You love us! You really, really love us!
When asking students about their favorite outdoor locations, the Villanovan reported that Old Falvey’s patio ranked in the top five! “This spot is perfect for morning contemplation while taking a sip of delicious coffee from Holy Grounds and watching the sunrise.” Feel free to stop by our “Catio” anytime!
Remember the first time you stepped onto campus? How there was a feeling of being in your new home? Doesn’t this just put you right back in the moment?
Courtney McPheter ’21 COE captured that moment here, from the way the light lines the church steeples to the effortless drift of clouds to the flowers that pom-pom along the path.
We suppose we could have gone with These Boots Are Made for Walking as a suitable lyrical caption for this 50-year old photo of a lovesick Wildcat couple gazing across a snowy Mendel Field.
But it’s Valentine’s Weekend and we’re in the mood for love!
So instead, we’re going to imagine that it’s the other #1 hit from February 1966 – Lou Christie’s Lightin’ Strikes – that’s the soundtrack in the heads of these cooing ‘Cats. Admittedly, its lyrics are primarily about a guy not quite ready to settle down, but there really is a chapel there! And it is just around the bend from these two and surrounded by what probably is a dozen pines or so.
We just have to head to the Digital Library’s helpful Arboreana to make sure. 🙂
Scanned from the 1966 Belle Air.
In May 2009, Villanova University partnered with the Independence Seaport Museum to digitize the Barry-Hayes Papers. These historic documents relate to Commodore John Barry, an American Revolutionary War hero and “father of the United States navy.” Our most eminent Wildcat, Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, Lori Dillard Rech, then president of the Independence Seaport Museum and Niall Burgess, then Consul General of Ireland, were among the dignitaries (pictured left to right) present at the official signing of the partnership agreement.
Flash forward to 6 years later as Father Donohue is awarded the 2015 Barry Award. The award recognizes an American who, “by his or her character and contributions to the Church and community, and by professional accomplishments, has distinguished him/herself.” As noted in the official press release, Father Donohue is “being honored for his dedication to academic excellence and his commitment to seeing Villanova University’s Augustinian ideals put into action on campus and beyond.”
The digitization of the Barry-Hayes Papers is a perfect example of how Father Donohue has impacted the campus and the wider scholarly community.
Read more about the digitization partnership in the Fall 2009 News From Falvey newsletter.
Read the full story of the prestigious Barry award on the Villanova University Media Room website.
Photograph by John Welsh.
‘Caturday post by Luisa Cywinski, writer on the Communication & Service Promotion team and team leader of Access Services.
Darth Santa, a.k.a. Teddy
This cat is so relaxed and you will be too when you attend the stress buster event at the Library on Dec. 10! Don’t miss the games, free food, hot drinks, Star Wars selfies, cootie catchers, and a special appearance by Will D. Cat! The next day, on Dec. 11, you can visit with therapy dogs, attend a yoga session, make your own stress balls, and more! See the poster below for all the details!
(According to the Pinterest post, Teddy, or as I like to call him, Darth Santa, “was awesome and completely chill” about wearing this costume.)
The ‘Cats who worked on The Villanovan newspaper filled the November 1916 issue primarily with their Thanksgiving-themed original stories and poetry, including the hymn below by Gerard F. Hart, class of 1919. Their works were especially poignant as one of the worst moments of World War I, the Battle of the Somme, took place that year.
May all Villanovans enjoy Thanksgiving with their family and friends. Amen.
Images from the Villanova University Digital Library.
‘Caturday post by Luisa Cywinski, writer for the Communication and Service Promotion team and team leader of Access Services.
Thanksgiving hasn’t changed much in the last hundred years. As shown on the cover of Comfort magazine, a journal “devoted to art, literature, science and the home circle,” the turkey takes center stage as families gather together. (‘Cats have to wait for scraps.) Go a little further in and you’ll find recipes on page 5 that will have your mouth watering, especially the cinnamon rolls. Thinking of raising turkeys? Check out the fact-filled article, Poultry Farming for Women (p. 14). In the mood to make Christmas gifts? Go directly to page 40! This journal isn’t just tips and tricks, there are stories too. Find out the truth of the Van Alvords’ Thanksgiving!
This issue is just packed with old-timey holiday goodness! Read it today and you’ll be ready for Thanksgiving and beyond!
Images of Comfort magazine and Cat and Mouse from the Villanova University Digital Library.
‘Caturday post by Luisa Cywinski, writer for Communication & Service Promotion team and team leader of Access Services.
Okay, so maybe the Beatles were booked that weekend. But no matter: Villanova’s Homecoming 51 years ago featured a concert from another Brit and Top 40 favorite, George Shearing. Shearing, a jazz pianist and blind from birth, enjoyed colossal record sales and worldwide fame, inventing the “Shearing Sound”. As mentioned in Billboard, Shearing and The Serendipity Singers appeared at the Field House on October 9, 1964, to a capacity crowd of 3,700 enthusiastic Wildcats (okay, we added that part.)
According to the 1965 Belle Air, we know Shearing played, appropriately, Autumn Leaves. Were you there? If so, did he perform with his quartet or sextet? Was it awesome? Inquiring ‘Cats want to know!!
Billboard, Nov 28, 1964, Vol. 76, No. 48 ISSN 0006-2510
It’s hard to believe it was three years ago that Villanova University announced its decision to partner with the Kuali Foundation in the development of the Open Library Environment (OLE). Working with staff from academic institutions, Falvey librarians and technologists have contributed to OLE progress. Several libraries have implemented the system. Next week library staff will attend Kuali Days in Austin, Texas, to meet with developers, partners, and to talk about Kuali OLE software releases.
Last year it was held in Indianapolis where this Wildcat went for a wild ride!
‘Caturday post by Luisa Cywinski, writer for Communication & Service Promotion and team leader, Access Services.
From the time Becky Whidden arrived on the scene, she has been involved in many library events, worked on many a library project and inspired many library coworkers and students. Falvey Memorial Library, and Access Services in particular, was lucky to have her on the team for the past four years. We sincerely wish her all the best in her new position at the Office of Undergraduate Students. These photos reflect her positive energy, commitment to teamwork and her professional dedication. We will miss you, Becky!
