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