A Message from the President: March 2023

March 15, 2023

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

Welcome back from the semester break. I hope you found the time to be restful and restorative. As we head into the last few weeks of the spring semester, I am pleased to provide the following updates.

President’s Report
The 2021–22 President’s Report is available online. The report celebrates our outstanding faculty. Villanova attracts the highest caliber of scholars, and we embraced this opportunity to tell a sampling of their stories to represent the excellence of our faculty as a whole. Those highlighted in the report’s pages are at varying stages of their careers, but all are making impressive contributions in their fields while also shaping the dynamic educational experience for Villanova’s students. You will discover how these faculty members are igniting change as researchers, experts and innovators. Their work has far-reaching impact—contributing to the common good in communities nearby and around the world, and providing transformative opportunities for our students. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students
For the 15th consecutive year, Villanova has been listed as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Students by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Villanova had 19 students and alumni win Fulbright awards for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Top-producing U.S. colleges and universities are highlighted annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Find the full list of Top Fulbright Producers. 

FY 2024 Budget

At its February 2023 meeting, the University's Board of Trustees approved the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) budget, which includes a tuition increase of 5 percent and a financial aid budget increase of 6.7 percent. Villanova, like most colleges and universities across the country, is heavily dependent on tuition revenue. Annual increases enable the University to continue providing an exceptional academic experience, comprehensive student support services as well as additional need-based financial assistance, while also ensuring Villanova’s continued financial stability.

The budget also continues the University’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate financial assistance. As you know, meeting 100% of demonstrated undergraduate financial need by 2030 is an important initiative of our strategic plan, Rooted. Restless. Over the past ten years, Villanova has increased undergraduate financial assistance at a rate that exceeds the annual tuition increase and the undergraduate financial assistance budget has increased by 70 percent.

Mendel Medal Recipient

I am pleased to share that Betty Ferrell, PhD, MSN, RN, CHPN, FAAN, FPCN, Director and Professor of Nursing Research and Education at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, is this year’s recipient of the Mendel Medal. She will present the Mendel Medal lecture on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

In recommending Dr. Ferrell, the Mendel Medal Selection Committee was particularly impressed with her pioneering work in palliative and end-of-life care and for developing the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, a highly professional organization with trainers in 99 countries and in all 50 states. Dr. Ferrell’s work has had a tremendous impact on the lives of patients and their families. She has also been recognized by the National Academy of Medicine, which has elected her as a member for outstanding professional achievement and a commitment to service.

The Mendel Medal is named for the 19th-century Augustinian friar and scientist Gregor Mendel, best known as “the father of modern genetics,” for his discovery of the celebrated laws of heredity that bear his name. The Mendel Medal was first awarded by Villanova in 1929 and is given to outstanding contemporary scientists in recognition of their accomplishments. To learn more about the Mendel Medal and its history, visit the Mendel Medal website.

Villanova Athletics Success

I would like to recognize the incredible efforts and recent achievements of our athletic programs, in the classroom, in competition and in the community. We have several student-athletes competing in postseason play this week, notably our Women’s Basketball team, which is hosting the first round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday, Mar. 18, at 5 pm in the Finneran Pavilion. Additionally, many of our spring sports are off to a great start, including a #9 ranking for our Men’s Lacrosse team. I wish everyone competing this week the best of luck, and congratulations to all involved in making these programs a success year after year.

Black History Month and Women’s History Month
I hope you all had an opportunity to participate in one of the many events and programs that took place across campus in honor of Black History Month. I was delighted to see so many student groups, schools, colleges and University departments taking part in the celebration. Many thanks to all who were involved in planning these events for our community.

March is Women’s History Month, and the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership is sponsoring and co-sponsoring a series of events, conversations and more to celebrate women’s leadership throughout the month. For more information on the month-long celebration, visit the McNulty Institute website.

Sincerely,

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President