This past weekend, the University held its annual Early Action Candidates Weekend to welcome prospective students of the Class of 2024.  The members of Blue Key Society were instrumental in making the campus feel like a place where prospective students could see themselves attending. 

The festivities commenced on Friday, Feb. 14 when prospective students were able to sit in and observe the dynamic of a class at Villanova.  Later, the students had a group presentation in the Finneran Pavilion and were escorted by lines of enthusiastic students in Blue Key. The Class of 2024 finished out the day by enjoying a meal with a Blue Key Member at either Dougherty Hall or Donahue Court.

The excitement continued into Saturday, Feb. 15, when students and their families were ushered into the Pavilion by the members of Blue Key and their lively signs.  The students heard from Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, Ph. D., who welcomed them to the University.  Later, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D., took the audience through the backstory of the University and its Augustinian roots, urging students to “become who you are not yet.”   

Prospective students also heard about experiences from current students.  Freshman Erika Cordova Canas, from the College of Engineering, talked about her first year at the University and all of the new things that she has discovered.  Senior Michelle Kimura, from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, talked about what it was like going to a school far from home, since she is from Honolulu, HI.  The audience was also entertained with a song from the Spires, an all-male acapella group from the University.    

Then, Matthew Harris, Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University, took his turn welcoming prospective students.  He introduced senior Claire Moran, the student chairperson for Blue Key Society, who talked about the organization and how much work goes into organizing this weekend for prospective students. 

When the presentations concluded, each college broke up for the day and went in different directions.  Representatives from the College of Nursing found their way to Driscoll Hall, the College of Engineering went to the Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER), the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences broke for lunch and the Villanova School of Business went to Bartley Hall. After listening to a panel of current students give speeches, words of wisdom, and a general overview of each college the prospective students were able to swap places to learn about different areas of each college and enjoy a lunch break.

After learning about academic opportunities, the Class of 2024 had the chance to take campus tours, led also by Blue Key members.  These tours were focused on student life and allowed the prospective students to see what dorms on South Campus look like.  They were also able to attend an activities fair to learn about different organizations on campus and how to get involved.  The exciting weekend ended in a typical fashion with mass conducted by University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D.

Early Action Candidate’s Weekend had campus buzzing with life, as prospective students and their families looked into what life at the University is like.  Blue Key members never lacked energy or enthusiasm, and were able to answer the burning questions about college life from the Class of 2024.  The overwhelming sense of community present on the University’s campus was instrumental in welcoming these prospective students.