The seventh annual St. Thomas of Villanova Day will be held this Thursday afternoon, consisting of the traditional liturgy, an academic convocation, an activities parade and a catered dinner.

Terry Sousa, assistant director for University Events and Catering, stated that the religious, academic and celebratory sections of the day are integral to the University community. In creating St. Thomas of Villanova Day, Sousa said that “the idea was to bring all factions of our community together…St. Thomas of Villanova Day has evolved into a beautiful celebration of the University community and its goals.”

English professor Crystal Lucky is this year’s featured speaker for the academic convocation.

Lucky will speak on the theme of generations, stressing the lessons younger people can learn their elders and predecessors.

Lucky earned her undergraduate degrees in English and communications from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her masters degree from Yale University in African and African-American Studies. Lucky received her doctorate in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999.

“St. Thomas of Villanova Day calls us as members of the Villanova community to focus our attention on the moral and spiritual issues that we must confront in a world where wealth, power and privilege are distributed unevenly,” Lucky said.

After the academic convocation, students will be greeted with balloons and festive music as they head to Austin Field. George Pinchock of Music Activities organizes the parade portion of the day, where $250 is being offered to the campus organization with the most energy and spirit.

Following the parade, a Music Activities showcase will be held under the direction of band director John Dunphy. Commenting on the students involved in music activities, Sousa said, “They’re unbelievably dedicated. They come back to school and are thrust into rehearsals right away.”

As students are singing, dancing and playing, dinner will be served. The dinner is organized by Tony Alfano, who has been working with Dining Services and Catering to plan the meal.

“My favorite part is when I see it flow, one component to another,” Sousa said.

He continued, “I look at all the smiling faces, and I see the camaraderie and all that is Augustinian about the University…it’s a day of cooperation, and, I’d like to think, community and love.”

On St. Thomas of Villanova Day, classes will run on an accelerated schedule.

The liturgy, held in the grotto, will begin at 1:30 p.m. After mass, the academic convocation will be held at 2:45 p.m. Following the convocation, the NROTC program will lead campus organizations to Austin Field in a parade, where music will be featured and the catered dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m.