November 2012
Dear Neighbors and Friends:
Welcome to the November 2012 issue of Villanova University's Neighbors Update. This newsletter is meant to inform you about Villanova events, campus initiatives and ways to be involved in the life of the University. Please let us know if you have any comments or ideas for future issues.
In the Spotlight: Design Concept for Lancaster Avenue Update - Monday, November 5
Villanova University invites its neighbors and local residents to campus for an update on its Design Concept for Lancaster Avenue. Members of the project team will discuss plans for distributing parking and a pedestrian crossing along Lancaster Avenue.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012
7-8:30 PM
Garey Hall Café
Parking is available adjacent to Garey Hall, which is located at the corner of County Line and Spring Mill Roads on the University’s west campus. Garey Hall is the former home of the Villanova School of Law and is building #23 on this map of campus. The Café is on the ground floor facing the new Law building. RSVP’s are not required for this meeting but questions can be directed to neighbors@villanova.edu. For more information about Villanova University’s proposed plans, visit: www.designconceptforlancasteravenue.com
You're Invited! Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Ecumenical 'Year of Faith' Exhibit Opens in Art Gallery
Villanova University celebrates the special ecumenical Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI with an exhibit of sacred icons, vestments, chalices, Gospel books and other liturgical artifacts. Entitled “Icon: The Way to the Kingdom,” the journey in art through two millennia of the prayer and faith traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Churches is believed to be the first of its kind in the Philadelphia area. The exhibit runs through December 16 in the Art Gallery, located in the Connelly Center.
This Weekend: Annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival
Hosted and organized by Villanova students, the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival is the largest annual student-run Special Olympics event in the world. The 2012 Fall Festival is scheduled for Nov. 2-4 during which time more than 1,000 athletes, 400 coaches, and 4,000 volunteers will gather on campus. Athletes will compete in six Olympic-type sports: bocce, long distance running, power-lifting, roller skating, soccer, and volleyball.
Villanova Theatre Presents “The Drowsy Chaperone”
“The Drowsy Chaperone: A Musical Within a Comedy”, comes to Villanova Nov. 6-18. Fr. Peter Donohue, OSA, University president and Barrymore Award-winning director returns, to Villanova Theatre with the Philadelphia premiere of this delightful musical confection. This hilarious show-within-a-show begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan puts on his favorite record—the cast album of the (fictional) 1920s musical The Drowsy Chaperone. From the scratchy crackle of his phonograph, a madcap musical magically bursts to life, transforming his humble apartment into a dazzling world of song, dance and comic ingenuity. Visit the Villanova Theatre website for more information and to order tickets.
School Food the Subject of HHAW Keynote
The 2012 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW) will kick off with a keynote address by Janet Poppendieck, PhD, professor of Sociology at Hunter College, City University of New York, and author of Sweet Charity and Free for All: Fixing School Food in America, Monday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in Driscoll Hall Auditorium (Room 132). HHAW originated at Villanova in 1975 and has since expanded nationwide. It seeks to awareness in the Villanova community about hunger and homelessness within the United States and around the world.
Annual Distinguished Lecture in Nursing
The College of Nursing 34th Annual Distinguished Lecture in Nursing will take place Tuesday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Villanova Room of the Connelly Center. The lecture, "Framing the Future of Nursing in Higher Education: Urgency for Action,” will be delivered by Michael R. Bleich, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, the Maxine Clark and Bob Fox Dean and Professor, Goldfarb School of Nursing, Barnes Jewish College and Vice President, BJC Healthcare.
Student-Run Show Highlights South Asian Culture
The South Asian Multicultural Organized Students Association’s (SAMOSA) annual exhibition of South Asian Culture will be filled with stunning dance, vocal and theatrical performances. A variety of South Asian dishes are served during intermission. The event will be held at the Jake Nevin Field House on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door and $7 in advance.
Find more events on the Villanova Calendar
Introducing the New Kennedy Ellipse
The fencing in the heart of campus finally came down Friday afternoon to reveal the new Kennedy Ellipse, the major component of Phase II of the Transformation of the Campus Landscape Initiative. This new feature in the area between Corr, Dougherty and Kennedy Halls and the Connelly Center, helps to create a more connected campus, improves pedestrian flow and accessibility, and adds new gathering spaces for the community. Work on the new Grotto in between Austin and St. Rita Halls is scheduled to be completed by mid-November.
Honorary Degree Awarded to His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk
On October 31, Villanova University conferred an Honorary Degree on His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk, a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Hilarion was awarded an honorary doctorate in sacred theology for his work in building inter-church relations between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. He is presently the Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Moscow. Metropolitan Hilarion is also a noted theologian, church historian and composer, who has published books on dogmatic theology, patristics and church history as well as numerous compositions for choir and orchestra.
Villanova Ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report
Villanova University again earned the #1 placement in the Regional University–North category in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” rankings—marking the University’s 20th consecutive year in the top spot of that category. Villanova was also once again ranked among the best value schools in the Regional University–North category for “Great Schools, Great Prices,” earning the #2 spot in that category. Villanova University’s College of Engineering garnered the #10 ranking nationwide in the “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” category among schools whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's. It marked the seventh consecutive year the College of Engineering has placed in the top 10 nationally.
Social Justice Film Students Examine Education Systems in Ghana and Philadelphia
In October, fifteen Villanova social justice documentary students and two faculty members spent two weeks in Ghana to examine the educational system, its students, and the reasons behind the success of The Heritage Academy, a school that maintains remarkable graduation rates and is nurturing the minds of incredible students. Now back on campus, the student filmmakers will begin exploring the complexities of education in Philadelphia. They will speak with public school students to identify their needs and concerns with the current system of teaching and learning, as well as interview teachers, parents and experts in the field of education who can provide insight into their observations. The student documentary (working title: “Learning How to Learn”) will focus on the challenges and strengths of both the domestic and foreign educational systems.
Researchers Receive Clean-Water Grant
In a world of increasing demand on a limited water supply, technology that can purify water more efficiently could benefit millions of people. Villanova researchers Metin Duran, PhD, and Brian Chaplin, PhD, from the College of Engineering, in partnership with a researcher from Drexel University, received a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a technology that could greatly improve water and wastewater treatment facilities’ ability to remove contaminants from water. These facilities include domestic water and wastewater treatment plants, and industries that treat their own wastewater on-site.
Thousands Take Part in St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service
On Saturday, September 22, nearly 4,500 Villanovans took part in the 7th Annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service. Nearly 4,500 students, faculty, staff, alumni and families volunteered at more than 140 service locations throughout Greater Philadelphia. Partnering with local service organizations and neighborhood agencies, projects ranged from neighborhood clean-ups and painting to helping high school students with college applications and packaging food for hunger relief organizations. Local service sites included Radnor Historical Society/West Wayne Avenue Cemetery, Joy of Sox, Kids First Now!, Church of the Redeemer and Bryn Mawr Hospital Thrift Shop.
Useful Links for Neighbors & Friends
Villanova University Neighbors & Friends website
Ignite Change. Go Nova. - Telling the Villanova Story
Villanova University Walking Trail
Villanova.com, the official site of Villanova Athletics
The Villanova University Shop
Follow Villanova on facebook, twitter and YouTube
Neighbors Update is an initiative of the Office of the President. Questions and feedback are welcomed and can be submitted by emailing neighbors@villanova.edu or by calling Chris Kovolski at (610) 519-7450.
Thank you for your continued interest in Villanova University!
