Villanova’s campus is once again bustling with activity. As returning students reunite with friends, and new students seek budding relationships, a new school year is truly here. The first few weeks of Fall Semester have certainly been packed with much activity.
Although Starbucks had dropped its fall menu by the second day of classes, senior Ailish Wilson and her friends partook in the Campus Activities Team (CAT) Labor Day Weekend Ocean City Trip to squeeze in one last summer adventure. It took place on Saturday, Aug. 30.
“It was great because I think it was just nice to have that little taste of summer once last time,” Wilson said. “That taste of, like, relaxing and just spending time with people without huge deadlines looming over your head.”
Wilson was especially excited to begin her semester after studying abroad in Ireland last semester.
“I loved coming back and seeing everyone,” Wilson said. “It just feels like this huge reunion. It’s been so much fun.”
Just as Wilson enjoyed the Ocean City trip, many Villanovans have participated in the various CAT sponsored events throughout the first few weeks. Especially new students. On Friday, Aug. 22, CAT hosted “‘Nova at Night,” a welcome back night for first-year students during Orientation. It featured a DJ, bouncy houses and food trucks.
CAT has also put on events like vinyl painting in COVA on Tuesday, Sept. 2, a summer-themed Quizzo on Thursday, Sept. 4 and white-water rafting on the Lehigh River on Saturday, Sept. 6. Freshman Emily Gay took advantage of CAT’s entertainment right away. She played “Back to School” themed bingo on Wednesday, Aug. 27 in the Villanova Room.
“It was really fun,” Gay said. “It’s nice to see an organization sponsoring events to bring everyone together and keep people on campus. A place where there can be a community.”
These campus activities served to acclimate students, both returning and new, to the Wildcat community.
Some at Villanova associate “back to school” with CAT entertainment. For others, “back to school” means backpacks are packed, pencils are sharpened and computers are charged.
However, for NOVAnoise President, Kennis Murphy, “back to school” involves stepping back into her routine rhythm.
NOVAnoise is Villanova’s Student Tap Dance Ensemble. It hosted its annual Workshop Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31. This is an opportunity for new students to meet and dance with the current members.
“Returners are trying to be super welcoming to them [new students] and ask them, almost, too many questions about themselves,” Murphy said. “It’s just, like, showing them that upperclassmen are here for them as well.”
NOVAnoise, along with other Student Performing Arts dance groups, performed at Villanova’s Meet the Dancers on Saturday, Sept. 6 in the Villanova Room.
While student engagement on campus is very lively, students are not the only ones busy these first few weeks of the semester.
Members of the Villanova Dining Services team hosted “Welcome Week” the first week of school, and the momentum has continued through the second week.
Welcome Week began at the reopening of the newly renovated Connelly Center on Monday, Aug. 25. Representatives from Dining were stationed outside the new sushi bar, handing out free giveaways.
Nutrition Promotion Manager for Villanova Dining, Jenna Rose, has great ambitions for this year.
“I’m really excited about the lineup of events we have planned,” Rose said. “We’re really trying to increase that level of student engagement with the Dining Services team.
While “back to school” may look different for everyone, what is consistent is the student hustle that circulates throughout campus.
