A Message from the President: January 2018
January 16, 2018 In This Message:
Dear Members of the Villanova Community: Welcome back to our students! It’s wonderful to see the campus full of life and activity after a particularly cold winter break. With the new semester underway, I am pleased to share with you the following information and updates. 175th Anniversary Celebration: THANK YOU! 2017 was a memorable year of celebrations, events, lectures, concerts and more to highlight Villanova’s history and impact as the nation’s only Augustinian university. The demisemiseptcentennial celebration was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our rich history and gain a greater perspective on the Villanova we know today. I want to thank and acknowledge the countless Villanovans—students, faculty, staff and alumni—who helped make this the celebration a success, particularly all the members of the Demisemiseptcentennial Committee. You created a memorable celebration that Villanovans will remember for years to come. Here’s to the next 175 years! Villanova Administrative Offices Moving to the Villanova Center Last year, the University undertook a space study to better understand and utilize our physical campus spaces. One of the key findings from the study noted that Villanova needs additional classroom, research and study space. As an initial step toward addressing this matter, the University has signed a 10-year lease at the Villanova Center (789 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, Pa.). Several administrative offices will move in mid-February to this location adjacent to Main Campus. This includes the offices of Human Resources, which will have its own suite, Financial Affairs, and Government Relations & External Affairs, as well as the newly created Internal Audit department. More specific details about the move and the exact timing will be shared in early February. Board of Trustees: New Members
Joe, Mike and Susan’s vast experience and commitment to Villanova make them true assets to the University community. I look forward to working with them, and the entire Board of Trustees, to ensure Villanova’s continued success in the future. Recognitions from the Vatican In the past month, several Villanovans have been acknowledged by the Vatican for their efforts to serve the Church and support Catholic education.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Smith, Dr. Hughes and Father McCarthy on these notable honors. 2018 Martin Luther King Commemoration The 11th anniversary of this event kicked off yesterday with the Day of Service, when hundreds of Villanovans made it a day on, not a day off, by volunteering at sites throughout the region. Other events planned as part of this year's celebration include a keynote speech on Wednesday, Jan. 24, delivered by Diane Nash, leader and strategist of the student wing of the civil rights movement. On Thursday, Jan. 25, the Freedom School will offer hour-long sessions hosted by various faculty members, staff and students that relate to and extend the vision of Dr. King. University Staff Council Awards Each academic year, the University Staff Council (USC) oversees the distribution of three awards to members of the Villanova University staff. The Above and Beyond Award, Distinguished Service Award and Work Process Improvement Award are presented annually to outstanding members of the Villanova community. While the nomination process varies for each award, recognition for all award recipients occurs at an awards luncheon hosted by my office in the spring. USC has created four videos that describe each honor and the requirements in an effort to better promote these awards. I hope you will take some time to review these videos and nominate any deserving colleagues. All award nominations are due on Thursday, March 1. For more information, please visit the University Staff Council webpage. March for Life If you are interested in registering for the march, please stop by the Villanovans for Life table in the Connelly Center lobby tomorrow from 4:30 to 6 p.m., or come to their meeting in Dougherty West Lounge that evening from 6 to 7 p.m. There is no cost to join Villanovans for Life for the march. For more details on the march itself, visit marchforlife.org. For more information on Villanova’s trip, please contact Villanovans for Life at villanovansforlife@gmail.com. President's Office Hours for Students Best wishes for a productive and fulfilling spring semester! Sincerely, |