This year marks Villanova’s first-ever Summer Programming Series. Each Wednesday in July from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the University has held free events at the Riley Ellipse, or the Oreo.

On July 7, games were scattered throughout the Oreo and ice cream was provided. On July 14, the classic jukebox musical film “Mamma Mia” was played on a big screen outdoors, set up by the Villanova University Tech Crew (VUTC). On July 21, there was an outdoor barbeque with hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, Insomnia Cookies and ice cream. There was some rain, but not enough to prevent a successful meal.

Part of what has made these events so special is that they marked a return to normalcy. Ever since the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lifted the state mask mandate on June 28th, the University has followed suit. This meant that unlike at previous outdoor gatherings earlier this year, students now have been enjoying the fresh air together mask-free.

The idea for the Summer Programming Series came from Jose García, a Class of 2023 Senator and the Student Life Advisory Committee Chair in the Senate of the Student Government Association (SGA), at the end of the Spring 2021 semester.

“I’m here at Villanova over the summer working at the Admissions office and also doing an internship with Ernst & Young,” García said. “I just wanted there to be fun things to do on campus over the summer for all the students here.”

From there, García and the SGA began to work with the Office of Student Involvement and with Residence Life to bring this Programming Series to life. OSI and Residence Life were primarily responsible for funding these events. 

The Villanovan spoke with JJ Brown, Director of Student Involvement, for more information about the prospect of the Summer Programming Series continuing in the future.

“Our office is certainly interested in keeping the Summer Programming Series going,” Brown said. “It is a great partnership with SGA and Residence Life to provide on campus programming for students this summer.”

According to García, attendance and general satisfaction with the events has been high. Most of the students attending the Programming Series are living on campus this summer because of research, jobs or internships. Additionally, many students who live off-campus are attending the events after hearing about the summer series from their friends. 

“I think many students have been enjoying this, so I hope this could be another Villanova tradition,” García said.

This coming Wednesday, July 28, will bring the Summer Programming Series to a close. The University will provide transportation to a Major League Baseball game (the Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park). Anyone is able to RSVP to the game and get a ticket.

“We are all really happy that students have been enjoying these events,” García said. “We hope to continue this in the years to come.”