OPUS PRIZE
The Opus Prize is awarded annually on college campuses, providing an opportunity to inspire a new generation of leaders. The Opus Prize is given not only to expand the humanitarian efforts of the recipient, but to inspire others to pursue lives of service. The $1 million award and two $100,000 prizes make up one of the world's largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship. Opus Prize laureates combine the spirit of innovation with amazing faith to inspire long-term, local solutions to address poverty and injustice. Opus Prize laureates prove change is possible, empowering and inspiring us all. Opus Prize criteria includes:
- Individuals or organizations who champion faith-filled change
- Doing work aligned with the mission and values of the Opus Prize
- Committed to successfully transforming lives
- Working anywhere in the world
- Motivated by any faith or religion
- Able to benefit significantly from the monetary award and recognition
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members of the Villanova Community,
I am pleased to announce that Villanova University has been selected to host the 2023 Opus Prize, which will be awarded on our campus in November 2023. The Opus Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations who champion faith-filled change and are working to solve the world’s most persistent social issues.
Each year, the Opus Prize Foundation partners with a Catholic university to award the Prize—$1 million for first place and $100,000 to the two runners-up, making it one of the world’s largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship. As host of the event, Villanova is responsible for identifying nominees, selecting finalists, participating in due-diligence site visits, planning the awards week on campus, and most importantly, inspiring others to ignite change in their respective work and organizations.
Earlier this fall, I formed the Villanova Opus Prize Committee, co-chaired by Nick Tumolo, Director of University Events and Initiatives; and Alicia Dunphy-Culp, Senior Director of First-Year Experience and Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life. The committee consists of students, faculty, staff and alumni from across campus who are responsible for infusing our Villanova values and tradition into this year’s event. One of the committee’s first tasks was to develop the 2023 prize’s theme, and I am pleased to share that it is distinctly Villanovan: “Awakening Restless Hearts: The Opus Prize at Villanova University.”
I will have more updates to share as we move through the process of serving as the 2023 Opus Prize host institution, and I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone for their efforts involved in planning this prestigious, University-wide event.
Sincerely,
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President
PRIZE SCHEDULE
NOVEMBER 6-9, 2023
A series of events and celebrations are currently being planned to bring the Opus Prize to Villanova University. Check back soon for more information.
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Co-Chairs
Nick Tumolo
Office of the President
Alicia Dunphy-Culp
Student Life
Committee Members
Celina Alexander
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Paul Camacho
Augustinian Institute
Kevin Covington
Center for Access, Success and Achievement
Fr. Frank Doyle, OSA
University Board of Trustees
Judy Duroseau
University Advancement
Jordan Ermilio
Center for Humanitarian Engineering and International Development
Miranda Febus
Office of Intercultural Affairs
Katie Fischer
Office of the President
Kate Giancatarino
St. Thomas of Villanova Center for the Common Good
Dan Griffin
Mission & Ministry
Kevin Grubb
Career Center
Caroline Levine
Office of the President
Bette Mariani
Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Patty McGoldrick
University Advancement
Michael Moreland
Charles Widger School of Law
Skylor Morton
Office of Residence Life
Tia Pratt
Office of Mission & Ministry
Chesley Turner
Center for Church Management
Kathy Welsch
The Inn at Villanova University
Catherine Wilson
Department of Public Administration
Hamna Chaudhry
Student, Class of 2024
Zenaida De La Cruz
Student, Class of 2024
Claire McBlain
Student, Class of 2024
William Minnig
Student, Class of 2024
Hannah Phillips
Student, Class of 2024
Mychaela Purnell
Student, Class of 2024
Elizabeth Vaughn
Student, Class of 2024
Grace Akkara
Student, Class of 2025
Jamie Barbara
Student, Class of 2025
Madison Lawrence
Student, Class of 2025
Teni Babatunde
Student, Class of 2026
Majo James
Student, Class of 2026
Liseth Mejia Perez
Student, Class of 2026
2023 OPUS PRIZE JURORS
Eleven distinguished jurors have been named to select the three finalists for the 2023 Opus Prize, an annual faith-based humanitarian award—whose $1 million award and two $100,000 prizes make up one of the world's largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship. The prestigious honor recognizes individuals who champion faith-filled change and are working to solve the world’s most persistent social issues.
Members of Villanova’s Opus Prize jury include leaders from the Greater Philadelphia arts, business, non-profit, faith and civic communities, and have the important responsibility of reviewing and evaluating nominations based on the Opus Prize values and principles, which will be centered around the theme of “Awakening Restless Hearts.”
Madeline Bell '83 FCN
President and Chief Executive Officer of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA
Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, '75 CLAS
President of Villanova University, Chair
Chris Gheysens '93 VSB
President and Chief Executive Officer, Wawa, Inc.
Jane Golden
Founder and Executive Director, Mural Arts Philadelphia
Rev. Jim Greenfield, OSFS
President, DeSales University
Joseph Lenz
Senior Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross
Crystal Lucky, PhD
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professor of English
Cathy Nguyen
Villanova Class of 2023
Michael Nutter
Former Mayor of Philadelphia
Sister Mary Scullion, RSM
Activist and Co-Founder, Project HOME