WILDCAT CROSSING CEREMONY
Villanova Room
Monday, May 18, 2026
WILDCAT CROSSING CEREMONY PROGRAM
PROCESSION Class of 2026
WELCOME Marquis Coates ’11 MPA
Assistant Director for Retention and Community Engagement, Center for Access, Success and Achievement
OPENING SELECTION Ruth Winslow Director, Villanova Gospel Choir
INVOCATION Jessica Smith ’26 CPS Police Officer, Villanova University
WELCOME ADDRESS
The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD 32nd President, Villanova University
INTRODUCTION OF ALUMNI SPEAKER Charisma Presley-Dougherty ’02 CLAS, ’06 CLAS Director, Office of Student Success, Eliis Center
ALUMNI MESSAGE Michael Athy, Esq., ’08 CLAS Senior Attorney, Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education
PERFORMANCE Los Bomberos de la Calle
STUDENT SPEAKER Bube Osaji ’26 CLAS
BESTOWERS
Dean Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD
William and Julia Moulden Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and
Dean Crystal Lucky, PhD
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dean Wen Mao, PhD
Helen and William O’Toole Dean, Villanova School of Business and Zakiya Elliott, EdD
Assistant Director, UNITAS: Office of Community Engagement, Villanova School of Business
Dean Donna Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN
Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing and
Dean Patricia Bradley, PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Dean, UNITAS: Office of Inclusive Excellence, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Dean Eric Musselman, PhD
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Affairs, College of Engineering and
Dean Stephen Jones, PhD
Associate Dean, Student Success, College of Engineering.
The Rev. David Cregan, OSA, PhD
Dean, College of Professional Studies and
Dean Susan Leighton, MBA
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, College of Professional Studies
PLEDGE & COMMITMENT
CLOSING REMARKS
BENEDICTION
Ariella Robbins, MS
Vice President, UNITAS: Office of Community Enrichment and Autumn Coard ’26 CLAS
Marquis Coates ’11 MPA
Assistant Director for Retention and Community Engagement, Center for Access, Success and Achievement
PROCESSION/RECESSIONAL
Liseth Mejia Perez ’26 CLAS
Los Bomberos de la Calle
SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE WILDCAT CROSSING COMMITTEE
Center for Access, Success and Achievement
Office for Mission and Ministry
College of Professional Studies
Villanova Athletics
Wildcat Crossing Student Committee
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering
Villanova School of Business
M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
UNITAS: Office of Community Enrichment
Office of the President
Office of the Provost