Villanova University Department of Humanities

Last but not least we would like to highlight Cate Donnelly for our senior spotlight! Cate is a Humanities and English major, and wrote her essay on why it is important to recognize Beauty in one's life. Thank you, congratulations, and all best wishes to our 2026 graduating class!

Today's senior spotlight is Christian Rapattoni! Christian is a Political Science and Humanities major, and after school is planning on going to law school. Good luck, Christian, as we finish up finals!

On our first day of finals, we would like to highlight Meg Zelch in our senior spotlight! Meg is an Environmental Science and Humanities major, and in her thesis is asking, how does nature contribute to human flourishing? Congrats Meg, and good luck post-grad!

Next up for our senior spotlight is Emmaline Lombardo! Emmaline is one of our Humanities and Political Science majors in the Honors Program, and after graduation is looking forward to beginning a two-year Masters in Theological Studies (MTS) at Notre Dame, concentrating in systematic theology! Congrats and good luck Emmaline!

Today's senior spotlight is Andy Smith! Andy is a Humanities and Political Science major, and plans to work in politics after his graduating from Villanova! Congrats, Andy, and good luck as we head into finals week!

Just two weeks until the Humanities '26 Senior Essays will be submitted! If you've been following our Senior Spotlights, you'll already have a sense of the amazing questions that these essays consider, each student diving deep into a great question that has captivated them during their studies.

Stop by SAC 304 to peruse this year's Senior Essay Poster in person (or check out the online version of the titles & questions here: https://buff.ly/hmTufQK)

Best of luck, everyone, as you bring this good work to completion!!

Before him stood the Tree, his Tree, finished. If you could say that of a Tree that was alive, its leaves open­ing, its branches growing and bending in the wind that Ni**le had so often felt or guessed, and had so often failed to catch. He gazed at the Tree, and slowly he lifted his arms and opened them wide.

“It’s a gift!” he said. He was referring to his art, and also to the result; but he was using the word quite literally.

Next up for our senior spotlight is Jane Butler! In her senior thesis paper, Jane asks, "How can a positive model of special education teach us about how systems of traditional education can be changed to help not only form the person as a whole individual, but also as a member of a strong community?" Congrats, Jane!!

Next up for our senior spotlights we have Eileen Sceski! In her paper, Eileen looks at a life well lived and gratitude, asking if it's possible to live well without perfecting the art of gratitude. Join us in wishing Eileen good luck as she finishes her time at Villanova!

*Tonight* we welcome Regina Angelorum Academy for an informational career session for all years (first-year to seniors) about classical, Catholic Education.

Do you know about this educational movement? Unlike either public school or traditional parochial education, it emphasizes college-style liberal arts learning in the K-12 classroom. The event will feature the president (Mr. Patrick Boyden) and principal (Ms. Anne Coffey) of a local school, Regina Angelorum Academy. There will also be pizza!

The event will introduce this educational approach generally, but also cover:
✔️ Job opportunities as a teacher
✔️ The Thomas More Teaching Fellows program (Boston, KC, San Fran, DC, coming to Philly)
✔️ Internship opportunities for undergraduates

This event is open to all interested!
🗓️ TONIGHT, April 9, 2026 | SAC 300 | 6:30-