The Villanovan | Volume 120, Issue 9: April 22, 2026

Is Villanova Growing Too Fast?

Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer

As a student, I’ve watched the University evolve in ways that feel both exciting and, at times, a little complicated. The recent expansion, especially following the acquisition of Cabrini University’s campus, has sparked a lot of conversation among students. Walking through campus now, there’s a noticeable sense that Villanova is growing into something bigger, more ambitious and more influential. However, with that growth comes a mix of pride and hesitation that’s hard to ignore.

On one hand, the expansion feels like an incredible opportunity. Villanova has always had a strong academic reputation, but adding new space, resources and facilities opens the door for even more innovation.

The former Cabrini campus will bring a beautiful green space, new buildings and the potential for expanded programs. It’s easy to imagine new classrooms, research opportunities and even housing that could enhance student life in meaningful ways. From a practical standpoint, growth like this can mean more access.

There’s also something exciting about being part of a university that is clearly thinking about its future. Expansion signals confidence. It says that Villanova isn’t just maintaining its status. It’s actively trying to become something more. That can feel empowering. It makes me feel like my degree might carry even more weight, and that I’m part of a school that’s evolving alongside the world around it.

At the same time, though, there’s a more complicated side to all of this. Cabrini wasn’t just empty

Continued on p. 10

VU Pride Week Kicks

SGA Election Results: Brady Keane Named President

This year’s Student Government Association (SGA) elections were quieter than usual. A majority of the candidates ran unopposed, including SGA’s next President and Vice President, sophomores Brady Keane and Elizabeth Howard. The field for Class of 2027 Senator was scarce, with only one candidate returning next year. Although each class is typically represented by three senators, Carter Ralston will serve the upcoming senior class alone.

All three Class of 2028 Senators also ran unopposed. Maya Mathews and Matthias Miller were incumbents running for reelection. Both will return for their second term. New senator Miles Kim will fill the third spot previously held by Howard. Kim previously served as a Science Senator.

After the student body elected six Class of 2029 Senators earlier this academic year, only three will return. Michael Romano, Wyatt Nicholson and Joseph Knepper will represent the upcoming sophomore class.

Elections for the upcoming freshman class

will take place during the fall semester, once the new class of students has settled on campus.

Amelia Cardinal and Lucas Scotto will be the new Liberal Arts Senators. Cardinal previously served as a Class of 2029 Senator. Current sophomore Taylor Atwell will fill the Science Senator seat previously held by Kim. Nick Sherbondy and Kara Lindonen will be the new Engineering Senators, and Vanessa Joseph will be the Nursing Senator. Sophomore Nick DeRosa will return as a Business Senator, alongside newly elected Grayson Bucher.

The Villanovan had

the opportunity to speak with the newly elected SGA President following his win.

Keane discussed his priorities for the 202627 academic year, his top being supporting the upcoming sophomore class’s transition to the new Cabrini Campus. He spoke about the potential in the University’s vision for the new campus.

“One of my top priorities is going to be making sure that the transition for, especially the sophomore class, over to the new campus, is very seamless, and students don’t feel like they are isolated, given that they are off campus,” Keane said. “Hosting a couple of

Continued on p. 2

Big East Commissioner Announces Retirement

Dylan Johnson

Co-Editor-in-Chief

A chapter of the Big East Conference is closing, and a new one is about to begin.

Val Ackerman, 66, announced she was retiring as commissioner of the Big East Conference on Monday. It marks the end of a 13-year tenure in the role after being appointed in 2013. Ackerman will officially step down on Aug. 31, when a new commissioner assumes the role.

A search for the conference’s

Off At Villanova p. 3

The 2026 Villy Awards: A Student Film

“Urinetown” Reviewed p. 13

next commissioner has begun.

During her time as the fifth Big East commissioner, Ackerman navigated the conference through a difficult era and

turned the newly restructured conference into a powerhouse from almost nothing. The conference used to share workspace with a Manhat-

Is AI Replacing Critical Thinking? p. 7

Preview: The 130th Penn Relays p. 14

tan-based law firm, and now it occupies 7,882 square feet in the Empire State Building.

“Speaking on behalf of all the Big East Presidents, we announce Commissioner Val Ackerman’s retirement with a tinge of sadness and deep gratitude,” St. John’s President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., Chair of the Big East Board of Directors said in a statement. “When we re-founded the Big East in 2013 as a basketball-centric conference, our first task was to find a commissioner who

Continued on p. 13

VOL. 120 | ISS. 9

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

Receiving Stolen Property/ Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition

April 14, LANCASTER PROPERTY GROUNDS.

A delivery driver was observed taking a food delivery intended for a female resident student. The amount of the loss is $44.87.

Harassment

April 15, GOOD COUNSEL HALL.

A male resident student reported he had been threatened by his roommate.

Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition

April 16, DRISCOLL HALL, TOLENTINE HALL.

A staff member reported a camera was stolen from a campus classroom. The camera is valued at approximately $4,000.00.

Paraphernalia

April 16, SOUTH CAMPUS

CORRECTIONS

GROUNDS.

Drug paraphernalia was located unattended on campus grounds.

Liquor Underage

April 16, TRINITY HALL.

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage

April 17, SHEEHAN HALL.

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Public Drunkenness

April 17, SULLIVAN HALL. A resident student appeared in public under the influence of a controlled substance.

Possession- Marijuana

April 19, SOUTH CAMPUS GROUNDS.

Four male resident students were found in possession of a small

amount of marijuana.

Disorderly Conduct/ Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness

April 19, WEST CAMPUS GROUNDS.

A male resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public acting disorderly and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness

April 19, SULLIVAN HALL.

A female resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Disorderly Conduct

April 19, BARTLEY HALL.

A male non-resident student was acting disorderly in a campus building.

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.

Teach-In On Christian Zionism Teaches History, Impact

Lauren

On Tuesday, Apr. 14, The Center for Peace and Justice Education and The Center for Political Theology co-hosted a teach-in event on Christian Zionism in Driscoll Hall.

The teach-in, which lasted from 6:15-7:45 p.m., focused on informing attendees about the history of Christian Zionism and how it continues to affect communities today.

Taught by Rabbi Alissa Wise, the founding director of Rabbis for Ceasefire, and Reverend Naomi Washington Leapheart from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, this teach-in began with both sharing their individual backgrounds and how they relate to their passion for the topic.

“As a Rabbi and Jewish activist, I have been active in combatting Jewish support for Zionism, which at this moment is an ideology that seeks to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their homes and lands and that is committing genocide in Gaza,” Wise said.

The teach-in began by defining the goals of the event, which included understanding the theology behind Christian Zionism.

From there, the teach-in dived into identifying major organizations, funders and leaders of Christian Zionism, examining and recognizing examples of Christian Zionism, understanding antisemitism and philosemitism in relation to Christian Zionism and analyzing how Christian Zionism fuels authoritarianism.

Wise and Washington Leapheart defined Christian Zionism as more than one belief. Instead, it is a theological ecosystem. Christian Zionism is a set of Christian ideas that views Jewish people, land and history through a Christian lens.

An aspect of this teach-in

was the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip, and the antisemitism, racism and disparities throughout this conflict.

Attendees were taught that Christian Zionists specifically erase Palestinians and Palestinian Christians.

When deciding to host this teach-in, Wise and Washington Leapheart shared that it was critical to teach this to college students and to encourage students to use their voices.

“College campuses have been essential focuses for organizing and activism for anti-war, feminist, queer and economic liberation for decades,” Wise said. “Since the genocide in Gaza began, it has been a main battleground for the fight for Palestinian rights in the US, and students have faced intense backlash for their activism.”

Throughout the event, Wise and Washington Leapheart showed different videos to help teach their lesson.

For instance, a video of Senator Ted Cruz quoting Genesis 12:3, and shared information about prominent Christian Zionists within the federal government, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham.

Throughout the rest of the teach-in, the history of Christian Zionism was deconstructed and explained by time period, along with examples of how these ideals have spread over the years.

Towards the end of the evening, Wise and Washington Leapheart shared why they believe this topic is important.

“I don’t want to live in a world where any people are dehumanized,” Wise said. “Christian Zionism in practice means support for the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, paid for with our tax dollars as US citizens. Christian Zionism instrumentalizes Jews toward the salvation of

Christians. Jews are the beloved partner to Christians, not because they are Jews and practice Judaism but because they have a role in [the] salvation of Christians.”

Wise hopes that the attendees took a lot away from the event.

“[I hope they take away] the inherent antisemitism and Islamophobia embedded in Christian Zionism, the power that Christian Zionism wields and the importance of allying with Palestinians as they struggle for their freedom,” Wise said.

Wise went onto say the demonstrated impact of Christian Zionism on political Zionism.

“Obscuring Christian Zionism’s influence on modern-day political Zionism, as has been the case for too long, makes it harder to effectively advocate for a just US foreign policy,” Wise said. “Christian Zionism is an oppressive ideology, and so it is critical that we understand it so we can adequately address it.”

The night concluded with Wise and Washington Leapheart sharing more about the course they will be teaching this upcoming May, broken into a three-part lecture.

The course will dive deeper into understanding Christian Zionism.

VU Pride Week Kicks Off At Villanova

Margaret Miller Co-News Editor

Villanova’s annual Pride Week kicked off on Monday, celebrating with an array of events.

This week commemorates the University’s LGBTQ+ community and their allies and celebrates LGBTQ+ culture at Villanova.

The week started with a T-shirt giveaway and tie-dye.

This year’s t-shirt featured the slogan “Protect the Dolls,” originally popularized by designer Conner Ives at London Fashion Week in February 2025 to advocate for the safety, rights of transgender women and to celebrate transgender people.

This event took place from noon to 3 p.m. on Monday at the Oreo.

Tuesday’s event was Drag Bingo, from 6-7 p.m. in Corr Hall.

This program welcomed Ophelia Bawdy, a Philadelphia-local drag queen.

Reily Brown, a senior and the president of VU Pride, shared the importance of the night.

“My favorite event is always drag bingo,” Brown said. “Personally, I think it’s very nice to have an outside queer rep, especially from an older generation.

Ophelia is an adult, and she visits different Philly schools, so it’s nice to have that outside connection and get good food and play some games.”

Noelle Barczak, a member of the VU Pride executive board, also spoke on the Drag bingo event and the widespread popularity of it on campus.

“Ophelia is very talented, and drag bingo is usually a really big hit,” Barczak said. “Drag is a good celebration of how gender is flexible and doesn’t have to be in the binary it is often presented as.”

The week will continue with a collaboration between VU Pride and Point of Pride.

The Point of Pride organization works to remove financial burdens to gender-affirming care, including supplying chest binders to individuals who cannot afford them.

During the VU Pride collaboration, participants will pack binders and help Point of Pride provide them to people in need.

This event will take place in Corr Hall from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Thursday’s event is a collaboration with Falvey Library’s “The Free Store,” during which participants can repurpose old t-shirts into tote bags and commemorate Earth Day.

This event will take place

in “The Free Store”, located in the Falvey basement, from 4-6 p.m.

The week will end with VU Pride’s annual “Gayla,” also known as “Gay Prom.”

This event invites all individuals at Villanova, both LGBTQ+ community members and their allies, to Dundale Hall on West Campus.

Tickets are $15, and the event will feature food from Jin Ding, a Chinese restaurant.

Brown shared this event’s importance to members both within and outside the queer community.

“It’s one of the few campus events where I felt comfortable enough to bring a date, like it just started like that for me,” Brown said. “But it’s also the fun finale of the week.”

Pride week and its events not only recognize the VU Pride club but also acknowledge and celebrate the school’s LGBTQ community as a whole.

“I think it’s important to have a week on the campus calendar where VUPride doesn’t just feel like another club,” Brown said. “We are a group of students, a pretty small group that has a hard time getting recognized. I enjoy having that week where we get to recognize and come together, as a community, and just celebrate being queer students at Villano -

va.”

Barczak also talked about this week’s significance and importance.

“It’s always been my favorite week of the year because it’s a celebration of the community,” Barczak said. “We’re here, and we’re queer. I like to see the tangible results of our work throughout the year.”

Brown emphasized that all allies are welcome and encouraged to attend.

“Bring your friends,” Brown said. “Allies are so included. We want to share our community and celebrate students outside of the queer community. We put a lot of time and effort into planning this, so having as many people as possible enjoying it, that’s the goal.”

Barczak also encouraged allies and all members of the Villanova community to participate in Pride Week events.

“Even if you are not a member of the queer community, Pride Week is a space for everyone, allies included,” Barczak said.

VU Pride’s Pride Week promises to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community on campus and beyond the confines of Villanova through a wide variety of events that invite all members of the Villanova community to participate.

SGA Election Results: Brady Keane Named President

Mia Galego Co-News Editor

our different SGA-specific events there, as well as collaborating with other campus clubs and organizations to really just make that new part of campus feel like home for everyone that is going to be over there.”

Keane also spoke about other, smaller priorities he has for the next year.

SGA will continue collaboration with Dining Services, the Registrar’s Office and University Tech Services.

Keane also noted that he will work to improve “how students will utilize technology going forward.”

Keane’s path to the presidency, although unconventional, has provided him with the experience necessary to succeed.

He previously served as a Class of 2028 Senator his freshman year, as well as the Liberal Arts Senator and Chair of the Campus Climate Committee this past year.

Although Keane is a sophomore and hasn’t previously served as vice president, he was supported by his peers and fellow SGA members, who encouraged him to run.

Keane has previously worked with the President’s Office and former President Aleko Zeppos to design the mural painted during St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service.

As chairperson of the Campus Climate Committee, he also helped organize notable SGA events.

These included things such as the Father Peter Town Hall and the Cabrini Housing Town Hall with Kathy Byrnes.

Keane also discussed a project he has been working on to improve communication between SGA and the student body.

The Student Organization Liaison Program will partner student organizations on campus with an SGA member.

These will provide student organizations with a direct contact to reach out with concerns or questions.

“SGA can help smaller organizations with budgets that may be smaller than ours really make an impact with social events and educational events that they put on for students,” Keane said.

Keane also touched on improving SGA’s social media and online presence.

“One of the things we found is obviously a lot of students aren’t familiar with SGA and everything we do and are involved with,” Keane said. “We want to be an organization where students feel like they can

reach out whenever they need to, for us to help them, so that they can have the best possible experience as a student in their time here at Villanova.”

When asked about the legacy he wants to leave behind after his term, Keane struggled to answer.

He had never thought about how he would be remembered because he did not feel the need to be remembered.

“Honestly, I’m not concerned about what my, you know, legacy will be,” Keane said. “As I take on this role, I just want to spend the next year improving our campus and our community and serving every Villanovan to the best of my ability [...] I don’t need anyone to remember me or the things I did specifically or attribute them. I just want people to love this place as much as I do, and I will do anything I can to give everyone that same sort of special experience.”

During an SGA general body meeting on Wednesday, April 22, Keane will be sworn in and officially start his term as president.

Student Voices For Palestine Hosts Rally

Mia Galego Co-News Editor

On Thursday, April 16, Villanova Student Voices for Palestine hosted a rally at the Oreo. Students dressed in all black, covered themselves with shawls and masks and stood in the hot sun protesting the University’s relationship with weapons manufacturers.

Around 10 students protested, and it started around 10:30 a.m. Members of Villanova’s Public Safety Department arrived at the Oreo shortly after, but remained off to the side. The protest was the last event in the organization’s “Week of Rage.”

Using a megaphone, the group members took turns chanting to the listeners. One of the chants was, “Villanova, you can’t hide. You’re ignoring genocide.”

Another chant was, “Free, free Palestine.”

Students also took turns speaking about the conflict in Gaza regarding the death count, ceasefire violations and injuries. Students also held signs. One read “fund education, not occupation.”

A member of the group walked around with flyers, handing them out to students sitting outside and walking by. The flyer included a list of statistics regard -

George Darraj Staff Writer

ing the war in Gaza. One example read “Number of times ‘Israel’ has violated October 2025 ‘ceasefire’: 2,000+.”

At the end of the flyer, a statement read, “End US Aid to Israel. End Villanova Partnerships with genocide profiteers Lockheed Martin, Boeing and L3Harris. Villanova Student Voices for Palestine”

The protest lasted about an hour and wrapped up at around 11:30 a.m.

Villanova Student Voices for Palestine co-presidents, Marisa Canepa and Sean Monteith, spoke about the protest and the organization’s “Week of Rage.”

“The main message for the ‘Week of Rage’ is just reminding the administration, as well as the campus, that, you know, the genocide is still happening,” Canepa said. “There are students who are still very, very enraged about that, as well as specifically Villanova’s partnerships with weapon manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, L3 Harrison and Boeing.”

Canepa expanded on the University’s relationship with weapon manufacturers, claiming the organization wants all partnerships to end.

“As far as we know, and what the administration has told us, is that they are not actively invested in terms of their endow -

ment in weapons manufacturing companies, because it goes against their morals as a Catholic institution,” Canepa said. “But they still partner with these places, like at the Career Fair and with the Career Center. We are very glad that, unlike a lot of other schools, Villanova does not have direct investments in these companies, but we would like them to end all partnerships.”

Monteith also touched on the importance of student activism on college campuses, specifically regarding the conflict in Gaza.

“We recognize that Universities are a main site of struggle in this issue in this country specifically, because so many universities have direct and indirect ties to the occupation in Palestine as well as other partnerships like on this campus,” Monteith said. “We recognize both how much money is going into genocide from universities, [and] also the potential of using the universities as a place to make change in the world. It is both about the symbolic weight of standing with Palestine and also about the material effect that working on campuses can have.”

As the protest was happening, so were student tours. Canepa touched on the importance of seeing student activism on college campuses.

“I would have loved to

see protest culture on Villanova’s campus when I was making that decision to come here,” Canepa said. “For a lot of people, it’s important to know that Villanova does stand up for justice. I think there is a culture of apathy on campus. It’s a predominantly white institution. It’s in a wealthy area, I think there is this idea that no one on Villanova’s campus cares about these things, but we want to show current and prospective students that that’s not true, and that there are people who are fighting and will continue to fight for justice in many different forms.”

Monteith added on to Canepa’s statement.

“Our goal is not to be antagonistic for antagonism’s sake,” Monteith said. “Our goal is just to raise the issues that are already taking place in our world and situate our campus within larger issues. In some ways, we’re actually doing the University a favor by being attractive to students who deeply care about these issues and have a chance to see a full range of student life on campus.”

This protest was not the first to occur at Villanova regarding the conflict in Gaza, and more than likely won’t be the last. To learn about Student Voices for Palestine, follow its Instagram @ Villanova_svp and look out for more events.

2026 Father Bill Atkinson Lecture

in the household.

On Wednesday, April 15, the Knights of Columbus hosted the annual Father Bill Atkinson Lecture in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. The lecture is an annual event that the Villanova community looks forward to.

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal Catholic service organization and seeks to provide opportunities for service, friendship and spiritual growth.

The lecture was delivered by Father Rob Hagan, who spoke about the life, influence and spirit of the late Father Bill Atkinson. Hagen serves as the 41st Priot Provincial at the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.

Atkinson grew up in Delaware County in a middle-class family. He was one of six children

He attended high school in Upper Darby, and upon graduating, he felt a call to enter the Augustinian Order.

Interestingly, Atkinson’s brother, Al, was drafted by the New York Jets the same year that Atkinson felt the call to join the Augustinians.

In fact, Al was a key defenseman for the Jets during their victory in Super Bowl III in 1969.

While this was happening, Atkinson was entering the novitiate, which is a year of prayer, reflection and discernment for those who wish to enter the Augustinian Order.

However, during this time, Atkinson was unfortunately involved in a severe accident in which he severed his spine and could never walk again.

He rehabbed at McGhee rehab in Philadelphia for over a

year and a half, but he would forever remain a quadriplegic.

“To the surprise of everyone, he expressed his willingness to continue his seminary training,” Hagan said.

At the time, there had never been a quadriplegic ordained priest. In groundbreaking fashion, Atkinson became the first.

He was ordained in upper Darby and did his first service at the Jake Nevin field house.

“He was clear evidence of the virtue of patience,” Hagan said. “He never complained. He lived with joy.”

It was mentioned that Atkinson spent his whole life “listening to people’s problems that were so much smaller than his own.”

He kept a wooden sign in his room at the monastery that said: “Do what you can, and pray to God for the power to do what you cannot.”

When Atkinson passed away in the monastery on campus in 2006, almost immediately, the calls and emails came, along with testimonials that said, “This man impacted my life.”

He referenced the countless testimonies about the impact that Atkinson has had on so many others, including many Villanovans.

“I used to think the pope picked the saints, but what I’ve learned is that the people pick the saints,” Hagan said.

Towards the end of the lecture, Hagan reminded the audience of Atkinson’s message.

“We will this year celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary of our independence,” Hagan said. “What Father Bill and Jesus invite us to celebrate is our dependence. You don’t have to go alone. No one has all the answers. We all need each other.”

This Week in Politics: Michigan County Rejects Ballot Request

Zoe Garrett Political Columnist

The Michigan Attorney General refused to comply with a Department of Justice (DOJ) request to turn over all ballots cast in the 2024 general election in a Detroit-area county on Sunday, rebuffing the Trump administration’s latest move to question the legitimacy of U.S. elections, according to Reuters

The DOJ issued the request on April 14 to the election clerk in Wayne County, Michigan. The office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel publicly released the department’s letter, which requested all ballots, ballot receipts and ballot envelopes from the last presidential election be turned over within two weeks.

The letter, authored by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, also outlined three convictions for election fraud and five election fraud lawsuits against Wayne County, according to NBC According to polling conducted by the same outlet, then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris had won the county over Donald Trump by 29% of votes.

Attorney General Nessel bashed the DOJ’s request in a statement posted to X.

“Once again, President

Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department in an attempt to sabotage our democratic process and turn it into his own personal agency to interfere in state elections,” she wrote. “This request is as absurd as it is baseless…If this administration wants to bring this circus to our state, my office is prepared to protect the people’s right to vote.”

Also on Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel announced on “Sunday Morning Futures” that the Justice Department will soon arrest individuals who are alleged to have interfered with the 2020 election.

“We’ve got all the information we need,” Patel said. “We’re working with our prosecutors at the Department of Justice under Attorney General Todd Blanche, and we are going to be making arrests. It’s coming, and I promise you, it’s coming soon.”

During the same TV segment, Assistant Attorney General Dhillon emphasized the administration’s commitment to cracking down on tampering within elections across the country, saying that the DOJ has filed suit against 29 states and the District of Columbia for refusing the Department access to their voter rolls.

According to The New York Times, many Democrats and election officials point to the administration’s persistent efforts to obtain ballot and voter information as part of a larger

ploy to spark confusion and distrust towards the election system ahead of the midterm elections this November, a cycle in which some expect Republicans to perform poorly.

The Justice Department’s letter to Wayne County is the latest development in the Trump administration’s attempts to involve itself in the election system.

Earlier this month, the president issued an executive order restricting mail voting by composing lists of eligible voters and instructing the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to individuals on such lists, according to PBS. Skeptics of such a system worry about officials’ ability to guarantee that the voter lists are completely accurate, considering the relatively short time before

this fall’s midterm elections. Similar to the pushback in the Michigan case, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic National Committee and other party organizations filed a lawsuit against the administration to block the EO from coming into effect. They grounded their argument in the U.S. Constitution, which notes that the states and Congress have the power to oversee and regulate federal elections, not the president.

With a critical midterm election season coming up this November, the Trump administration’s involvement, and attempted involvement, in the election system is sure to remain closely watched.

Immigration: How Can I Help and Where Do I Start?

George Darraj Staff Writer

On Thursday, April 16, a student panel titled “Immigration: How Can I Help and Where Do I Start?” took place in the Falvey Library’s Speakers’ Corner.

Dr. Gregory Hoskins, the director of Villanova’s Augustinain Culture Studies program, opened the event with a statement that Pope Francis wrote on immigration in Fratelli Tutti.

“The arrival of those who are different, coming from other ways of life and cultures, can be a gift… for the communities and societies to which they come, migrants bring an opportunity for enrichment and the integral human development of all,” Hoskins said.

Hoskins then introduced Dr. Betty Patch as faculty sponsor of the event. Patch noted the importance of student-led discussions.

“It’s important for students to own their agency,” Patch said.

She mentioned that, by reaching out to herself and Hoskins, a student can find a platform for their voice to be heard.

This panel was composed of students Ana Paula Yárritu Montez, a first-year nursing student, and Jackelyn Macedo Hernández, a first-year business student. Moderating the panel was Dr. Raúl Diego Rivera Hernández, the director of the Latin American Studies Program at Villanova University.

“The goal of this panel is to create a space where you begin

to care and where that care can turn into something more,” Dr. Hernández said.

The panel then moved into specific questions for Montez and Macedo Hernández.

The first question was, “How would you explain the difference between an immigrant, a refugee, and an asylum seeker to someone unfamiliar with these terms?”

An immigrant, Montez argued, is a broad term for someone who decided to leave their country and settle in another. The decision is typically motivated by an opportunity to better one’s life, and immigrants may be documented or undocumented.

A refugee, specifically, is someone who has been forced to flee their country because of a “well-founded fear of persecution, war or violence.”

Refugees have been officially recognized as needing protection upon entering a new country. An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking international protection from dangers in their home country. They’ve not yet been officially and legally declared as refugees, but are in the process of reaching that status.

Macedo Hernández noted that the asylum-seeking process may take years. It is nowhere near an easy process. Montez highlighted the fact that, throughout their legal process, asylum seekers are made to relive all of the trauma that led them to where they are today.

Montez gained exposure to this process through working as an interpreter and translator with

the CARES Clinic at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. The CARES Clinic (Clinic for Asylum, Refugee & Emigrant Services) is an organization that provides pro bono legal representation to individuals seeking protection in the United States.

Montez explained that interpreters have a higher-stakes job than one may realize. A word mistranslated can change the whole meaning of a sentence, which can have a huge impact on the asylum-seeking process.

Another key question from the panel was, “Can you tell us about some of the challenges immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees face when they arrive in the US?”

“The legal process is long, expensive and impossible to navigate on your own,” Macedo Hernández said.

Macedo Hernández described how immigrants typically face an initial lack of support. As for many immigrants, nothing is familiar to them once they arrive in their new country. She mentioned the language barrier as an especially challenging hurdle.

Mental health and physical safety are also undermined in immigration talks, Macedo Hernández noted. When immigrants migrate alone, they often don’t know where to get help, how to get a job and who to trust. It can create serious anxiety and nervousness.

Towards the end of the discussion, a question presented was, “Why should people care about immigration today?”

Montez explained that it has now become about human

rights and human dignity. Immigration is no longer about a specific group of people, but rather about community and its well-being, she explained.

She proposed multiple questions about the systems that deal with immigration. The systems that represent us. Are they really reflecting our values, and will we allow them to continue behaving the same way?

When we fail to speak up, Montez mentioned, we enable these systems to continue practicing what they’re practicing, and in some cases, that includes disregarding human dignity and human rights.

“These issues are not abstract,” Montez noted. “They’re happening right here, and they directly affect our classmates, our neighbors, our local communities.”

A particularly memorable quote from Fratelli Tutti was mentioned to illustrate this point.

“When the dignity of the human person is respected, and his or her rights recognized and guaranteed, creativity and interdependence thrive, and the creativity of the human personality is released through actions that further the common good.”

The panel served as an important educational opportunity for the Villanova community. Hearing from members of the community, specifically students themselves, provides a unique perspective on an issue dominating political discourse. However, it is important to remember immigration is more than a political issue and it impacts many members of the Villanova community.

OPINION

Is Villanova Experiencing A Theology Boom?

Addy McDougall Staff Writer

Villanova’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies has seen a staggering increase in undergraduate enrollment recently, with the numbers up 500% from three years ago. This trend raises questions of why so many students have taken an interest in theology. Is this pattern specific to Villanova, or could it be part of a wider trend as Gen Z is speculated to be invoking a “quiet religious revival”?

Firstly, studying religion at Villanova presents many appealing opportunities. Dr. Brett Grainger, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Theology & Religious Studies, stated that the department has flourished for several reasons. Notably, the theology department has focused on promoting its resources to students, as it is the largest program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in terms of faculty and courses available.

Grainger described the paths students can pursue with a theology major or minor.

“A theology degree allows you to do anything and gives students fluid skills for a variety of careers,” Grainger said.

Students often pair theology with degrees like political science to explore the connection between the two subjects, or couple it with a distinct major like engineering to “flex a different part of their brain.”

Nabeel Jafar, a freshman Peace and Justice Studies major with a secondary major in Theology and Religious Studies, is interested in comparative religion. He has always been fascinated with world religions. Pursuing these interests at Villanova,

Jafar hopes to write a compelling senior thesis on a neglected topic in religious academic research and plans to attend law school upon graduation.

Beyond Villanova, Grainger points to young people showing a remarkable interest in religion across the globe.

“Gen Z is more curious and open to religion, as opposed to earlier generations like millennials,” Grainger said.

Grainger suggested that factors like global crises and increasing uncertainty accompanying the rise of artificial intelligence force youth to ask deep questions such as “what am I for, and what jobs are going to be left for me?” Theology and religion, Grainger persists, are the natural place to address such questions.

Caelan Barker, a sophomore communications major, recently added Theology & Culture as her secondary major because she felt it would allow her to “explore her fascination

with the human experience,” delve into life’s major questions and examine religion in the broader context of society.

As interest in studying religion has grown, universities are at the forefront of Gen Z’s subtle religious revival, with church attendance reportedly rising on college campuses worldwide. Mat Verghese, director of Liturgy in the Office for Mission and Ministry, reports that Villanova’s church attendance is starting to exceed pre-COVID levels.

Verghese oversees the Order of Christian Initiation Process at Villanova and has witnessed the program quadruple in size over the past three years, with students at different stages of their sacramental journeys pursuing initiation. He noted this trend is consistent with peer institutions, highlighting that the University of Notre Dame had more than 100 people in its Christian initiation program this year.

Verghese also commented on the contributions of alumni Pope Leo XIV to the recent boom of religion at Villanova.

“There is an elevated excitement in the air and still, honestly, a spirit of disbelief,” Verghese said. “How is it possible that someone so close to the Augustinians and to the University is the pope?”

While especially prevalent at Villanova, Pope Leo’s leadership exerts impact far beyond his alma mater. Promoting a united church that seeks peace and justice for all, Pope Leo projects positivity and hope, encouraging young people to turn to the church for stability and comfort in today’s polarized society.

Furthermore, religion appears to be especially prevalent in Gen Z due to the heavy influence of social media. Jafar, a practicing Muslim since birth, noticed that both his Muslim and non-Muslim friends have started to care more about religion in recent years.

“My Instagram Reels feed has a lot of Islamic content, and I’ll see it liked by friends of mine and even people of other faiths,” Jafar said.

“I also see Christian and Catholic content being reposted by some of my hometown friends on TikTok, which might seem trivial, but I think it shows that younger people do care and want to be open about their faith.”

From the classroom to the church, Villanovans have clearly demonstrated increased interest in religion in the past few years, seemingly consistent with a religious revival among youth worldwide. Many Villanova students are looking to the study of theology and religion to deepen their cultural understanding, while youth everywhere are simultaneously turning to their faith in times of uncertainty.

Is Villanova’s Expansion Beneficial?

Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer

Continued p.1

land waiting to be developed. It was a community with its own history, traditions and identity. Seeing that transition happen so quickly raises questions about what gets preserved and what gets lost. It is hard not to think about the students who once called that campus home and what it means for their legacy to be absorbed by another institution.

There’s also the concern about whether bigger always means better. Villanova has always had a relatively tight-knit feel, something that many students (including myself) really value. With expansion, there’s a risk that the sense of community could shift. More students and more space can sometimes mean less connection, and I think a lot of us are wondering how the university will maintain that balance. I remember talking to another student about this, and they summed it up in a way that really stuck with me.

“It’s exciting, but it also feels like we’re gaining something at the cost of something else,”

junior Emily Callahan said. “Like, I love the idea of more opportunities, but I just hope Villanova doesn’t lose what makes it feel like Villanova.”

This mix of optimism and uncertainty is common. Another layer to consider is how the expansion impacts the surrounding community. With growth often comes increased traffic, development and shifts in the local dynamic. While Villanova has the potential to bring positive attention and resources to the area, it also has a responsibility to integrate thoughtfully and respectfully. I find myself going back and forth. Some days, I feel genuinely excited about what this expansion could mean for students like me: new opportunities, experiences, and a stronger university overall. Other days, I feel more reflective and think about what’s being left behind and whether growth is happening too quickly to process.

Ultimately, Villanova’s expansion represents both prog -

ress and change, and those two things don’t always sit comfortably together. It is a moment of transition, not just for the university but for the students experiencing it in real time. Being here during this shift feels significant. We’re not just witnessing Villanova’s future. We’re actively shaping it. And maybe that’s the most

important takeaway. Growth isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s what the University chooses to do with it that will matter. As students, all we can really hope is that Villanova holds onto the values and sense of community that brought us here in the first place, even as it continues to expand beyond what we once knew.

EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

KAILEY FAHY

DYLAN

SOPHIE LATESSA

AVERY CHALK

EMMA TAYLOR

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor 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 Students Should Support Lebanon

Juliana Burke Staff Writer

Villanova will host the Lebanon Aid Charity Drive on Wednesday, April 22, a day-long fundraiser that brings together learning, reflection and direct action in support of humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon. At a time when global crises can feel distant, the Lebanon Aid Charity Drive is a call to cultivate not only informed students, but responsible and compassionate citizens. This is a pressing crisis that we have a need to address as students of Villanova.

The program begins at 11:45 a.m. in Driscoll Hall with a lecture and Q&A from Dr. Samer Abboud, who will offer a personal reflection on the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Later, at 1:45 p.m., Dr. Catherine Warrick will examine the crisis through the lens of international law, encouraging students to consider how global systems respond to instability and what ethical responsibilities arise in moments of conflict. Together, these talks highlight the value of an interdisciplinary approach in deepening our understanding.

In the evening, the event continues at Connelly Cinema with a screening of “33 Days”, directed by Mai Masri. Film offers a different kind of engagement, one that invites viewers to connect emotionally as well as intellectually. A discussion following the screening,

Bailey Keely Staff Writer

led by both speakers, will provide space for reflection and dialogue, helping students process what they have seen and connect it back to

the broader themes of the day. Running alongside these events is a Lebanese bake sale on Riley Ellipse, open from 11:45 a.m.

to 6:30 p.m. Featuring traditional desserts like knafeh and ma’amoul, the bake sale offers a tangible way for students to contribute. More than just a fundraiser, it creates a moment of cultural exchange, inviting the Villanova community to engage with Lebanese traditions while supporting a meaningful cause.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Lebanese Red Cross and the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, both of which are actively providing aid to those affected by the ongoing crisis. The day will conclude with a prayer vigil at the Grotto from 6:30-7:30 p.m., led by Fr. Bernie Sienna in honor of the legacy of Fr. Ellis. This closing moment reflects Villanova’s Augustinian identity, offering space for reflection, solidarity, and hope. It reminds participants that responding to global suffering is not only an intellectual or charitable act, but also a spiritual one.

A message from Metropolitan Saba, shared as part of the event, emphasizes the urgency of the situation. Many families in Lebanon have been displaced, relying on local churches and institutions for shelter, food, and care. His call to generosity highlights the importance of responding with compassion and recognizing the dignity of those affected.

Ultimately, this event challenges us to engage more intellectually, culturally and morally with the realities facing communities abroad.

Is AI Replacing Critical Thinking?

“If you don’t cheat on your exams, you will not pass this class.”

This statement from a classmate of mine left me questioning: is AI replacing our cognitive abilities?

After struggling on my physics exam, I reached out to students in my class seeking study tips and help with homework. Their reply: I needed to cheat by using AI to answer the questions for me, or I simply would not get a passing grade in the course. Students are no longer taking the time to learn. We fear the discomfort of struggling through a problem, or thinking very critically for long periods of time, but that struggle leads to a deeper understanding of content.

Everywhere I walk on campus, I see Chat GPT up on laptops, while students copy and paste their homework problems directly into open AI, with no shame or fear of

punishment. Students would rather take a few minutes to generate an average response, then to spend hours thinking creatively. I often ask friends, ‘hey how long did that assignment take you?’ hoping to get an idea of how much time to block out, and they tell me without hesitation, “Oh, I just had AI do it.” They see it as something comical that doesn’t matter and has no repercussion. Or some view it as a sense of pride they could get out of doing their work. What many students aren’t aware of is that every time you use AI instead of your own brain, you are rewiring your brain to become used to an immediate correct answer, with no thinking involved. Your problem-solving skills and your critical thinking abilities will decrease. Your memory, focus time, and literacy will decrease. Not only are you cheating and being unethical, but each time you submit artificial answers that are not your own, you’re also actively losing the fundamental skills of learning you have been taught since the first

grade.

Cheating is lying in itself, and many universities take that very seriously. Using AI could lead to a permanent mark on your record, a failing grade, or even being expelled. No one seems to take that very seriously, as there are many students who will openly cheat on an exam using AI on their phones. Many students are very open about cheating, but this is without any fear of consequences.

Learning is the entire reason we are here at Villanova. It is a university that we choose to attend so we can learn and grow, and challenge our minds, and reach our full potential. Every time you skip out on writing that essay because AI can do it for you in just a few minutes, or you decide AI will get a better score on that math test then you, you are becoming less and less of the person you could’ve lived up to be. You are cheating yourself more than you are cheating the school.

Many corporate jobs have certain rules regarding AI. You can’t

put any content from the company into AI because the data must stay private. Some companies will have you use a separate phone or computer when at work, to keep information secure. Using AI in the workplace, because you never learned how to properly problem solve or take time to think things out during your undergraduate studies, can very possibly lead to you being fired and extremely unexperienced and unemployed.

You can try to adapt to our current technological age and use AI as a tutor or for assistance in making a study plan. However, if you let AI take over your place as a student, it will leave you struggling in a real-world job, as it takes over all critical thinking as well.

Using AI to cheat might get you A’s as long as you don’t get caught. It might seem super quick and easy, and too convenient not to use. However, you are cheating yourself out of very expensive college classes, strong focus, and worst of all, your critical thinking.

Why The Market Undervalues The New KKR

Michael Barravecchio Staff Writer

KKR & Co. is a leading global investment firm that has served a variety of investors for the past 50 years.

For many investors, KKR is still viewed through an old lens: a traditional private equity firm whose success depends on buying companies, improving them and eventually selling them at a profit. While that description is not wrong, it is incomplete. After reviewing KKR’s most recent investor presentation, I believe the market still undervalues the company’s evolution and that this transformation creates meaningful upside that is not fully reflected in the stock price.

The strongest reason for optimism is that KKR is no longer just a cyclical private equity business. It has become a much broader financial platform built around three major engines: asset management, insurance and strategic holdings. In 2020, KKR looked much more like a traditional private equity firm. By 2025, it had transformed into a diversified alternative asset manager with significantly more recurring and durable earnings.

This shift is reflected clearly

in the numbers. Assets under management grew from $252 billion in 2020 to $744 billion in 2025. Management fees increased from $1.4 billion to $4.1 billion, while fee-related earnings rose from $1.3 billion to $3.7 billion. Perhaps most importantly, perpetual capital increased from just $22 billion to $321 billion. Unlike traditional private equity funds, which eventually return capital and require constant fundraising, perpetual capital is long-term and sticky. It continues generating fees and creates a more stable earnings base. KKR’s insurance platform is one of the biggest reasons for this change. Through its acquisition and eventual full ownership of Global Atlantic, KKR gained access to massive pools of long-term insurance capital. This matters because insurance money is not short-term capital chasing quick returns. It is stable, recurring and highly investable. It allows KKR to generate earnings in a way that looks much less like a traditional buyout shop and much more like a long-term compounding financial institution.

Another reason I remain bullish is the diversification of KKR’s revenue streams. Only about 22% of its total AUM now comes from traditional private equity. The rest is spread across leveraged credit, alternative cred -

it, infrastructure, real estate and other strategies. This reduces reliance on classic private equity cycles and gives the firm more flexibility across changing economic environments. Management fees are also becoming less dependent on traditional private equity and more tied to these broader, recurring businesses.

The private wealth opportunity is another major source of upside. Historically, firms like KKR primarily raised money from pensions, sovereign wealth funds and other large institutions. Today, they are expanding aggressively into wealth management through K-Series products, targeting family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, financial advisors and retirement platforms. K-Series AUM nearly doubled from $18 billion to $35 billion in just one year. This is still early, and if successfully scaled, private wealth could become one of KKR’s most powerful long-term growth drivers.

Importantly, the company is not simply growing for the sake of growth. Its investment results continue to support investor confidence. In its flagship private equity funds, KKR has returned more capital than it called in nine of the last ten years, with a 1.7-to-1 distribution-to-contribution ratio over the last decade. In private credit, its institutional strategies consis -

tently outperform benchmarks on a risk-adjusted basis. These are not just headline growth numbers. They are supported by strong execution and proven returns.

Of course, the market has recognized some of this transformation. KKR’s stock has risen significantly over the past several years, and investors are clearly aware that this is not the same company it was in 2020. However, I believe Wall Street still values KKR too much like a cyclical private equity manager and not enough like a durable, fee-driven alternative asset manager with insurance-backed permanent capital.

That distinction matters because businesses with recurring, predictable earnings deserve higher valuation multiples than businesses dependent on exits and market timing. KKR has already made that shift operationally, but I do not believe the stock fully reflects it yet.

At a general overview, KKR still presents compelling upside. The company has stronger earnings quality, broader diversification and more scalable growth channels than many investors appreciate. The old KKR was a private equity firm. The new KKR is something much bigger, and I believe the market is still catching up.

CULTURE Wildcat Thrift: Community Closets

Kohen Co-Digital Editor

By late April, the urge to start fresh kicks in. Closets hit a breaking point: winter layers are shoved to the back, impulse buys are buried somewhere in the drawer and that one shirt you swore you would wear is still hanging there, judging you. Wildcat Thrift is offering a better option than stuffing clothes deeper into the closet or tossing them altogether.

On Friday, April 24, from noon to 3 p.m., the Oreo will feature clothing, which will transform the space into a thrift hub where every rack holds a second chance. For a few hours, the walkway will become something entirely different, part community closet and part treasure hunt, where one person’s “maybe I’ll wear it someday” will turn into someone else’s new favorite outfit.

Falling during Earth Week, Wildcat Thrift will fit naturally into a time when sustainability is already at the forefront of campus conversations. The event will bring together students, faculty and organizations to sell second-hand clothing, and create an experience that feels just as social as it is purposeful.

This event is being organized by the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC), and this year’s Wildcat Thrift Chair is Senior Natalia Fernandez, an Environmental Studies and Geography major with minors in Sustainability and Economics. Having a long-standing interest in both fashion and renewability, Fernandez has been working to grow the event into something that not only gives students a

new piece for their wardrobe but also a new way of thinking about what they wear and where it ends up.

“It’s about creating a circular system on campus,” Fernandez said. “Making sure things don’t go to waste and instead keep moving between people.”

The idea is simple, but impactful. Instead of sitting unused or being thrown away, pieces of clothing will be given new homes and longer lives. That small shift matters more than it seems, especially in an era of fast fashion, where clothing is produced cheaply, worn briefly and discarded even more quickly. Fernandez emphasized that much of what is thrown away does not just disappear. “Clothing use is the second

most polluting factor in the world, with around ninety percent of clothing waste being sent to landfills or incinerated,” Fernandez said. This leaves only a small percentage of clothing that is resold through platforms like Depop or Poshmark, and the rest generates an overwhelming amount of global waste.

Wildcat Thrift will offer a more immediate alternative. While online sites are great for contributing to this circulatory system, anyone can directly sign up for a table and sell their own clothing during the event. Registration is available through a ticketing system, with one ticket reserving a table, though organizers also leave space for day-of vendors.

“Say someone is just walking by and decides they want to join [at the] last minute, we always make sure we have space for that,” Fernandez said. “We want to make it as accessible and easy for everyone to participate [as possible].”

Wildcat Thrift will also work alongside initiatives like the Villanova Free Store, selling items free of charge.

It will add a different dynamic to this event, reminding participants that not every exchange is about buying or selling, and that value can come from merely keeping things in use.

That mix of selling, swapping and simply giving away items will shape the event. Some people might come hoping to make a little money. Others could be there to support friends or fundraise for their organization, and many might stop by to see what they might find.

“Reinforcing that Villanova stays green and stays committed to that is a big part of what we’re trying to do,” Fernandez said.

As tables will fill and empty throughout the afternoon, the impact will become visible in real time. It is a small-scale system, but one that reflects a larger initiative: that what we no longer need just needs somewhere else to go.

This Earth Week, Wildcat Thrift will bring that idea into focus in a way that is possible and tangible. It will give all members of the Villanova community a way to partake in sustainability without overthinking it. And at the very least, it might give one some validation that their clothes were never the problem. They just needed the right closet.

Get Outside, Spring Has Finally Arrived

Sophia Thomas Staff Writer

The sun comes out from its hiding spot, the leaves drape over once-barren trees, and students sport spring dresses and flip-flops. What could be better than spring at Villanova?

When the sun comes out and the weather warms up, the campus quickly transforms. If one is in search of some Vitamin D, they may want to explore opportunities to spend time outdoors both on and around campus.

Picnics on Villanova’s campus are always a go-to. With lawn spots such as Mendel Field and Sheehan Beach, there are countless places to set out a picnic blanket, lie out for a tan and enjoy good conversation over some snacks with friends.

Although the weather outside can be distracting as finals come closer, it’s important to stay focused and motivated. Outdoor study sessions are a perfect opportunity to incorporate productivity and outdoor fun.

Grab a table outside Holy Grounds or find a nice grassy spot to make the studying a little less painful and a lot more sunny.

Those looking for some

springtime fun just off Lancaster Ave will find many alluring options right in Villanova’s backyard.

Just about anyone would enjoy a stroll under the warmth of the sun.

Those who love to immerse themselves in nature may enjoy a walk around Stoneleigh, a natural garden just off West Campus. Taking in the picture-perfect views of Stoneleigh’s grounds is an ideal way to slow down, relax and appreciate the outdoors.

For something a bit more active, a golf outing is a great way to get outside, stay active and

spend quality time with friends. Some student-recommended golf courses nearby might include Westover Golf Club, Jeffersonville Golf Club and Paxon Hollow Country Club. They offer a great change of pace and scenery.

Other local options may include a trip to the Gryphon Cafe in Wayne. Grab an iced coffee, sit outside with friends, or take a stroll through the quaint small town. It’s hard to imagine anyone would turn down anything that involves ice cream. Villanova has some great ice cream spots right

around the corner.

The Vanilla Bean features an assortment of toppings that can be mixed into a soft-serve base for an ultimate delicious scoop. Alternatively, if frozen yogurt is your preference, you may hop over to So-Fun Yogurt or Yapple Yogurt.

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market, open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., features fresh produce, local vendors and baked goods. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, just about five minutes away from campus.

If a short road trip sounds appealing, take a trip to Philadelphia to catch the cherry blossoms in their late bloom.

The start of spring also means baseball is back, which might mean a trip to Citizens Bank Park is in your future. For sports fans, catching a Phillies game is an easy and exciting way to spend the day with friends.

Spring at Villanova lasts only for a short period. Between classes and looming finals, there are many easy excuses to stay indoors. However, this is the time of year when Villanova’s campus feels especially alive.

So whether it’s a quick coffee run, a golf outing or a day trip to the city, take advantage of the beautiful weather while it’s here.

Love On Lancaster: Spring Flowers

Maggie Fitzgerald Co-Culture Editor

April showers bring May flowers. Or so they say. This week, we’re bringing the flowers to April. What says love like a fresh bouquet full of beautiful pink tulips, blossoming daffodils and fragrant lilacs? As we all know, acts of service are rapidly fading. Buying and gifting thoughtful flower arrangements offers a glimmer of hope. So, in the spirit of loving and being loved, let’s go to the florist.

While buying flowers is often reserved for special occasions, such as birthdays or Valentine’s Day, flowers can mean much more on a mundane Monday morning. In my usual spirit of inclusivity, if you’re single this spring, fear not. Flowers are a wonderful way to show your love for others, but even more for yourself.

Giving Flowers

Odds are, if you are in a relationship (minus those of you in the coveted honeymoon phase), you have likely grown complacent. Romantic gestures are few and far between. You have grown used to your partner’s company, and the art of wooing them just for the fun of it has sadly dwindled with time. Or possibly, this phenomenon has crept into your friendships. Where you once went out of your way to brighten your friends’ day just because you’ve grown lazy. Don’t panic. We can fix this.

If nothing I’m saying applies to you, congratulations and keep moving. For the rest, get in the car and travel to the local florist. Nothing says “I love you” like a surprise bouquet of gorgeous flowers for no particular occasion at all. Romantic or platonic gestures are most meaningful when they are done spontaneously, not out of obligation. While I am well aware that the cost of everything is rising, and flowers are certainly no exception, they are more than worth it every once in a while. Consider checking out the options in Trader Joe’s for a more affordable but stunning bouquet, maybe even throw in some chocolate while you’re

at it. There is no need for a custom arrangement. Something simple and sweet will do the trick just fine.

Getting Flowers

All my single ladies (and men) put your hands up. You, too, deserve flowers. So just as you treat yourself to your favorite iced latte, find a way to incorporate a self-love floral arrangement into your monthly or even weekly routine.

A fresh-smelling, beautiful-looking bouquet can do wonders for your mental health. Wake up in the morning and smell the roses. Seriously. Not only will it brighten your apartment, but just a mere glance

can remind you of your own beauty and worth, especially on hard days. In my 21 years, I have found that a hard but important lesson is that you will only receive love as strong as what you show for yourself. So set a great example for others and remember you’re deserving of those glistening sunflowers.

Arranging Flowers

At the risk of constantly singing my mom’s praises, one of my favorite things about her is her love for flowers. Ever since I can remember, she would buy flowers at the farmers’ market, and bring them home to assemble little bunches in mason jars scattered throughout our house. She inherited this from my incredibly artistic Grandad, and my childhood home was always filled with tasteful arrangements fit for every season. Even now, every time I return from college, I can count on a little glass jar full of flowers left by her on my nightstand.

There is so much beauty in this. Not only does it add a personal touch to gifting flowers (even to yourself), but it also makes it an act you can actively participate in. So, whether you are tapping into your creative florist powers for yourself or to surprise a loved one, there is no wrong or right. Mix and match to your heart’s desire. Spring is upon us, and with a vengeance, as my seasonal allergies can attest. Make the most of the season by bringing beauty into your life and the lives of those around you. Buy the flowers. You won’t regret it.

The 2026 Villy Awards: A Student Film Celebration

Caroline Lenehan Staff Writer

On Friday, April 17, Villanova Television (VTV) presented its sixth annual Villy Awards. The Conn Cinema was transformed into a film festival as student filmmakers and audience members gathered to celebrate the hard work of Villanova’s film students throughout the year.

“My favorite part of the Villys is getting to watch all the films together, because a lot of times you don’t see anyone else’s project unless you work on it,” sophomore Belicia Jarmon said.

The excitement and love for every film could be felt in the cinema as the night began. Student films were categorized into either Drama, Music Video or Comedy. At the end of the night, winners were announced in each of the three genre categories and for Best Directing, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Screenplay.

“Over the many years I’ve seen the Villys, they’ve definitely gotten bigger and better,” Villanova alumnus and former VTV president Justin Groel said. Current Vice President of VTV, Josh Mazurkiewicz, agreed, saying he’s “definitely seen a wider variety of types of films and topics” introduced each year.

“Better,” directed by senior Olivia Bancel, won in the Drama and Best Directing categories. The short film followed a young man’s

mental health journey, ultimately promoting the message that adjusting, changing and growing are better than easy fixes to our problems. One powerful shot depicted the main character covering up his reflection in the mirror with sticky notes, because he couldn’t bear to look himself in the eye. After a year of growth and change, he was finally able to peel the sticky notes off his reflection and accept himself and his thoughts.

The award for Best Music Video went to Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed,” also directed by Bancel. So did the award for Best Cinematography. This video depicted a failing relationship and how the male protagonist reflected on the time spent with his ex as he wrote her a goodbye letter. It was a beautiful film, showing the struggle of losing relationships, and how our loved ones’ impact on our lives will never truly leave us.

The music video for Olivia Rodrigo’s “Pretty Isn’t Pretty,” directed by junior Anahi Medina, won Best Editing. The video showed the impacts of social media on mental health and self-esteem. Shot completely in one dorm room, the music video emphasized how alienating social media can be. Lastly, in the Comedy category, “Artus & Hope L.L.C,” directed by sophomore Sabrina Wisniewski and junior Aidan McGovern, swept three awards: Best Comedy, Best Screenplay and Best Actor. The filmmakers’ creativity shone through with this film, as it

parodied the struggles and pressures of finding an internship.

This experimental film is also a “48-hour challenge” film.

“You’re given a random line and a random prop, and in 48 hours you have to make a film that encompasses in some way that random line and prop,” McGovern said.

Whether it’s a classic short film project, or totally experiemental, all forms of film are accepted and celebrated at the Villys.

“Films that are made at the Villys are created by students of any level, either within VTV or outside of it through various passion projects,” junior and VTV

president Mia Zebrauskas said. “Any filmmaker can submit a project to the Villys and share their craft.”

The fantastic night was put together by sophomore and Communications Director Kylie Reeth, sophomore and Events Director Sabrina Wisniewski and junior and Internal Affairs Director Hannah Logue, who also took home the award for Best Actor in “Artus & Hope L.L.C.”

Overall, it was a successful night for Villanova Television and for Villanova’s student filmmakers. All of the projects featured in the Villys are posted on VTV’s Youtube channel.

VSMT Closes Season With “Falsettos”

Cali Carss Co-Culture Editor

This past weekend, the Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) performed “Falsettos” at the Mullen Center Court Theatre. The production opened on Thursday, April 16, and the seven-person cast began a four-show run of this engaging and extremely emotional musical.

“Falsettos” follows the story of a dysfunctional Jewish family in late 1970s/early 1980s New York City. Marvin, his wife, Trina, and son, Jason, make up the ideal family unit. They are disrupted by Marvin’s infidelity with his lover, Whizzer. Marvin, Trina and eventually Jason all begin seeing a psychiatrist named Mendel. Mendel falls in love with Trina, and the insanity of the family dynamic intensifies.

The musical is completely sung-through, meaning there is no intermediate dialogue between musical numbers, and the story relies heavily on the actors. The VSMT cast was certainly up to the challenge. Members belted out high notes, harmonized perfectly and expressed complex emotions through their voices. A standout performance was by freshman Lucy Best, playing Trina, in the song “I’m Breaking Down,” which gave the audience insight into the tension her family’s disintegration has put on Trina’s psyche. Best’s

Kate Koslow Staff Writer

Villanova offers a wide variety of clubs, events and fundraisers, one important foundation deserves the spotlight this month: Villanova’s One Love chapter. Part of a national nonprofit, the One Love Foundation aims to end relationship abuse and build widespread support for those it might affect.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the United States. This amounts to more than 12 million women and men harmed by relationship abuse every year, a number that continues to rise.

At its core, the foundation emphasizes awareness and education. Noticing the signs of unhealthy behavior can prevent escalation into abuse. Some of these warning signs include intensity, manipulation, sabotage and possessiveness. Trusting your gut and identifying these patterns early is vital in keeping yourself and those around you safe.

The current President of One Love at Villanova, a junior named Hudson Zivic, stressed that this topic must be a part of Villanova’s conversation.

“I think it’s a very taboo topic, and it’s a really hard discussion for people to have, but it happens everywhere, and Villanova is not excluded in that,” Zivic said.

In fact, college students are

powerful vocals, as well as her commitment to portraying the ways Trina’s anger and sadness broke through her carefully constructed mask of the perfect housewife. The first act focused mainly on the familial tensions and the complicated relationship dynamics between Marvin and Whizzer, as well as Trina and Mendel. The actors conveyed these relationships

very convincingly, even during difficult or uncomfortable scenes.

Sophomore Samantha Whitehair was also an impressive Jason, playing a suppressed, snarky tween trying to process his parents’ divorce and his father’s queerness while wondering how these traits might be reflected in him.

The second act of “Falsettos” took on a much more seri-

“One Love” Unites Many

at the highest risk for violence from intimate partners. The One Love Foundation was founded in honor of Yeardley Love, a senior lacrosse player at UVA who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2010. In response, girls’ lacrosse teams across the country take part in this foundation, educating students that being aware of abuse in relationships is of the utmost importance.

Zivic believes that this issue impacts everybody.

“[It] goes way beyond women’s issues,” Zivic said. “It’s an issue as a whole, and it happens to men too, which is also less talked about.”

As a result, Zivic and the rest of the One Love team provide mandatory workshops and educational sessions for every sports team on campus through Title IX.

Unfortunately, unhealthy relationships and abuse are often misrepresented in the media, sometimes blurred with ideas of passion and intense love. Shows like “Euphoria”, for example, complicate and romanticize toxic relationships. If these false representations continue to be normalized, more people will be at risk of downplaying dangerous relationships and cycles of abuse.

However, One Love at Villanova provides many ways to get involved and support the cause.

During Domestic Violence Awareness month, One Love held a flower fundraiser to spread love, kindness and the true meaning of healthy relationships. Along with this, the Villanova lacrosse team dedicates a game to Yeardley Love, a reminder of the possible consequences of domestic abuse.

ous tone than the first. It initially appeared to keep the same comical energy with the introduction of the final two characters, the “lesbians next door,” and a scene of Jason (poorly) playing baseball that was quite the crowd favorite. Later, though, Whizzer and Marvin get back together, and Dr. Charlotte sang the ominous song “Something Bad Is Happening.”

By this point, anyone wellversed in the history of 1980s New York caught on to the direction of the story. The decade involved decimation of the gay community due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which the government ignored.

Not too long after the doctor’s warning, Whizzer collapsed during a game of squash with Marvin. Jason, who was reluctant to have his bar mitzvah, decided to hold it in Whizzer’s hospital room with their dysfunctional, but tight-knit family. Whizzer did not survive the entire ceremony, having grown too weak from the aggressive disease. Junior Joey Amapani did an incredible job portraying his character’s fight to stay strong for his loved ones. This, along with the emotions and cracking voice in his final song, was a mark of an actor who really understood his character and how to portray this incredibly taxing experience.

“Falsettos” closed VSMT’s season for this academic year and was a very ambitious choice of a musical to produce, but the cast and crew pulled it off spectacularly.

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when One Love shows its dedication to supporting victims of relationship abuse. On April 20, One Love held a donation drive for the Laurel House, a safe home for those who have experienced domestic violence. The club has received support from businesses like Sugarbear Vitamins and Wayne’s Nothing But Bundt Cakes.

“I think everyone deserves

a voice, and I think the more people that show up for it, the more people affected will be heard, because this topic is about support,” Zivic said. On April 28, One Love will host the Walk for the Cause event from 4-6 p.m. During the event, the Villanova community will surround our environment with love and support, in the hope of helping people feel less isolated. Be sure to attend One Love’s events to show support.

VillaVogue: Menswear Revamped

Ciara Dursee Co-Digital Editor

It’s spring, and we can hear the sound of flip-flops on the concrete. When the weather soared above 80 degrees last week, I personally breathed a sigh of relief, hanging up my winter coat for the remainder of the school year.

I’m sure readers automatically associate my column with women’s fashion. While I tend to favor those trends, VillaVogue is not limited to female style. I think in general, people forget fashion doesn’t exclude menswear. This is an excruciating fad. Everyone wears clothes. Everyone has a sense of style. Expressionism is a power accessible to all.

Many fashionistas often forget the power men hold in fashion. There is so much versatility, and it opens the door to endless variation. I’m not saying the flipflops and khakis pairing isn’t an acceptable wardrobe choice, but I think there is major potential to work with here.

At a school where most people wear similar things, it could be fun to stand out in the crowd. Whether you want to revamp your style as the summer begins or wish to stick with what you know, here’s what I think you should stock your closet with as we reach the back end of April.

Minimalistic and Sophisticated

Growing up in a house with three brothers, I quickly learned how boys dressed. As we grew up, their sense of style definitely did too. It was almost as if they each had their own clothing revelation upon entering college. Suddenly, the “Westfield High School Football” t-shirts and “CYO Basketball” sweatpants were nowhere to be seen (and honestly, thank goodness).

I noticed they all started showing up to family functions in plain old shirts. No graphics. No corny pictures. It was fascinating. And I loved it.

This leads me into my first point: have a capsule wardrobe. Take a trip to Gap or Old Navy to find a basic pair of jeans or pants. Grab a 5-pack of solid colored t-shirts from Abercrombie & Fitch. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to upgrade your style. It takes little effort to look presentable and mature. Hate to break it to some of you, but that’s in.

A Relaxed Fit: the 80’s are back.

For some, this may be a bold choice. Loose-fit jeans, boxier shirts and baggier jackets have taken over. Skinny jeans are out, boys. Oversized sweatshirts and relaxed long-sleeve shirts are in. There’s a sense of nonchalance that works with the relaxed

look. I am addicted to wide-leg jeans and believe it or not, they have made it inside both men’s and women’s closets. Paired with baggier jackets, the look is effortlessly cool. And if we’re being honest, this fit is a lot more enjoyable than stiff, cinched denim. The vintage influence is pointing more towards looser silhouettes and comfortable materials, and I am here for it.

Casual Trousers

While familiar, the denim route isn’t always necessary. There are other options, like chinos, linen pants or straight-leg cotton, which can elevate the everyday look. They instantly make an outfit feel more put-together without trying too hard. These can be paired with anything. As I said, men’s fashion is versatile.

Basic Beaters That Never Go Out of Style

In my opinion, shoes say a lot about a person. Hate to say it, but you can tell who just threw on their favorite pair of sneakers they’ve had for three years that are nothing short of reliable. Or the kid sitting next to you, who you can tell is in touch with his style to some degree because he is wearing a pair of black and blue sambas. And then there’s 98% of the school who chose their beaten-up Rainbow flip-flops with their soles peeling off slowly.

If I suggested a classy pair of brown loafers, I think most students would laugh in my face, so I’ll suggest a change from the usual staples. I adore any of the “vintage” style Reeboks, which have a touch of detail. Other brands include the “numeric” New Balance model, which combines white canvas with brown gum rubber soles, and Adidas, the most versatile shoe brand I know.

Timeless Accessories

Another assumption is that accessories are not as important for men. That is false. There’s nothing more masculine than a timeless watch that goes with every outfit, a leather belt that elevates your basic pair of slacks or even a pair of sunglasses for sunny days around campus.

Lightweight Jackets

I know it can be a hot take, but knitwear and jackets can still be utilized as the days get hotter. Let’s not completely rule them out.

For starters, jackets can be a staple piece that brings a basic outfit to life. On a chilly night watching the Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, or sitting around a fire with friends on a Friday night, you might want some extra protection from the wind. I would suggest a thinner coat made of nylon or polyeste, which is versatile.

The Room Where It Happens: Asssuming The Debts

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, social 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 influenced the early republic are echoing in current events, or if what appears familiar is simply history’s rhyming, and not its repetition.

This week’s parallel comes from a growing political and economic dilemma, war abroad and rising costs at home.

Since tensions with Iran have developed, the effects have spread quickly through global oil markets. Supply disruptions in critical shipping routes have pushed gas prices in the United States above four dollars per gallon. Officials currently warn that relief may not come anytime soon. The result is not just higher fuel costs, but a greater economic strain. We see this with inflation seeing its sharpest monthly spike in years, driven largely by energy.

This is where a famous line from “Hamilton” becomes most

relevant: “The world turned upside down.”

In the musical, the phrase marks a decisive moment in the American Revolution, a sudden reversal during which expectations collapse and a new reality is picked up. In today’s context, the “upside down” moment is economic and political. A policy environment that promised stability and control has instead produced volatility. Energy independence, long framed as a safeguard, has proven limited in the face of global-scale disruption. No matter how domestic production shifts, oil remains part of an interconnected system.

For President Trump and his allies, the challenge is not just the policy outcome but the narrative shift. The expectation had been clear: lower prices, stronger positioning and fewer foreign entanglements that directly hurt American consumers. Instead, the opposite dynamic is unfolding. War driving costs and costs driving political vulnerability. Critics, including Kamala Harris, have framed the situation more bluntly. Rising gas prices are not simply a consequence of global forces, but of deliberate strategic choices. Whether that argument resonates politically will depend less on rhetoric and more on whether prices continue to climb.

That brings us to the second “Hamilton” parallel, one that starts with, “If we assume the debts…” In the musical, the line represents a turning point in the young nation’s economic policy, a recognition that

stability requires accepting and managing the burdens created by earlier decisions. In today’s context, the “debts” are both literal and figurative.

There is the fiscal cost. Military spending tied to the conflict continues to grow, adding to an already substantial national debt tracked closely by groups like the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. But beyond dollars, a broader political and economic debt is accumulating in real time. Higher fuel prices increase transportation costs, which feed into inflation, which then affects everything from groceries to housing. In other words, the consequences compound. This is where the parallel becomes less about repetition and more about structure.

The early republic dealt with the costs of conflict and built stability afterward. Today, the challenge is similar in form but different in scale. There is a struggle in figuring out how to manage the domino effect of global conflict in an economy that is deeply interconnected and politically polarized.

The lesson to both building after the Revolution and now is one of confidence. Whether in economic systems or energy policy, they can quickly collide with reality. Assumptions about control often break down under pressure. And when they do, the burden doesn’t go away. It shifts, and the world turns upside down. Eventually, someone has to decide how to steady it again by confronting, rather than avoiding, the debts that come with it.

“Urinetown” Reviewed

Eden Rosini Staff Writer

Imagine if we were required to use our meal points to go to the bathroom here at Villanova, and if we did not have enough points, we would not be able to go. This would be pretty annoying, as our meal plan are already complicated. Now imagine if everyone decided to revolt against Father Peter because of this policy. How would this end?

Well, this is pretty much the Villanova equivalent of “Urinetown.” Villanova Theater’s production is sure to surprise audiences large and small, provoking audience-wide reactions (if you saw the show, you know) and gasps throughout the entire musical. “Urinetown” is considered a shorter musical, with an entertaining 1 hour and 55 minutes of run time. The cast got interactive with the audience before the show. I had a particularly humorous interaction with Officer Barrell before the show, during which she interrogated my friends and me about whether we had tickets.

“Urinetown” is the 2002 Tony Award Winner for Best Original Score. This satirical musical delivers bold humor by taking shots at capitalism and referencing other popular Broadway musicals. The clever puns and songs make for a comedic critique of society manifested into an energetic, spirited musical. “Urinetown” combines social commentary with Broadway show-

manship to give the audience a little bit of everything: a love story, dark humor and compelling characters. “Urinetown” takes place in a dystopian city stricken by a drought. Private toilets have been outlawed, and it is expensive to use the legal public amenities. The entire show is narrated by Little Sally, a sweet young girl who often questions the morals of fellow narrator, Officer Lockstock. He has a soft spot for Sally and is the only character who offers her a “penny for a pee” when she asks. Caldwell B. Cladwell, head of “Urine Good Company,” controls the public amenities, profiting off of one of society’s most basic needs. When Joseph “Old Man” Strong decides he has had enough with the oppression and illegally uses the bathroom in public, he is sent to ‘Urinetown.” His son, protagonist Bobby Strong, then decides to lead a revolution against the cruel

tyrants of Urine Good Company. In the meantime, Bobby falls in love with Hope Cladwell, Caldwell B. Cladwell’s daughter, who eventually becomes a revolutionary herself. All the while, the question looms over the audience’s head: Where, or what, is “Urinetown?”

Leading actor David Walker owned the stage as Bobby Strong and displayed his enormous vocal talent while performing songs like “Run Freedom Run” and “Look at the Sky.” Compared to the completely silent role Walker played in “Arcadia,” watching his very vocal character in “Urinetown” come to life was truly incredible. His versatility is impressive, and his mighty voice ringing through the theater provoked cheers at the end of every run.

In terms of the set, “Urinetown” has a unique, two-story turntable design. Turn tables are used in many other popular Broad-

way shows, such as “Hadestown” and “Hamilton: An American Musical.” This turntable allowed the set to have four sides, making for four different settings. Imagine the set as a rotating rectangle: there are two larger sides and then two skinnier, smaller sides. The first large side was Public Amenity #9, which is where most of the scenes took place. The opposite side of Public Amenity #9 is Caldwell B. Cladwell’s office, in blue and yellow hues for a bright contrast to the other locations. The last two smaller sides served as the backdrops for the revolutionaries’ secret hideaway and a dark alley. In theatre, everything is intentional. Actors pressed plungers onto the turntable and made it look as if they were turning the set around. Whenever an actor removed their plunger, a satisfying ‘pop’ noise rang through the Topper Theatre.

“This detail was to show how the characters drive the story of ‘Urinetown,’” set designer Paris Bradley said. “It was all intentional, and we knew that the audience would like the suction noises when the actors lifted the plungers, too.”

Villanova Theatre’s production exceeded expectations. The intense rehearsal process paid off in cheers from the audience, laughs from those who understood the niche references and flowers from loved ones.

Penelope Pennywise, played by Abigale Townsend, sang, “It is a privilege to pee.” This show was certainly a privilege to see.

Unpacked: Reflections In Sperlonga

Emma Cote Abroad Correspondent

This past weekend, we headed to Sperlonga, a small beach town forty minutes outside of Rome. Having spent several weekends exploring cities, an easy day spent by the water was incredibly ideal.

Since this marked two weeks until the end of my studyabroad experience, the need to pack everything into every hour has certainly caught up. Time between classes has consisted of museum visits, trying new restaurants and participating in anything we postponed this semester, thinking that we had “tons of time” left. Knowing there will never be a time in my life when travel is as accessible and frequent as it is now, it was difficult to feel fulfilled by everything we’ve done so far. When I shared this sentiment with my parents, they laughed in my face.

I have been wrestling with this over the past few days. Even interstate travel in the United States has always required far more intensive planning than the trips I have taken so far.

Surrounded by lush mountains and at the edge of the Tyrrhenian, I felt a sinking sensation in my stomach.

These thoughts may come off as ungrateful, and that is surely not my intention here. Going abroad has been an aspiration of

mine since middle school, and there is this lingering sense of guilt that I didn’t do enough.

This weekend, particularly, while necessary and restful, felt almost wasteful.

Let me stress that financially, it’s not feasible to flee your home base every single weekend. At least, for myself. Nevertheless, scrolling on Instagram and seeing my friends’ adventures in places I could not make it to reminded me just how temporary this experience really is.

Although I feel as though I’ve left Rome too much. The city is massive, and there’s quite literally something new around every corner.

I was immensely thoughtful in my decision about my study abroad destination. Using several pros and cons lists, I settled on Rome. After months of being caught up in the excitement of flexible European Union travel, I feel as though I haven’t accomplished nearly enough here.

However, as I’ve talked to many of my friends here, it seems as though the sentiments are pretty universal. The phrase “once in a lifetime experience,” despite all of its clichés, has become bitterly understood.

For so many of us, it’s the first time the gravity of this phrase has ever actually been felt. Sure, graduations, jobs and comingof-age events of all sorts have been experienced, but for me, the uniqueness of this semester has been unrivaled.

As I continue on the last 14 days of my time here, I am trying to spend much more time reflecting on my own semester than comparing.

Preview: The 130th Penn Relays

Dylan Johnson Co-Editor-in-Chief

The Penn Relays are something that all track fans circle on the schedule each year.

This year marks the 130th year of the Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania. Villanova track and field is looking to defend and reclaim some wheels during the three-day carnival. The men will try to get their 4xMile and Distance Medley Relay titles back after losing them last year, and the women are trying to bring home wheels to the Main Line once again.

The relays kick off on Thursday and run until Saturday. It is one of the only relay events still operating, and as current Nike pro and former Villanova runner Liam Murphy sums up the Penn Relays, “It is either first or nothing.”

“You won’t even remember in three years who got second or third,” Murphy said. “Yeah, it’s just first or nothing. We’ve been on the other end of winning both of them last year, and now we’re on the end of getting nothing.”

Last year, the men were coming off a historic 4xMile performance in 2024, running the second-fastest time in world history and the collegiate record of 15:51.91. Marco Langon will be a returning face to the 4xMile team, who currently holds the fifth

fastest 1,500-meter time in collegiate history. He will join three others that could possibly include runners such as Sean Donohue, Bailey Habler, Jack Fenlon or Jack Coomber on Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

The men will also try to reclaim the wheel in the DMR on Friday at 2:40 p.m. The DMR team finished fifth last year in a fast-paced race. The time would have won the DMR in each of the last eight years at the Penn Relays,

and it was the ninth fastest men’s DMR in school history. Langon will anchor the relay in the mile. Dan Watcke could line up for the 800-meter leg, while two other runners will take on the 400-meter and 1200-meter legs. Those runners could include Donouhue (1200-meter) and Ethan Walls (800-meter).

On the women’s side, they will also tackle the DMR on Saturday at 2:25 p.m. Olivia Allen,

Micah Trusty and Rosie Shay could all be names returning from last year. Last season, Allen ran the 400-meter leg and reached a personal best split of 54.62. Allen ran the 400-meter leg, running a personal best split of 54.62. She was followed by Trusty on the 800-meter leg at 2:09.26. To close out the relay, Shay anchored in Penn Relay debut and ran a 4:43.39 in her Penn Relay debut.

They will also run the 4x1500 on Saturday at 12:40 p.m.

Sadie Sigfstead will not be back to defend her 10K title after being shut down all year due to injury.

Both the men and the women will race in the 4x400 on Thursday in hopes of qualifying for the championship on Saturday. In field events, Tritan Bolinsky will compete in the men’s discus. Yianna Papanikolas will throw the shot put. Terea Rotolo and Hallie Kees will both throw in the women’s javelin.

Villanova alumni will also be returning to compete in the Olympic Development Elite Division. Charlie O’Donnovan will run the men’s mile (1:37 p.m.). McKenna Keegan will race the women’s 800-meter (2:30 p.m.). Sean Dolan will run the men’s 800-meter (2:35 p.m.). All of those races take place on Saturday. The men and women have a combined 140 wheels at the Penn Relays. The three-day carnival will be streamed on FloSports.

Men’s Lacrosse Clinches Big East Tournament Berth

Sammie McKee Co-Sports Editor

On Saturday, April 18, Villanova men’s lacrosse (6-6, 3-1 Big East) defeated Marquette (6-6, 2-2 Big East) in overtime, 16-15, to clinch a postseason berth to the Big East Tournament.

The berth marks the Wildcats’ 14th consecutive appearance at the Big East tournament, which features the top four teams in the conference.

The victory against Marquette now gives Villanova an even overall record for the 2026 season and a winning record in the Big East and bounces the ‘Cats back from an overtime loss against Providence last week

“Within a seven-day period we experienced both the highs of winning and the pain of a tough loss,” head coach Michael Corrado said. “It [playing in overtime] emphasizes the importance of playing a full 60 minutes.”

Senior attackman Colin Michener led Villanova, scoring a career-high seven goals.

“Colin did a great job of allowing the game and shots to come to him within the flow of the offense,” Corrado said.

Graduate attackman Luke Raymond earned his 100th collegiate point after scoring one goal and tallying a career-high of five

assists in regulation.

Graduate attackman Nolan Rappis led Marquette with five goals.

Villanova took 42 shots, with 29 on goal. In comparison, Marquette tallied 33 shots, with 24 of them on goal.

Following the game’s opening faceoff, Villanova found offensive success, outscoring Marquette, 4-2, in the first quarter.

Rappis rallied Marquette’s offense, scoring two of the Golden Eagles’ early goals in the second quarter.

Marquette scored three unanswered goals with 6:18 left in the first half to take the lead and find a

9-6 advantage.

With less than two minutes in the first half, Michener scored his third goal of the game, cutting the Wildcats’ deficit to two goals at the intermission.

Coming out of the break, Marquette scored one minute into the second half.

Both teams remained scoreless for six minutes until Villanova went on a four-goal run to take its first lead in over 22 minutes.

Immediately after, Marquette tied the game on the reset. The Golden Eagles scored one more goal and headed into the final quarter with a 12-11 lead.

During the fourth quarter’s

opening five minutes, the team scored back-and-forth goals.

With eight and a half minutes of regulation left, Marquette stretched its lead to 15-12.

Neither team scored for the next four minutes until sophomore attackman Ryan Martin ended the scoring drought.

A minute later, the ‘Cats cut their deficit to just one goal.

With 1:14 left on the clock, Freshman midfielder Kessy Cox scored the equalizer, taking the ‘Cats into overtime.

Junior faceoff George Clomb won Villanova the opening faceoff in overtime, and junior defenseman Beau Kemler picked up the ground ball.

Shortly after Villanova’s successful clear, the Wildcats called a timeout.

Thirty seconds later, junior midfielder Nick Lucchesi scored the game-winning goal.

The Wildcats will return to Villanova Stadium on Saturday, April 24, to take on Georgetown in their final game of the 2026 regular season.

In the team’s last meeting, the Hoyas defeated Villanova in the championship game of the 2025 Big East tournament.

The two teams will now play for the No. 1 seed at this year’s Big East tournament. Face-off is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Men’s Tennis Falls In Big East Tournament’s First Round

Mason Canton Staff Writer

On Friday, April 17, Villanova’s men’s tennis season and Big East tournament run came to an end, after the Wildcats fell, 4-0, to No. 1-seeded St. John’s.

St. John’s (17-6, 5-0 Big East) had dominant performances in both doubles and singles play to secure the quarterfinals victory, ending the Wildcats’ (5-16, 0-5 Big East) 2026 season.

St. John’s took an early lead in the match, earning the doubles point with wins on courts No. 1 and No. 2. The Red Storm earned a 6-1 victory at No. 2 doubles before securing the point with a 6-2 win on court one.

Villanova picked up a strong result on No. 3, where the pairing of sophomores Jack Sherner and Quincy Jones earned a 6-3 victory, but it was not enough to bring Villanova back into the match.

“They were a good team and won the conference. Winning at No. 3 was great, both matches at No. 1 and 2 we were in it, but came up short with some deuce points. It was hard to climb back,” head coach Brad Adams said.

In singles play, the Red Storm surged on, continuing to dominate with three straight-set victories to clinch the match. At No. 1 singles, Radomir Tomic defeated senior Cooper Gordon 6-1, 6-0, while Semen Agynskyy followed at No. 3 with a 6-1, 6-0 win over junior Will Monahan. Venedikt Tsirikidze then sealed

the run at No. 5 singles, beating junior Kush Anand 6-0, 6-3, securing St. John’s 4-0 victory.

“Our approach to the point needs work,” Adams emphasized regarding the team’s performance. “We need more confidence in ourselves. We went into the deuce point a bit defensively, not taking a chance, and let our opponent dictate the point. I’d rather lose playing offensively than defensively.”

Despite the final score, the Wildcats were persistent on the remaining courts. Junior Ethan Carr held a 7-5, 2-2 lead at No. 2 singles until St. John’s clinched victory, and junior Thomas Wakefield and sophomore Cameron Kruep continued to fight before having to abandon their matches.

Adams was able to take some positives out of the result.

“Our singles bright spot was Ethan winning his first set. Thomas and Cam were in good battles and

showed toughness. They stepped up and played well,” Adams said.

With the loss, Villanova’s season comes to a close. The defeat caps a difficult stretch against conference opponents and ends the Wildcat’s run in the tournament.

“It was a development year for sure,” Adams said, reflecting on this season. “Five guys will be seniors, and I think all the juniors have raised their game during their time here. If they keep the work ethic and mentality, we will find a match that will click and move on from there. We should go into it [our first matches] with more confidence and trust that we can compete at a high level against some of these ranked teams,” Adams said, looking forward to the next year’s season.

Despite the setback, the program will look to carry forward the lessons learned from a challenging year as it resets and builds toward next season.

Big East Commisioner Retires

Dylan Johnson Co-Editor-In-Chief

Continued from p.1

could provide the strategic vision needed to position us as a basketball peer with the power football conferences and compete with the country’s best. We found that visionary leader in Val Ackerman.”

Ackerman’s work drove her to become one of the most notable women in sports. Over her 38-year professional career, she was the founding president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the president of USA Basketball, and the U.S. representative for men’s and women’s basketball on the Central Board of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Ackerman took over the role

of commissioner at the beginning of an uncertain future for the Big East. The conference had just been realigned due to football reasons. Historic Big East programs like Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia all split and joined separate conferences.

While those schools went to chase football money, it directly affected the success of their basketball programs. Except for an outlier in UConn, which won back-to-back national titles.

During an era when Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) completely changed college athletics, especially for smaller schools in the Big East, which had long relied on coaching and facilities for recruitment rather than money, Ackerman kept the Big East on track. In the last decade, the conference has won four men’s basketball titles – Villanova (2016, 2018) and UConn (2023, 2024) –and one from the UConn women’s team (2025), while competing against conferences with large budgets and football money.

“Val’s leadership in guiding the Big East through the challenges of conference realignment and into a vibrant new era has long earned my respect,” Eric Rodel, Villanova’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, said in a statement to The Villanovan. “Since returning to Villanova last year, I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation for her vision, steady stewardship and unwavering commitment to the success of the Big East and our student-athletes. Her impact has strengthened and elevated the Big

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD

April. 15 - April. 21

Wednesday, April 15

Softball @ Towson 2-5 L

Thursday, April 16

Women’s Tennis vs. Providence 4-0 W

Women’s Track @ Virginia Challenge

No Team Scoring

Friday, April 17

Men’s Tennis vs. St. John’s 0-4 L

Women’s Tennis vs. St. John’s 1-4 L

Women’s Track @ Virginia Challenge

No Team Scoring

Men’s Track @ Virginia Challenge

No Team Scoring

Baseball vs. Creighton 4-9 L

Saturday, April 18

Women’s Track @ Virginia Challenge

No Team Scoring

Women’s Track @ Paul Donahue Invitational

No Team Scoring

Men’s Track @ Virginia Challenge

No Team Scoring

Women’s Lacrosse vs. No. 25

Georgetown 8-9 L

Baseball vs Creighton 2-20 L

Men’s Lacrosse @ Marquette 16-15 W OT

East’s standing across college athletics during a pivotal time. Val’s legacy will endure for years to come, and we are all better for her remarkable service.”

While those four trophies shine in hindsight, a basketball-centric conference was dismissed as unserious just a decade ago. Ackerman was able to pull it off and guide the Big East to where it is now as she prepares to depart the conference.

“She’s extremely impressive, everything about Val,” Villanova women’s basketball head coach Denise Dillon said to The Villanovan. “You read through all of the accolades and well-deserved recognition. I think what people don’t realize is how accessible she is. With our young women, for them to have had the opportunity to actually know the commissioner of a prominent league, the head of the Big East, and to know her just on speaking terms. She was an everyday person, and just her humility was there, but she always wanted to grow the game and help any of us as much as she could. But her presence, accessibility, I would say, was a major key in the growth of the Big East, the women’s side, the game itself, sports in general.”

Ackerman secured Madison Square Garden as the home of the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament, while others competed to try to put their conference tournaments in the venue. She led the negotiations that resulted in two extensions of the conference’s venue licensing agreement with the Garden. The most recent extension in 2024 ensures that the venue will remain the home of the tournament through 2032.

Softball vs. George Mason 6-1 W

Baseball vs. Creighton 3-14 L

Softball vs. George Mason 3-11 L

Tuesday, April 21

Men’s Track @ Haverford TriMeet No Team Scoring

On top of that, Ackerman has played a role in the Big East’s partnership with FOX Sports, the conference’s media partner, as well as working to strike a six-year agreement with ESPN to provide coverage of hundreds of additional Big East events.

“I think when you’re in these jobs, you’re not in them forever,” Ackerman told USA Today when reflecting on retirement. “That’s just the nature of the beast. Everyone is working a shift at the end of the day. And I think your hope is that when it was your turn, when the baton got passed to you, you ran a good race. I’ve climbed the mountains. Every mountain that I ever wanted to climb, I’ve climbed it. If there’s a legacy piece, I hope it’s at least about what I’ve done for women and the game of basketball.”

Ackerman, despite pressure from across collegiate athletics, kept the Big East close to its roots, holding the league at 11 teams to keep its small but powerful identity. With money becoming a large part of how conferences operate, a sports-minded commissioner like Ackerman could become a thing of the past.

Wildcat Watch: From North Carolina To ‘Nova

Genna Cottingham Sports Columnist

Most rookies look up to their coaching staff and captains for guidance as they transition to college athletics. However, an 18-year-old from North Carolina was an exception to this rule. Right after joining Villanova women’s tennis, Olivia Corcoran was given the task of developing her new team.

Corcoran is a sophomore on the Villanova women’s tennis team, hailing from Cary, NC. Her father, Andrew, played tennis at the College of Charleston, and her mother, Julie, played at Bowling Green. Her younger brother, Ryan is a current five-star recruit as a sophomore in high school.

Corocaran continued her family’s tennis tradition after Villanova head coach Steve Reiniger recruited her at a Florida tournament nearly three years ago.

Despite her family’s history with the sport, the individual state champion was late to the competitive game, not attending travel tournaments until she was 14 years old.

Once she began playing at Green Hope High School in NC, she eventually earned All-American honors as a junior and served as captain her senior year. Her success landed her recognition from multiple schools, including the tennis programs at Cornell and Virginia Tech. Villanova discovered the North Carolina native the summer going into her senior year. After

visiting Villanova’s campus, Corcoran knew it would be the school she would call home.

“I went on an official visit before committing, and that’s what kind of sealed the deal for me,” Corcoran said. “Hanging out with a team and seeing their team chemistry and really wanting to be a part of that.”

Going into collegiate play, coach Reiniger viewed Corcoran as a fourth, fifth or sixth spot player on the roster. She progressed quickly on the court, demonstrating her tennis IQ and clear coachability.

During her rookie season, Villanova beat No. 1 UConn in the semi-finals of the Big East Tournament. The ‘Cats ultimately lost in the finals to St. John’s University. However, Corcoran learned the value of teamwork and commitment after spending the majority of her career playing by herself.

“I used to tell her not to con-

form to the team, but have the team conform to her,” Coach Reiniger said. “She had such a good way about her on the court.”

By this year, Corcoran’s sophomore season, Reiniger had put her in the No. 2 spot in every tournament. “[Coach Reiniger] is all for me playing free and aggressive, and he pushes me to experiment with new things,” Corcoran said. “He pushes me to experiment with new parts of my game, and just do what feels best for me.”

She regularly has no matchdays off, playing the top player at each school. In individual matchups this season, Corcoran defeated Colgate, Rider, Georgetown, Haverford and Providence.

All coaches talk about the need for the Villanova attitude of striving to be a better player and person. Her successes are a reflection

of Corcoran’s tenacity and mental toughness for the game. Through the pressures of Big East play, Corcoran remains focused on the court, even when facing some of the best players in the country.

“I think leading by example is the most important thing you can do,” Reiniger said. “I think she’s been doing that since her freshman and sophomore year. I think that the team’s gonna gravitate more to her as she’s like you know, playing the number one spot.”

The NC native will briefly talk about her success if asked, but Corcoran will quickly pivot to the role of her coaches and teammates in her development.

When asked who was her best friend on the team, Corcoran couldn’t name just one. With just nine teammates, Corcoran views each member of her small team as a sister. However, senior Maddie Gherig also grew up in North Carolina and faced Corcoran in high school. Now as teammates, the duo has developed a lasting connection outside of their sport.

This past weekend, Corcoran led her team to the second round of the tournament after sweeping Providence, 4-0, last Thursday, April 16. Villanova fell to No.3 seeded St. John’s for the second year in a row, 1-4, on Friday.

As her second season concludes, Corcoran will step into an upper-classmen position as a junior next season, and is set to continue leading the next team of Wildcats on the court.

Baseball Drops Series Against Creighton

Noah Okenquist Staff Writer

This past weekend, Villanova’s baseball team dropped a three-game series to Big East opponent Creighton. The loss extended the Wildcats’ (12-23, 0-9 Big East) conference losing streak to nine games.

“This conference means more to these guys,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “We learn how to perform our best in pressure situations during Big East play.” The teams kicked off the series on Friday, April 17, and Villanova fell to the Blue Jays (21-16, 7-2 Big East), 9-4.

Sophomore pitcher JP Podgorski started, pitched four innings and struck out three, keeping the game scoreless for the Wildcats. “He kept us in the game,” Mulvey said. “We were up 7-0 at one point, and his energy helped us a lot.”

In the fourth inning, a walk, a hit and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for redshirt sophomore outfielder Austin Lemon and sophomore outfielder John Freitag to collect four runs.

The Wildcats maintained their 4-0 lead until the seventh inning, when Creighton plated seven total runs to overtake Villanova.

“It’s part of baseball and the learning process,” Coach Mulvey said. “We have to continue to learn how to get better along the way.”

A home run in the ninth

inning extended Creighton to a 9-4 advantage. Villanova was unable to respond and lost the game, 9-4.

On Saturday, Villanova played a doubleheader with the Blue Jays.

Its first game began at 11:35 a.m., and Creighton wasted no time scoring five runs in the second inning and adding two more in the fourth.

At the bottom of the fourth, back-to-back walks from sophomore infielder Brayden Leonard and senior infielder Michael Whooley cut the deficit to 7-2.

The two teams went scoreless for the next three innings.

In the seventh, Creighton dominated Villanova in a nine-run spectacle, including a three-run home run.

Creighton maintained control for the rest of the game, eventually winning, 20-2.

“We had flashes of success this weekend, but nothing stuck,” Mulvey said. “We didn’t put it together collectively, but I’m proud of their effort.”

Villanova played its second game of the day at 2:35 p.m.

In the first inning, Whooley hit a solo home run, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

Creighton responded after, scoring three runs off one hit in the second inning. A bases-clearing double, sacrifice fly and groundout plated more runs for the Blue Jays.

After another single in the

fifth, Creighton had built a 12-1 lead.

“I talked to the hitters,” Mulvey said. “I tell them swinging the bat is like carrying an egg. You can’t squeeze too hard or soft. You need to find the right level of relaxation.”

In the seventh inning, freshman shortstop Larry Hotaling, freshman outfielder Jack Roventini, sophomore utility

Jojo Montgomery and Lemon all reached bases to close Villanova’s deficit to 12-3.

Creighton secured its win, scoring two more runs for a final score of 14-3.

Villanova will continue its season on Friday, April 24, with a series against Seton Hall in South Orange, NJ. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Owen T. Carroll Athletic Field.

Softball Falls To Towson, Splits With George Mason

Casey Healey Co-Sports Editor

Villanova softball lost its midweek game to Towson before splitting its two-game series against George Mason on Saturday, April 18.

The ‘Cats dropped a 5-2 decision against Towson on Wednesday, April 15.

Sophomore Lexi Kobryn started at the mound, where she pitched three innings, struck out two, walked one and had four runs on five hits.

Villanova opened the game with a two-run double to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Towson answered quickly, with three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the Tigers scored again. They extended their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth, and ended the game in the top of the seventh.

Senior Kendall Spivey hit her first career triple. Junior Maranda Runco and Madison Ostrowski scored Villanova’s only points on the day.

“We ask [Runco] to do a little bit of everything. She pitches, she heads, she plays first base,” head coach Bridget Orchard said. “She’s been asked to carry a pretty big load, and she has really evolved since she was a freshman.” The ‘Cats returned for a Saturday double header against

George Mason at the Villanova Softball Complex. They also celebrated their senior day.

“[The seniors] have kind of had to really stick together and be there for each other,” Orchard said. “It’s really kind of cool to see them grow and mature, and be leaders. They care about the freshmen and the sophomores.” They took the first game, with a final score of 6-1.

Villanova started hot, tallying four runs in the first inning. The first came from a double steal

that sent senior Maddie Burrows home, and marked Runco’s first career steal.

After that, junior Mackenzie Waghorn sent a double into right field to score in two more runners. Cox scored the third run on the throw.

George Mason added its lone run of the day in the third inning.

Villanova extended its lead in the fourth with an RBI from Runco to go up 5-1.

A Burrows RBI double to

send in freshman Aubrey Police made the score 6-1 and secured the win for the ‘Cats.

Kobryn came in for relief, where she struck out four and walked one.

Game two did not go as well for the Wildcats, ending in a 11-3 loss.

Freshman Maggie King started this time, she pitched three innings, walked one, struck out one and gave up four runs on seven hits.

The Patriots scored nine unanswered runs to take a 9-0 lead at the top of the fourth inning. Villanova finally got on the board in the top of the fifth. Runco hit a sacrifice fly to score Spivey. Lily St. Jean then singled to send in two runs, putting the score at 9-3.

George Mason extended its lead to 11, bringing the final score to 11-3 and splitting the series.

“[George Mason] came out strong right from the get-go,” said Orchard. “Our pitchers, we walked a few people, gave them some free bases, and they took advantage of it. Obviously we had different pitchers and defense out there, but they definitely were executing in the second game more than they were in the first.”

Villanova will take on The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on April 22 at 4 p.m. It will take on Providence in an away series from April 24-26.

Track & Field Competes At Virginia Challenge

Genna Cottingham Sports Columnist

This past weekend, Villanova’s track and field team traveled to Charlottesville, VA, for the Virginia Challenge. On Friday, April 17, junior Olivia Allen won the 400-meter hurdles event in 58.43. Allen then claimed 10th place in the 400-meter race, finishing in 55.29.

It was a big weekend for women’s field events. Freshman Hallie Kees reached a personal best in the javelin of 41.38 meters on Thursday. Junior Mailaka Cunningham claimed second place in the high jump at 1.75 meters. Cunningham currently has the best mark in the Big East for her event.

“The whole purpose of going to regional caliber meets is so they face the same athletes for the bigger meets later in the season,” women’s head coach Gina Procaccio said. “It is good to see them make progress throughout the season in their specialty event.”

Junior Gina Smith reached a personal record in the triple jump. Smith’s mark of 12.02 meters puts her in fifth place on the Villanova all-time performance list.

Junior sprinter Parker Turner reached personal bests in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races. Turner ran a 10.81 to get fifth in his heat on Friday. On Saturday, he returned to the track, finishing 10th overall in the 200-meter with a time of 22.02.

The quartet of women’s distance runners in the 1500-meter race all had top-six times in the Big East. Sophomore Bella Walsh placed fourth in Virginia, finishing in 4:13.56, a personal best and the No. 8 spot in program history. Sophomore Roie Shay finished fifth with a time of 4:13.98, a season best. Junior Tilly O’Connor also had a personal best of 4:14.22. Fifth-year Nikki Vannasse had a season best, crossing the finish line at 4:16.92.

In the men’s 400-meter hurdles race, sophomore Liam Gluck led the way for the ‘Cats, finishing in 53.63. The time was a personal record for Gluck and was his second in seven days, after he ran a 54.69 at Rutgers’ Relays. Seniors Ronan O’Neill and Sal Barretta had times of 55.49 and 56.06, respectively. Freshman Kate Borton ran a 58.68 in the women’s event.

Gluck, O’Neill and Barretta returned to the track for the open 400-meter race. Gluck finished in 48.88, and Barretta ran a 49.58. O’Neill managed a lifetime best of 49.28. Senior Jimmy Milgie won the 400-meter at 48.94. Freshman Andy Geiser and junior Matthew Griffin finished the race in 49.47 and 49.52, respectively.

The freshman heats of the women’s 1500-meter race had a trio of Wildcats set personal records. Zoe Mosher led the way, finishing at 4:29.58. Maeve Smith ran a 4:32.51 while Cecilia Montagnese crossed the line at 4:35.58. “It is really great to see the

freshmen find their way,” Proccacio said. “We put them in races to suit their ability, and it definitely changes over time.”

Fifth-year Margaret Carroll fought for sixth place in the 5K, finishing in 16:20.44. Freshman Yianni Papanikolas, sophomore Chris Coulter and senior Liam Anderson competed in the men’s shot put. Papanikolas set the top mark for the ‘Cats with 15.44 meters. Coulter threw for 14.64 meters while Anderson reached 13.81 meters. Freshman Theo Hedgemon threw the hammer 50.43 meters. Fifth-year Tristan Bolinsky threw

the hammer 53.76 meters. Bolinsky returned to the cage for the discus throw and reached a season best of 47.04 meters.

This weekend, Villanova’s track and field team will compete in the 130th Annual Pennsylvania Relay Carnival at Franklin Field. Events will kick off on Thursday with junior CJ Sullivan in the 10k. Villanova has run in the Penn Relays for more than 65 years and has won nearly 125 championship titles. Both Villanova coaches are still finalizing their heats, but Villanova will run the men’s and women’s DMR, men’s 4xMile and women’s 4x1500.

Womens Lacrosse: Big East Preview

Casey Healey Co-Sports Editor

Villanova women’s lacrosse is gearing up to finish up its regular season and heading into the Big East Tournament, hosted in Denver, CO from April 30 to May 2.

The Wildcats will take on Butler (3-15, 0-5 Big East) on Saturday, April 25 in Indianapolis, IN for their final game of the regular season. First draw is set for noon.

Villanova currently sits at 8-6 on the season overall and 2-3 in the Big East Conference, ranking in fourth place.

Its most notable win includes No. 2 ranked at the time, Stanford. The ‘Cats also tallied wins over Vermont, UConn and Saint Joseph’s.

On Saturday, April 18, Villanova fell to Big East opponent, No. 25 Georgetown. The final score of the close contest was 8-9.

The teams went back and forth through the opening period, with Villanova scoring the first goal two minutes in. Junior attacker Jillian Vaught tallied the first point off an assist from senior attacker Ashlyn Hickey. Neither team could find the back of the net for most of the second period. With 3:47 remaining in the quarter, junior midfielder Sophia Corretjer made the score 4-3 off an assist from redshirt junior attacker Elena Torres.

Georgetown tied the game, 4-4, off a free position as the first half ended.

The Hoyas came out strong in the second half of the game, netting three goals in five minutes to go up 7-4. Torres added another free-position goal with 57 seconds remaining in the period to cut the deficit to one, 7-6, heading into the fourth.

Georgetown maintained control, scoring back-to-back goals to take a three-goal lead. Torres added two more goals, but despite the momentum, Villanova was unable to achieve the comeback, and Georgetown held on to secure the win.

Freshman goalkeeper Allie Bell had 10 saves in goal to match her career high. Junior midfielder Emma Verhoust tallied six draw controls.

Villanova had 25 total shots on goal, while Georgetown had 29. The Hoyas were given a total of 12 free-position shots compared to Villanova’s five.

The loss marked Villanova’s final home game of the regular season.

In the Big East Tournament, the No. 1 and No. 4 seed are set to face off on April 30 at 6 p.m (E.T.) and 4 p.m. (MT). The No. 2 seed and No. 2 seed will play at 9 p.m. (ET) and 7 p.m. (MT).

The tournament only takes four teams out of the seven members of the conference. Currently, Villanova stands in fourth, with UConn in fifth and Marquette in third. Denver currently sits in first place, with an overall record of 12-3. Georgetown is second, with a record of 11-4.

If the Wildcats defeat Butler on Saturday, they will most likely claim the No.4 seed and head to Denver for the tournament.

The contest will most likely feature Denver, Marquette and Georgetown, the three Big East opponents that Villanova has lost to this season.

In the 2024-25 season, head coach Jill Batcheller led Villanova to its first ever Big East Championship during her fourth year at the helm. After defeating UConn, 16-10, in the semifinals, they fell to Denver, 14-9, in the championship.

“It was so awesome to go to the Big East Championship for the first time last season,” Batcheller told The Villanovan in February. “But we still have a lot of work to do this year as a team.”

Despite being in an underdog position this year, the ‘Cats will be looking to claim their first ever Big East title amongst a strong batch of opponents. The semifinal games on April 30 and the title game on May 2 will all air on ESPN+ and will be played at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

Women’s Tennis Concludes Season In Big East Tournament

Sophia Cratty Staff Writer

On Thursday, April 16, Villanova women’s tennis opened Big East Championship play in Cayce, SC, by sweeping No. 11 Providence, 4-0. Villanova (11-9, 1-3 Big East) advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament on Friday, where it fell, 4-1, to No. 3 St. John’s. Kicking off play against Providence (5-13, 0-5 Big East), the Wildcats earned the doubles points. Junior Lauren Monti and junior Jenna Stevens earned a 6-3 win on court two, and sophomore Olivia Corcoran and junior Miriam Gondorova, on the third court, won 6-1. The No. 1 doubles game went unfinished, but senior Emi Callahan and senior Maggie Gehrig took the first set 5-3.

In singles play, Villanova extended its advantage. Corcoran secured a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles, and Stevens followed with a 6-1, 6-1 win on court four. Monti sealed the match with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 6 singles.

“Olivia Corcoran at No. 1,” head coach Steve Reiniger said. “There are no days off, no matter who we play. The No. 1 court is always tough. Olivia had won a Big East match. She won against UConn and Georgetown and played very well. She lost to that St. John’s girl, 2-2, in the regular season. So, [today] was a good adjustment.”

At No. 2 singles, Gehrig led 6-3, 3-3, when the play was halted, and at No. 3, Gondorova was ahead 6-3, 4-1. Kornyeva split sets at No.

5, before she was stopped, dropping 1-6 for the first set, and winning the second, 6-1.

The next day, the team played against St. John’s.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of downtime,” Reiniger said. “But we know what we need to do.”

St. John’s (16-6, 5-1 Big East) secured the doubles point, with victories on courts one and two. The Red Storm earned a 6-0 win at No. 1 and then clinched a 6-4 win on court two. Corcoran and Gondorova were tied at 4-4 on the third court before the play was halted.

Moving into singles in the quarterfinal game, St. John’s picked up three wins to secure the match, but Villanova won at No. 3 singles, with Gondorova besting her opponent 6-2, 6-1.

St. John’s claimed No. 2, No. 5, and No. 6 singles, clinching the 4-1 victory. Stevens, at No. 4, played a tight game, splitting the first two sets and tying in the third when the play was stopped.

In the St. John’s match, they fought really hard,” Reiniger said. “Same thing at Georgetown. We just came up a little short. It wasn’t due to effort or lack of intensity or anything like that. Nothing negative. So I really appreciated the effort of the team.”

With the loss, Villanova concluded its season in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament on Friday.

Reiniger reflected on the season as a whole and the team’s attitudes and efforts.

“Last player left on the court when their match is the decider,

they always feel like they let the team down, but that’s not the case,” Reiniger said. “It’s more of a collection. Did we get the doubles point? Did everyone who should’ve won win? Played their best? As long as our approach is right, our attitudes are good, and we’re positive on the court, I don’t mind. It’s more of a team thing and not an individual thing.”

Villanova will now begin its off-season and will announce its fall schedule, which will likely begin in September.

END OF SEMESTER

BBQ BBQ

THURSDAY

30 ALL DINING HALLS DINNER SERVICE

APRIL

Hosted by