free for a couple years, but he still deals with so many side effects and things that you would never know, and that was super eye opening to see. From the outside, he looks like a normal kid, and behind the scenes it’s not that…all these things a seven year old, eight year old, shouldn’t have to go through, he’s going through…it does bring you closer to the mission and to see how thankful the families are for what we do.”
NOVAdance functions on many moving parts, yet, there are some pieces bigger than others. For Doolin and Aries, the largest project they have taken on this year was the way they approached fundraising, and motivating NOVAdance members
throughout the entire year.
“A word that came to mind was reimagining,” Aries said. “I think we did a lot of reimagining this year…we’ve been around for 13 years, we’ve been having a dance marathon for 12 years now, but just because this is how we have always done it doesn’t mean that is how things should go.”
While this is Doolin’s and Aries’ final year on campus, the two have high hopes for the continuation of the mission.
“We want to help more families, that’s our number one goal,” Aries said. “That is reflected in our fundraising total, and I think that if you ask anyone what their main goal is for the future, it is to keep raising the bar.”
Doolin agreed.
“When I think about the next 10 years of NOVAdance, definitely them needing to make another comma for a million,” Doolin said. “I can see that for them, and it makes me super excited to think about students getting to do that.”
For both Doolin and Aries, B+ Hero Hour (3 to 4 p.m.) is the one they look the most forward to.
“I think it is a great time to connect with our B+ Heroes and hear their stories, and hear the Hero Liaisons who have been working with them the whole year, and their family, talk about them…it is also great to feel the energy in the room, you are packed in there as close to the stage as possible with all your fellow Villanova students,” Aries said. “You’re all kind of there in the moment, engulfed in the message, and everything just stops…if you look around the gym during that hour, everything comes to a halt because everyone is just focused on the stage and hearing the stories… it’s impactful to hear and it is definitely something that if somebody were to show up to NOVAdance for the first time and hear that, it’s what keeps them coming back.”
Throughout the dance marathon, participants can expect to line up to welcome each Hero as they enter Jake Nevin.
“I really love when each Hero gets to make their entrance,” Doolin said. “We create a tunnel of everyone who is there that they run through, and we play a very specific song called ‘Hall of Fame’ because it really gets at how much of a Superhero they are, and how much we love having them there.”
A common question asked in regard to NOVAdance is “What is your why?” and for Doolin and Aries, theirs are continuously shifting and adapting through the ongoing work they do.
“I say this every time, when I share my why, it’s never the same,” Aries said. “I’ve shared my why countless times now, and each time there is always another piece, something that gets added to it.”
Doolin’s why is the impact the Heroes make.
“I NOVAdance to let our Heroes stories help other families,” Doolin said. “To help them feel less alone and to help them know the power of their story and their positivity and how much of an impact that can make.”
Doolin and Aries’ work is not done, and their groundwork will set the tone for many NOVAdances to come. For now, their hard work will be on shown Saturday in Jake Nevin.
Co-Executive Directors Jack Doolin and Lanie Aries. Courtesy of Jack Doolin
Inside NOVAdance’s Wall Street
Isabella Carlin Co-News Editor
In less than a week Jake Nevin Fieldhouse will be filled with students participating in the 12-hour dance marathon. Hidden in the corner of Jake Nevin, lies a small room coined “Wall Street” by last year’s Finance team. This room serves as the hub for tracking the financial donations that support the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation throughout the day.
The 2024-25 NOVAdance Finance Committee is composed of juniors Aadi Sharma, Emily Daiuto, Sophia Sheldon and sophomore Evan Johnson. They are responsible for tracking NOVAdance’s finances both on the day of the marathon and throughout the year.
“As the finance team, we basically track each campaign that we had throughout the year and allocate a budget to all subcommittees throughout NOVAdance to make sure that they’re getting the right amount of money, to make sure that the day of and any other campaigns run effectively,” Finance Committee Chair Sharma said. “We make sure that the kids that we fundraise for are excited and really happy during the day of and through these campaigns.”
In collaboration with the co-Executive Directors of NOVAdance and the B+ Foundation advisor, the finance team works to track the fundraising efforts throughout
the year. This includes the UDance v. NOVAdance Campaign, Giving Tuesday and Kids World Cancer Day. This year, NOVAdance also introduced the new “7 Days to 700 Families” campaign for the final week of fundraising prior to the day of.
“The finance team came with the idea that we needed one last final push,” Daiuto said. “We were inspired by the idea of 12 days ‘til Christmas, but make it 12 days until NOVAdance. The CEDS were able to rework the idea into something that encapsulated our entire year of fundraising.”
Even though fundraising
occurs throughout the entire year, the day of the marathon always serves as the top fundraising day. The finance team is one of the first groups to know the fundraising total. The total is not revealed to the general public until the final hour of the marathon.
The Finance Committee found out that NOVAdance’s fundraising goal was met during hour four last year.
“We noticed the shift at exactly like 12 p.m. when we were getting really close to our goal as a committee,” Sharma said. “So that was kind of like a huge moment for us, like all the CEDs and all the directors in a
room together, and we all found out the number together that we hit the six. It was just a huge deal. We were all excited. We had to try to keep it straight and make sure nobody knew.”
In years past, the top fundraising hours during the day have typically been Power Hour and Lip Sync Hour. During Lip Sync Hour, various student groups perform musical numbers and compete against one another. The audience votes for their favorite by sending a financial donation.
“What we do during Lip Sync is track all those donations and Venmos that are coming in,” Sharma said. “We count each name or group that went up to see who has gotten the most votes. So it’s a little bit chaotic, making sure we’re counting the right amount. We got three people looking at the same screen just to make sure there’s no discrepancies.”
Although the finance team will primarily be found matching and tracking donations hourly on the website during the marathon, they will also have time to enjoy the day and celebrate NOVAdance’s success throughout the year.
“I was a general participant last year and it was amazing to see the Day of,” Sheldon said. “I’m excited to see the back end of everything and what that’s going to look like working the Day of and seeing the numbers come through.”
The finance team and the rest of the NOVAdance Committee can be found at the day-of this Saturday.
NOVAdance Fundraising: More Than Just a Day
Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor
On March 29, the Villanova community will come together once again for the 12th annual dance marathon, NOVAdance. The day is filled with music and celebration. However, many do not realize that this event is not just a day-long endeavor, but rather a year-long effort. NOVAdance and its fundraising efforts are the result of months of tireless fundraising work by committee members and the wider Villanova community. It’s these efforts and the emotional dedication from the NOVAdance team that make the event so impactful rather than just the dance moves we see on the day itself.
NOVAdance benefits the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which supports families affected by pediatric cancer. Every $1,000 raised goes directly toward funding a family’s needs. This year, NOVAdance is trying to raise $700,000, which would allow them to support 700 families. While this may just appear as a number to some, these are real families whose lives are made a little easier because of this event and the Villanova community.
This is a large number, though, and to be able to reach it takes a lot of effort and strategic planning. Aadi Sharma, a junior and current finance chair of the event, knows this plan better than
anyone. This year, the $700,000 they are trying to raise is the most ever.
“Each year we try and beat our goal from the last year,” Sharma said. “Hitting $600,000 was a surprise to the whole university. Now, we’re aiming even higher.”
While the goal may seem ambitious, so do the efforts and creative ways Sharma and his team are trying to raise funds. Sharma emphasizes that it is not just their efforts on the day-of that allow them to reach this goal. The total they raise is a culmination of year-long efforts. Sharma emphasizes that even those who are not part of the NOVAdance event can still donate to help the team reach its goal.
“We have an alumni committee, and our student involvement team reaches out to different clubs and organizations,” Sharma said. “Novadance is not just a daylong effort, it’s a year-long one.”
However, reaching this goal does present challenges. While the wider Villanova community is normally happy to help the first few times, Sharma describes how retention can become an issue, which the team has had to overcome.
“I think one of the biggest challenges is retention,” Sharma said. “We get a lot of our fundraising through emails and texts. It gets redundant and people get unmotivated.”
This is why the NOVAdance team is shifting focus and not simply trying to ask for money,
but trying to invite people into the experience.
“We tell people to embrace NOVAdance themselves,” Sharma said. “Don’t make people a money machine, show them the kids they’re impacting.”
NOVAdance is an event that exemplifies what makes Villanova so special. While $700,000 might seem like just a number, it represents the hope and resilience of families facing pediatric can -
cer.
Villanova’s values of caritas, unitas and veritas aren’t just phrases we hear around campus. But students like Sharma and his team are showing how they are values that we live out. While the day itself is a way for Villanova students to show their support for these families, it is the efforts and willingness of the wider community all year long that allow this event to be a success.
From L-R:Evan Johnson, Emily Daiuto, Sophia Sheldon and Aadi Sharma. Isabella Carlin/Villanovan Photography
MoCo pictured at their fundraising canning event in December. Courtesy of @nova_dance
Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC
The laughter, the B+ message, the inside jokes and the people. These are just a few of the things that inspire people to become involved with NOVAdance’s morale committee (MoCo) and what keeps them coming back.
Led by MoCo Chair Sam Blume, Blue Team Captain Angie Rodriguez, Orange Team Captain Jordyn Mann, Green Team Captain Maddy Guarini and Red Team Captain John Tropeano, MoCo is a way for anyone in the Villanova community to become involved with NOVAdance.
Students can become a member of MoCo up until the day of the dance marathon, which is taking place on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Jake Nevin. The purpose of MoCo is to serve as a place for students who want to be involved with NOVAdance, no matter their ability to commit to differing positions within the organization.
“You have people who are the absolute most involved person on the planet, and then you have someone who maybe just heard about NOVAdance yesterday, and they are now at the same meeting, hearing the exact same thing, talking to the exact same people,” Tropeano said. “I feel like it’s a great way to actually build that community and build that family that we try to build.”
MoCo members take a pledge
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
Sidekicks: a staple of superheroes, a close friend, and in the case of NOVAdance, a special and unique way for first-year Villanova students to get involved with the lead-up to and the event itself.
This year, Sidekicks are led by three people, sophomore Theresa Scarola, sophomore Andrew Wierzchon and senior Chair Evan Eames. Sidekicks is the freshmen-only aspect of NOVAdance and a way to introduce first-years to the organization.
“It’s the most you can get involved as a first-year student,” Scarola said. “We put on our own fundraising events, we have meetings every week [and] I also just love talking to people and connecting with them and I thought that this would be a great way to [get] them really passionate about this organization.”
For the role, Sidekicks are required to attend meetings, attend both fundraising and bonding events, raise a minimum of $167 - the specific number embodying the 167 days that Andrew McDonough, the namesake of the B+ Foundation, bravely fought against childhood cancer for - and actively spread the B+ message to friends and other members of the Class of 2028.
Unlike Special Olympics’ similar Local Program Host in the fall, where all who sign up join the organization, NOVAdance requires first-year students to apply and interview for the role, to make sure
Get To Know MoCo
to fundraise a minimum of $167 dollars, which signifies the 167 days the B+ Foundation’s namesake, Andrew McDonough, fought against pediatric cancer.
In order to meet and exceed these fundraising minimums, the MoCo captains have increased the friendly competition aspect of raising money this year by introducing the MoCo Cup.
“I think it has really helped engagement,” Mann said. “Everyone hates to lose…and it is nice to see people put in effort. MoCo is something that is hard to get engagement out of, just because it is such a low commitment thing, but things like that, competition, are things that people actually want to be involved in.”
A MoCo moment a lot of members look forward to is learning what color team helped fundraise the most amount of money. The rankings are shared at the end of the dance marathon.
“I’ll have people on my color team come up to me and be, like, ‘Oh, what place are we at, how many points did we get?’ And then I’ll tell them, ‘Oh, we went down the rankings or we went up the rankings,’”
Rodriguez said. “It’s a lot of fun getting to see people interact in that capacity.”
Since the beginning of the year, there have been MoCo meetings held every week to spread the B+ message throughout Villanova’s community.
“We have a Be Informed meeting, a Be Engaged meeting and a Be Positive meeting that we ask all of our MoCo members to attend,” Blume said. “Our Be Informed meeting really is focused on getting to know our B+ Heroes, getting to know what NOVAdance is…Be Engaged meetings are aimed at the people that want to get a more behind the scenes, hands on experience with NOVAdance. We have different sub-committees come in to speak to the MoCo members about what they do in NOVAdance, and then we usually do an activity that supports that sub-committee…Be Positive meetings are really aimed at the people who join NOVAdance to meet new people. Wanting to meet new people is just as valid of a reason to get involved with NOVAdance as the mission itself.”
While the day of the dance marathon is fun and exciting, it can
Sidekicks Spotlight
they’re committed and ready for the tasks ahead. This year also saw a record number of freshmen apply for the role, but record applicants have not affected the drive and spirit of those involved in the program.
“It’s been going really well this year,” Wierzchon said. “We do have a bigger number of Sidekicks than we have had in the past, [with having] a lot of interest this year with all of our recruitment in the fall, so I think it’s definitely been very fun to have all these new faces, everyone’s really involved and it was just great, there’s so much energy in the room every single day we have meetings.”
For Eames, who is less than two months away from graduating, his time in NOVAdance has been a highlight of his time at Villanova. And the opportunity to help shape the future of the organization has been a one-of-a-kind process, one he’s grateful to have been involved in.
“The people are what make [NOVAdance] happen, and I think the Sidekicks will have such a huge influence on what NOVAdance is for the next four years,” Eames said. “We wanted to have a hand in their experience, get them excited for it for the next four years, even though I won’t be here and just kind of help keep the NOVAdance tradition alive.”
For both Scarola and Wierzchon, themselves Sidekicks a year ago as first-year students, this new role has meant stepping up into a new, larger role. But a role that has been incredibly enjoyable and impactful on both them and each of
also be overwhelming with emotions.
“I always say it is really important for reflection,” Mann said. “Whether that is standing at the back of the room and looking at everyone that is there, or going to the reflection room, it is nice to ground yourself and actually realize why you are there.”
In addition to reflection, Hero Hour is one that touches the hearts of many.
“I’m looking most forward to Hero Hour,” Blume said. “If there is one hour you can come to all day long, come to Hero Hour…it is really special to hear our Hero Liaisons speak about the special connects we, as the Villanova community have made with these children who are battling something so incredibly difficult, and it really just means a lot to see that the things that we have been doing all year have really paid off.”
However, the MoCo captains ask that you prepare to stay longer than an hour.
“My advice is just come,” Guarini said. “You can’t describe what it is until you come. If you are coming on going for an hour, plan to be there for more than an hour…if you are planning on coming and you think you are only going to be there for two hours, no, you are going to be there for five. You are going to want to be there for the whole time.”
MoCo is just one of the many moving parts of NOVAdance and the work put in throughout the entire year helps make such an impact on the lives of the B+ Heroes and their families.
the Sidekicks they have gotten the chance to work with these past few months.
“I think it’s awesome, just a huge opportunity to give back to the organization, like, ‘You guys did this for me, and I wanna pass that on,’” Wierzchon said. “A position like this lets you have some leadership and structure and [gives you the chance to focus on] some things more that we didn’t really focus on last year. You kind of switch things up to make it as good as possible, to do our roles as well as we possibly can and make it as good for freshmen.” Scarola agreed, and in her role has made the best of her responsibilities and her role as an ambassador of NOVAdance to first-year students interested in getting involved.
“One of the best parts of this year was seeing how involved [Sidekicks] got in the jogathon planning and I know it can seem a little daunting, like, we’re gonna let first-year students in the organizations plan the entire event,” Scarola said, “But we separated them into task forces and put them in them based on their strengths and what they liked and seeing how excited they were to talk to other people in the task force. [That] was really awesome to see.” Out of the various teams and moving parts of NOVAdance, Sidekicks holds a special place with the organization for both the incredible work they do. After all, four years from now, many of these first-year students will be the ones planning and running the entire event.
Look out for these familiar MoCo faces on the day of. Courtesy of Sam Blume
Sidekicks pictured at last year’s day of. Courtesy of Liv Sallaberry
The Line Dancing Legacy at NOVAdance
Zoe Manning Staff Writer
Central to NOVAdance, Villanova’s annual dance marathon that raises money for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, is a tradition that revolves around fun, laughter and togetherness: the line dance. This energetic, themed dance occurs every hour on the hour on the day-of and is an animated reminder of the purpose behind the event, as well as the sense of community and collective spirit among participants.
While the origins of the line dance at Villanova remain unknown, the tradition is not unique to NOVAdance. Dylan Cahill, a sophomore on NOVAdance’s Entertainment Committee, shared his knowledge on its history.
“I am not exactly sure where it started, but lots of other colleges partake in this tradition,” Cahill said. “UDance, for example, is University of Delaware’s chapter of the Andrew McDonough B-Positive Foundation, and they even create their own lyrics along with dances.”
The line dance serves as a transition from one hour of the marathon to the next, capturing the excitement that filled the last hour, and forming anticipation for the next. It is a reminder of the common effort that fuels the event, as every dance step echoes the unwavering support for children and families impacted by cancer.
For many participants, the line
Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC
dance is more than a fleeting burst of energy and quick intermission, and it serves as an expression of hope and joy. Cahill recalled the jumbled excitement of searching for his partner as the music started at NOVAdance last year, and how much fun it was when the dance had begun.
“The atmosphere completely changes into a chaotic mess as you first hear the music,” Cahill said.
“But, as the dance goes on, everyone becomes in sync with the music. I remember how fun and cool that moment was for me, dancing around Jake Nevin, and cannot wait to see the smiles on everyone’s faces this year.”
For senior Ryenn Engles, the experience of creating the line dance as Entertainment Chair was a remarkable milestone.
“Being able to play a role in the creation of the line dance has been a dream come true honestly,” Engles said. “When you think of NOVAdance, you think of the line dance. So, having the honor and responsibility of putting it together was so exciting, but a little bit
nerve-wracking, as well.”
Engles and her team worked intentionally to keep the dance engaging and memorable while also making it a five-minute routine. This way, it is short enough where everyone involved is excited to participate, but participants are also able to remember all of the choreography and not become tired.
Furthermore, it was important to the Entertainment Committee to make sure that the B+ Heroes are represented in the dance and song choices as well.
“We also put in some songs that the B+ Heroes requested, which is really special,” Engles said. “During Hero Hour, the heroes are able to come on stage and do the dance with us, so I’m really looking forward to being able to share in such a special moment with them.”
While the energy of NOVAdance is infectious, it also offers time for moments of reflection. Stepping into the reflection room last year helped Cahill to reconnect with the purpose of the event.
“Taking a moment to stop by the reflection room helped me to recenter my thoughts around why we are actually here and the real impact that we make,” Cahill said.
Reading a quote from a young girl who was grateful for the support of the B+ Foundation left a lasting impact on him.
“Reading this made me realize how important NOVAdance is and also how important a positive mindset is,” Cahill said. “No matter what I am going through, I remember this girl, who even while having childhood cancer, still believed in the power of kindness.”
The line dance serves as a source of togetherness and positivity throughout NOVAdance day. NOVAdance participants like to say, “bad dancing saves lives,” which accurately captures the spirit of the event. The lighthearted and inclusive nature of the dance brings everyone together, serving as a reminder that laughter and a sense of community can have a profound impact.
The line dance symbolizes the strength, unity and passion of the NOVAdance community. It is a brief few minutes of laughter and joy, but also a powerful representation of their shared commitment to eliminating childhood cancer. With every step, participants celebrate life and the hope they bring to others.
As Engles, Cahill and others take the stage this year, the legacy of the line dance will continue to be a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of NOVAdance.
The Ins and Outs of Entertainment
This year’s line dance was choreographed with the hope of engagement and increasing excitement among the crowd.
Twelve hours can seem like a long time to be in one place, yet, with the work of the NOVAdance entertainment team, 12 is going to feel like one.
The NOVAdance entertainment team consists of senior Ryenn Engles, junior Annie Carr, and sophomores Ashley Fahey and Dylan Cahill.
There will be multiple different ways to stay engaged throughout the entire 12 hours, whether that be watching a group performance or playing Wii with a B+ Hero.
“We try to incorporate as many student groups on campus as possible,” Carr said. “We tried to reach out to as many as possible, a cappella teams, cheer teams, anyone who could have a performance, and all of the ones that responded and seemed willing to, we tried to incorporate them.”
A cappella groups, a student band The Bench Stealers, the cheer team, Nova Noise, Villanova Irish Step Dancing and more will be coming together to perform and spread joy during the dance marathon.
In addition to performers, all attendees will get to learn a dance themselves: the line dance. Throughout the dance marathon, every hour, on the hour, dancers will line up to perform the 2025 line dance.
“We initially started by going through happy, up beat songs,” Fahey said. “There is also Hero-requested songs.”
“I’m really excited to hear all the laughter,” Fahey said. “We have a leap frog in our dance this year, so very excited for that.”
The entertainment team has activities throughout the 12 hours that match varying energy levels.
“By theming the hours, it kind of gives us a good way to lay out what section we are doing things during the day, what activity would fit in what theme,” Carr said. “We know there might be a [decrease in energy] around this time, so we want to really keep everything upbeat or do something really powerful or meaningful during that hour, so that we know that people stay engaged in the day of, and still be very excited.”
In order to start off the day strong, the entertainment team is kicking off the morning with movement.
“We are starting off the morning with Zumba and Movin’ and Grovin’,” Cahill said. “Getting people ready and stretched out and pumped up for the day.”
From then on, the Entertainment Team will make hourly appearances to lead the line dance. The entertainment team has been working since the beginning of the year to plan out all the activities: ranging from the performers to the cornhole games.
Some of the most memorable moments come from time spent with Heroes and their families during the dance marathon.
“During Hero Hour my freshman year I sat with one of our Heroes’ older sisters,” Engles said. “We had the best time, she was kind of telling me her experience of being a sibling of someone with childhood cancer, and it was really an emotional connection that we ended up making, and it was really sweet. I think that is when I realized there’s families who are also going through something and it’s not just our Heroes, and their
families are also just as important to be supported.”
The different hours of the day are meant to strike up memories and cause enjoyment that will form amazing memories associated with NOVAdance 2025.
Whether one gets on stage and performs or plays basketball with a Hero, the entertainment, games and fun is what shapes the NOVAdance experience.
All participants are welcomed and encouraged to join in on the tradition. Gabi Frank/Villanovan Photography
Make sure to tune in to the live perforamces. Gabi Frank/Villanovan Photography
Should Classes the Day Before NOVAdance Be Cancelled?
Massimo DiLeo Staff Writer
NOVAdance, Villanova’s year-long fundraising and awareness effort is set to host its largest event of the year on Saturday: a 12-hour dance marathon. The effort works to empower the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to support families and children battling childhood cancer. Students involved with NOVAdance have been swarmed with preparations leading up to Saturday’s event. Classes are still scheduled for the Friday beforehand, yet many students involved with NOVAdance disapprove.
Why is this? To answer that, The Villanovan spoke with two students involved in NOVAdance, to get a better sense of the logistics behind what goes into preparing for the event and why classes should be cancelled the day before.
Andrew Wierzchon, one of the leaders of NOVAdance’s Sidekicks’ team, had much to say on the topic.
“I do believe that the classes on the Friday before NOVAdance should be cancelled,” Wierzchon said. “As NOVAdance is one of the largest fundraising events here on campus, and last year alone we raised over $600,000, I think that having classes cancelled would help spread even more awareness for the cause of fighting pediatric cancer. By making more of the student population aware that this event would be occurring the
Sof Quaflia Satire Columnist
Since NOVAdance requires so much energy and time, day of, should classes be cancelled prior?
following day, I think we would be able to gain more participation in the ensuing 12-hour dance marathon. We could also gain more students who could fundraise money, helping us to reach new heights we hadn’t considered possible.”
Bringing up awareness surrounding the event that could come with the cancellation of classes is an insightful take. Of course, cancelling classes this Friday would help
all involved with NOVAdance have more time to prepare for Saturday, but it would also draw the attention of the larger student body as a whole. If classes were cancelled Friday, all students and faculty would be notified and given the reason as to why this was the case. This would result in all students and faculty being notified about NOVAdance and the dance marathon Saturday which could increase attendance and awareness.
Grant Lemay, the HR director of NOVAdance, had another perspective on the issue.
“In a perfect world, I’d love for classes to be cancelled on the Friday before NOVAdance, but I understand that the University operates on a pretty rigid schedule,” Lemay said. “Thanks to our awesome student volunteers, we manage to get Jake Nevin set up throughout the day on Friday even with classes getting in the way. In some ways, the rush of setting everything up together helps build anticipation and energy for the day of, which is always a good thing.”
It is great to see how NOVAdance creates community amongst its student volunteers amidst any troubles that may arise. Having student volunteers work together to get the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse set up on Friday without the cancellation of classing is just one example of how much goes into large efforts such as NOVAdance.
As NOVAdance approaches its largest event of the year, the conversation around whether classes should be cancelled the day before highlights the dedication of students involved. While some argue that the cancellation could raise awareness and boost participation, others, like Lemay, recognize the importance of the tight-knit community that forms in the rush of preparations. Ultimately, the success of NOVAdance is a testament to the collective effort of Villanova’s students, showing that no matter what, the fight against childhood cancer continues to bring the community together.
Sof Says: NOVAdance Does it Best
The following content is purely satirical. Don’t believe everything you read.
Disclaimer: I support any and all fundraisers whose goal is to raise money to help people affected by childhood cancer.
Second Disclaimer: I love NOVAdance. I have donated. I will continue to show my support for years to come.
Third Disclaimer: That’s it for disclaimers, but I just wanted to make sure it was clear before we began that I love NOVAdance, and I support fundraising for people affected by childhood cancer.
We good? Did I cover my bases?
Okay, without further ado: satire.
There are few things we as a society can agree on, especially in these divided times. Everything is polarized these days. Everything has to be a fight. Everyone has a differing opinion on everything.
Coke or Pepsi? The best Jonas brother? Star Wars prequels or sequels? Lebron or MJ? Nobody can decide, and if you do have an opinion, it’s wrong.
There are three things we as a society can agree on:
Fundraising is good. Childhood cancer is bad.
Dancing is fun. That’s it. That’s all we can agree on, and we’re right. There is no contesting any of these things.
Everyone wants to fundraise and everyone wants to stop childhood cancer. So, what do we do? We all fight to see who can do it best. For some reason, we do that through dance.
If I want to get rid of childhood cancer and you want to get rid of childhood cancer, what do we do? We see who can do it better, faster, stronger. Why would we work together to stop this thing we clearly both agree should end when we can just be competitive about it? After all, that is the American way.
Or maybe it’s just the college student way. There is just something about the nature of college that makes us competitive. We had to be competitive to get here. Now that we’re here, we have to be competitive to make sure we get the future we want.
It makes sense that we would be competitive about our fundraising. It makes sense that we would be competitive about trying to cure childhood cancer.
You’d be hard pressed to find a college that doesn’t have a fundraiser that aims at helping people affected by childhood cancer. Probably because we all agree that fundraising is good and childhood cancer is bad.
But there has to be something said about the competitive nature that is involved, as well.
Sure, everyone wants to raise money to stop childhood cancer, but everyone also wants to be the best at what they do.
Especially college students. Especially Villanova students. Here at Villanova, we have NOVAdance, an annual fundraising event for those affected by childhood cancer. Not that I have to tell you that. Of course you know what NOVAdance is. I bet you don’t know any of the names of any other college
childhood cancer fundraisers. (There are a lot. Too many to remember, actually).
Last month, Villanova competed in UDance Day, an annual fundraising competition between NOVAdance and University of Delaware’s counterpart, UDance. There is literally an annual event that promotes the competitive nature of fundraising. I’m telling you, we have a serious problem here. We should be able to coexist peacefully. We don’t need to always compete. Does that mean we’re going to stop competing? Of course not.
At the end of the day, competing for fundraising for a good cause doesn’t hurt anyone. Even if you lose the competition, you still raised money. Plus, you probably had fun.
And I’m not just saying that because UDance beat NOVAdance this year. I really mean it. Winning isn’t everything. At least, not in this one instance.
In all seriousness, all fundraisers are amazing, and I would never actually pit them against each other. We should all work together to raise money for any and all people affected by childhood cancer. No fundraiser is better than another.
We all agree that fundraising is good, childhood cancer is bad and dancing is fun. We don’t actually have to fight about everything all the time. It’s okay to be united on something.
But, if I had to pick my favorite dance marathon fundraiser event for combating and spreading awareness for childhood cancer, I would have to pick NOVAdance.
Courtesy of NOVAdance.org
Sof emphasizes the unique touches Villanova does for its dance marathon. Courtesy of NOVAdance.org
NOVAdance: Power Hour Preview
Hannah Sweeney Former Co-EIC
On Saturday, March 29, students, faculty, staff and community members will come together in the Jake Nevin Field House under a common goal: fighting childhood cancer.
This 12-hour dance marathon, known as NOVAdance, is one of Villanova’s largest fundraising events and a highly anticipated day for many. Fundraising takes place year-round, but the main event kicks off at 10 a.m. when students start dancing and raising money. To keep morale up, each hour of the marathon has a different theme.
At 4 p.m., “Power Hour” starts, which is an hour-long fundraising competition between student organizations on campus, including fraternities, sororities, service organizations and more. In past years, the organizations each send a student representative, also known as “team captain” on stage to dance, answer questions, do dares and more. This year, the students will participate in a Family Feud style game, answering Villanova-related trivia. Additionally, “Power Hour” will be combined with “Country Hour,” bringing a new and exciting twist for country music fans.
“This is an awesome hour because it is really interactive for the audience members,” Villanova senior Ryenn Engles said. “It was so funny to see certain organizations hit their goal right away because of Venmos from the people involved in their
“Power
organizations. It’s always fun to see the audience get involved, as well, and everyone really rallied together for their Team Captain.”
Beyond just the excitement, this segment also plays a key role in strengthening the connection between NOVAdance and the wider Villanova community.
“I think that this hour is really special because it helps to bridge the gap between NOVAdance and other on-campus organizations,” Engles said. “People involved in sororities and club sports have been hearing about NOVAdance all year from their organizations team captains, but they may have been overwhelmed by the messages, or confused on how to really get involved. This hour can help
with that because students can come watch their team captains on stage and support them, and this allows them to immerse themselves in the dance marathon as a whole.”
Jack Pane, a NOVAdance volunteer who is helping organize “Power Hour,” agreed.
“With members from different clubs and organizations all coming together for the same great cause, the dance marathon is great for strengthening the bond of the Villanova community as a whole,” he said.
While “Power Hour” features volunteers from a wide range of student organizations, Greek Life plays a particularly influential role throughout the year.
“Historically, [Greek orga-
nizations] raise around one-third of our final fundraising number, which is absolutely incredible,” Pane said.
Junior Committee member Annie Carr agreed, emphasizing B+ founder Joe McDonough’s role in recruiting volunteers.
“Joe McDonough always does a new member talk to introduce the B+ Foundation to first year students in Greek life, so that they are familiar with what NOVAdance does,” Carr said. “This really rallies the new members to get involved through their organization.”
Additionally, many of the Greek organizations on campus are paired with a B+ Hero, whom they form relationships with and celebrate all year.
“On the day of [NOVAdance], all their work comes together, and they are able to spend the day with their B+ Hero and really just hang out with them and make the day as awesome for them as it can be,” Engles said. “They really do such an amazing job with their heroes, and make them a part of their sisterhood [or] brotherhood. It is super cool to see.”
By the time the final total amount raised is revealed at the end of the night, the efforts of countless students, faculty and supporters will have contributed to a mission that extends far beyond campus. For many, NOVAdance is more than just a oneday event. It is a year-round effort dedicated to supporting B+ Heroes, raising awareness and making a tangible difference in the fight against childhood cancer.
VillaVogue: Your Guide to NOVAdance Attire
Ciara Dursee Co-Digital Editor
It’s almost time for Villanova’s biggest fundraiser, which will be hosted in the Jake Nevin Field House. The NOVAdance dance marathon takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The 12-hour event is packed full of singing, performances, lots of donating and, of course, dancing. The day is spent in high spirits, raising money for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
While we focus on the incredible opportunity to raise funds for this organization, let me ease one concern, your outfit choice. To preface, the day has an hourly schedule of changing events. We start strong with movement in a Zumba activity, then move to listening to “Oldies” music performances and so on and so forth.
From head to toe, I want to offer a few styling suggestions focusing on comfort and practicality before you’re on your feet for 12 hours straight. Trust me, you’ll want to continue reading.
Shoes:
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Keep this in mind when choosing between your everyday casual shoes and your running sneakers. Realistically, 10 to 12 hours will be spent on your feet dancing. You’ll wish you went for your Hokas or New Balance trainers by 1 p.m. when it is “Pop Hits” hour.
Bottoms:
From shorts to sweats, your mission is catered to strictly comfort over the most recent trending pants on Vogue’s March shopping list. The forecast is looking to be high 50s to low 60s and cloudy, but I would recommend you rummage in your wardrobe for your favorite athletic shorts and leggings. If you want to spice it up, yoga pants or even a tennis skirt work just as well. Keep it simple and sporty. Stay away from jeans and khakis. Take my word for it.
Tops:
Grab a t-shirt. There is nothing better than attending an event that allows you to wear a loose-fitting, colorfully vibrant tee. In years past, the colors for attendees have ranged from a light green, deep purple and even a Wildcat blue. I’m thrilled to see what’s in store for us this year. Don’t forget to bring a hoodie, just in case.
Hairstyles:
This is where your creativity sparks. No matter what, those of you with long hair, put it back and out of your face. I just adore a simple, double French braid with ribbons for a cute look.
In addition, one of my favorite hair trends that has been taking over TikTok is the bubble braid. Sections of hair are tied in consistent intervals to replicate “bubbles” and to add fun volume.
It will take five minutes to achieve this playful look. At the end of the day, does what you wear matter most? Of course not. This day is meant to bring awareness to those who battled or are currently battling
pediatric cancer. This day is intended to bring joy, emotional support and, most importantly, hope to children all over the world. But to fully dedicate yourself to NOVAdance, start with what you wear.
hour”is an hour-long fundraising competition between different organizations. Courtesy of NOVAdance.org
A neon colored t-shirt is an essential part of a NOVAdance outfit. Courtesy of NOVAdance.org
Is NOVAdance Specific Enough in Its Promotion?
Peter Fabietti Staff Writer
NOVAdance is coming up on Saturday, March 29th. To me, this is one of the most important events Villanova stages. For those who may not know, NOVAdance is a year-long fundraiser to support the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which leads the nation in providing financial assistance to families with kids fighting childhood cancer. The fundraiser culminates in a 12-hour dance marathon with games, music and performances, where participants are encouraged to keep dancing the entire time. Each hour has a different theme, and at the end of the day, everyone is eager to see the fundraising grand total revealed.
This is all good and dandy, and from the looks of it, it seems I am reasonably educated about NOVAdance and all that comes with it.
I’d like to consider myself a person who cares deeply about the cause of NOVAdance, but I’ve only known it on a surface level, that it raises money for childhood cancer. However, a lot of the details of the event have remained a mystery to me. While I think NOVAdance is well-promoted, it is hard for many students to understand all the details. For instance, I was unaware of the $700,000 fundraising goal for this year. If this were made more clear, students may feel more inclined to donate and educate themselves on NOVAdance.
Haley Smith is the PR Director for NOVAdance.
“It’s been amazing to see the growth in the last three years that I have been here, from raising $492,000 my first year, to $505,000 to $601,000,” Smith said. “We’re hoping to hit $700,000 this year, but even if we don’t, we will have supported so many B+ Heroes and their families.”
It certainly warms my heart to know that NOVAdance has had consistently increasing donations over the past year. In my opinion, this ideology should be emphasized in their promotional strategies. At every donation table, students should be informed about the event’s increasing goals. This will strike a chord with many students, likely causing them to donate more than they originally
intended. Further, if NOVAdance spread this message everywhere they could, it would reach an ever-increasing number of students and families.
“In the 11 months that I have been Director of PR, our Instagram page has gained more than 1,100 followers,” Smith said. “Our presence on TikTok and even our own website has grown tremendously with a lot more engagement and interactions.”
Perhaps the best method of promotion for our generation, social media, is the key to furthering the details of NOVAdance even more.
I looked up its Instagram, and it has 4,275 followers, 59 of them being mutuals of mine. The account follows a lot of Villanova students, as well, indicating the smart promotional method of follow-for-follow. By
following as many Villanova students as it can, NOVAdance can ensure that its goals are known by the general student body. Among the endless doom-scrolling college students do on social media, they could easily learn that NOVAdance wishes to raise more money than they ever have this year. With regular donation links, informative posts and as many specifics as possible, followers’ wills to donate will easily increase. If the Instagram account emphasized the $700,000 goal (which, from my scrolling, it does not), all followers will feel more inclined to donate, especially those who are parents or alumni.
Ultimately, while NOVAdance does a great job at promoting itself, I believe it doesn’t hurt to be as specific as possible in its goals. By emphasizing the emotional weight of a fundraising goal, people will undoubtedly feel more inclined to donate. By using different mediums, such as social media, to promote the most specific information about the event, NOVAdance will be able to educate more people than ever about its intentions. The more people who know about something like a $700,000 goal, the better.
“NOVAdance as an organization thrives on student participation,” Smith said.
With that in mind, if one student becomes inspired to help NOVAdance reach its ultimate goal, others will follow. When people are made aware of as many specifics as possible, they will feel more equipped to contribute to an organization’s journey.
The Greater Impact of the B+ Foundation
Betty Lundborn Staff Writer
As Villanova’s annual NOVAdance marathon approaches in mere days, many student clubs and organizations are in their final stretch of fundraising. In addition to this, they have been getting to know their B+ Heroes for many months now. However, NOVAdance was not always campus-wide.
Originally, NOVAdance was introduced to Villanova’s campus by Greek life and remained a panhellenic opportunity until relatively recently. Now, other organizations, such as Blue Key and club sports, have joined in on the fun. In addition to clubs that sponsor B+ Heroes, other student groups have been signing up to participate in the marathon. Some, like student musical theatre, are even set to perform on the big day. The question is, should NOVAdance and the B+ Foundation continue to expand to more student groups on campus? It is easy to answer yes, but in practice, it is more complex than it seems.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Allison Venella explained that pairing a B+ Hero with students is quite the intense process, and that it takes the perfect fit, emotionally and treatment-wise, in order for heroes to be paired with student groups. In addition to this, it is important not to lose sight of the emotional companionship aspect of B+. While, yes, fundraising is important, and money is raised via campus influence, the student organizations that take a hero must be emotionally equipped to be
around a child, especially one that is undergoing cancer treatment.
For this reason, I want to heed readers to keep the true meaning of NOVAdance in mind. I think that often, when it comes to charity, it is easy to get lost in the appearance or incentive aspect of it. Think about the food drives that we all had in elementary school. The class that donated the most would get a pizza party. But this is the special thing about Villanova: we participate in charity and common good without the need for fame or repayment. This is where I have a hard time differentiating my opinions. Should all clubs make an effort to partake in NOVAdance even if they are not a great fit for it? Probably not. I think that something that people often forget about volunteer work is that you have to do it well. You can’t just show up to a women’s shelter and sit on your phone the whole time, just to say that you did something nice.
I’ve often wondered, as I am sure many other students have, why Villanova’s varsity athletics haven’t taken on B+ Heroes. After all, if our athletes, specifically our basketball players, are so influential on campus, why would they not take on a hero?
“We have very honest conversations with the team impact staff about which teams can take that commitment on at the current time,” Venella said. “So for instance, a headcoach transition… that might not be the best time for a team to take on a team impact match. It’s a two year commitment, and with a new head coach, there’s a lot of change taking place during that time… and maybe that experience wouldn’t be the best
experience for the child and their family.”
After hearing Venella say this, my perspective certainly shifted.
Aside from the fact that NOVAdance isn’t purely about money, it is once again important to evaluate the ability of teams to sponsor a hero. If they have a busy schedule, or like Villanova’s men’s basketball team, are facing a lot of turbulence and uncertainty, it is difficult to set aside time to do a lot of other things, especially when it comes to getting to know a family and their child. This brings me back to the idea of performative charity and activism that I alluded to earlier. When it comes to something as impactful as NOVAdance, one can-
not partake in it simply to look good. The objective of it is too large and too meaningful to put in minimal effort. Therefore, if Villanova’s athletes are unable to put 100%, it is better and more respectable for the teams to recognize that and help out in other ways. At the end of the day, it’s easier than one would think to lose sight of charity’s goal. NOVAdance makes a great example of where Villanovans fully and completely lean into our spirit of caritas and put our all into the things that we care about. Although it is wonderful to see a foundation as great as B+ to continue spreading, let us not forget the true meaning of its impact.
Fabietti argues that things like the fundraising goals should be more public. Courtesy of NOVAdance.org
Lundborn discusses whether or not Villanova athletic teams should have a B+ hero. Courtesy of NOVAdance.org
CULTURE
The Night for A Cappella: A Cappella Palooza 2025
Cali Carss Staff Writer
Continued from p.1
performance. Its songs and choreography fit perfectly together, and the vocals were equally impressive for each part of the set.
After this group, setting this sequence of heavy hitters in stone, the
Supernovas were up. Their set was flawless, reminding everyone at the event that the group would be traveling to Delaware the very next day for the ICAA semifinals. Its choreography shone, and everyone looked perfectly in sync the entire time.
The final group performance of A Cappella Palooza was Nothing But Treble. In sparkling multicolored tops, its set was fun, fresh and the best way to close out such a diverse collection of performances.
The eight a cappella groups on Villanova’s campus are a big point of pride, and they show off the immense talent Villanova’s student body encompasses. A Cappella Palooza is always a highly-attended and beloved
event, whether one has friends in one or more groups, or if one just has a love for a cappella. As the end of the semester approaches, look out for each group’s spring concerts to celebrate their unique talents.
Villanova Hosts Business of Fashion Symposium
Finley Triano Staff Writer
Paging all fashion fanatics: Villanova’s annual Business of Fashion Symposium has finally returned after its brief hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme, Fashion Frontiers: Pioneering the Business of Fashion, gives students an opportunity to establish themselves within the fashion industry by networking with notable fashion brands and leaders.
On March 18, students gathered in the Curley Exchange to hear more than 10 entrepreneurs and leaders discuss their experiences in the fashion industry. Breanne Bautel, Eleni McCready, Nina Farren, Beth Buccini, Juliette Caspi, Marguerite Adzick, Paula Belatti, Tierney Schiff, Danuta Mieloch and Isabelle Scarchilli were the professionals in attendance.
Claire McNally, a freshman in the business school still deciding on her major, said attending the symposium helped her gain some clarity on what she wants to study.
“I came to this event hoping to get some insight on the different directions the fashion and beauty industry can take you,” McNally said. “Fashion seems super fun and engaging, and that’s definitely something I am looking for in a profession.”
At the event, various discussion questions were proposed, and professionals would answer them in small groups of students. They rotated tables after each question to ensure that every stu -
dent in attendance got a chance to hear the different professionals’ insights. Afterwards, students got a chance to speak with the professionals individually in a networking session. Sara Ledyard, a junior finance and marketing major, discussed the productivity of the symposium.
“I liked how each table had a mixture of students and professionals,” Ledyard said. “It created a more intimate conversation and a chance to get to know every professional and ask them questions in an efficient way.”
Eleni McCready, currently the Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Community for Lilly Pulitzer, discussed her resignation from Lilly Pulitzer and her move toward a partnership with a former mentor at a new consulting company. McCready highlighted what she has learned from working in the fashion industry and how it has shaped her to who she is as an employer today.
“It’s in our blood,” McCready said. “Since Lilly Pulitzer herself led with her heart when starting her brand, most people who leave Lilly go on to start their own business.”
McCready’s new position will be as a partner and chief marketing officer for PWRHouse Collective, which launches April 2. McCready was a fan favorite amongst many of the students. Christina Galdi, co-Blog and Website Chair for the Business of Fashion Society, expressed her appreciation for McCready’s honesty.
“I found it interesting that she had never taken a marketing course in college but now is the Director of Brand Marketing for a notable company,” Galdi said. “A lot of people project that if you are not in the business school that you won’t stand a chance in the hiring process in the fashion industry, but she proved that otherwise.”
Freshman Kate Sharkey also found McCready’s story to be inspirational.
“She was the speaker that stood out to me most tonight,” Sharkey said. “She taught me that it’s never too late to start doing what you love as long as you have the passion even when you are faced with hardships.”
Paula Belatti, co-Founder and COO of Clove, was another professional speaker that was in attendance. She graduated from Villanova in 2014 with a degree in finance, so was able to provide good advice for students in similar fields. Clove is a company that sells comfortable, fashionable and easy to clean shoes. While they can be worn by anyone, they were made for nurses and workers in the healthcare industry that work long hours in places that may get dirty easily. While COVID-19 was a difficult period for many companies, Paula Belatti discussed her position during that time and how she had a more optimistic outlook on it.
“Our company brought peace of mind to healthcare workers that found themselves very overwhelmed by everything going on during the lockdown,” Belatti said. “We were able to have the opposite effect on the pandemic since the demand for our shoes skyrocketed to the point where we couldn’t keep up with the amount of merchandise we were ordering and how many orders we were receiving.”
The 2025 Fashion Symposium was ultimately a success, allowing students interested in the fashion and beauty industries to have meaningful conversations and network with professionals.
Minor Problem was one of four groups to wow the crowd in the first half of A Cappella Palooza. Cali Carss/Villanovan Photography
The Villanova Melodics were second up in the show, wearing all pastels and bringing the energy. Cali Carss/Villanovan Photography
Villanova students had the opportunity to interact with fashion industry professionals at the symposium. Courtesy of Deanna Jones
CatAppetite: Napoletano Brothers Cheese Wheel Pasta
Blair Hollyday Staff Writer
Last Thursday, the Connelly Center patio turned into the place to be on campus. The Napoletano Brothers rolled up with their signature cheese wheel pasta, and students couldn’t get enough of it. From noon until well into the afternoon, a steady stream of students gathered outside, drawn in by the irresistible scent of garlic, butter and melted cheese and, of course, the chance to watch pasta being tossed in a massive wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Word spread quickly, and soon, there was a line stretching down the steps of the Connelly Center. Whether people had heard about the pop-up in advance or were just passing by, they couldn’t help but stop and see what all the excitement was about. Phones came out, videos were filmed and the Napoletano Brothers became the talk of campus for the day. After all, it’s not every Thursday that you get to watch pasta being cooked live, right in the middle of campus, inside a giant cheese wheel.
The brothers, who are known for serving fresh, made-to-order pasta, didn’t disappoint. Each portion was tossed straight from the cheese wheel, with butter, herbs and hot pasta mixed together until perfectly coated and steaming. The result was a rich, cheesy, flavorful dish that students raved about as they carried their to-go containers around campus. For many, it was the perfect
midday treat, especially as a break from dining hall meals and the usual mid-semester grind.
But what made the event even more special for Villanova students was the fact that one of the Napoletano Brothers is actually a Villanova alumnus. James Napoletano graduated from Villanova and returned to campus not just to serve pasta but to bring a little bit of his own story full circle.
“Coming back to Villanova with our food has been something I’ve looked forward to for a long time,” he said. “It’s really great to be here again, but this time on the other side, sharing something I love with current students.”
As Napoletano served students on the same patio where he once grabbed lunch himself, one could tell the moment held real meaning. There was a sense of community and excitement as students realized they were part of something unique: a Villanova alumnus turning his passion into a successful business and returning to share it with the next generation.
The event was part of Villanova Dining Services’ ongoing effort to bring in local vendors and add variety to the campus food scene. With warm weather finally making an appearance and energy picking up around campus, the cheese wheel pasta pop-up felt like a mini food
festival. Nearby, other student organizations had set up tables around the Oreo, adding to the lively atmosphere. It was one of those days that felt fun and spontaneous, the kind of event that made campus life more memorable.
For students walking out of the Connelly Center that afternoon, the smell alone was enough to make them stop and pay attention. There was something almost theatrical about the whole process, the giant cheese wheel placed inside the small tent, the steam rising as pasta hit the pan, the sound of laughter and conversation as people waited for their turn.
And judging by the buzz, students were fully on board.
“This is one of the best things that’s happened on campus this semester,” senior Grace Gianettino said. “I really hope they come back.” There might be good news on that fro nt. With such a strong turnout and positive response, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Napoletano Brothers make another appearance at Villanova before the semester wraps up. For now, students are left with full stomachs, plenty of photos and videos and a new appreciation for the power of good food to bring people together, even if just for an afternoon.
Whether it was the nostalgia of an alumnus returning, the novelty of cheese wheel pasta or simply the break from routine, the Napoletano Brothers’ visit made a lasting impression. Here is to hoping this is not the last we see of them on campus.
Vigil in Solidarity with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants
Christopher Brown Staff Writer
Last Tuesday, March 20, the Wildcats amassed in front of the Peace Pole outside St. Rita’s Hall for a special vigil held by the Office of Mission and Ministry. Students and faculty from all walks of life attended “Vigil in Solidarity with Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants,” an event that drew attention to various injustices against American citizens. Regardless of where they were born, the fact remains that America’s children are suffering.
The vigil was led by Brian McCabe, Director of Spirituality & Outreach; John Edwards, Director of Resident Ministry and Rev. Julia Sheetz from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).
“It was important for us to begin outside to stand together, to show our support, concern and outrage,” McCabe said to attendees.
The attendees participated in renditions of Warsan Shire’s poem Home and SI7’s Lord, you have come to the seashore. Afterwards, they proceeded as a group into the Corr Hall Suite, where volunteering students detailed stories about American citizens who had been threatened and oppressed due to the federal government’s agenda towards immigrants. The following atrocities that were shared were all related to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Yolanda Perez is an immigrant from Los Angeles, California who, despite having no criminal
record, was arrested and detained by ICE just for being an unauthorized immigrant. During her detention, she was unable to care for her daughter who was fighting bone cancer.
Emine Emanet is a beloved neighbor and local business owner of Jersey Kebab in Camden County, New Jersey. ICE raided her restaurant and detained her and her husband simply for being Turkish immigrants. They have since been released, but their initial arrest was met with outrage across their local community.
Ulises Pena Lopez from Sunnyvale, California was violently attacked and hospitalized by ICE as part of a targeted immigrant enforcement operation. He was separated from his wife and child and still remains in a detention center, where he is currently being denied medication. Maria Gonzalez from Denver, Colorado was also separated from their children upon being unfairly detained by ICE.
Mahmoud Khali is a permanent U.S. resident and community advocate in New York City who also works as a Palestinian activist. As one of the primer participators in Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian campus occupations, he was detained on campus and remains behind bars.
Jocelyn Rojo Carranza from Gainesville, Texas, is an 11-yearold girl who took her life to escape the bullying she received from her classmates. They would harass her constantly, saying things about how ICE would come to take her parents
away and leave her all alone.
Jose Jaimes from Trenton, Michigan is a father of five who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years, and he was separated from his family on his way to drop his son off at school.
In addition, citizens originally from Puerto Rico who immigrated to the U.S. and served our country as veterans can be detained by ICE.
“I think that ashamed isn’t even a strong enough word. It’s reprehensible,” senior Akintade Asalu said at the vigil. “We need to be united. These are all connected issues.”
Three of the students who graciously lent their aid in setting up the event were sophomores Jasmine Irizarry and Alejandra Galarza and freshman Mariana Brenes.
“It’s become more than ‘Are you American or not?’ because people who might not look American are affected, too,” Irizarry said.
Indeed, it is not just Hispanic people, just Turkish people or just Arabian people. As each of the women shared, diverse peoples that the United States claims to welcome are at risk of being beaten, detained and deported just for being who they are. The goal of this event was to gather more allies so students can support and empathize.
“Nobody here and nobody anywhere doesn’t have anything they can’t offer to build up a better world,” McCabe said to attendees. With this information in mind, it is clear that there is a mountain of work for Villanovans to do. In time, we shall overcome.
The Napoletano Brothers served their signature pasta outside Conn last Thursday. Blair Hollyday/Villanovan Photography
The Tuesday, Mar. 20 vigil demonstrated support for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Christopher Brown/Villanovan Photography
V’s Up, Waste Down: A Greener Grab-and-Go
Sarah Butler Staff Writer
Gabby Mazzini Staff Writer
Wake up, Wildcats. Another new sustainability initiative has arrived on campus, and Butler and Mazzini are here to report on the matter. These past few months, Villanova’s Dining Services have been working closely with Villanova’s Office of Sustainability to create a new, reusable to-go box. Villanova’s definitely going green, but this week it’s with bold-blue boxes that combine our school pride with a sustainable mindset.
Trends come and go, but this one is here to stay. Reusable boxes are taking over the world of takeout, both in style and sustainability. Students are granted three days and unlimited use of this box at any dining hall they would like.
Once the three days are up, students should return these boxes to their respective dining halls, where they can re-check out another box upon request.
Most students continue to get take-out with this new change, but some have opinions on how to improve the overall flow of the process. One complaint some students have articulated is that although they can use these to-go boxes at any dining location or cafe on
Evan Lombardo Staff Writer
With Villanova’s campus finally seeing the first rays of the spring season, this has also been the precursor to one of the holiest times of the year. Many religious faiths converge at this time of year, with Christians celebrating Lent, Jews celebrating Passover and Muslims celebrating Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. As someone who follows the Catholic Lenten tradition of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, I’ve noticed over the years a specific emphasis on the fasting element of Lent from both practicing and non-practicing Catholics. Many times, those who do not regularly practice the Catholic faith are still committed to giving up something for Lent. Ash Wednesday services often fill the entire Church, even though it is not a holy day of obligation. It begs the question, why has our culture found such meaning in the practice of fasting and ashes as part of Lent?
Bettering oneself is a practice applicable to all in our world. A designated time to free oneself from worldly vices and bad habits can be beneficial to all. However, one must also ask themself, who is Lent really about? Writer Tara Isabella Burton from Vox stated in an article, “Lent has become secularized, reimagined as another opportunity for a kind of spiritual wellness ‘cleanse’ (whether of food, drink or social media habits),
campus, they can only be returned at the three major dining halls: Pit, Spit or St. Mary’s.
Sophomore Alexander Markatos mentioned how within three days he accumulated three to-go boxes, and they have been piling up in his dorm room.
“I love the idea of the to-go boxes and the fact that the school is making an effort to be sustainable. However, checking them in and out can be a hassle,” Markatos said.
“Hopefully, with some tweaks, the system can really start to make an impact on sustainability in Villanova.”
Because students don’t necessarily go to these dining halls ev-
ery day, they find themselves having to go out of their way to remember to return these boxes before the three-day mark. Sophomore student Katherine Breen provided her opinion on this new system.
“I would love to see them implement returning areas in the dorm buildings as well,” Breen said.
This idea would certainly make it easier for students to return boxes without having to return to each dining hall. Additionally, putting another return station in Conn or Bartley Exchange could increase the convenience and efficiency of this system. However, this would also require the dining hall staff to collect and monitor the takeout
Lent on Villanova’s Campus
a second chance at kickstarting those neglected New Year’s resolutions.”
While it is natural to aspire to better ourselves which may require suffering, what are we directing that suffering towards? Do we suffer in parallel with Jesus’s passion on the Cross to show our acknowledgment and thanks or do we do so for our own self-improvement? Many derive a deep meaning from the practice, such as sophomore Lorna Petrizzo.
“To me, Lent is an opportunity to travel with the Lord on His way to Calvary and a consecrated time to meditate and reflect about dying and eventually rising again with Him,” Petrizzo said.
The practice of the burning and placing of ashes on our foreheads symbolizes our own mortality and minuteness compared to God. A common phrase by clergy when applying ashes harkens back to God’s words to Adam, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Instead of building us up as better humans, Lent in a way brings us down, forcing us to remember how temporary we are and everlasting God’s love for us is.
“Lent is specifically designed to dismantle the egotistical ideas we sometimes have about ourselves, to identify the spots in our lives where we’ve grown arrogant or complacent, to remember that we are going to die someday, and to repent and renew our dependence on God,” a similar
boxes in each of these additional places, which may be burdensome in their already busy days.
So, what’s the verdict? As of now, it seems like students are enjoying the new takeout system and using it just as much as the old cardboard boxes. Every change in life requires some time to get used to, but if it’s a step towards something better, the change is worth making.
The dining hall staff did not stop with these to-go containers. Instead, it chose to take an even larger leap forward in this race to sustainability by installing a TV screen that highlights the total amount of food waste produced on Villanova’s campus each day. The screens are strategically placed above the conveyor belt where people return plates, and students can watch as the numerical weight of food waste climbs with each additional plate brought up. Monitored by artificial intelligence, this raw, real-time data serves as a powerful reminder to students of the direct impact their choices can have on the environment.
So, Wildcats, the next time you go to the dining hall, remember that with each step you take towards sustainability, the smaller ecological footprint you are leaving behind.
Dining Services and the Office of Sustainability appreciate your patience as we all work together to navigate through this change and hope that with student support, these initiatives can have a lasting impact on campus overall.
article on Lent from Vox by Alissa Wilkinson said. “Lent is meant to be uncomfortable. And it’s meant to end in gratefulness.”
While each of us who partake in Lent do so in our own way, in a time of constant distractions and busyness, perhaps a period to slow down and reflect is almost instinctual. However, the question remains, who are we reflecting on?
“[Lent is a] constant invitation by God to ‘turn toward,’ redirect the course of our lives, ac -
knowledge our failings, our stumblings and bumps along the way,” Father Kevin DePrinzio from Villanova said in an interview.
“A wise individual told me that, ‘If you want to know how good your Easter’s gonna be, look at how you’re going through Lent.’ ... I, for one, intend to have the best Easter yet,” Petrizzo said. The Lenten season, then, is a call for us to examine our deepest identity as “beloved by God.” Do we accept?
The reusable to-go boxes now available in dining halls are meant to be used and returned. Sophie Latessa/Villanovan Photography
South Campus is prepared for the Lenten season. Evan Lombardo/Villanovan Photography
SPORTS Football Team To Host Bone Marrow Drive
Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor
Continued from p.1
to get bone marrow. Unfortunately, 70% of patients do not have a donor in their family.
“Coach Talley always started one of his conversations with, ‘How many people in this room have had a loved one or someone they know really well have to deal with cancer?,’” head football coach Mark Ferrante said. “Almost everyone in the room’s hand goes up. So if we could reduce that number somehow and help people have a second chance at life, who wouldn’t sign up for that?”
The drive was started back in the early 1990s by Talley, who was the head coach. It was started due to an ad on Talley’s daily commute. He heard that there were not enough people on the nation’s bone marrow donor registry. With 100 student-athletes, Talley set out on a mission to make sure the registry was longer.
Talley quickly spread the drive from just the football team to a campus-wide drive.
Villanova was able to produce 11 bone marrow donors last year, which led the country out of more than 250 schools.
Sophomore quarterback Michael Benincasa was identified as one of the potential matches during last year’s drive.
With the help of the drive, Benincasa donated his stem cells a few weeks ago.
“I would say that it never hurts to be a part [of the drive],” Benincasa said. “It is something that really makes you feel good. My Grandmother lost her battle with cancer last summer, so, it was kind of personal to me that I had an opportunity to have closure with her in a way.”
According to the NMDP, every three to four minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with blood cancer. Even though many come out to partici-
pate in the donor drive, only half commit to following through and donating their bone marrow or stem cells.
“After talking with Coach Talley and Krista Ross (the co-founder of the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation), I think that once people have been identified as a match only 50% go through with it,” Ferrante said. “Which means that obviously there are 50% who say no. So we’re trying to turn everyone into yes. We’re trying to spread the great word of having the opportunity to save someone’s life.”
The Bone Marrow Drive is looking for people between the ages of 18 and 44. Doctors ask for potential donors in that age group 86% of the time, according to the NMDP. Ferrante stresses the importance of being able to save at least one life by donating stem cells or bone marrow.
“I mean, it’s the ultimate sacrifice,” Ferrante said. “To actually donate your DNA, your bone marrow to someone, that’s a huge gift. To benefit someone that you may never meet or might not even know, that’s in our opinion, the ultimate sacrifice.”
T&F Kicks Off Outdoor Campaign
Genna Cottingham Staff Writer
On Saturday, March 22, Villanova track & field competed in its first outdoor meet of the season, the Penn Challenge, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
The weekend was highlighted by the second-best discus throw in program history. Sixthyear Adria Retter beat her previous discus record with a throw of 52.31 meters, while etching herself into second place in Villanova’s all-time discus throw list. She was one of six Wildcats to record personal bests this past weekend. Wildcats also finished 1-5 in the women’s 800-meter.
“You’re just training for the Big East, you’ve got probably the month of April, and you got half of May,” head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. “We try to get people going if they need to be on top of it a little earlier.”
The women’s 800-meter was led by freshman Rosie Shay’s personal best of 2:08.83 for a first place finish. Behind Shay was freshman Bella Walsh with a time of 2:10.37. Coming in right behind Walsh was senior Emily Robinson, who finished third with a career record 2:10.80.
Next up was sixth-year Maggie Smith running a 2:11.32. Rounding out the top five, with a
time of 2:11.81, sophomore Tilly O’Connor also reached a personal best.
“This one is really for people that may have come off injuries in the winter, the Big East was their ultimate performance and trying to get going early,” O’Sullivan said.
Three sprinters competed in the 400-meter men’s race after a tough winter season. At 50.52, sophomore Matthew Griffin got fourth place. Junior Jimmy Milgie was directly behind, running
a 50.99. In sixth place, freshman Hayden Souza crossed the finish line in 51.18.
In the 1500-meter race, senior Margaret Carroll achieved second place at 4:30.78. On the men’s side, sophomore Kai Mitchell-Reiss ran a 3:52.80, landing him in fifth place.
“Yeah, that was good for Kai [Mitchell-Reiss],” O’Sullivan said. “And again, we’re just giving him some opportunities too. He raced well in the Big East. He’s been training decently through the
wintertime.”
In their season debuts, Retter and senior Faith Haught received second and third place in discus throwing, respectively. Retter’s throw of 52.31 meters was the second-best in Villanova history as well as a personal best. Haught threw for 45.01 meters. Four of the top 10 discus throws in program history now belong to Retter.
Junior Liam Anderson accomplished fifth place in the shot put with a distance of 14.51 meters. In sixth place was freshman Chris Coulter coming in at 14.47 meters to accomplish a personal best.
This upcoming weekend, the Wildcats will travel to Raleigh, NC for the Raleigh Relays. Hosted by NC State at the Paul Derr Track & Field Facility, the Raleigh Relays is a three-day meet.
“It’s just nice to get them going again,” O’Sullivan said. “Although from a coaching standpoint, you’re finishing one and you’re rolling into another. For the athletes, whether it was injuries or whether it was not racing much during the winter time, we’re trying to get them going for the next eight weeks before we go to conference.”
The competition will start on Thursday, March 27, starting with the 1500-meter men’s race at 4:15 p.m. (FloSports).
Villanova football hosted its annual drive last year on April 17. Courtesy of Villanova Football
Adria Retter has four of the top 10 discus throws in program history. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Catching Up With the Cats: Eric Hinds (‘92)
Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor
In 1984, a ninth grader walked into his science class at Middletown North High School in Middletown, NJ.
Instead of learning about science that day, his teacher decided to show the class 40 minutes of “the greatest comeback in college basketball history.” That happened to be Villanova’s win over Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA Championship.
That ninth grader was Eric Hinds, a former Villanova soccer player and 1992 graduate. Hinds has spent the last 27 years at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and is a senior resident director. At one point, he was even the mayor of Holmdel, NJ.
“From that day [I saw the 1985 Championship], I knew I was going to Villanova,” Hinds said. “There was no other school I wanted to go to.”
From that moment on, Villanova has been a part of Hinds’ life up until now in 2025.
Hinds came to Villanova in 1988 to pursue a degree in accounting which at the time was his future career goal. He also had a passion for soccer. With no offers at any level, Hinds was committed to finding his way onto the Villanova soccer team.
“I walked on for [soccer],” Hinds said. “I made it to Villanova. I was certainly unsure if I was going
to play. I started my junior year and played my junior and senior year. Waiting for his opportunity paid off. Soon he was not going to be a walk-on anymore.
“We had a brand new coach come in [my senior year] and I had a really good season,” Hinds said. “He came out to practice and said, ‘Tell your parents we’re paying for your spring semester. You’re coming back to play another year.”
His four years of education at Villanova concluded with his graduation in May of 1992. However, he did return to play one final season of soccer as a graduate student in the fall of 1992.
With college in the rearview mirror, Hinds quickly pivoted to getting a job and kick-starting his professional career. He spent five years at Automatic Data Processing (ADP) before finding a job at his current place of employment, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
At Merrill Lynch, Hinds is senior resident director for the Summit, NJ office, where he oversees an office of financial advisors. Merrill Lynch helps clients with brokerage, investment advisory and financial planning.
As a Villanova graduate, Hinds has always had a love for philanthropy. He always has had a desire to take care of others when they need it.
With that desire, Hinds, alongside his wife, Karen and high school friends, started up a charity called Hopes for Children in 2004.
The charity strives to help provide funding to local children’s hospitals, public schools and homeless shelters.
“At Villanova, there is a sense of civic duty,” Hinds said. “I went to Villanova and I considered myself blessed and lucky to be there. I think giving back civically through the community has been something that meant a lot to me and it’s part of the Villanova way.”
Serving his community did not end there. Hinds held two fouryear terms as the mayor of Holmdel in 2015 and 2019. During his time he found even larger ways to help people civically.
“I was very proud to have reinitiated the Bell Works project in Holmdel,” Hinds said. It was the largest piece of vacant property in the United States and I opened it up as mayor in 2015.”
Bell Works was a former research facility that is now a place that houses traditional offices, retail, dining and hospitality. Beginning in 2021, the Apple TV+ series, Severance, used the outside and lobby of the Bell Works building during filming.
Hinds’ son, Connor (‘25) went on to follow in his path at Villanova. Connor is currenlty a senior who is a midfielder for the Villanova men’s soccer team.
“I told my kids, ‘One of you has to go to Villanova,’” Hinds said. “I really wanted at least one of them to get what I got out of [Villanova], which was lifelong friends, a sense of purpose and a sense of belonging.”
Wildcat Watch: Olsen Thrives At Villanova
Amanda McKean Sports Columnist
After bringing 18 new players onto the 2025 roster, Villanova baseball has been off to a steady start.
The Wildcats are 12-10 and have a .545 winning percentage. Compared to this time last year, when the team had a 7-14 record with a pct of .333, the season is looking much brighter.
A major factor in this improvement is graduate pitcher Bobby Olsen, a transfer from Nebraska. After a nine-strikeout performance against NJIT on March 14, the Big East awarded Olsen with Pitcher of the Week.
“[Olsen] changes everything for us,” Villanova head coach Kevin Mulvey said to D1Baseball.com after the NJIT game. “If you got a guy on Friday that can go out and pitch seven innings every time or more, it really sets you up, puts the bullpen at ease and gives you a lot more options. Even when he’s down a pitch or he doesn’t have his best stuff, he’s still able to compete in the zone with multiple pitches for strikes, control the running game and keep us in the game and give us a chance to win. He’s done that with regularity.”
Olsen had his best performance as a Wildcat at NJIT. He pitched eight innings, striking out nine and allowing just six hits to secure a narrow, 2-1 victory for Villanova.
“It takes a lot of trust, and I do trust the guys behind me,” Olsen said. “The guys behind me are making great plays, and it gives me a lot
of confidence being able to pitch with them. We have a really talented group this year, and it’s really freeing mentally just to be able to pitch to contact and let the guys work behind you and pick you up.”
Olsen, a native of Powdersville, SC, had an unique route through college baseball before landing at Villanova for his final year on the mound. He played three seasons at Brown before spending 2024 at Nebraska.
Olsen’s skills were evident since he was a sophomore in high school, when he threw Powdersville High’s first no-hitter in school history. Throughout his high school years, he helped lead his team to two regional and district titles. Olsen finished his senior year with a 1.30 earned run average and 56 strikeouts.
After being named all-State and all-Region and graduating in 2019, Olsen committed to Brown, though his first two seasons were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his last year at Brown, Olsen was ranked the No. 10 pitcher
WEEKLY SCOREBOARD
March 19 - March 25
Wednesday, March 19
Women’s Tennis vs St. Joe’s 4-2 W
Thursday, March 20
Women’s Basketball vs Boston College 76-70 W
Friday, March 21
Softball @ Georgetown 11-3 W
Baseball @ Wofford 1-11 L
Men’s Tennis @ DePaul 0-4 L
Saturday, March 22
Water Polo vs No. 25 LIU 7-11 W
Softball @ Georgetown 12-3 W
Baseball @ Wofford 10-11 L
Men’s Tennis @ Marquette 2-5 L
Men’s Track @ Penn Challenge No Team Scoring
Women’s Track @ Penn Challenge No Team Scoring
Sunday, March 23
Women’s Basketball @ No. 1 St. Joe’s 62-60 W
Women’s Tennis vs Temple 4-3 W
Softball @ Georgetown 4-2 W
Baseball @ Wofford 10-5 W
Water Polo vs No. 17 Wagner 13-17 L
Water Polo @ LaSalle 14-13 W
Tuesday, March 25
Golf @ Golden Horseshoe 5th out of 14
Baseball @ Delaware State 12-0 W
Mulvey again and just ended up coming to Villanova. It was the best choice I’ve made.”
in the Ivy League and had a career-best 11 strikeouts against Penn in 2023.
Villanova was interested in recruiting Olsen the first time he entered the transfer portal, when he left Brown after his third season. But Olsen decided to transfer to Nebraska, appearing in 13 games for the Cornhuskers.
“It wasn’t really what I thought it was going to be in Nebraska,” Olsen said. “I didn’t play as much as I wanted to. There were a couple of other factors that went into that, but going into my last year I wanted to find a better fit.”
Olsen returned to the transfer portal after a disappointing season in the Big Ten Conference. Across 8.1 total innings on the mound, he recorded nine strikeouts and posted a 10.80 ERA. This time around, Villanova caught his interest.
“Villanova was perfect for me,” he said. “Coach Weaver and Coach Mulvey recruited me that previous year as well, before I went to Nebraska. So I reached out to Coach
Now, as one of the 18 new players on Villanova’s roster, Olsen is already making an impact. He’s tallied 37 strikeouts across six games and pitched 35.2 innings.
“This has been the easiest team to get adjusted to,” Olsen said. “We do have a lot of transfers, but it was almost seamless. It took us just a few weeks [to adjust], and we’re all really close with each other. This team is honestly the best team that I’ve been on, not just talent-wise, but chemistry-wise, as well.”
With April fast approaching, and baseball season in full swing, Big East play is set to ramp up, bringing a new level of competition for Villanova.
“We’re just sticking to the process,” Olsen said. “There’s no reason to change anything. We’re going to keep playing well, making little adjustments here and there, but Big East play is no different than what we’ve been doing now. We’re going to approach it the same way, and keep playing with the people we have and playing with the kind of fight that we’ve had all season.”
Bobby Olsen was named Big East Player of the Week on March 17. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Pappas Breaks Villanova’s All-Time Goals Record
Casey Healey Staff Writer
Halfway through her senior season, Sydney Pappas has etched her name in the Villanova women’s lacrosse record books as the all-time leading scorer with 155 goals and counting.
“Sydney is a natural scorer,” head coach Jill Batcheller said. “She has an eye for the cage, and she’s really competitive.”
Pappas hit the milestone in a 12-8 victory over Columbia University on Saturday, March 14 at Villanova Stadium. She netted five goals in total against the Lions, and surpassed the record in the fourth period of the matchup. The previous record was held by Katie Comferford (2017-2021) with 153.
“It’s an individual award, but at the same time,” Pappas said. “I wouldn’t have been anywhere near that record without my teammates.”
Pappas is a native of Garden City, New York, where she attended Garden City High School from 2017-2021. There, she helped Garden City win a New York Class B State Championship and was named a 2021 US Lacrosse All-American.
Upon arriving at Villanova as a freshman, Pappas started quickly. She made 11 starts and played in every game in the 2022 season. She ended the season with 32 goals and three assists. By
Amanda McKean Staff Writer
her sophomore year, Pappas led the team in points with 64, this included 52 goals and 12 assists. She was also named Co-Offensive IWCLA Player of the Week and IWLCA Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team. More notably, Pappas was nominated for the Tewaaraton Award watch list, which is the most coveted award in all of college lacrosse. Her junior year, Pappas led the team in goals with 49, and
had 53 points in total. She also racked up preseason accolades with All-American and All-BIG EAST honors. Pappas also led the team with nine free position goals. She reached the program top 10 single season marks in goals, free position goals and goals per game. Lacrosse is a team sport, and that does not only include the 10 active players on the field. The Villanova sideline is well known in the collegiate lacrosse world
for their energy and spark. After a goal, one can see them dancing, singing and sometimes even tossing an unlucky teammate in the air over and over again. After games, opposing staff and members will even go out of their way to compliment Villanova’s sideline enthusiasm.
“They seriously keep us in games sometimes just with their energy,” Pappas said. “One of the best features of our team is our sideline.”
Pappas won the Big East Co-Attacker of the Year for her 2023 campaign. She was also named to the All-Big East First Team in two consecutive seasons. Pappas holds multiple Big East Weekly Honor Roll accolades, and a recent Big East Attacker of the Week honor.
Pappas and the Wildcats also grabbed an 11-7 win over the No. 25 UConn (6-4) on Saturday, March 22. Pappas scored two goals in Villanova’s first game of Big East play. The Huskies were second in the Big East Preseason Poll. Villanova was third.
“We really wanna win the Big East this year, and I think that winning mindset has grown so much over the years,” Pappas said. Villanova (7-3) will return home for its second in conference game on Saturday, March 29 against Butler University (0-7).
The senior day matchup will be held at Villanova Stadium, and is set to start at 1 p.m.
Athletes Excel In The Classrooms
With the release of the latest academic data from Villanova Athletics over the past couple of months, Villanova student-athletes have proven to be excellent both in competition and in the classroom, earning a department grade point average of 3.491 for the Fall 2024 semester.
“Our athletes are known for their commitment to both academic and athletic excellence,” Director of Academic Support for Athletes Jennifer Brophy said. “Each of our athletes really embody the Athletic Department’s core values of discipline, teamwork and leadership.”
This latest achievement marks the 43rd consecutive semester in which Villanova athletes average a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and the 14th semester in which they average above a 3.3.
“It’s all about time allocation and focusing your mind on what you’re doing,” sophomore swimmer and computer engineering major Justin Nowicki said. “When I am at practice, I am focused on swimming and how I can get better in the pool. When I am in class or doing work, I am focused on the respective class and getting better in the classroom. You have to consider what you want to achieve in different sectors of your life and find a balance for you and towards your goals.”
High grades also translate into high graduation rates. Villanova is one of only 23 schools across the country to have a score of 98% or
higher in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate. Villanova’s scores are among the highest in the Big East. Villanova matches those of other prestigious schools, including six out of eight of the Ivy League universities.
“The Athletic Department and coaches understand the importance of academics,” Brophy said. “We offer personalized support, academic resources, and mentorship to help them thrive both academically and athletically. This holistic approach ensures that student-athletes are prepared not only to excel in their sport but to lead and succeed beyond their time at Villanova.”
Out of the 24 varsity sports teams, 11 teams had an average GPA of 3.5 or higher, with the field hockey team topping the list at 3.739. Field hockey’s academic achievements were even ranked amongst the best in the country, tying for the most NFHCA National Academic Squad recognitions in the country with Monmouth and Brown with 22 recipients.
Closely behind the field hockey team is water polo (3.719), golf (3.712), women’s swimming & diving (3.704) and women’s soccer (3.699).
“The academic support staff within the Athletic Department is incredible,” senior golfer and applied quantitative finance major Vimal Alokam said. “It starts freshman year with weekly meetings to get new student-athletes their feet under them and it continues all the way through senior year. I think our team’s success is largely due to the great culture that has been established by our coaches and previous teammates, as well as
support from the rest of the athletic department.”
Individually, 86% of student-athletes had a fall GPA of 3.0 or higher, while 77% were named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.2 or above. Additionally, 59% were named to the Dean’s List with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
“It requires a constant commitment to time management, focus, and balance,” junior diver and nursing major Alexa Fegley said. “My days often start early with lift and dive practice, followed by nursing classes and then back to studying. It’s a packed schedule, but I thrive in that kind of structure.”
Across 18 sports, 54 athletes
achieved a 4.0 GPA in the fall, led by rowing and women’s soccer with six each. Each of these athletes were honored during the halftime of a men’s basketball game.
On February 13, water polo senior attacker Emma Grabenstetter, a double major in peace and justice and political science, was one of the athletes recognized for her academic achievements.
“Excelling both in and out of the pool requires a lot of time management skills, as well as perseverance and passion,” Grabenstetter said. “Being a student-athlete can always have its hard times and can get exhausting, but reminding myself of why I do it is very important.”
Pappas set the new program’s goal record with 155 goals and counting.
Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Senior attacker Emma Grabenstetter earned a 4.0 GPA in the fall. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Softball Sweeps Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
Jon Hunn Staff Writer
Villanova softball rebounded from a tough, midweek 3-1 loss to Saint Joseph’s University with a dominant weekend in Washington, D.C.
In a three-game series, Villanova (14-15, 7-2 Big East) swept Georgetown 11-3 (6 innings), 12-3 (6) and 4-2.
The Wildcats began the series with a run-rule victory on Friday.
Georgetown (8-15, 0-9) scored on a two-run double in the first.
Villanova tied the game in the top of the third inning on senior right fielder Elaina Wagner’s two-run double. The Wildcats then took their first lead after a sacrifice fly by redshirt senior first baseman Brooklyn Ostrowski. Junior second baseman Maddie Burrows capped off the inning with a two-run home run, extending Villanova’s lead to 5-2.
In the top of the fourth, Villanova padded its lead on senior shortstop Ava Franz’s RBI groundout.
The Hoyas cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth when junior center fielder Claire Turner blasted a solo home run to left center field to make it a 6-3 game.
After neither team scored in the fifth inning, the Wildcats exploded for five runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Franz’s RBI single knocked in the first two runs of the inning before Burrows’ second home run of the game, a three-run blast to right-center field, pushed the Villano-
Jack Flannelly Staff Writer
va advantage to 11-3.
“[Burrows’] first [home run] sparked us and we started hitting better,” Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard said. “Then she hit another one, and I think that was big for her and our momentum.”
Sophomore pitcher Maranda Runco took the circle in the sixth inning. She retired Georgetown to end the game on the run rule.
Junior pitcher Kat Gallant earned the opening win for Villanova. In five innings pitched, she allowed three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out three.
Saturday’s game, the second in the series, resulted in another runrule victory for the Wildcats, this time a 12-3 win.
Villanova struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when senior pitcher Kelsey White drew a bases-loaded walk. Sophomore third baseman Grace Reed followed with an RBI single, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 2-0.
In the top of the third inning, Franz launched a solo home run to center field before Burrows and Reed each tallied RBI doubles to increase the lead to 5-0.
The Wildcats continued to build their lead in the top of the fourth. Runco blasted a solo home run to right field, followed later by Ostrowski’s solo shot to center, extending the lead to seven. After a scoreless fifth, Villanova broke the game open in the sixth with five runs.
Franz delivered her second homer of the day, a three-run blast. White followed with a solo shot, and later in the inning, junior left fielder Madison Ostrowski tacked on an RBI double to cap the scoring outburst. Georgetown finally appeared on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning. An RBI single followed by two runs on defensive errors cut the deficit to 12-3. The Hoya rally was short-lived, however, as Runco induced a ground ball fielder’s choice out to clinch the run-rule victory.
White earned the second win for Villanova. In five innings pitched, she allowed just three hits and no runs, walking two and striking out four.
“It’s just awesome to see [White’s] senior leadership shine through,” Orchard said. “ She had a really good drop ball and [Georgetown] was having trouble hitting her.”
On Sunday, the Wildcats finished the sweep.
Both lineups were scoreless through the first four innings.
At the top of the fifth, Villanova recorded the first runs of the game. Franz reached base on an error, allowing Wagner to cross the plate for a 1-0 lead. Brooklyn Ostrowski and Burrows then followed with backto-back RBI singles, extending the advantage to 3-0. Later in the inning, Brooklyn Ostrowski scored on a wild pitch, pushing the Wildcat lead to 4-0.
Georgetown reduced the deficit in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single for its first run of the game. It scored again in the sixth, once more on an RBI single, bringing the score to 4-2.
Villanova stifled the Georgetown rally in the bottom of the seventh, as Gallant retired the side to record the save. Villanova freshman pitcher Lexi Kobryn earned the win, pitching four innings of five-hit, onerun ball. She did not walk a batter and recorded four punchouts.
Villanova will travel to South Orange, NJ this weekend for another Big East series, this time against Seton Hall.
Baseball Drops Series Against Wofford
Offensively, Villanova struggled to generate baserunners, managing just four hits and one walk.
Over the weekend, Villanova baseball traveled to Spartanburg, SC, to take on Wofford College in a threegame series.
The Wildcats (12-10) dropped the series, losing two of three games. Villanova fell to Wofford in the first two matchups, 11-1 and 11-10, before bouncing back with a 10-5 victory in the finale.
Graduate pitcher Bobby Olsen got the start for Villanova in game one against Wofford. He lasted 2.2 innings, giving up seven hits and seven earned runs, suffering his first loss of the season. It was a rough outing for Olsen, coming off the Big East Pitcher of the Week honors he earned last week.
“It was not Olsen’s best effort,” Villanova head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “You can’t expect one pitcher to throw seven shutout innings every time.”
Wofford broke the game open in the third inning, scoring six runs, a deficit that Villanova couldn’t overcome.
The Wildcats managed just one run, a solo home run from junior Aidan Barry in the fifth inning.
Wofford added two runs in the fifth, and two more in the sixth to extend its lead to 11-1. The Terriers held the Wildcats scoreless in the seventh, sealing the win via the run rule.
The Wildcats used six pitchers, but none found much success. Walks were a major issue, as the Villanova staff issued eight free passes.
In game two, sophomore Jake Francis took the hill for Villanova. Francis allowed five runs in four innings.
Wofford struck first with a run in the second. Villanova responded in the third when graduate Jason Neff launched a home run.
In the fourth, junior Michael Whooley and Neff hit back-to-back home runs to give the Wildcats a 7-2 lead.
Wofford answered right back, putting up four runs in the fourth on a trio of RBI singles. The Terriers added one in the fifth, two in the sixth, and two more in the seventh to take an 11-7 lead.
Villanova mounted a rally in the ninth, scoring three runs on a Neff double and a single from freshman Brayden Leonard.
Down by one, with the tying run onbase and no outs, the Wildcats had a chance to extend the game. Villanova couldn’t capitalize, ultimately falling 11-10.
“We rallied back late,” Mulvey said. “But it wasn’t enough. We didn’t put our foot down on this game, and it got away from us.”
Graduate pitcher Alec Sachais took the loss, allowing four runs over 3.1 innings out of the bullpen.
In game three, the Wildcats scored four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Leonard.
Villanova added two more in the second, thanks to an RBI single from Barry and a run that scored on a
Wofford error.
Graduate Luke McCollough delivered a strong start on the mound, tossing five innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out two
“He pounded the zone,” Mulvey said. “Attacked, got ahead early, all the same recipe for success that you need to execute on the mound.”
The Wildcats extended their lead to 10-1 in the sixth, as Neff hit his third home run of the series
Wofford scored one run in the sixth, one in the seventh, and two in the ninth, but it was not enough to
complete the sweep. Villanova secured a 10-5 victory.
The Wildcats will next travel to Dover, DE, on Wednesday, March 26, to take on Delaware State in the Liberty Bell Classic. “We need to execute at Delaware State,” Mulvey said. “We need to throw strikes and team at-bats. If we do that there’s no reason why we don’t come out of there with a win.”
Villanova will then return home to host Long Island University for a three-game series from March 28 to March 30.
Senior pitcher Kelsey White earned Villanova’s second win over Georgetown on Saturday. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Freshman Brayden Leonard’s three-run homer helped Villanova defeat Wofford on Sunday. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
W Tennis Defeats Saint Joe’s & Temple, Men Fall in Big East Play
Billy Burgess Staff Writer
The Villanova men’s and women’s tennis teams had a whirlwind week on the courts, taking on challenging matches against Philadelphia Big Five and Big East opponents.
The women’s team fought through tight matches to secure back-to-back home wins against Saint Joseph’s University (3-11) and Temple University (4-11).
The men’s squad endured a grueling road trip, claiming one victory over Loyola University Maryland (2-10, 0-3 Patriot League) but losses to DePaul University (11-8, 3-1 Big East) and Marquette University (3-15, 1-3 Big East).
The Villanova women (7-9 overall) saw their three-match winning streak broken by Loyola Maryland (10-1) in a hard-fought, 4-3 loss on Tuesday, March 18. The Wildcats responded with two crucial home wins over Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday and Temple on Sunday, showing resilience and determination throughout the week.
Reflecting on the loss to Loyola Maryland, head coach Steve Reiniger pointed out that injuries and lineup changes played a significant role.
“We were without our number one player, Sophia Edwards and Jenna Stevens played doubles only, and that hurt us,” Reiniger said. “We still should have beaten that team, but we lost a big lead in doubles, and that
doubles point hurt us. Sometimes that happens.”
Despite the setback, the Wildcats bounced back with a statement, 4-2 win over Saint Joseph’s in their first home match. Graduate Sophia Edwards returned to lead the charge with a commanding, 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1.
Junior Maggie Gehrig followed with a 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 2. Maddie Hills rounded out the singles points with a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 6. In doubles, Edwards, and sophomore Miriam Gondorova claimed a 6-1 victory. Gehrig and Hills overcame their opponents, 6-3, to clinch the doubles point.
The momentum carried into Sunday’s matchup with Temple, in which the Wildcats pulled out a gritty, 4-3, victory. Edwards remained reliable at No. 1, dominating 6-0, 7-6 (5), while Gehrig showcased her resilience by battling through a tough three-set match, ultimately prevailing, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. Stevens dominated her opponent
at No. 3 with a 6-2, 6-0 victory, while Hills claimed the final point at No. 6 with another tough marathon threeset win, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Reiniger attributed the team’s success against Temple to its ability to bounce back mentally after the Loyola Maryland loss.
“We’ve talked a lot about staying positive and teammates helping each other,” Reiniger said. “After a loss like Loyola, where I felt like we were the stronger team, I think they did a good job correcting their own mistakes and playing smart.”
With a long break before facing DePaul on April 5, Reiniger plans to focus on getting the lineup healthy while keeping his team competitive.
“The first thing is to get some players healthy,” Reiniger said. “We’re going to do some intrasquad scrimmaging to keep that competitive energy up. They need to continue to compete leading up to the next few matches.”
The Villanova men (3-13, 1-3
Big East) faced a challenging stretch of three road matches, earning one victory while dropping two. After defeating Loyola Maryland, 5-2, to open the trip, the Wildcats fell to DePaul and Marquette in their next two contests.
In the win over Loyola Maryland, Villanova’s top three singles players — junior Cooper Gordon, senior Trey Fourticq and sophomore Will Monahan — dominated their matches in straight sets. Sophomore Kush Anand added a victory at No. 5. The doubles pairings of Fourticq and Gordon, and Anand and sophomore Thomas Wakefield, claimed wins to secure the opening point.
However, Villanova struggled to maintain momentum throughout the trip. Villanova dropped the match to DePaul, 4-0, stumbling in doubles play.
Marquette dealt the Wildcats a 5-2 loss, despite Villanova taking the doubles point with wins from Justin Frattarelli/Monahan and Anand/ Wakefield. Frattarelli also added a singles victory at No. 6. The Wildcats will look to regroup as they return home for a critical week of competition.
Villanova will first face Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 26 before hosting a pivotal Big East matchup against Xavier on Saturday, March 29. With the chance to build momentum and strengthen their conference standing, the Wildcats aim to make a statement on their home courts.
Denis Fargione Makes An Impact as a Freshman
Elijah McDow Staff Writer
Lacrosse on Long Island has become an identity of the region. From youth leagues to high school, generations of Long Islanders have found opportunities to play collegiate lacrosse.
One of those is freshman goalkeeper, Denis Fargione.
Fargione grew up playing in an area with some of the country’s best talent. It was often hard to separate oneself from all the other players but his composure in front of the goal helped Fargione find his way.
“Ever since I was five years old I was always playing with my older brother and all his friends,” Fargione said. “Seeing the harder shots from the older guys growing up and at the varsity level definitely helped me translate to the college level because a lot of the kids on Long Island all play Division I lacrosse so seeing their shots really helped me.”
While the majority of Fargione’s talent resulted from his hard work and playing against older competition, some of it may have been inherited.
Fargiones father, Michael, also played Division I lacrosse in the 1990s at The Ohio State University.
“My dad has been my role model my whole life,” Fargione said. “He always knew [because of my size] that I was going to be the goal from earlier on. He would always train me in the backyard and have a catch with me and take me to the field. I still call him after every single
game and we’ll talk about it.”
Just like his father, Fargione also played lacrosse at Garden City High School. At Garden City, he was also a member of the football, and basketball teams and he earned eight varsity letters.
“From basketball season going into lacrosse season my footwork was 100% better,” Fargione said. “I was also better at communication because in basketball I played the middle of the two-three zone. Basketball’s also an up and down game so I felt those skills translated to the field.”
During lacrosse season, Fargione had a 68% career save percentage. He was a two-time All-County selection as a goalie.
In his four years on the team, the Trojans won two New York Lacrosse State Championships. Fargione was also the 2023 County Championship MVP.
In his senior season Fargione was named a 2023-24 Academic All-American and was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Arriving at Villanova, it was expected that Fargione would play behind redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Anthony Wilson, but that changed on Feb. 22.
With the team trailing Colgate by eight goals, head coach Mike Corrado brought on Fargione for the second half. Despite a 16-5 defeat, Fargione recorded 11 saves.
Six days later, Fargione made his first career start against Lehigh. Despite a 11-7 loss, he had eight saves and picked up four ground balls. He also held the Mountain Hawks under .500% on extra-man opportunities.
Fargione has started every game since.
In his first start against a nationally ranked opponent, [No.18 Penn] the Wildcats lost 11-8 but Fargione recorded nine saves.
“I was very nervous at the start of the [Penn] game,” Fargione said. “I tend to get nervous before most games but every single one of my teammates was so supportive of me. It was definitely a big step up because the other players were a lot bigger, faster and stronger.”
His best performance as a starter came in the 16-9 win over Brown. Fargione recorded a career-best 19 saves and helped the Wildcats lead for the entire game.
On March 21, Fargione earned honorable mention on the USA Lacrosse Midseason Lacrosse All Freshman Team.
“[Fargione] can make big saves,” Corrado said. “He’s good one on one. When it looks like we’re gonna give up a goal, he makes a save. He’s good at stealing goals from other teams and turning them into goals for us. When he does that it ignites our team.”
With one win in the last three games, Villanova is in need of a statement win. While games against top-ranked opponents have been good challenges, the challenge of the Big East is just beginning.
The Wildcats open-conference play on Saturday, March 29 against the University of Denver. Last season the Wildcats beat the Pioneers 10-9 in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.
Despite the pressure of the
rematch and the pressure of opening day in the Big East, nine saves against a top 20 opponent, 19 saves against Brown and his Long Island roots have shown Fargione is more than ready to take the field.
“It’s been a while since we had someone come in as a true freshman and start,” Corrado said. “It’s not common but Denis’ background and playing [on Long Island] have helped him come here and compete right away. I know [Denver’s] a big game and he knows that. I don’t have to tell him much, he’ll be ready to play.”
Villanova women’s tennis claimed back-to-back wins over Saint Joe’s and Temple last week. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Freshman goalkeeper Denis Fargione. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Frames from Villanova Women’s Lacrosse vs. UConn
Freshman defender Skylar Nixon in Villanova’s win over Connecticut, 11-7, on March 23.
Freshman midfielder Leslie Iorio had one shot on goal against the Huskies.
The win over UConn was Villanova’s first since 2021. UConn owns the all-time series, 13-3.
Senior attacker Sami Carey scored one goal against UConn on Sunday.
Redshirt sophomore Elena Torres set a season-high four goals, with nine shots on goal.
Senior goalkeeper Cate Gallagher had a season-high 12 saves protecting the net.
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS
ASK THE VILLANOVAN
I really want to go to NOVAdance but none of my friends are going. Is it weird if I go by myself?
I say do it! NOVAdance is such a magical experience and Jake Nevin will be filled with so much love that it is totally okay to go alone.
There are so many people who go to NOVAdance on their own, therefore, you will have so many people to hang out with and become friends with.
Most importantly, going alone will allow you the oppurtunity to get to spend time with the Heroes. The B+ Heroes are who we dance for, so show up and show out for them!
Help - should I register for a class with no professor or one with mixed ratings? I’m conflicted.
Personally, I would say go for the professor with mixed rating. As long as there are some positive reviews mixed in I think it is the safer bet to place.
However, there are also more ways to determine
the best class for you than just relying on Rate My Professor.
Ask upperclassmen in your major, rely on organization’s professor docs or subtley name-drop the professor near another faculty member in their department and watch how their co-workers react to them. That will tell you everything you need to know.
I was given the oppurtunity to stay on campus over the summer to work. Should I take the position or will I regret spending an entire calendar year in one place?
Personally (not biased at all), do it (I’m working on campus this summer and want more friends in the area).
As for real advice, I think that this is a decision that will have many layers to it. These are answers that only you can have for yourself.
If you are one who gets homesick often, misses friends and family constantly and needs space to be able to thrive: then this job will not be for you.
However, if you love this area, are looking forward to exploring the areas around campus and want an excuse to spend more time on the campus you love: then do it.
These are personal decisions that only you can answer. However, if you do decide to stay, hit my line and let’s go exploring!
My roommate is talking about me behind my back. How should I handle this?
I think it is best way to go about this is go to them and be transparent.
It is NOT fun to hear that someone you know, nonetheless live with, is breaking your trust and going behind your back.
I think it is important to bring this conversation up now instead of waiting and letting it get worse.
Instead of going in attackingly, I would go in with the mindset that you may have done something that caused this. Even if you didn’t, be willing to hear them out and hopefully you both leave the conversation feeling better. Good luck!
THE CROSSWORD
Follow @thevillanovan on Instagram for answers! Scan this to make your own crossword!
