The Villanovan | Volume 119, Issue 5: October 8, 2025

U.S. News Rankings Do Not Matter

Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor

“Why would I pay so much for a school that is not even ranked in the top 50 according to the U.S. News Best Colleges list?”

I heard that question during one of my Blue Key tours, as I guided families through Villanova’s campus. With the early decision deadline quickly approaching, Villanova’s campus is buzzing with prospective students. High school seniors, juniors and even sophomores fill Villanova, eyeing both the beautiful architecture, as well as the wide range of clubs and activities available to join. Their excitement is contagious. Yet, when they’re asked the question, “Why Villanova?” many of them hesitate, unsure how to express their “why.”

That hesitation mirrors a larger tension. Last week, the new U.S. News rankings placed Villanova at 57th on its 2026 Best Colleges list, which is just shy of the coveted “top 50” spot. In that moment when that family asked the question, my pride in Villanova, stemming from the leadership roles I’ve taken, the classes I’ve enjoyed and excelled in and the community I’ve built, felt reduced to a single number on a list.

I understand this question. It’s one I also had. When choosing colleges to apply to, the U.S. News college ranking list was bookmarked on my laptop to easily refer to when filling out the Common App. The higher a school was on this list, the more validating it felt when the acceptance letter came in the mail. However, after having completed two full years at Villanova, it is clear that lists like these do not tell the whole story. Instead, they use specific and narrow formulas as well as limited

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How To Get Involved:

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CSA and Chinese Studies Host Mid-Autumn Festival p. 10

Social Justice Documentary: Out Of Bounds Productions Heads To Morocco

While most students at Villanova are looking forward to heading home for the upcoming Fall Break, seeing family and sleeping in their own beds again, one group on campus is gearing up for an action-packed trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Every year, Villanova’s Social Justice Documentary course creates a film company, identifies a community somewhere around the world and travels there to learn more about their stories, struggles and amplify their voices. This

year’s choice was a small town in southern Morocco, and for 14 days the class company, Out of Bounds Productions, will connect with and film the people of Talinin Commune Tamaloukt.

“In our crew of 17, we have a documentary team of two directors, two directors of photography, two sound [directors], as well as our multi-media team,” producer Natalie Zickel said. She is in her second year of this class.

While the documentary is set to be around 30 minutes long and is the main project, the multi-media team will also focus on an additional

approach.

“They’ll produce five to seven short videos over the course of the two weeks,” Zickel said. “Meeting with smaller organizations, capturing different stories about Morocco that kind of broaden the scope of our story that don’t make it into our documentary.”

Last year’s documentary was filmed in the Philippines, and historically the class’ professor and executive producer, Hezekiah Lewis, has taken charge of choosing where each community will be.

This year, things looked a little different.

“Because me and

my co-producers, Natalie and Sol, were very involved with the Philippines, we got to be part of the decision making process this time around,” producer Daniel Kee said. “A Villanova [alum] who graduated last year, Kenza Idrissi-Janati, wrote her final thesis on migration and carrier women in Morocco, and that was originally where the idea for Morocco started. After developing our story a lot further, we eventually really fell in love with the story in the south, about indigeneity and the preservation of culture. It’s also convenient because Kenza is from the south [of Morocco].”

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Speaker Series: Hispanic Heritage Month

Korin Kohen Staff Writer

This past Wednesday, Villanova CASA hosted Dr. Javier Ávila to perform his clever one-man show titled The Trouble with My Name. His enactment blended poetry, storytelling and relatable scenarios that allowed him to connect with the audience. Ávila is a profound novelist who was awarded Pennsylvania’s Professor of the Year in 2015 by the Carnegie

This Week In Politics: Government Shutdown p. 4

The Life of a Showgirl: Which Song Matches Your Sign? p. 11

Foundation. His works reflect his experiences as a Latin American, explaining how his understanding of identity has changed living in both Puerto Rico and mainland United States.

From the moment he began speaking, Ávila’s presence filled the room. He captivated the audience by merging his quick wit with close-to-home anecdotes, shifting effortlessly from laughter to contemplation. He opened with the line, “For the first half of my life, I thought I

Villanova Must Implement A Mandatory Civics Course p. 5

Women’s XC Grabs Gold At Paul Short Run, Men 8th p. 13

was white,” setting the scene of his journey as someone who navigated two different environments, confronting the complexities surrounding culture and race. What followed was an hour of introspection and humor that delved into his encounters surrounding his name and background. Ávila recited renditions of two poems, one titled Denied Service, which touched on the discrimination he has faced due to his physical profile. He seamlessly switched between Spanish and English

Students Should Reconsider Their AI Use p. 7

when reciting this poem, communicating the internal struggle surrounding these double identities.

“It is a conflict to love a country that doesn’t always love you back,” Ávila said during the event. His words left a lasting impact as he reminded the audience of the emotional weight behind the “immigrant” experience, despite always being a U.S. citizen. He delved into what it means to be a minority in the United

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In Concert: A

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The Villanovan Crossword p. 19

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Emma Taylor Staff Writer

Out of Bound Productions will be in Morocco for 14 days to connect with and meet the people of Talinin Commune Tamaloukt. Grace Owusu/Villanovan Photography

Wildcat Watch: Avalos Settles In On A New Coast

Broadway

Villanova Celebration Recap p.

VOL. 119 | ISS. 5

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

Domestic Violence

September 30, ST. MARY’S LOT

A female resident student sustained an ear injury after a reported altercation with her non-affiliated boyfriend. Student was transported by Public Safety to Bryn Mawr Hospital for treatment.

Carrying False Identification

October 3, LANCASTER PROP. GROUNDS

A female resident student and a non-affiliated male, both under 21, appeared in public and were evaluated for alcohol intoxication. The non-affiliated male was found in possession of a fraudulent identification card.

Disorderly Conduct

October 3, CONNELLY CENTER

Convenience store staff reported numerous college aged patrons acting disorderly and removing items without paying.

CORRECTIONS

Liquor Underage

October 3, LANCASTER PROP. GROUNDS

A male resident student, under 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Public Drunkenness

October 4, FRIAR HALL

An unaffiliated female, over 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication by VEMS and was released.

Criminal Mischief

October 4, SULLIVAN HALL

A staff member discovered criminal mischief in a residence hall restroom.

Public Drunkenness

October 5, SHEEHAN HALL

A male resident student, under 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication after being observed urinating in public.

Criminal Mischief

October 5, SULLIVAN HALL

Vandalism was discovered in a communal restroom within a residential building. The value of the damage is unknown.

Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are brought to The Villanovan’s attention. Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.

VSB Hosts Dr. Javier Ávila

Margaret Miller Staff Writer

On Oct. 1, Villanova School of Business brought in Dr. Javier Ávila as part of its Spotlight Speakers Series. This event is part of a wider celebration of National Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month which takes place from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Dr. Zakiya Elliott, the Assistant Director of VSB UNITAS, thanked sponsors and introduced Ávila, informing about his achievements and his development of his show.

“In 2015, he was named Pennsylvania’s Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation,” Elliott said. “This award inspired Javier to take his classroom to the masses, using the power of poetry and storytelling to deliver a compelling message about unity and inclusion. And so, ‘The Trouble with My Name’ was born.”

Ávila began his performance by discussing the negative comments made about Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican like himself, playing the halftime show at Super Bowl LX.

“Bad Bunny, like me, is very much an American because we are all, all Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and we actually have more Puerto Ricans in the U.S. than in Puerto Rico,” Ávila said.

Ávila continued talking about other things he began to realize as he got older. Growing up, he did not understand the level of trauma his father carried from his time serving in the Korean War.

“Puerto Rican soldiers were not allowed to fight alongside white soldiers, and the missions that they had were essentially suicide mis- sions,” Ávila said. “So he experienced something so awful as to have his best friend die in his arms.”

Ávila then discussed his experiences on the topic of language. At the University of Puerto Rico and in Pennsylvania, he said he was made fun of for speaking “Span-

glish” to his friends and classmates, being accused of trying to impress by being bilingual.

“Something could happen if you were caught speaking Spanish while brown,” Ávila said. “Hopefully nothing, but every now and then someone will say the words, ‘This is America, speak English.’”

To cope with incidents like this, Ávila writes poetry. He read his poem “Denied Service” aloud. This is about a negative encounter with a waitress that occurred while he was speaking Spanish with a colleague.

Despite many negative expe- riences, Ávila shared the importance of channeling his father’s attitude.

“You can’t just have a single story of one place based on one bad thing that happens, because there are many people who are good, who are kind, who don’t want to exterminate you, and you have to live your life with that kind of opti- mism,” Ávila said.

Through a poem titled “The Trouble with My Name,” Ávila illustrated the many ways in which individuals have mispronounced his name. He used this poem to transition into discussing his mother and grandmother’s stories, specifically speaking on his grandmother’s involvement in politics as a Puerto Rican nationalist.

Due to waiving a Puerto Rican flag during a time in which that was banned, his grandmother had to serve time.

“We could not express our Puerto Rican-ness,” Ávila said. “The point is, this was happening in the 50s while her three sons, my dad and my two uncles, were fighting for this country and all came back damaged.”Ávila concluded his presentation with his poem, “En Casa de Abuela,” dedicated to his grandmother. By sharing his story, Ávila shed light onto the importance of culture and one’s identity. Villanova will continue to celebrate Hispanic Latine Heritage Month with a variety of events and conversations.

CLAS Majors & Minors Fair Recap

Tessa Kleine Staff Writer

This year’s CLAS Majors and Minors Fair was held on Friday, Oct. 3 in the Villanova Room in the Connelly Center. The fair’s committee created the event around the theme of space. Students were able to find their trajectories by learning more about major and minor options in CLAS and speaking to professors and students within the different departments.

The Majors and Minors Fair Committee embraced how, “it’s okay to switch majors and be uncertain. Exploration is normal, and even encouraged, in college,” Organizing Chair, Katherine Asante, said.

The fair was a great way for students to discover programs of interests they may not have known about and network with people within their specialties.

Whether students had a declared major or were undecided, the event was a great opportunity to receive academic guidance and broaden their horizons.

“I think the most useful thing was getting the list of the spring courses, so I know what I can sign up for,” freshman Nabeel Jafar, theology and peace and justice major, said.

While the event helped students like Jafar confirm their intended field of study, it also helped undecided students discover their options.

“Even if you think you know what you want to major or minor in, it’s okay to explore a few options,” Asante said. “You might discover a minor or concentration or a double major that excites you. Pay attention to what excites you inside and outside of classes. That passion can ultimately guide you to what it is you want to have a career in.”

Other students, like freshman Nathanael Kassahun, a biochemistry major, were able to learn more opportunities within their field

of study.

“What was really interesting was the cognitive behavioral sciences booth, because there were a lot of practical applications, it’s a minor and concentration so it felt more manageable and I could stay with biochemistry and do something else that’s interesting,” Kassahun said.

The fair not only was a great opportunity for students, but also for professors.

“We really have fun because with it because we get to meet students,” Dr. Kevin Hughes, Chairperson and Professor of Theology & Religious Studies, said. “We also get to hear what students are interested in. It’s encouraging for one, but it’s also helpful for us to know what kinds of questions people are asking and what kinds of courses might they be interested in to really help shape our undergraduate curriculum and serve our students’ needs.”

Others, like Lisa Statler, a graduate student in the Graduate Program of Classical Studies, enjoyed talking with students and sharing their passions within their fields of study.

After the event, students should take a few steps so they can get the most out of their experience.

“Look back at all the paperwork that you picked up,” Statler said. “Follow the links to the website of the department and really look at the professors, what they have to say and what they have accomplished. If you get an email from one of the departments that you signed up with, follow up and just say that you really enjoyed hearing about that program and ask any further questions that way.”

Students interested in joining the committee are welcome to apply to organize next fall semester’s Majors and Minors Fair. Meetings for the committee will begin in the Spring 2026 semester.

Asante recommends the committee to anyone who is “wanting to feel impactful and get a sense of what the Villanova community is like.”

History Society Hosts Women’s History Teach-In

Emma Cote Co-News Editor

On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Villanova University History Society hosted a teach-in on Gender, feminism and the patriarchy. This women’s history event was the first of the series of teach-ins this year.

Villanova history professor Dr. Gina Talley presented a Bartley classroom on women’s history and her experience with research in the field. At the University, Talley also teaches courses in U.S. history and History of American Women.

“American women’s history spoke to me in a way literally no other class had,” Talley said. “It was the first time I saw myself.”

At the teach-in, Talley discussed the ways in which women’s history goes unnoticed, and pointed to high school education as a prime example. Specifically, Talley pointed to the language used in Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

Talley showed the class data from the AP United States History exam in which “women” appeared a mere 17 times, “gender” was mentioned once and there was no mention of “feminism” throughout the entire exam.

From these results, Talley then queried the audience on how women’s history was taught in their own high schools. Most students concurred that these lessons were only happening during women’s history month, or not at all.

“I just remember a lot of Betsy Ross,” one student joked, “...nothing else.”

Likewise, students and faculty shared the discrepancies in textbooks. One student pointed to the fact that women are often “side barred,” and never a part of the assigned textbook material.

This conversation led to a quote grounded in much of Talley’s work from historian Gerda Lerner, which was displayed on the board to begin the lecture.

“Always ask what the women did while the men were doing what the textbook tells us was important,” Lerner had written.

Following this discussion, Talley dove into the origins of women’s history. Talley noted that its origins are rooted in college campuses, and the ways in which female students changed curriculums through their own activism.

“They were activists in the streets,” Talley said. “But also, they were activists in the archives.”

From here, Talley shed light on the idea of women’s history being centered around solely the “first and famous.” She rattled off figures such as Amelia Earhart and Susan B. Anthony, to further illustrate her point that ordinary women’s lives are often not given the same respect in history as men.

This led to her discussion on early women’s history, and the problematic view of universal womanhood. In explaining early work and research on women’s history, she explained the ways in which legacies of women of color were invisibilized due to a narrative built upon the experiences of only white women.

Talley explained the ways in which gender is not the only fault line, and pointed to the value of intersectional feminism as a way to better understand women’s experiences.

Intersectional feminism is a term coined by American advocate Kimberle Crenshaw, and reflects the notion that aspects of identity are not experienced separately.

Also critical in understanding women’s history is using it as a tool of analysis. Talley spoke on American historian Joan Scott’s 1985 article that argued in favor

of using gender as a category of historical analysis. Rather than women’s history being simply “what the women were doing,” this analysis tool helps to better understand historical perspectives and events.

Talley also described the ways in which the field of women’s history was not an “inevitable,” and the challenging of the curriculums and the sources it took to get to a place where women’s history could be studied to the extent it is today.

This revolutionization of consciousness and culture is built upon the research and criticism of the status quo from women over the course of decades.

“Women’s history wasn’t inevitable,” Talley said. “The fact that I would be here conducting a women’s history lesson was not inevitable.”

Talley wrapped her teachin by explaining the ways in which women’s history is incredibly relational, and the ways in which this helps define individuals’ thoughts and personal histories.

“Sometimes you talk to others and realize ‘oh this is not just me,’” Talley said. “This ultimately rests on the idea that the personal is political.”

How To Get Involved: Spotlight On Service At Villanova

Jasmine Srivastava Staff Writer

Service is one of the foundational roots of Villanova and was recently celebrated and demonstrated a couple weeks ago, at Villanova’s 20th Day of Service. Now that the day has passed, here are some other ways to stay involved in service on campus.

APO:

First, there is Alpha Phi Omega (APO), which is an all-gender, service fraternity at Villanova. APO has around 125 members and is a recognized service fraternity that has chapters across the country. The chapter’s values are leadership, service and friendship and help give back to others in the greater Philadelphia area at a variety of service sites, as well as participate in bonding activities with one another.

Senior Pat Cregan, who is the President of APO and oversees the executive board, ensures the members uphold the requirements within the chapter, such as fellowship events to help strengthen its community and 15 hours of service each semester.

Cregan shared his experience with the group over the years and more about the chapter as a whole.

What has been your favorite part of service?

“My favorite part of APO is definitely the people,” he said. “The people in APO are so friendly and enthusiastic that it’s easy to get to know one another.”

What does a typical day of service look like?

“There is no typical day of service in APO, we serve dozens of communities throughout the semester and aim to have at least one to two different service projects every week to broaden our reach and impact in the Greater Philadelphia Area,” Cregan

said.

Why did you get involved?

“I joined APO because I was looking for a community of selfless and kind people who care about making a positive impact on the lives around them – and I found exactly that,” he said.

How does one get involved?

“We open applications at the beginning of every semester, upon acceptance, you will be placed into a pledge class with about 30-40 other new members,” he said. “Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date on information [@apo_villanova].”

COV:

Next, there is Community Outreach of Villanova (COV), which helps students serve at sites across Philadelphia per their availability and interests. The program helps transport the students to and from Philadelphia every week, helping with tasks including volunteering at soup kitchens, farming and more.

Junior Charlie Perricelli, who is a site coordinator for the organization, mainly helps with the coordination between the nonprofits they serve at and site leaders who lead the students for service.

Perricelli shared more about COV and his experience in the organization after the past couple of years.

What has been your favorite part of service?

“My favorite part of service has been becoming connected with Philadelphia and getting to experience the city more than I otherwise would,” Perricelli said.

What does a typical day of service look like?

“Students would meet up with their groups and be transported to their service site where they would serve for usually about an hour before being transported back,” he said. “We

have different sites, some examples are sites that do English tutoring for adults [or] science experiments with kids.”

Why did you get involved?

“I joined because service has been an important way that I feel belonging and purpose in communities,” he said. “I knew it would be a great idea to get involved in service at ‘Nova.”

How does one get involved?

“To get involved, check out our Instagram [(nova_cov)], our website or email us at cov@villanova. edu,” he said.

RUIBAL:

Finally, RUIBAL is mainly a first-year service program, in which students go to schools in the greater Philadelphia area with group leaders and help with after-school programs for kids in grades ranging from pre-k to eighth.

Junior Rose Mazzeo is the Social Justice Education Chair for the organization and helps to plan events geared towards the volunteers learning about issues affecting the communities they serve.

Mazzeo shared her knowledge about the club and what her experience has been for the past two

years.

What has been your favorite part of service?

“My favorite part [has] been the bonds I’ve built with the students and service and my fellow volunteers,” she said. “I always look forward to taking a break from my life at school and being able to have a fun change of pace at service.”

What does a typical day of service look like?

“Meeting up with your group in St. Rita’s at either 2:30 or 3, riding in a van to service, and getting back to campus by 5:30 or 6,” she said. “[Activities] could include playing outside with the kids, reading with them or even playing tennis.”

Why did you get involved?

“I wanted to get involved in service and meet other freshmen who also wanted to get involved,” Mazzeo said.

How does one get involved?

“If you are a first-year student or an upperclassman that would like to lead a group you can email ruibal@villanova.edu,” she said.

Villanova has a variety of ways to stay involved in service and meet people who share similar values of helping out the greater community.

Villanova offers a lot of opportunities to stay involved with service on campus, after Day of Service. Courtesy of Alpha Phi Omega

This Week In Politics: Government Shutdown

Zoe Garrett Political Columnist

*This article was written on Friday, Oct. 3. The status of the shutdown may have changed by the time of this article’s publication.

At 12:01 a.m. EST last Wednesday, the U.S. government shut down.

According to NBC News, this marks the first shutdown since the 35-day shutdown of 2018-19 during President Donald Trump’s first term.

While government shutdowns are by no means commonplace in the U.S.’s democratic system, they are overall not atypical, either, especially in recent times.

Still, confusion remains surrounding what exactly they are, why they happen in the first place and what implications they can pose for Americans.

What is a government shutdown?

Simply put, when Congress fails to pass funding legislation to finance the federal government before the start of the fiscal year, certain operations and processes are forced to halt, according to ABC News.

Why is the government shutting down?

In the context of this shutdown, the primary reason why lawmakers in Washington did not appropriate federal dollars in front of the 11:59 p.m., Sept. 30 deadline is a political one.

As an increasingly salient

element of American politics, high levels of partisan polarization prevented efforts by both Republicans and Democrats on the Hill to suggest any sort of compromise.

The main policy area lying at the gridlock’s core was healthcare.

In July of 2025, President Trump, with the help of a GOP-majority Congress, passed his signature spending bill, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1).

A provision in the legislation called for significant funding cuts to Medicaid, the federal program which provides healthcare for low-income citizens.

At the time of passage, House and Senate Democrats hurled incessant criticisms towards the bill, declaring such cuts to be against the best interests of the American population.

Now, grievances have been reignited. Congressional Democrats conveyed their refusal to compromise on any budgetary legislation which did not take meaningful steps to reverse these cuts, reported ABC News.

To communicate the caucus’s unwavering position, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Republicans “divorced from reality” if they believed that Democratic lawmakers would ultimately give in and pass any legislation which maintained the cuts.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed Leader Jeffries’ frustration, highlighting the inevitability of the health care issue in America.

“They just wanted to kick the health care problem down the road,”

he told reporters around the Capitol Building.

Republicans similarly voiced their refusal to give an inch.

Following his and President Trump’s meeting with Democratic leaders in Congress before midnight last Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance stated, “I think we’re headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing.”

GOP leaders framed the shutdown, which results from an inability of both parties to compromise on legislation, as one caused solely by Democrats. House Speaker Mike Johnson coined the process a “Democrat shutdown,” calling the party “selfish” for not passing Republican proposed budgets, reported the BBC.

President Trump himself has weighed into the conversation in unique ways. Last week, he posted to his social media pages AI-generated, deepfake videos of Democratic leadership, mocking them as they referred to the shutdown, stated ABC News. What does a government shutdown mean for American citizens?

The government shutdown comes with a host of consequences for federal agencies, federal workers and for the public at large.

According to NBC News, federal workers will generally not be paid during a government shutdown, whether they are deemed essential or not.

This means that some essential workers have been expected to come to work despite the promise of

a paycheck. These essential workers include Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, air traffic controllers, certain members of the military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

After a few days into the shutdown, attractions like national parks and Smithsonian museums close.

Notably, some programs will continue despite the hiatus in the government’s funding. For example, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits generally continue to be rolled out, even if such processes are disrupted or otherwise slowed down. What now?

At this point,* the longevity of the shutdown remains unknown. Lawmakers in Congress remain deadlocked, with neither party revealing indications of folding. According to The New York Times, several budgetary plans have been put forth for the chambers’ consideration since Wednesday– only to be voted down by the Republican majority or to be filibustered out of a 60-vote supermajority by Senate Democrats.

Until lawmakers find common ground and enact an agreed-upon budget, the federal government will remain in limbo, with the shutdown’s effects on federal workers and American citizens snowballing as more days pass.

Whether the shutdown lasts days or weeks, its consequences serve as a harsh reminder of the ways in which the negative impacts of political polarization extend far beyond Capitol Hill.

Sen. Pat Toomey Discusses Civil Discourse And Democracy

Darya Radzevich Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the McCullen Center for law, religion and public policy welcomed former U.S. Senator Pat Toomey to give a seminar on the topic of “Civil Discourse and American Politics Today.”

Senator Toomey represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate from 2011 to 2023, capping his 12-year service on the Senate Committee on Banking.

Before going into politics, Toomey owned a restaurant with his brothers, but he became interested in politics and economics during college which sparked the start of his career in the early 1990s.

In the 1998 election for the House of Representatives, Toomey ran for the first time.

“If I knew then what I knew now, I probably wouldn’t have run,” Toomey said about his improbable chances of winning that specific election. “I was quite lucky that it worked out.”

Toomey was asked about current civil discourse, especially surrounding the killing of Charlie Kirk, and how he worked across divides in his own races.

“We should remember that politics is downstream from culture,” Toomey said.

Toomey made a point to say that our culture has become angrier which is causing a divide not only in society, but also in

Congress.

“You can disagree passionately, but doing so respectfully and acknowledging the legitimacy of another point of view,” Toomey said.

A focal point of the discussion was on the importance of returning a level of civility and finding common ground to bring back healthy debate. This decorum has been strained intensely over the recent years.

Toomey moved to discussing the importance of strengthening the institutions that force compromise, specifically the U.S. Senate.

He criticized the current state of the Senate and suggested rewarding those who are in office to legislate rather than those who are there to create a political brand for themselves.

“We’ve got to stop electing people like that,” Toomey said.

Toomey was asked about a possible rule change that could make Congress better to which he answered increasing the threshold for preventing a vote on the Senate floor.

The current number is usually one vote which Toomey says no longer works because the culture in Congress has shifted away from debate.

He then described his belief why the culture has shifted on Capitol Hill.

“It is no longer an adequate expression of your opposition to oppose the vote and defeat it,” Toomey said.

“The Senators must prevent it from being allowed to be brought onto the floor for a vote.”

Toomey was then asked about resolving the current vulnerable state of our democracy regarding gaps in the separation of power between branches.

“It comes down to restoring the robust functions of the three branches of the government,” Toomey said.

Ultimately, Toomey focused his seminar on the divided political culture currently present in the country which is creating gaps in our democracy.

A major takeaway from this seminar is that going back to the basics of separation of powers would be ideal to achieve a level of democracy where healthy

debate can occur and produce a legislature based on compromise. This distinction of branches allows for smoother function, as well as limited sway. The seperation decsribed in the discussion is what the Constitution intended.

The American legal system was created to encourage careful deliberation and thoughtful discourse, but the current contentious political climate has only stifled the value behind these aspects.

Given the heightened political violence, deep gridlock and lack of cooperation across the aisle, it is necessary to encourage civilty.

Students who are interested in attending similar events in the future are encouraged to keep up with the McCullen Center.

The McCullen Center hosted Sen. Toomey at the Charles Widger School of Law. Katelyn Van Mater/Villanovan Photography

OPINION

Villanova Must Implement A Mandatory Civics Course

Juliana Burke Staff Writer

The data is in and it’s startling, revealing that civic literacy in the United States is at a historic low. According to a 2024 survey of more than 3,000 U.S. undergraduates, only 31% of students could correctly identify James Madison as the “Father of the Constitution.” In an even more concerning revelation, nearly a quarter of respondents couldn’t name any of the other “Constitutional Fathers.” Before this grim statistic gets dismissed as a general public issue attributable to rising social media usage and the decline of reading, I believe it is essential to take a look around campus for proactive solutions to this disturbing trend. In an era when misinformation and apathy have spread faster than objective knowledge, we cannot afford this kind of civic illiteracy to trickle into the subsequent generations. That’s why I believe Villanova should require all students to take a course in civic literacy.

Some students come to Villanova with a desire to exclusively study political science (which in and of itself does not guarantee civic literacy). Some students come to Villanova with an elementary background in civics. However, many students come to Villanova with no prior knowledge of our governmental systems and how they connect, communicate and work alongside one another. Depending on one’s high school, they may have had a semester of U.S. government,

or nothing at all. That creates a civic education gap that college can (and arguably) should close.

Villanova prides itself on its Catholic and Augustinian heritage, which is rooted in the promises of truth, justice and community. How can we claim to promote these values if we don’t understand the systems that define the publicly accepted “truth,” uphold “justice” and form our broader political “community?” Civic literacy isn’t just about passing a history test or memorizing names. It’s about equipping students to live out the values Villanova holds dear.

To define “civic literacy” is to create and define a course that provides the knowledge and skills needed to responsibly participate in our political discourse. That includes understanding how the branches of government work, what the Constitution protects, how elections function and how policy

decisions play out in our communities.

One positive step Villanova can take toward enhancing civic literacy around campus can be accomplished through including a pocket Constitution in the materials given to students during their mandatory freshman advising course. I received a “pocket Constitution” during my first American government course at university, and I found it to be an incredibly convenient resource that aided me in achieving a greater understanding of the nation’s ideals, limits and aspirations.

“When I took the Constitutional Faith course at Villanova, I was given a ‘pocket Constitution’ to utilize during our class discussions,” junior political science major Gabriella Wallace said. “Being able to easily consult that resource and find everything I needed was very useful throughout the process of learning all about

American government and politics. Everyone should receive similar opportunities and resources, no matter their major.”

“Seeing the viral videos of street interviews with students who are unable to name the basics of American government opened my eyes to my own gaps in political knowledge,” Ava Hunn, a statistics major, said, agreeing with the importance of civics-based learning. “I believe a civics course would be a great addition to the required courses list and I hope to see this change on campus in the coming semesters.”

Critics of the civic literacy requirement may argue that a politicized course can inadvertently push partisan bias into the classroom. That’s a valid concern, but it misses the point regarding what civic literacy actually entails. A well-designed civic literacy course wouldn’t promote any ideology but will seek to generally equip students to think critically, educate themselves on the ballots before them and have an understanding of our nation’s ideological foundation. We’re taught here to ignite change. But how can we ignite what we don’t understand? Civic literacy is more than a class. It is an ongoing commitment to responsible citizenship. It’s the backbone of every protest, every vote, every community meeting and every piece of legislation. The verdict is clear: Villanova cannot fully carry out its mission statement, riddled with promises of a better tomorrow without an education that reacts to the civics of today.

Adding Regulations To Skill Games Could Save SEPTA

Ray Singh Staff Writer

Pennsylvania’s budget is once again caught in a high-stakes fight, and this year, one of the most pressing questions is how to save Philadelphia’s transit system, SEPTA. Lawmakers have patched funding gaps with temporary measures for years, but the system still faces long-term instability. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration recently approved a $394 million capital transfer from the PA Transit Trust Fund to buy SEPTA two more years of breathing room. While this is a lifeline, it’s not a permanent fix. The larger issue remains: where will Pennsylvania find the sustainable revenue needed to safeguard the future of public transit?

One potential answer comes from an unlikely source—the flashing machines in gas stations, convenience stores and bars known as “skill games.”

Skill games are touchscreen devices that look nearly identical to slot machines. According to manufacturers, the difference lies in the required skill. Instead of relying entirely on chance, players must complete a small task—identifying a winning payline or engaging in a memory puzzle—to determine a payout. Because of this, the industry, spearheaded in PA by a Georgia-based softwaremaker called Pace-O-Matic, has long argued that these machines

are not gambling devices and should not be taxed or regulated as such.

Many lawmakers, regulators and public health experts see things differently. To the average player, the experience of using a skill game is nearly indistinguishable from gambling. Critics argue they exploit the same psychological triggers as slot machines, while siphoning money away from the state lottery and licensed casinos—both heavily taxed and used to fund state programs.

Pennsylvania is central to a national debate over handling this rapidly growing industry. Lobbyists for manufacturers and distributors of skill games have poured money into Harrisburg to block or delay legislation that would subject these devices to regulation and taxation. On the other side, casinos, lawmakers and fiscal watchdogs are calling for fairness: if these machines operate like gambling, they should be treated, and taxed, like gambling.

Several proposals have surfaced in the legislature that would create a regulatory framework and levy taxes on skill games, with estimates suggesting the state could bring in hundreds of millions in new annual revenue. One bipartisan proposal from State Senators Gene Yaw (R) and Anthony Williams (D) would cap the number of skill games machines in PA to 50,000 and require a $500 monthly fee. This proposition could generate up to $300,000,000 in additional revenue to the state. This potential windfall could help fund

essential services without raising taxes elsewhere—a critical selling point during tense budget negotiations. The regulation of skill games could be the key to a brighter future for SEPTA and the state’s public transit system.

So what does this have to do with Philadelphia’s buses, subways and trolleys? A lot, actually. SEPTA is facing a fiscal cliff. Without new funding, the system has warned it will need to raise fares and eliminate entire routes. That would devastate commuters and the city’s economy, especially as Philadelphia prepares for major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Reliable public transit is essential for residents, businesses, and the millions of visitors expected in the coming years.

Regulating and taxing skill games could provide SEPTA with the stable, dedicated funding it needs. Instead of watching millions flow untaxed into private pockets, the state could redirect a portion of that revenue toward transit. This wouldn’t just keep the trains running; it would allow SEPTA to modernize, expand service, and hold down fares at a time when costs of living are climbing for everyone.

The stakes are personal for Villanovans and college students across the Philadelphia area. SEPTA is a lifeline for attending class, internships, jobs and social activities. Rising fares or route cuts hit students especially hard, as many already juggle tuition bills, rent, and part-time work. The potential regulation of skill

games and the revenue it could generate is not just a policy issue; it’s a matter that directly affects the lives of the next generation of Pennsylvania’s leaders and professionals.

“Both parties’ caucuses in both chambers agree that recurring revenue for SEPTA is a necessity in order to fix the funding crisis,” Andy Smith, a senior political science major at Villanova and political advisor in Philadelphia said.

By tying the regulation of skill games to transit funding, Pennsylvania lawmakers can solve two problems at once: reigning in an unregulated gaming industry and saving a transit system that millions depend on.

Ultimately, the debate over skill games isn’t just about whether pushing a button counts as “skill.” It’s about fairness, responsibility and vision for the state’s future. Untaxed, unregulated machines are siphoning money away from public coffers while SEPTA and other services teeter on the edge of crisis.

Pennsylvania could unlock a new, sustainable revenue stream if lawmakers choose to regulate and tax skill games. That revenue could stabilize SEPTA, keep fares affordable and ensure public transit continues to serve the people who need it most—including the next generation of college students shaping the state’s future.

In short, what happens in the corner store could decide the future of Philadelphia’s trains.

Burke argues students need to take a civics course to enhance their education. Courtesy of @villanovau

EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

BROOKE ACKERMAN

NICOLE LIDDICOAT

LAUREN ARMSTRONG

KAILEY FAHY

ZOE SCHACK

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Associate Editor-in-Chief

Opinion Editor

Opinion Editor

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. Letters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

POLICY

The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan

Villanova’s Deferred Recruitment Benefits Students

Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer

Beginning your freshman year of college is already a whirlwind. First-years are tasked with making new friends, adjusting to a roommate, navigating classes and dealing with the emotional weight of being far from home. Everything you’ve known has shifted, and while the experience is undoubtedly exciting, it’s also clouded by a thick layer of uncertainty. Many begin searching for anything that feels remotely familiar, whether it’s crafting a daily routine or diving into hobbies that offer a moment of peace in the chaos. But when the pressure of sorority recruitment is added into that equation, colleges are asking young women to present the best versions of themselves during what is arguably one of the hardest and most unfamiliar transitions of their lives.

That’s why Villanova’s decision to hold spring recruitment is one of the most impactful and student-centered choices the University has made for its women. It gives us something invaluable: time. Time to meet people organically, form genuine friendships and start figuring out who we are before being asked to decide whether or not Greek life aligns with our identities. For me, it created space to sit in the discomfort of my college transition without needing to mask it. I made new friends, explored clubs and organizations on my own terms and got involved in campus life without feeling like every responsibility came with Greek letters attached. Of-

ten, joining a sorority early on makes you feel indebted to it, as though simply being offered membership means you must give everything in return, immediately.

Fall recruitment often narrows your path before you’ve had a chance to explore it. It can box students into specific friend groups and lead them to believe those initial connections should be their forever people. As a result, many unintentionally withdraw from other parts of campus life, clinging tightly to the comfort of the single community they were rushed into. But when you’re given a semester to branch out on your own, you build autonomy, something independent of your sorority letters. I’m proud to be a Chi Omega, and that identity means a great deal to me, but I was so many other things before I ever joined Greek life. I was a Blue Key tour guide. I was a writer for this paper. And honestly, if I had rushed in the fall, I doubt I would’ve ventured into

those roles or discovered those pieces of myself.

Greek life at Villanova offers an incredible support system and sense of belonging, it’s a place to land when everything else feels like it’s spinning. Still, I believe your sorority should be something you wake up and choose every single day, not something you feel tethered to by default. Because I lived a semester without being part of Chi Omega, I know what life looks like without it, and that perspective holds me accountable. It reminds me to actively choose my sisterhood and the community I’ve built within it. It’s also what allowed me to form deep friendships outside the Panhellenic circle, giving me access to a much wider and more enriching college experience.

When I first arrived at Villanova, I felt an intense pressure to rush. It seemed like something everyone around me was doing, and I didn’t want to be the odd one out, the first

to step off the expected path. But having that first semester to pause, to truly ask myself whether Greek life was something I wanted to pursue, changed everything. I met women from different chapters in authentic ways, not through rehearsed conversations or formal rounds. I got to see their values, their leadership, their friendships, not just their philanthropy events or the aesthetic of their formals. What started as a path I felt pushed toward became a choice I made on my own terms, with intention. And in that choice, I followed the legacy of countless women who chose Greek life not out of pressure, but out of purpose.

“I actually really like the delayed recruitment,” Megan Lawn, a sophomore and Chi Omega at Villanova, said. “My best friend goes to Clemson, and we were constantly talking about our experiences during hers and mine. Hers was way more intense and crazy compared to mine, and I feel like Villanova’s recruitment gave me more space to enjoy the process.”

Villanova’s spring recruitment model doesn’t just delay a decision, it reshapes the entire narrative around sorority life. By giving women the time and space to grow into themselves first, it fosters a community built on authenticity, not urgency. It reminds us that who we are outside of our letters matters just as much as who we are within them. And when Greek life becomes a choice made from clarity rather than pressure, it has the power to uplift, not define, the college experience.

College Rankings Are A One-Dimensional Screenshot

Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor

Continued from p. 1

criteria to fuel their decision on who goes where on this list, fueling elitist mindsets and perspectives.

That formula can’t account for the lived reality of Villanova, or any school for that matter. It doesn’t see the students planning the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world. It doesn’t measure the impact of NOVAdance, which aims to support the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and instill hope in the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. It doesn’t reflect the months of work put in by orientation counselors who give up their summers to welcome first-years. These experiences define Villanova far more than an arbitrary ranking ever could.

“When originally looking at colleges, of course I looked at rankings and originally, they were

something that was important,” junior astrophysics major Maggie D’Amaro said. “But now that I am here at Villanova, I realize they do not matter at all. If I had chosen a college solely based on ranking, I do not think I would be as happy.” Of course, I am biased. All schools on this list boast impressive clubs and service opportunities for their students. But this obsession for some to attend a school

with a higher ranking is driven by ego. Should Villanova really chase prestige by gaming metrics that have little to do with education and the actual student experience? Or rather, should Villanova focus efforts on what makes the school strong and unique: a community rooted in service, academics and activities that bring people together? Solely chasing a rank risks compromising our values and mission. Students,

faculty and the school community as a whole choosing to live the mission every day shows how the number is irrelevant.

That’s why the “why Villanova” question holds so much weight on the application. For those who choose a school solely for prestige and rank, the answer will likely fall flat. And those who end up coming here chasing only a rank may struggle to find their place. But for a majority of students and faculty who see Villanova as more than a number and who embrace the entire experience, the answer is usually easy. Villanova should not be defined by 57th place. It is rather defined by the people who make it extraordinary.

Ultimately, when that family asked me why they should invest in a school that isn’t in the top 50, I responded by saying that rankings may draw interest, but they cannot capture the full picture of what being at Villanova, or any school, is like. And that, more than any number, is what truly matters.

Villanova’s Chi Omega new members in January 2023. Lauren Armstrong/Villanovan Photography

Villanova’s Blue Key society provides an in-depth look at Villanova. Courtesy of Blue Key

Villanovans Need to Use SEPTA More Often

Allie Hessler Staff Writer

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the most common form of public transportation in the greater Philadelphia area and is an affordable resource for students at Villanova. Despite all of its benefits, though, it is consistently overlooked by students.

Last semester, I completed a survey of 235 undergraduates asking questions about their SEPTA usage. There are two main ways to use SEPTA on campus: the Norristown line and the Paoli Thorndale line, with the Paoli Thorndale line often being more popular.

One of the main questions from this survey was why students chose not to use SEPTA and it was found that 27.62% of students avoided the train due to confusion, and 26.57% students decided based on convenience. Only 13.99% of students selected concerns of safety to be their reason for not using public transportation. However, when looking at demographics, 23% of women were concerned about safety while only 10% of men were.

Despite being a lower concern statistically, public transit often gets a bad reputation when it comes to safety concerns and is often a common conversation among students. I talked to Dr. Ryan Almeida, a professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment, about the biggest misconceptions of SEPTA.

Alex Roth Staff Writer

“Perceptions of safety are a valid concern,” Almeida said. “If people perceive it as unsafe they will consider it unsafe however public transit statistically is safer by a decent margin when considering road rage and other road-related crimes.”

According to the Philadelphia Police Department, there were more than 26,000 car accidents reported in 2024, while SEPTA reported 711 serious crimes in 2024, a 33% reduction when compared to 2023.

Moving on to students’ other concerns revolving around how SEPTA operates is something that the University could do a better job of helping students become aware of options. As of now, the only information that the University provides for students regarding SEPTA is a small paragraph on the Villanova University Sustainability website that simply states where SEPTA is on campus. Students would greatly benefit from getting more information from the school about the places that SEPTA goes as well as the schedules. With the ever-increasing use of Uber or other rideshare options, it is much easier for a student to simply order a ride through the app than have to go through multiple websites to figure out how and when to get to their destination.

Almeida believes that while Uber or other programs may be more convenient, using SEPTA is still the better option.

“SEPTA is predictable in ways Uber isn’t,” Almeida said. “Obviously there are delays but the fares

don’t frequently change, you know when and where it will be, it is always cheaper for a single rider than uber, and you’re taking advantage of a public resource Philly provides for you.”

The biggest advantage of taking SEPTA or any public transit is that it is often much more environmentally friendly than taking a personal vehicle or Uber. According to ENO Center for Transportation 0.228 pounds (103.42 grams) of CO2 are produced per passenger mile, where the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency states the average passenger vehicle produces roughly 400 grams of CO2 per mile.

Despite the advantages to the environment that taking public transit has, Almeida says there are also other reasons that students in the area of Philadelphia should care about supporting SEPTA.

“You’re also benefiting the region that you are in because it is a public resource,” Almeida said. “The fare goes back towards the community and can help the city.”

Overall, SEPTA is an incredible resource that is provided to all students. It should not only be taken advantage of more, but also should be supported because of the benefits to the environment and community.

Students Should Reconsider Their AI Use

AI is not as some far-off science fiction fantasy but as an immediate force that reshapes our classrooms. ChatGPT did not simply slither into the academic world with a quiet lisp. It doused gasoline on a fire already blazing.

The fire I refer to is the technological revolution of the digital age. That fire will continue to burn long after our lifetimes, and the question is not whether we will be caught in the flames but whether we will learn how to use the heat without being consumed.

Humans are becoming increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence. From generating indepth summaries of lecture notes to ghostwriting essays about the dangers of ChatGPT itself, students are outsourcing not just their assignments but also their intellectual development. Academia once demanded discipline and focus, fostering an environment that encouraged intellectual wrestling. Now this long-time tradition is extinguished in seconds with a few typed prompts. Some argue this risks hollowing out the very purpose of higher education.

Most critics are blunt in their warnings. The Villanovan spoke with Emmaline Lombardo, a political science and humanities major, about these dangers.

“I’m not concerned with AI, I’m concerned with the humans who use AI,” Lombardo

said. “The technology, after all, is not inherently malicious. The real danger lies in our laziness, our willingness to let machines think, so that we don’t have to.”

Emmaline described the role of AI in the youth.

“AI is churning out a generation of children who never grow up,” she said.

This immaturity in thought can and will be detrimental to mankind in the long run. By cutting corners and letting algorithms

handle the heavy lifting, students risk forfeiting the very growth that comes from grappling with complex questions and learning from failure.

The temptation, which many concede, is to see immediate short-term benefits: the ease of study guides, the speed of research, the thrill of rapid results. “We need to think of the shortterm benefits in relation to longterm gain,” Lombardo said.

“If students no longer

build the muscles of independent reasoning, what kind of citizens, thinkers and leaders will they become?”

Do you really want a ChatGPT-certified doctor to perform heart surgery on you? Do you want your child’s teacher to regurgitate A.I with no passion? Will your child even be able to learn?

To be blatantly clear, AI itself is not the enemy. It is a powerful and transformative tool when used wisely. However, tools can shape us as much as we shape them. The printing press created scholars; the smartphone created scrollers. What will ChatGPT create? A generation of innovators— or a generation of humans who let innovation think for them?

The answer, I believe, depends less on the technology itself and more on the culture of accountability we build around it. Academia must adapt, but it must also defend its mission: forming minds, not just producing outputs. A good professor helps their students become better versions of themselves and fosters growth within the classroom community. AI not only threatens this flourishing community but prohibits students from proper growth. In the meantime, reflect on your own relationship with AI. Have you been overly reliant on ChatGPT or do you have a healthy relationship with AI? Always remember: honesty is key. You will only hurt yourself if you are dishonest.

SEPTA allows students to travel to popular spots off campus, like the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Zoe Schack/Villanovan Photography

Undergraduates are encouraged to leverage technology in meaningful ways in the classroom. Courtesy of Villanova University

CULTURE

Social Justice Documentary: Out Of Bounds

Emma Taylor Staff Writer

Continued from p.1

Talinin Commune Tamaloukt, the specific town where the company is headed, is rooted in indigenous Amazigh culture and currently dealing with an unhealthy water crisis.

“People are walking four kilometers a day to get water from a well that isn’t really guaranteed,” director Katelyn Van Mater said. “The water is salty, it hasn’t been tested, there are a lot of things to explore there.”

As a result, people are leaving the community in search of better living conditions, putting the Amazigh culture and traditions in peril.

It’s important to note that the actual making of the documentary is only half of the class. Alongside filming and post-production, the company is tasked with developing a sustainable initiative that supports the Talinin Commune Tamaloukt community.

“Right now we’re in the process of trying to meet with activists around indigenous rights in Morocco,” Van Mater said.

The company has some ideas already floating, and will hopefully gain more knowledge about how to combat the water crisis this community is facing while on their trip.

“We’re also in conversation with the engineering school and [Idrissi-Janati]’s brother, as well, to build a more sustainable water source for them to gather clean water from,” Zickel said. “Currently, their system breaks every 10 days and then it takes 20 days to fix, so it’s something that’s not reliable and such a crucial, natural

Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC

Dear tired seniors,

resource that needs to be accessible. That’s something we really want to work on and raise money after and use our documentary to share and support the community.”

Getting to know the people and the issues they deal with reflects what a lot of the members of the Out of Bounds film company want to get out of the course: a journey of introspection and a chance to examine your relationship with social justice and responsibility.

“Without a mindset of further social justice and creating a sustainable relationship with our collaborators, you’re not getting the full experience of this course,” Kee said. “I think that caused me to grow so much more personally, with confidence in myself, how I view my own privilege and how I view the world.”

As the departure date approaches, the reality of the long-anticipated trip is setting in. Co-director, senior Olivia Bancel, shared her excitement for the documentary filming, the result of extensive preparation.

“It feels so surreal to say that we’re leaving on Friday,” Bancel said. “I’ve been looking at this date on the calendar for so long and I can’t believe the day is finally here. For the first time, im feeling excited more than any other emotion. I’m still nervous, of course, but I’m feeling ready to start this process and I’m so excited for all that we’ll learn during the two weeks of production in Morocco.”

As the days count down to their flight taking off, Villanovans can follow along on the company’s journey with its Instagram, @outofbounds_productions. The group’s hard work and talent will be showcased with the film’s premiere in the Mullen Center on April 30, 2026.

Letters From Lauren: Fall Break

However, a break is the perfect time to put all else aside and finally get a chance to relax and spend time with friends and loved ones.

Happy (almost) Fall Break. In approximately 48 hours, midterm week will be over and it will finally be time to catch our breath and take a break. For many of us, this means heading to sunny Las Vegas, Nevada to spend the last four days of break. While it is said that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we all know what happens in Vegas actually gets posted on Instagram and Snapchat stories as a memory of us all enjoying our senior year.

Regardless if you are heading to Vegas, staying on campus, going home or traveling somewhere different for this upcoming week, we deserve the break. If this semester has taught us anything it is that although we are seniors, that does not automatically mean our work load will decrease, and for many of us quite the opposite is occurring. Senior projects, thesis assignments, applying for postgrad jobs and furthering education and more are piling up on our desks and in our email inboxes, making it difficult to escape the reality that the outside world does not stop just because we have some exams and essay deadlines.

Relaxation looks different for everyone, which is why I am going to share some different ways to take a step back and spend time for yourself this fall break.

Find a new hobby

The best part about a break is that you can spend it doing whatever you want. This makes it the perfect time to try something new and to get into the habit of doing that activity. Do you want to start journaling every day? Curious about learning how to sew? There is no better time than when you have no other obligations. Explore your surroundings. If you are going home or somewhere new, it is always possible to discover parts of the town or city you have never explored before. Finding the “hidden gems” of these areas keeps breaks interesting. Using tools such as Tiktok or Pinterest to find new places to explore could possibly lead you to discovering your new favorite go-to places.

Read a new book

My personal favorite part of break is being able to read for pleasure, instead of for class. Breaks are

the best time to head to your local book store and pick up the book you have been eyeing. Not sure what to read next? Head to Goodreads or “Booktok” to discover the story meant for you to explore.

Reconnect with others

Another favorite of mine is using break as a time to connect with family members I have not seen in a while or friends from high school who go to other colleges. Maybe you have the opportunity to surprise a friend or family member by visiting them or just scheduling a time to get coffee and talk about life since the last time you connected.

Have fun

Of course, for those of us heading to Vegas, but also for anyone going on break, the main objective is to have fun and enjoy your time. It is our opportunity to have the time of our life and to do so with the people we love.

No matter how you are spending your Fall Break, it is important to enjoy it because we deserve to. Take this time for yourself to reconnect, reset and to prepare to come back to campus better than you left.

With love always, Lauren

The Out of Bounds Production team creates the vision for the documentary prior to their trip. Courtesyof Outof BoundsProductions

Broadway In Concert: A Villanova Celebration Recap

Cali Carss Co-Culture Editor

From Oct. 3 to Oct. 4, a very special production ran at Topper Theatre in the Mullen Center. “Broadway In Concert,” true to its name, was a celebration of beloved Broadway hits. From classics like The Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story to new stories like The Prom , there was something for everyone in this show.

“Broadway In Concert” consisted of a 26-piece orchestra, the entire University Choir, 13 non-student soloists and some members of the Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) ensemble.

It was a massive production pulled off by none other than University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. and theatre professor Peter A. Hillard, M.M., M.F.A. Hillard directed and conducted the shows, while Father Peter acted as the executive producer.

The audience itself was a unique crowd. Unlike typical Mullen Center productions, which draw in students supporting their friends or looking to check the “ACS-approved” box, “Broadway In Concert” pulled in many attendants from surrounding towns. Many different worlds collided over a shared love of musical theatre.

Kate Koslow Staff Writer

“You have bewitched me body and soul and I love, I love, I love you.”

A timeless love, a timeless story and a truly timeless film. Joe Wright’s 2005 Pride and Prejudice isn’t just another adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel, but a beautiful example of visual storytelling.

This movie redefines what it means to yearn for another, while perfectly balancing touching drama with a dash of humor – enough to have the viewers clutching their heart in one minute and cracking up in the next. Pride and Prejudice depicts an epic story, creating a world all viewers wish to step foot in.

The story follows the wild and curious Bennet family, which resides in the countryside of England. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters, the clever and lively Ms. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet among them. Mrs. Bennet has one goal in mind: marry her daughters off to wealthy men, in order to secure her family’s future. So, when Lizzy’s beautiful sister Jane gets wrapped up in a courtship with the adorable, and affluent, Mr. Bingley, Lizzy is put under pressure to marry, as well. Through these interactions with the upper echelons of the gentry, Lizzy meets the stoic, quiet and mysteriously dark Mr. Darcy (who

To begin the show, the orchestra and many of the featured soloists performed a medley from the 1980 musical 42nd Street . It was a strong start with great vocals, high energy and even a tap number. The audience also got clued in on a fun fact: the man who wrote the music for 42nd Street , Al Dubin, also wrote Villanova’s “Alma Mater.”

The next section of the show was dedicated to classics, with soloists performing songs from shows like Funny Girl , along with a wonderful rendition of “Seasons of Love” from Rent by the choir.

Then came one of the most exciting moments of the show. The cast of VSMT’s upcoming production of The Prom sang two of their show’s songs: “Love Thy Neighbor” and “Dance With You.” Fully outfitted with costumes and choreography, these performances gave the audience a lot to look forward to at the end of the month when The Prom comes to Villanova. Several of the students in this production are also in the University Choir, so the audience got to see them show off their skills multiple times throughout the show.

After VSMT’s moment, the show returned to its soloists for a rendition of one of Father Peter’s favorite’s, “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie , and two songs from Urinetown Urinetown , Hillard told the audience during

the matinee show, was the last production Father Peter put on in the Theatre Department before he was made University President. The two soloists featured in the tribute to this musical, who performed “Follow Your Heart” and “Run Freedom Run,” are Villanova alumni, one of which was in the original production 20 years ago.

With more than half of the show already done, the choir performed an extensive West Side Story choral suite featuring a host of student soloists from the choir. They came and went across the

stage as they sang, giving each their moment to shine.

The final section of “Broadway In Concert” featured a selection of what Hillard called their “favorites.” After hits like “Anything You Can Do” and “Over The Rainbow,” the show concluded with a rendition of “Make Our Garden Grow” by two members of the University Choir, Marco Klisch and Emily Jo. “Broadway In Concert” was an amazing display of all the talent that lives in and around Villanova, and the Topper Theatre is the best place to see it year-round.

Reel Talk: Pride and Prejudice

happens to be unfathomably rich).

From just one night, Lizzy feels an instant, and seemingly mutual, disdain for Darcy. However, as the two continue to cross paths and their inner circles intertwine, Lizzy and Darcy’s pride and prejudice are overcome by passion, forming the lovely romance we know today.

The book is world-famous itself and has been re-made and re-imagined countless times. That means this movie had very big shoes to fill when Wright embarked on creating it. Despite the long history of Pride and Prejudice media, though, this movie is almost unanimously the global favorite.

One of the most powerful aspects of this movie is its ability

to create an exquisite atmosphere through the visuals and music. The cinematography alone allows each shot to look like a painting from the 18th century, with fabulous attention to detail in costume design, lighting and composition.

Memorable scenes include that of the public ball, with exciting music and crowded dancing so realistic the viewers can almost smell the sweat. And of course, no one could forget the powerful scene of Lizzy Bennet on the cliffs of England, golden sunlight hitting her face, her dress flowing in the wind with one of the most stunning horizons shown on camera.

These scenes are elevated by the remarkable score by

Dario Marianelli and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Whether the music is set as a simple piano melody or a wide classical orchestra, the score reflects such romantic yet powerful elements and the deep emotion of the movie.

Although the book was written in the 1800s, the themes of Pride and Prejudice are still shockingly relevant to the world today. Beyond romance, the movie also harshly critiques the preconceptions many hold about others, regarding one’s beauty, class or reputation.

Throughout the movie, Wright exposes gossiping or quick digs in their most wicked form, as even the most likeable characters ignore the truth in what is right in front of them. This movie implores the viewers to let go of their false prejudices and look towards undeniable love, and to do it with flare.

Through passionate professions and dramatic marches through fields at dawn, Pride and Prejudice has established itself as a classic one can watch a dozen times. The characters, all unique, hilarious and relatable, remind the viewers that love, a true and powerful love, can always be achieved, no matter the time it occurs. One should always try to live life like Lizzy, by seeing the romance of life and appreciating the beauty said romance has to offer. It is safe to say that Pride and Prejudice is a movie that will bewitch viewers body and soul, and all will love, love, love it.

Students, professors and alumni sang their hearts out at Topper Theatre. Cali Carss/Villanovan Photography

A beloved book was turned into an equally beloved movie by director Joe Wright. Cali Carss/Villanovan Photography

Heart Of The Matter: Weddings

Sophie Latessa Co-Culture Editor

In order to maintain the essence of Heart of the Matter, the students who share their hearts with us will remain anonymous.

Do 80% of Villanovans really marry Villanovans? Some Villanovans have learned a lot about life and love from weddings, but do they believe their own future partner is here on campus?

Weddings are an incredibly unique moment in life, bringing together family and friends to celebrate love. One Villanovan has recently been in both her older sisters’ wedding parties, seeing firsthand the labor of love that goes into executing a successful wedding.

“Being able to celebrate the two people closest to me was something I won’t ever forget,” the student said. “As a bridesmaid for one and a maid of honor for another sister, my main priority was keeping the bride calm, which is actually kind of hard.”

On both occasions, this Villanovan said the love from family and friends was palpable on her sisters’ special days.

“With both weddings I think the most special part was my whole family being there to celebrate,” she said. “It’s really amazing to have all the people you love in one room celebrating you.”

Here at Villanova, there is constant talk of the over-three-quar-

ters of students who allegedly find their future spouses here. This is a catchy campus fun fact for tours, but in reality some students are doubtful.

“I honestly don’t think I will find my husband at Villanova,” one student said. “I think academics and other involvements have kept me busy enough and I am content with that. I have found all my best friends and that’s really all that matters for now.”

Though it can seem bleak, some Villanovans are more hopeful they will find their “person” while on Lancaster Ave.

“This might be delusional, but I am holding out hope that I will find my future spouse at Villanova,” another student said. “The family that I babysit for at home both met at Villanova and got married at the Villanova church, so they’ve kind of been my example. I’m hoping that happens for me, too.”

Alumni Courtney Morrissette, class of 2017, and Patrick Ralph, class of 2016, are a proud part of the 80%. The two were set up for a sorority formal by a mutual friend and the rest was history.

“My cocktail was coming up, and I needed a date and I just wanted to go and have fun with someone with no expectations,” Morrissette said. “My friend was like ‘you should totally go with my friend Pat.’”

Though involved in many of the same organizations and clubs on campus, Morrissette and Ralph had somehow never met.

“Before we actually went to

the sorority event, I was, like, ‘hey, we should probably hang out beforehand,’” Ralph said. “‘I don’t want to just go into the event not knowing you.’ So we sat outside and had lunch at Cafe Nova, and little did we know, that was the beginning.”

At their wedding this summer, the couple was surrounded by many of their Villanova friends, including two of Morrisette’s bridesmaids. One was their matchmaker, Aida. Ralph also had two Villanova groomsmen along with his best man, whom he met while rooming in Delurey Hall freshman year.

“It’s fun because we were in different years and different friend groups during college, so we had people from different phases of life and different groups from Villanova all at our wedding,” Morrissette said.

“It’s just fun to have all those people together and be kind of a testament to our relationship.”

Newly married, the couple is grateful for all the connections that led to the relationship, but most of all, the fact that they were brought together at Villanova.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the friends who brought us together, but also if it wasn’t for Villanova,” Ralph said. “It’s just a credit to the ways at Villanova that you can get involved and meet people. Because you never know, maybe you’re going to meet your significant other or maybe you’ll meet your best friend. I can say that I met not only my best friend, but I met my wife.”

Eighty percent is surely an exaggeration, but love on Lancaster can strike when you least expect it.

CSA and Chinese Studies Host Mid-Autumn Festival

Baily Keeley Staff Writer

Monday Oct. 6 marked this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration traditionally associated with the harvest. It is held on the 15th day of the eigth month in the Chinese calendar, corresponding to September/October on the Gregorian calendar. It is a day to symbolize family reunion, enjoy traditional Chinese food, such as mooncake, and spend time with loved ones.

On campus, a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival was hosted by the Villanova Chinese Student Association (CSA) and Villanova’s Chinese Studies Program on Friday, Oct. 3.

Villanova University’s Chinese Student Association celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with special performances throughout

the event. The event started with a traditional Chinese instrumental percussion and Chinese Lion dance, intended to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.

“Our mission is to spread cultural awareness for the Chinese Lion Dance,” Sidney Wong, Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Lion Dancing team, said.

“I think that it is not a super well known thing, and even if they have seen it before, they haven’t seen it up front and personal. So, we are giving people the opportunity to experience and see it, and it might make them more interested. Overall, for the greater Philadelphia area, it is just a wonderful thing.”

There were also several beautiful songs performed by the Villanova Melodics. Statistics professor Dr. Siyu Wang played a song on her Guzheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument that is

plucked to create a unique sound. Several students performed songs in Chinese and another student performed with a Chinese Yo-Yo.

The last performances were all dances performed by the Main Line Chinese Culture Center dance teams, whose members danced across the stage expressing stories of their culture and ancestors.

The members of CSA hoped to help students learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival, explaining their own family traditions, discussing their favorite Chinese meals and demonstrating how people can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by spending time with loved ones.

“It is the time of year that brings family together, that brings friends together, we eat food together, enjoy the holiday,” CSA President Calum Huang said. “It is good for people to know about this culture a little bit more, that was

missing from campus before.”

Many viewers went to support friends or family performing in the festival, and others went to feel connected to their Chinese culture and traditions while away from home.

“I think this is honestly just an amazing cultural experience,” freshman Roman Mastromatteo said. “There is a lot of dancing and performing that I have never seen in my life, and I just think it’s so incredibly fulfilling to be able to see all this new stuff and experience this new culture.”

The Mid-Autumn Festival provided the opportunity for students to try new foods, music and styles of dance and to further educate themselves about Chinese culture.

To learn more about CSA, students can visit its Instagram, @ villanova_csa.

Speaker Spotlight Series: Hispanic Heritage Month

Continued from p. 1

States, often having to work against stereotypes. Ávila referred to a specific instance in which he moved to a new neighborhood in Pennsylvania and introduced himself to his neighbors. One mistook him for a yard worker and casually asked him for an estimate on his services, assuming that Ávila had replaced “his guy, José,” who had “gone back home.” The audience erupted in laughter at the absurdity, but the moment also underscored the quiet prejudices minorities face every day. These microaggressions can ap-

pear in any interaction, urging listeners to confront these realities rather than brush them off in acceptance.

Ávila went on to read his most anticipated poem, “The Trouble with My Name,” which encapsulates the show’s entire message. Through rhythm and comedy, he expresses the constant mispronunciations and creative reinventions of his name since moving to the U.S. In Puerto Rico, he joked “Javier” was the equivalent to the common “Emily” or “Jake,” and he desperately wished to have a unique name. But once he migrated, he realized he had gotten what he

hoped for, and suddenly his name became a linguistic obstacle course. Ávila even confessed to having what he described as a “designated coffee shop order name,” which he revealed to be Herbert.

“I let someone call me ‘Keisha’ for three months because I was too scared and uncomfortable to correct them,” Dr. Zakiya Elliot, Assistant Director of VSB Unitas, said in agreement.

Ávila’s creative approach to this topic offers a way for many people to be seen and spoken for. These issues seem to be often easily dismissed, but

bringing light to them through a blend of irony and vulnerability allowed Ávila to foster genuine understanding. By the end of the hour, Ávila had done more than merely perform; he had mirrored shared experiences and created a bond between people across all different backgrounds, experiences and identities. His ability to turn discomfort into creative dialogue sparked the beginning of an important conversation. The next time you choose to change your name when ordering your Starbucks, just know that behind every “Herbert” and “Bob” is a full-length show waiting to be written.

Villanova alum Courtney Morissette and Patrick Ralph were married this past August. Sophie Latessa/Villanovan Photography

The Life of a Showgirl: Which Song Matches Your Sign?

Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC

This past Friday, Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. In honor of this release, we are here to recommend what track to listen to based off of your zodiac sign.

Aries: Father Figure

It goes without saying that Aries thrive off of intensity and confidence, making “Father Figure” the perfect song for them. Throughout the song, Swift makes it evident that she protects herself and those loyal to her, and one thing about Aries signs is that they are fiercely loyal to those they love.

Taurus: Opalite

Tauruses are trustworthy, loyal and reliable, making “Opalite” the perfect song for them. The song, reportedly written about Swift’s current relationship, discusses the theme of having to try different relationships before finding the right one. For a Taurus, it is okay to wait until you find someone as trustworthy as yourself.

Gemini: Eldest Daughter

Now, hear this out. At first listen, one may not associate a slower-paced Taylor Swift track five song with a Gemini. However, Geminis and eldest daughters have a lot in common. Often, people expect both to receive pressure and criticism without flaunting the weight of it all. Geminis can connect to eldest daughters who deep down know they are not “a savage,” as Swift puts it.

Cancer: Ruin The Friendship

What starts off as an up-beat song slowly turns into an emotional masterpiece by Swift, marking a perfect song for all the Cancers out there. Cancers lead with their hearts and emotions, which can lead to making risky decisions in friendships. But, hey, as Swift says, “My advice is to always ruin the friendship.” Take the risk and see where it leads.

Leo: Actually Romantic

Leos, known for loving drama, would love the diss track that is “Actually Romantic.” Disguised by a sweet title, this song dives into the amount of love it takes to publicly hate another person. Leos have the unique ability to turn another’s criticism into a complement, making “Actually Romantic” the perfect song for them.

Virgo: Honey

Virgos are known for being humble and modest, which is exactly why “Honey” is the perfect song for them. Avoiding attention, Virgos, like Swift, may tend to be hesitant to allow others to label them or give them special nicknames until the right person comes along.

Libra: Wi$h Li$t

Libras are known for enjoying aesthetics and social gatherings, but are also known for being indecisive until the decision is right in front of them. For Swift, it seems the decision of love over the spotlight came easily once her now fiancé Travis Kelce came into the picture.

Scorpio: Wood Scorpios are intense and

passionate, so this is a no-brainer. Scorpios love with deep intension, and they make their love seen to the world. “Wood” encapsulates this love, and should be the go-to song for all Scorpio Swift fans.

Sagittarius: The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)

Of course, Swift’s own zodiac sign has to get the title track. Sagittariuses are optimistic and restless, oftentimes not stopping until they achieve their goals, no matter the cost. “The Life of a Showgirl” describes chasing a goal and not stopping until it is accomplished, a storyline with which many Sagittariuses’ are familiar.

Capricorn: Elizabeth Taylor

Capricorn is the sign of ambition and strategic work, similar to Elizabeth Taylor herself. Capricorns

are always working towards their next step. After all, “you’re only as hot as your last hit, baby.”

Aquarius: The Fate of Ophelia Aquariuses are dreamers, which is what makes “The Fate of Ophelia” the perfect listen. Ophelia, a Shakespeare character, has a tragic ending. Aquariuses dream of finding the perfect partner, and luckily, Swift found her perfect match, saving her from the same tragic ending as Ophelia.

Pisces: CANCELLED! Pisces are empathic and friends to all, which is why they can relate to “CANCELLED!” Loyal and avoiding hurting the feelings of others, Pisces will stand by their loved ones no matter what, even if their friends get cancelled.

Voices Of Villanova: Professor Thomas Allen

Aidan Davies Staff Writer

Everybody has a story to be told. At Villanova, it is the combined effort of hundreds of faculty and staff, day in and day out, that makes this place special. Most would say they are rather familiar with these staff members, but this familiarity is largely just on a professional level. Many students interact with these people daily without ever knowing their stories or backgrounds. But in order to truly display campus culture, one must not ignore the hundreds of people that keep this campus running every day.

Thomas Allen is an Augustine and Culture Seminar (ACS) professor at Villanova. While students most often see Allen in class challenging someone’s interpretation of Antigone or questioning the underlying meanings in Genesis Passages, many do not get a chance to hear his personal story.

Despite his current position, teaching was not Allen’s first choice. Before coming to Villanova, Allen worked for 35 years as a Philadelphia lawyer trying commercial cases from all over the country.

“In my 50s, I started to think that life was more of a young person’s game,” Allen said. “So I decided to retire at 60 and do something different.”

After he retired, he came to Villanova and worked towards a master’s degree in history. Allen

cites his experience of attaining a master’s degree at Villanova as the reason he wanted to come teach here.

“There was hard work to be done, but [the master’s program] was a wonderful experience,” Allen said. “I think it was 2013, I had learned about the ACS program [at Villanova.] … I applied, started teaching ACS, and have been doing that ever since.”

Despite not having a background in education, working as a lawyer had its own impact on Allen’s teaching style. His background has proven useful for teaching ACS, specifically.

“When you’re a lawyer trying to convince a judge or jury,

you’re teaching them,” Allen explained. “You use Q&A in a way that is pretty different from the classroom…not identical but with a carryover to how an essay of the kind that is written in ACS should be persuasive.”

Allen’s time as a lawyer translating to the classroom displays the positives of having adjunct professors on staff. Having educators from different job backgrounds provides diverse learning experiences for students.

It was Allen’s experience as a student in his history master’s program here that got him started. But he claims that there are three factors that continue to inspire him and keep him coming back

year after year.

“One, if I had to design a course for freshmen, it would be very similar to ACS,” Allen said. “The design of ACS, including the question ‘who am I?’ is terrific for a freshman… I think almost all freshmen benefit from a more centralized exposure… to the culture that brings us to where we are today. I think it’s just right to have an emphasis on writing and discussion.”

While the design of ACS brought Allen into teaching, it is the students that continue to inspire him and provide hope for the future.

“Number two: freshmen,” Allen said. “I can’t tell you how refreshing it is for me to have contact with younger people, particularly at the changeable stage of life. I like the students that I deal with, I think they are going to be good citizens. That is very refreshing.”

If the great course structure and inspiring students weren’t enough, Allen also attributes his love for Villanova to his colleagues and fellow ACS professors.

“It’s an extraordinary group of people who teach ACS,” Allen said. “Scholars in lots of different disciplines, very serious, very committed and it’s a privilege for me to have contact with them and to operate in [this] environment.”

ACS is a crucial part of the freshman year experience and our time at Villanova, and so are our professors.

Take a listen to The Life of a Showgirl and see which song best matches your star sign. Sophie Latessa/Villanovan Photography

Professors are a crucial part of students’ daily lives at Villanova. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

The Room Where It Happens: Media & First Amendment

Hudson Zivic Staff Writer

The phrase “history repeats itself” is widely known and often used for various reasons.

It highlights recurring patterns in human behavior, societal trends and historical or political events.

That’s where Hamilton: An American Musical comes in. The comparison for this analysis: is history really repeating itself?

By examining a quote from the musical alongside a contemporary political story, we can explore whether the ideals, conflicts and ambitions that shaped the early republic are echoing in current events, or if what appears familiar is simply history’s rhyming, not its repetition.

In the song “Washington On Your Side,” Burr raps: “Our cab’net’s fractured into factions / Try not to crack under the stress, we’re breaking down like fractions / We smack each other in the press, and we don’t print retractions.”

This portrayal of political division, media manipulation and personal attacks all feel just as relevant today. On Sept. 15, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a monologue criticizing the conservative leaning media response following political commentator Charlie Kirk’s death.

“The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.

Several ABC affiliates, particularly those owned by large, conservative-leaning broadcasters

like Nexstar and Sinclair, swiftly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their local lineups. Soon after, Disney/ABC joined and announced a temporary suspension of the show. While Kimmel returned to air a week later, the controversy showed a troubling intersection of corporate influence, political pressure and government overreach.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr further intensified the retaliation by publicly questioning ABC’s license and hinting at potential regulatory consequences.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way… These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr said.

Carr’s remarks did not result in formal action, but his public pressure raised alarm among First Amendment advocates. And while the Communications Act of 1934 explicitly bars the FCC from censoring or interfering with broadcasters’ freedom of speech, the FCC can regulate news distortion and enforce the Equal Time Rule, gray areas that become dangerous when wielded politically.

It is important to note that Disney/ABC is a private company. Suspending Kimmel is not a First Amendment violation in a legal sense. However, when political officials like Carr suggest consequences for broadcasting decisions, or when major station groups like Nexstar and Sinclair use their market dominance to influence programming, the distinction between private choice and political coercion blurs.

This becomes more complicated in the context of media

consolidation. With the ongoing Nexstar–TEGNA merger and fewer independent local news outlets, a small number of corporate actors now control what large portions of the country see on TV.

This isn’t the first time America has grappled with speech, factionalism and media influence. The Founding era saw vicious pamphlet wars, partisan newspapers and even attempts to silence opposition through laws like the Alien and Sedition Acts. Today’s social media battles and broadcast skirmishes may be digital, but the fundamental tensions remain unchanged.

While the controversy originated from a politically-charged topic, the broader issue goes beyond partisanship. Kimmel used his platform to express a perspective that, while uncomfortable for some, others saw as a legitimate critique of political rhetoric, highlighting the growing difficulty of having open conversations. This

fragmentation mirrors the historical tension described in Hamilton, not just between political factions, but between institutions meant to serve the public good. It sets a precedent that satire and commentary, especially when critical of those in power, can be punished not through debate but through deplatforming.

What makes Kimmel’s case unique is not the content of his speech, but the reaction it provoked, one that could deter others in the media from taking similar risks.

The lines from Hamilton resonate because they speak to a timeless conflict in American democracy: the continued clash between speech, power and truth.

Whether in Revolutionary era newspapers or 24-hour cable news, media is a battlefield. The Kimmel suspension shows that the struggle, over who gets to speak and who gets silenced, remains the same.

Villanova Theatre Presents “The Language Archive”

Ira Nidamarthy Staff Writer

Over the past two weekends, Villanova’s Theatre Department put on a production of “The Language Archive,” written by Julia Cho and directed by Amy Dugas Brown. The play ran in the Court Theatre at the Mullen Center, from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28 and from Oct. 2 to Oct. 5. The plot revolves around George, a linguist who is determined to preserve dying languages worldwide, while his assistant, Emma, secretly possesses feelings for him, and his wife Mary considers leaving him. Thus, the play explores the complexities of language and the frailty of human connections.

The play was interspersed with amusing and captivating moments when characters spoke directly to the audience while other characters appeared to be oblivious. The stage design was left intentionally simple and functional, with just a few props. This, together with the frequently dull lighting, created a tense environ -

ment. When we think of languages, we think of the ability to communicate, and communicate effectively. “The Language Archive,” though, comprises several characters who are incredibly articulate, yet for some reason their profound understanding of language fails them. Despite his extensive linguistic skills, George finds it difficult to express his genuine emotions in order to keep his wife from leaving him. It appears that George and Mary do not truly understand one another from the outset of the play. How -

ever, Emma is discreetly learning Esperanto for him, knowing it’s George’s favorite language. Despite this, she is unable to act upon her feelings for George. Then there are Alta and Resten, two endearing and funny people who speak a dying language that George wants to preserve but who will not stop arguing in English. As the narrative unfolds, every character comes to realize that a certain amount of vulnerability is essential for effective communication and meaningful relationships. Even when words fail us, understanding may still triumph.

Emotions have the power to bind us to others. The play ended with a heartfelt recording of the words, “I love you” in many languages while George and Emma embrace in order to demonstrate that language and understanding also exist in the pauses between words and in the gestures we make.

“The Language Archive” has a distinct storyline that skillfully blends romantic, hilarious and depressing scenes. Many people could connect to it, and it was extremely entertaining.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the play,” sophomore Lexi Estrellado said. “I feel like I enjoyed it because it made me a bit emotional with the romance aspect, and I enjoy things that make me feel that way. I also thought the bits where they played the different languages was cool because I heard my language. Overall, it was really interesting and different, it is one of the very first plays I have watched in my life and I really liked every second of it.”

Although there are thousands of languages spoken worldwide, according to “The Language Archive,” one is universal: the language of the heart.

Debates over the First Amendment are reminiscent of political division in Hamilton’s time. Hudson Zivic/Villanovan Photography

“The Language Archive” just finished its run at the Mullen Center. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

Women’s XC Grabs Gold At Paul Short Run, Men 8th

Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor

This past Friday, Villanova women’s and men’s cross country teams traveled to Lehigh, PA, for the Paul Short Run race. The women took gold at the Paul Short Run for the first time since 2000, while the men finished eighth.

The women finished first on the 6K course with multiple runners in the top 10, scoring 110 points out of a field of 40 schools in attendance. Penn State (115) and Georgetown (143) finished second and third, respectively. Graduate Margaret Carrol and junior Tilly O’Connor led the Wildcats, both placing in the top six.

“To come out with a victory, it was really special for them,” women’s head coach Gina Procaccio said. “I fully expect us to come out on top again. Anytime you face Georgetown, which has won the Big East in cross country the last six or eight years, to beat them in any capacity, definitely builds confidence.”

Carrol finished third overall with a time of 19:38.3, marking the fourth-fastest time by a Wildcat on a 6K course in program history.

“I think when she ran this race as a freshman ended up injuring her leg,” Procaccio said. “She slowly just fought her way back over the last few years. But I think this summer, she really wanted to come back for her fifth year. She wanted to contribute to the team in a way that she knew she was capable of. So she really got after

it this summer, and I think her confidence is now catching up with her abilities.”

O’Connor ran a personal best 6K cross country time of 19:51.1. It was also the eighth-best time in program history. She came in sixth overall out of 354 runners.

Graduate Nikki Vanasse was the final Villanova runner in the top 10, crossing the finish line in ninth with a 19:59.9.

The scoring top five was rounded out by sophomore Rosie Shay (20:27.8) and first-year Sophia McInnes (20:55.2), finishing 31st and 61st, respectively.

Other Wildcats included firstyear Maeve Smith (21:03.6), first-year Cecilia Montagnese (21:13.5), firstyear Zoe Mosher (21:39.2) and senior Kinsey Pouge (21:49.2).

Villanova women’s cross country has finished overall in all three of its meets this season, despite

not even putting out its complete lineup, which includes graduate Sadie Sigfstead.

The staff decided not to race Sigfstead at the beginning of the week leading up to the Paul Short Run.

As for the men, they came up short of the podium on the 8K course. Sophomore Charlie Moore and junior CJ Sullivan placed in the top 15 out of 354 to earn individual awards.

“I think the general consensus, and this is with everyone, but maybe for different reasons, but it was just a really big disappointment for the beginning of the year,” men’s head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. “But having said that, it is the first race. Sometimes you can get overconfident, like from last year. You’re thinking it’s going to come easy, and this was part of the conversation.”

Moore ran a personal best 23:24.1 to finish seventh overall. Sec-

ond behind him was Sullivan in 13th with a time of 23:30.8.

Sophomore Bailey Habler finished 55th (24:08.6) and sophomore Jack Coomber was 57th (24:09.9). Redshirt freshman Jack Fenlon was the last scoring runner, finishing 97th (24:26.9).

The Wildcats are now without Liam Murphy (graduated) and junior Marco Langon (redshirted). Each of the eight runners who competed for Villanova this past weekend is in their first or second first or second season of collegiate cross country eligibility.

“I think this is a big threshold year for them this year, and they recognize it because Liam and Marco are not there,” O’Sullivan said “They all need to come to the line and expect more from themselves. There’s going to be a little bit more pain in there. There’s going to be a little bit more having to tolerate things in the races and uncertainties in the races, but at the same time, I think that’s all part of growing as an athlete,”

Sophomore Ben Thomas finished in 101st place with a time of 24:29.9. Junior Nick Sullivan and junior Brian Theobald ran 25:27.2 and 26:18.8, respectively.

The women’s cross country team will prepare for the Pre-National Invitation on Saturday, Oct. 18, in Columbia, MO. It will be the Wildcats’ first look at the course they will run on if they make it to Nationals.

Men’s cross country will travel to Madison, WI, for the annual and highly-anticipated Nutty Combe Invitational on Friday, Oct. 17.

Volleyball’s Loses First Conference Game Over Weekend

Madison Hodges Staff Writer

Villanova’s unbeaten conference streak came to an end this weekend in a Friday and Saturday home doubleheader.

The Wildcats (12-3, 3-1 Big East) swept Butler, 3-0, on Friday night. They then suffered a 3-2 loss to Xavier on Saturday.

“I thought we played amazing against Butler,” sophomore middle blocker Campbell McKinnon said. “We were cohesive when things got down. We came back and played as a team, and we were able to put a lot of good pressure on Butler.”

In a packed Jake Nevin Field House, Villanova fans came to cheer on women’s volleyball Friday night for the “Jam the Jake” matchup, as the team took on Butler in a straight set victory (25-19, 25-23, 25-15).

The ‘Cats opened up set one with an early, 10-4 lead. They were led by strong offensive swings from sophomore and junior outside hitters Cat Young and Abby Harrell, alongside McKinnon.

Butler responded with a run after a few kills and errors from Villanova’s side, bringing the score to 14-14. However, Villanova’s offensive hitting and blocking were too strong for the Bulldogs, and it closed out set one in a 25-19 victo-

ry.

In set two, the ‘Cats opened up the set with the first point, but Butler came into set two with a purpose. The Bulldogs started to build a slight, 10-8 lead.

Early in the set, Young went down with an ankle injury and would not return for the rest of the game. Junior outside and opposite hitter Marly Smith subbed in.

Butler began to pull away, building a 17-10 lead. But that hot streak did not last long, and a kill from McKinnon sparked a 10-2 Villanova run to regain the lead, 20-19. After storming back from being down seven points, Villanova never looked back, closing out the set, 25-23.

Villanova continued the momentum from sets one and two, executing powerful kills and blocks, and ultimately closed out the third

set on a 9-2 run to secure the match win in a score of 25-15.

“I thought we played well,” Villanova head coach Josh Steinbach said. “We had an early stretch in the second set against Butler which was tough, [but we] made a really nice comeback. Cat Young went down with an ankle sprain, but was able to rally back after that.”

Villanova suffered its first conference loss of the season against Xavier (29-31, 25-20, 2516, 23-25, 16-14).

After back-and-forth points to open up the set, the Wildcats went on a 7-2 run to take a 16-9 lead. The set eventually reached a 23-23 tie. After three straight kills, the set ended in a 31-29 Wildcat win.

Xavier came in hot to take a 12-9 lead in set two, but the ‘Cats

responded with four straight points. Coming out of a timeout, the Wildcats scored the following four points to tie it up, but Xavier had too much momentum and closed the set out on a 6-0 run.

Xavier’s energy from set two continued into set three, as the Musketeers opened up the set with a 12-4 advantage. Xavier’s early run in the set was too much for Villanova, and the Musketeers closed out set three, 25-16.

Set four was another close battle, as Villanova narrowly protected its conference win streak with a 25-23 win.

In the final set, Xavier grabbed an early 9-5 lead. Late in the set, the Wildcats went on a four-point run to tie it at 14-14, but the Musketeers grabbed the final two points of the match to take the victory.

“Leaving [the Xavier] game, we’re fired up a little more competitively,” McKinnon said. “We are a very competitive team, but we want to play a little harder and gain a few more points than we did.”

Although the Wildcats’ conference streak is over, they still remain third in the conference.

The Wildcats will be back on the road on Thursday, Oct. 9, as they head to Washington, D.C., to take on Georgetown (10-7, 3-1 Big East). They will then return home to face Creighton (11-5, 4-0 Big East) on Oct. 11.

Women’s cross country has won every meet this season. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Over 600 fans were in attendance at Jake Nevin for Villanova’s sweep of Butler. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Field Hockey Splits Two-Game Weekend, 1-1

Eliza O’Neil Staff Writer

On Friday, Oct. 3, Villanova (4-7, 1-1 Big East) traveled to Washington, D.C. to take on Georgetown University (3-8) and registered a Big East Conference win, 5-0.

Two days later, Villanova took on American University (5-4) in Washington, D.C. and suffered a 3-0 defeat.

In the net against American, freshman goalie Sophie Volkel saved seven out of the 10 shots on goal.

“Right off the bat, she saved three in a row that were really impressive,” head coach Joanie Milhous said. “She had a really good game.”

Graduate forward Ava Borkowski and junior back Gemma Lysaght each managed one shot on goal. In total, the Wildcats took six shots, only two on goal against an Eagles defense that remained strong throughout the game.

Borkowsi currently leads the Wildcats in goals (six), shots on goal (16) and points (12) this season. Lysaght has two goals and seven points.

In the first quarter, the Wildcats gave up four corners and six shots. At 6:21, American’s Jordan Reicher scored the Eagles’ only goal of the quarter, despite solid effort by Volkel in the cage.

Villanova had two corners in the first, leading to its two shots of the quarter, both taken by Lysaght. One was blocked and the other hit the post.

The quarter ended with American ahead, 1-0.

Roughly five minutes into the second quarter, American took another shot, saved again by Volkel. Just 34 seconds later, Borkowski managed her own shot, but it was saved by American goalkeeper Pauline Gineste.

“It’s kind of hard because we scored five goals on Friday,” Milhous said. “So that was really good production. But we have to be better at scoring open field goals.”

The Wildcats got a penalty corner a minute later, allowing for another shot by Lysaght. This shot was also saved by Gineste.

At 25:54, an additional goal was scored by Reicher, pushing American up, 2-0. No more penalties, shots or goals occurred during the remaining time of the quarter.

At the beginning of the third quarter, an American player was given a green card due to lack of fair play.

Around 36 minutes in, American managed a shot, which was blocked again but led to another penalty corner. Off of the corner, the Eagles took three shots, the first two saved by Volkel. On the third shot, Alyssa Freeman

scored, raising American’s lead, 3-0.

At 43 minutes, Villanova got two penalty corners, both taken by sophomore back Molly Zimmerman. Off the first corner, junior back Addie Froehlich managed a shot, but it was blocked.

“The girls know the talent we have,” Milhous said. “It’s showing that…we’re growing and we’re learning. The girls are seeing what the potential is, because we’re showing it. We just need to now show it consistently.”

In the fourth quarter, at 48:38, Volkel was subbed out, opting for the team and defense to collectively protect the goal.

Next, Villanova will host Old Dominion University (4-7) on Friday, Oct. 10 (1 p.m.). The Wildcats have previously demonstrated weakness against Old Dominion, with an overall record of 2-13.

“I’m expecting us to be very strong on Friday and show up and show how consistent we can be,” Milhous said. “I’m expecting a lot out of us on Friday and I’m excited because it’s going to be a really good game.”

However, with the powerful and harmonious 2025 team on both offense and defense, the Wildcats have a strong chance of their first win over Old Dominion since 2018.

Last season, Old Dominion defeated Villanova, 2-1, at L.R. Hill Sports Complex.

Oct. 1 - Oct. 7

Wednesday, October 1

Women’s Soccer @ DePaul 1-0 W

Friday, October 3

Women’s Cross Country 1st out of 40

Men’s Cross Country @ Paul Short Run

8th out of 40

Field Hockey @ Georgetown 5-0 W

Men’s Soccer @ Providence 0-5 L

Volleyball vs. Butler 3-0 W

Saturday, October 4

Football @ New Hampshire 37-7 W

Volleyball vs. Xavier 2-3 L

Sunday, October 5

Women’s Tennis vs. Villanova Invite

No Team Scoring

Men’s Tennis @ Saint Joe’s Invite No Team Scoring Field Hockey @ American 0-3 L

Wildcat Watch: Avalos Settles In On A New Coast WEEKLY SCOREBOARD

Genna Cottingham Sports Columnist

In years past, the majority of the men’s soccer team has been recruited from the East Coast. Although this fact still applies, one Wildcat stands out from the rest. Sophomore defender Lorenzo Avalos hails from Salinas, CA. He might be a bit further from home than most of his teammates, but he is a defining player on the roster.

“I knew that [Villanova] is the place that felt closest to home, even though it’s on a completely other side of the country,” Avalos said. “So, that was kind of how it went and then I committed at the end of my junior year of high school.”

Avalos had a unique high school experience, attending school in-person for only his first two years. He joined a Major League Soccer club, the San Jose Earthquakes. In his final two years of high school, Avalos and his teammates attended classes online. During this time, they traveled across the country for tournaments.

Once he started at Villanova, Avalos had to make a shift in his priorities. At the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, he always was able to put soccer first. However, when he began his freshman year at Villanova, he had to put his studies first.

“I have to learn to be more self-sustained and know that teachers aren’t really gonna put up with anything,” Avalos said. “Although they do a really good job of catering to the student athletes for timing purposes, I think it was hard to learn in person,

especially at a good school like Villanova where education is a top priority.”

Despite his struggles to manage both soccer and classes, the moment he stepped foot on campus, Avalos said he felt supported by his teammates, coaching staff and physical therapists. Villanova soccer head coach Mark Fetrow, for instance, is one of his greatest role models.

“[Avalos] is only a sophomore this year and has done a really good job just being a vocal leader on the field,” Fetrow said. “He’s another guy who just always gives his max effort and always has a great attitude, great approach to training and games and he’s continued to step his leadership up throughout the year.”

Fetrow encouraged Avalos to grow as both a player and a person. He was able to get a lot of playing time during his rookie season, averaging 83.5 minutes per game in eight appearances for the Wildcats. Avalos’s adept experience allowed him to excel in a nurturing environment.

One moment in which Avalos demonstrated his growth in the sport was during Villanova’s 2-1 upset win over the University of Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 27. With under two minutes left to play, the Wildcats and the Huskies were tied. At minute 88:36, Avalos received a pass from freshman Gleb Bogdanov.

He seamlessly passed through the Husky defenders and scored the game-winning goal. It was also his first goal as a Wildcat.

“As soon as I had the ball, it’s almost like everything stops and like the balls moving in slow motion,”

Avalos said. “We just beat UConn, at UConn, in the last minute and a half of the game. I’d always been waiting for my first goal to come. I feel like it’s been so close.”

This goal shifted Avalos’ self-confidence at Villanova, creating a more positive outlook on the sport and his life in college.

Since coming to Villanova, Avalos has not only developed his soccer skill set, but also his time management and leadership abilities. After his freshman year, he learned the right balance of student and athlete. Now, he is hoping to be a mentor for the rookies on the team who are going through their transition from high school to college soccer.

“I think it helps me a lot when [the freshmen] talk to me and I work on just listening to them,” Avalos said. “Some people just like getting stuff off their chest. So, I think stepping into that role for myself is something that has helped me as an individual as much as I hope it’s helped them out.”

Avalos said he owes a lot of his mindset to teammate and close

friend, Luke Martelli. Both sophomore defenders, Avalos and Martelli spent the entire summer together. Avalos never went home to California, but instead stayed on campus to train with Martelli and form better relationships with their coaching and medical staff.

Martelli is one of the team captains, along with junior goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler DeJesus. The trio of versatile returners made up of Martelli, Cutler-DeJesus and Avalos create a strong team relationship that emphasizes communication and understanding.

“Last year, I struggled to open up more than anything,” Avalos said. “This year I came in with the mentality that I want to be the one that is there for all the rookies, that are probably going through the same things that I was going through. I don’t care how bad the mistake is, I promise [them] I have [their] back. Because I make those mistakes, too, because we’re all human here. So, I think that’s something that I try to strive for.”

Lorenzo Avalos scored the game-winning goal over UConn on Sept. 27. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography

Men’s Soccer Suffers First Big East Loss Of The Season

Sophia Cratty Staff Writer

Villanova men’s soccer hit the road this past Friday, Oct. 3, and traveled up to Providence, Rhode Island, where it fell, 5-0, to the Friars. The Wildcats suffered their first Big East loss of the season.

Providence (4-5-1, 2-1-0 Big East) put on a show for its homecoming weekend in Anderson Stadium, capitalizing twice within seven minutes during the first half.

Both teams were coming off of conference wins. On Sept. 27, Villanova (3-4-3, 1-1-1 Big East ) took down No. 22 ranked UConn 2-1 and the Friars defeated Xavier, 3-1.

“The gameplan was very similar to our approach going into UConn,” head coach Mark Fetrow said. “We wanted to be sound defensively, we wanted to limit the space between our lines, keep our shape compact, and we knew Providence was a good attacking team. But we felt like if we defended with the same collective effort that we did against UConn, that we could handle their numbers and exchanges in the final third.”

Providence’s offense controlled possession for most of the game, taking 17 total shots with 10 shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev was in the net for Villanova for the full 90

minutes, saving five shots.

Meanwhile, Villanova managed eight shots across the game with just one shot on goal from sophomore defender Lorenzo Avalos.

The first goal came from Providence’s Fernando Garcia Gil at 11:02, and Fetrow felt that the goal was not a reflection of the game at that point.

“When we gave up the first goal, it was really against the run of play,” Fetrow said. “We had had a couple of 18-box entries at that point. It felt like we were more of the aggressor. It was kind of a nothing play where one of our center backs jammed into a central pocket with their forward and we didn’t condense the shape with our other players in the back line which led to them having a free look on goal.”

The second goal that Villanova conceded reflected a number of sequential mistakes, which Fetrow called a “comedy of errors.”

Providence’s Ian Abbey scored just seven minutes later, at 18:13.

“We weren’t proactive enough with our shifting to limit their transition ability and ended up being another goal for them,” Fetrow said. “Being down, 0-2, we talked at halftime, it’s a big hill to climb, but it’s not a mountain, we’re able to overcome this.”

After the halftime talk, the team came back on the field with

a new confidence but continued to face an onslaught from the Friars offense.

Bruno Rosa scored two of Providence’s three second-half goals, the first coming at 48:11 and the second two minutes later, at 50:11.

Providence’s lead became insurmountable for Villanova once the Friars were up by four goals.

“When it became 0-4, there wasn’t any quit, there wasn’t any lack of effort from our group, but 0-4, that’s not a hill, that’s a mountain,” Fetrow said. “It’s a really big mountain and it’s too steep for us to climb at that point.”

The Wildcats look to fall

back into a rhythm during a fourgame home stretch. It started with a Tuesday nonconference matchup against the New Jersey Institute of Technology, in which Villanova claimed a 1-0 victory.

Sophomore midfielder Karson Vazquez brought in Villanova’s sole goal of the game, assisted by graduate midfielder Michael teDuits.

However, the loss to Providence drops Villanova to a tie with St. John’s for fifth place in conference East Division standings. For its next Big East matchup, Villanova will host Seton Hall (4-2-4, 2-0-1 Big East) on Saturday, Oct. 11 (1 p.m. ESPN+).

Women’s & Men’s Tennis Compete In Fall Invitationals

Megan Dussault Staff Writer

The Villanova women’s and men’s tennis teams took to the court this weekend, as the women hosted the Villanova/Delaware invitational and the men competed at Saint Joseph’s

The women’s team put on a strong performance at its third competition of the fall season, facing off at Villanova’s own tennis complex. The three-day event included matchups with Drexel, Army, Georgetown, Seton Hall, and Delaware.

The ‘Cats opened the weekend looking sharp, with senior captain Maggie Gehrig, sophomore Olivia Corcoran, junior captain Miriam Gondorova, sophomore Jenna Stevens and freshman Alina Kornyeva all securing singles wins for Villanova.

Doubles play featured four wins for the Wildcats with easy victories from junior Lauren Monti and Corcoran, 6-1, and freshman Riley Cicero and Gehrig, 6-0. Matches were closer for Savie Seebald and Stevens, 6-4, and Emi Callahan and Kornyeva, 7-6.

On Saturday, Villanova had an even performance, with singles victories from Monti and Gehrig. A strong delivery from Maddie Halls and Kornyeva, and Callahan and Stevens matched them in doubles play.

“We’re still kind of experimenting with the combinations,” head coach Steve Reiniger said.

“But we have a good idea when we go into the spring, what we want to do with the lineup on both singles and doubles.”

The final day of the competition saw one victory for Villanova. Gondorova gave a standout performance in singles with her win over Army to finish out the weekend.

“[Gondorova] has been dealing with injuries all of last spring and into this year, and it was good to finally see her.” Reiniger said. “She played two matches this weekend and finally started playing how I know she’s capable of playing.”

Over at Saint Joe’s, the men’s team impressed in its second competition of the fall season with strong performances in each of their draws. This was the men’s sixth consecutive year competing

in this invitational.

Villanova started the Grey draw out strong, with two wins over Thomas Jefferson to advance to the quarterfinals. Both stepped up for easy victories with sophomore Quincy Jones besting Antonio Mateos, 6-2, 6-2, and junior Kush Anand delivering in his win over Filip Slavkovic, 6-2, 6-3. Jones and Anand played hard in their second rounds, but both suffered narrow defeats.

Freshman Ryan Benoit impressed over the weekend with victories over Haverford students Maxfield Ma, 6-4, 6-1, and Arnav Nemali, 6-1, 6-3. Benoit cruised to the finals before ultimately falling short.

The Cats’ showed up in the Black draw with sophomore Jack Sherner automatically advancing in a bye, an initial close loss by

freshman Ethan Solop, 4-6, 3-6, and wins from Evan Ancu and Cameron Kruep. Sherner bested Thomas Jefferson’s Johary Rabetrano, 7-5, 6-1 to move on to the finals. Kruep dominated with an easy quarterfinal victory over Elliot Jarosz, 6-1, 6-3, and ultimately advanced to the finals after knocking his teammate, Ancu, out of the draw. Sophomores Sherner and Kruep matched up in finals for a Wildcat faceoff resulting in a close won match by Kruep, 4-6, 6-4, 106.

“I think they really were dominant,” men’s head coach Brad Adams said. “They played an aggressive game style, and obviously beat some pretty good players.”

Pairs Sherner and Jones, and Solop and Kruep, showed up in doubles play with wins bringing them to the quarterfinals. Solop and Kreup fought hard in a tiebreak victory, 7-6, 8-6 over Swarthmore to advance to the semifinals, but ultimately fell.

This weekend wraps up the women’s fall season as it looks forward to spring matchups in the spring of 2026.

“We’re pretty happy about all three tournaments,” Reiniger said. “We’ve been pretty good representing Villanova on the court, and that’s always important.”

Men’s tennis will face off in Princeton, N.J., for the ITA Regional Championships starting Thursday, Oct. 16, and concluding Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Villanova suffered a 5-0 loss to Providence, its first conference loss of the season. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Senior captain Maggie Gehrig secured a singles win on Friday at the Villanova/Delaware Invitational. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Football Dominates New Hampshire, 37-7

James Haupt Staff Writer

On Saturday, Oct. 4, Villanova football won its second consecutive game, defeating New Hampshire, 37-7, on the road at Wildcat Stadium.

The Wildcats (3-2, 2-1 Coastal Athletic Association) dominated UNH on both sides of the ball, combining for 461 yards of total offense. Villanova limited UNH to its lowest point total of the season.

The Wildcats’ 30-straight unanswered points led to the blowout victory, placing them at fourth in CAA standings. With the win, Villanova also moved up to No. 17 nationally in the Football Conference Subdivision (FCS).

Villanova dominated throughout the game. It started with redshirt freshman defensive back Anthony Hawkins’ interception during UNH’s opening drive. Villanova then scored an early first-quarter touchdown by a rush from sophomore running back David Avit. This one went for 34 yards. Avit continued to lead the charge on the ground, running for 102 total yards.

UNH quarterback Matt Vezza managed to score on the following drive, with a 34-yard run of his own to even up the score.

The game remained tied, 7-7, going into the second quarter, but Villanova struck instantly,

scoring on the ground yet again. Sophomore running back Ja’briel Mace ran 35 yards for his first of three touchdowns on the day.

Mace went on to score again later in the second quarter on a two-yard rush.

The Wildcat defense remained strong, preventing UNH from scoring any points for the rest of the half. Graduate kicker Jack Barnum nailed a 27-yard field goal to end the half with Villanova up, 24-7.

The second half was more of the same for Villanova, as defense dominated the game.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the ‘Cats got

back into the endzone early in the fourth on a one-yard rush from Mace yet again. Mace finished the day with three carries for 34 yards and three touchdowns. He took advantage of all of his opportunities, scoring on each of his three touches.

With the game in full control, Villanova was able to tack on a three-yard touchdown from senior running back Isaiah Wright with just 1:54 left to play. He was the third different Wildcat running back to score, marking the fifth rushing touchdown of the day.

While he did not have a touchdown, sophomore running back Isaiah Ragland led the back -

field in carries. He recorded 19 carries for 87 yards, demonstrating that any Villanova running back is a threat to opposing defenses. Villanova had success outside of the run game as well. Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide finished the day with 219 passing yards and no turnovers.

Graduate wide receiver Luke Colella tied a career-high nine catches for 139 yards.

Villanova’s next game comes this Saturday, Oct. 11, against Elon (4-2, 2-0 CAA) on the road. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (FloSports). The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 3-1.

Football Prepares To Face Elon, A Top Conference Rival

Casey Healey Staff Writer

On Saturday, Oct. 11, Villanova football (3-2, 2-1 Coastal Athletic Association) will travel to North Carolina to face Elon (4-2, 2-0 CAA).

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed on FloCollege.

Elon is currently ranked first in the CAA, while Villanova sits in the number four spot.

The Wildcats are coming off back-to-back wins over William & Mary and New Hampshire, and will be looking to continue the streak. Villanova’s 37-7 victory over New Hampshire last Saturday was its largest victory margin of the season so far.

Sophomore running back Ja’Briel Mace was the star of the show last weekend, with three touchdowns on all three of his touches, including a 31 yard run.

Villanova’s backfield continues to be one of its primary strengths. Against New Hampshire, sophomore running back Isaiah Ragland recorded a teamhigh 19 carries for 87 yards, while sophomore running back David Avit ran for 102 total yards.

Graduate wide receiver Luke Colella also had a dominant performance in the air, catching nine passes for a career-high of 139 yards.

Villanova showed up on the defensive end, as graduate defensive tackle Obinna Nwobodo and

redshirt freshman defensive end Ugo Nwotite combined for three sacks for a total loss of 22 yards.

Across the game, Villanova’s defense gave up just one touchdown and 207 yards total to New Hampshire.

Elon is currently undefeated in conference play. The Phoenix’s two losses are to Duke and Eastern Tennessee State University.

Last weekend, the Phoenix

traveled to Towson, where they defeated the Tigers, 17-3, for their first CAA road game.

Against Towson, Elon had three rushers surpass 50 yards, with junior running back Jimmyll Williams leading with 90 rushing yards.

Villanova is 3-1 all-time against Elon. The last time the two teams faced each other was in October 2023, in which Villanova shut Elon out in a 21-0 victory. All

of Villanova’s wins over Elon have been blowouts, with its largest margin of victory being 35-0 back in November 2021.

This Saturday against Elon, Villanova will be looking to stretch its win streak to three games and move up in the CAA rankings.

This will also be the end of the Wildcats’ long stretch of road games, as they have played four in the last five weeks.

Graduate wide receiver Luke Collela tied his career high of nine catches for 139 receiving yards against New Hampshire. Ella Johnson/Villanovan Photography

After a strong performance against New Hampshire last weekend, defense will be key for Villanova as it takes on Elon on Saturday. Ella Johnson/Villanvoan Photography

THE CROSSWORD

Off the Press (Themeless)

to a website, as a video

party's poppin'!" in like 2017 maybe

Carry-___ (airplane totes)

Pokemon that evolves into Kadabra

One gunning for a ten-pointer

What's Cooking? What's Cooking?

CHICKEN OR VEGETABLE UDON

NOODLES