Dean Alexander’s Statement on Events at the U.S. Capitol

Following the events on January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol, Dean Mark Alexander sent a message to current students, faculty and staff. Additionally, Dean Alexander made a joint statement with law school deans from around the country.

Villanova Law Mourns the Loss of Former Dean J. Willard O’Brien

J. Willard O’Brien, former Dean of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, passed away peacefully at his home in Wayne, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, December 22. He was 90 years old. O’Brien joined the Villanova Law faculty in 1965, and in 1972 he was unanimously chosen by faculty to succeed Villanova’s founding Dean, Harold Gill Reuschlein. Dean O’Brien held the position for 11 years.

Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law Receives $15 million gift from The John F. Scarpa Foundation to Launch New Phase of Entrepreneurship Initiatives and Scholarship 

Villanova University President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, announced a $15 million gift from the John F. Scarpa Foundation to further elevate the Charles Widger School of Law as a leader in entrepreneurship and law, in addition to strengthening entrepreneurial expertise, innovative thinking and collaboration across the University. In recognition of Scarpa’s lifetime giving of more than $20 million to Villanova, the Law School building will be named John F. Scarpa Hall.

Pivoting During a Pandemic to Find New Opportunities

This past year has been unconventional in many ways as law students navigate their education and professional opportunities during a global pandemic. John Reid ’22 experienced this first-hand when his original summer externship plans were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.