By AJ Balinski

April 26 is Arbor Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the planting of trees. The holiday was born in 1872 in Nebraska City and was first observed by planting over one million trees, but this day of celebration has since spread. Today, communities all around the world take Arbor Day as an opportunity to organize tree-planting events and to ensure the world’s trees are happy, healthy, and thriving!

Take a look at this Magnolia tree outside Falvey Library. This beautiful Magnolia, which bears a plaque honoring Dr. Mary Ann Griffin, Falvey Library Director 1984-95, has seen decades of students bustling in and out of the Library and is still standing strong today. If you have the chance, walk by the front of Falvey to see it in person!

AJ Balinski ’26 CLAS is a Communication major from Gibraltar, Michigan. She works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant at Falvey Library.

This week, the Villanova community came together to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Falvey Hall as the home of Villanova University’s Library.

This diamond jubilee included cakes, cookies, and popcorn, as well as the opportunity to sign a ten-foot birthday card. People shared their favorite Falvey memories in the hopes of winning ultra limited Father Falvey socks.

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! This week, the Curious Cat team wanted to know what students were doing once the semester ended. We asked students, “What are your plans for the summer?”

“I am studying abroad in London”
-Daniel Eden ’26 VSB

“Interning in ATL + Summer Classes”
-Jack Byrne ’26 VSB

“Working as an EMT”
-Austin Kanyuh ’26 CLAS

Rebecca Amrick is a first-year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Julia Wagner ’26 CLAS is a second-year Economics major and student worker at Falvey Library.

By Shawn Proctor

Finals are stressful for students, which is why Falvey Library gives students a little boost before taking on those big tests and papers. While you’re getting all the details on this year’s event on May 3, check out this tasty scene from 2019’s event: a dessert bar! Because everyone feels a bit better after a cupcake or brownie (or both!)

Shawn Proctor, MFA, is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Library.

As Falvey’s Cat in the Stax, Rebecca writes articles covering a broad range of topics, from academics to hobbies to random events. All the while highlighting how Falvey Library can enhance your Villanova experience!

Happy Wednesday, Wildcats! The last day of classes is next Thursday, can you believe it? It feels so close yet so far at the same time. I know most of you are probably feeling burnt out right now, I sure am. Aware that this is a stressful time for students, I’ll keep this post short, but that doesn’t make the message any less important.

Self-care is critical for our physical and mental well-being. You’ve definitely heard this term before–it means caring for yourself. By looking after yourself and taking care of often-ignored needs, you can benefit your overall well-being and improve your productivity in the long run. The benefits of continuous self-care include improved physical, mental, and emotional health, increased productivity, better social relationships, heightened self-esteem, and decreased chances of burnout.

Photo by Content Pixie from Unsplash.com

Taking a step away from your work is necessary every once in a while. Make some time these next few weeks to take a break and relax, even if it’s only for five minutes. Do something for yourself that makes you happy. Below are a variety of ways you can engage in some self-care:

Physical:

• Work out
• Take a walk
• Sit outside in the sun and fresh air
• Eat well
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night

Mental/Emotional:

• Talk to someone–a friend, relative, therapist, professor, mentor, etc.
• Journal
• Stay Positive
• Volunteer
• Meet up with friends and family
• Read a book
• Do something artistic
• Watch a movie

Spiritual:

• Meditate/Pray
• Practice Mindfulness
• Practice Yoga

If you happen to be studying in Falvey on May 3, please take some time to check out our Stress Busting Open House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Library will have snacks, fun activities, and some cute furry friends! It will be a great way to take a break from work and re-energize yourself!

Looking to get involved in making a difference? Villanova has organized a myriad of events over the next two weeks to celebrate Earth Week. Click here to look at what’s being offered and to sign up!

Rebecca Amrick is a first-year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

The Villanova Community is cordially invited to join us on Monday, April 22, 1-3 p.m. (or until supplies last!), on the Falvey Hall Patio to celebrate a major milestone: the 75th anniversary of Falvey Hall as the home of Villanova University’s Library!

We’ll offer a variety of delicious treats including cake, cookies, and candy for attendees to savor during this sweet moment! In honor of the Library’s namesake, we’ll also be raffling off a limited amount of custom Father Falvey socks. (See below for a preview of this dripping footwear!)

You can help us commemorate this momentous occasion! Make sure to stop by to sign our big anniversary card and take a trip down memory lane by sharing your favorite Falvey memories! We want to know what part Falvey has played during your journey at Villanova.

We hope to see you there. Cheers to 75 memorable years!

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! This week, the Curious Cat team wanted to know what songs students are listening to. We asked library patrons, “What is your favorite song right now?”

“Highway Queen”
-Emma Lane ’26 CLAS

“Too Sweet–Hozier”
-Grace Hinshaw ’26 CLAS

“Where The Wild Things Are”
-Peyton Gibbs ’27 CLAS

Rebecca Amrick is a first-year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Julia Wagner ’26 CLAS is a second-year Economics major and student worker at Falvey Library.

By Shawn Proctor

Happy Earth Week!

We flashback to 2021, when the sustainability fair returned to campus, offering a variety of fun and functional wares. This year’s Earth Week is under way, so make sure to check out all of the great events!

Shawn Proctor, MFA, is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Library.

Left to Right: Balthazar (Justin Badoyen), Bel-imperia (Emma Drennan), Lorenzo (Monroe Byer), and Hieronimo (James Keegan)                       Photo by Paola Nogueras

This semester, I had the chance to assist Villanova’s Theatre Department in its production of The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd. Written between 1582 and 1592, this Elizabethan tragedy marked the beginning of a new genre in English theatre: the revenge play. After failing to attain legal justice for his murdered son, courtier Hieronimo takes matters into his own hands. Teaming up with the canny and resolute Bel-Imperia, the two set out to seek blood for blood. With its intricate plotting and bold theatricality, Thomas Kyd’s tragedy still speaks to us today with its unflinching look at judicial inequity, legacies of violence, and the seductive nature of vengeance.

We finished our first week of performances, but the show will still be running until April 21. Buy your tickets here while seats are still available!

Photo courtesy of Villanova Theatre

I also invite you to attend The Spanish Tragedy Symposium which will take place April 19-20. The Symposium will include a facilitated discussion about the play and larger pedagogical project, an introduction to the grant-funded web archive, a performance of student-authored Spanish Tragedy spinoffs, and a splendid reception. This event is FREE for all Villanova students, faculty, and staff. Register at this link.

If you want to know what people thought of the play, check out GA Annie’s review here.

Although this play is frequently studied by academic scholars, it is rarely staged because of its considerable theatrical demands, including onstage hangings, multiple plays within plays, and dialogue in several non-English languages. Therefore, a great deal of discussion and effort had to be put into accomplishing this huge undertaking. The production of The Spanish Tragedy was an intense project that required a lot of work and time, but, to me, seeing the play come together was well worth it.

So how did I get involved in this bloody play? My story actually begins at the beginning of the school year, during the Fall 2023 semester. The directors of Villanova’s The Spanish Tragedy offered an interdisciplinary Theatre/English course called “Legacies of Revenge” focused on developing an understanding of the dynamics of vengeance in western culture. In this class, we studied The Spanish Tragedy in its entirety along with other plays and narratives, philosophical texts, and media from films and TV shows exploring the theme of revenge. The professors also gave us the opportunity to participate in some pre-production work: we created production designs for sets and costumes and edited the play’s manuscript for performance. This was an incredibly insightful and fascinating class, and I gained an in-depth understanding of The Spanish Tragedy long before it graced the stage.

Drs. Chelsea Phillips and Alice Dailey, the professors of “Legacies of Revenge” and the directors of The Spanish Tragedy, encouraged everyone in the class to participate in the spring production for course credit. Having greatly enjoyed the class and interested in the chance to help move the play into a physical theater, I enrolled in “Staging the Spanish Tragedy” for the Spring 2024 semester. Out of the small group of students registered for this “course,” I was the only one who did not audition to be a cast member, so Phillips and Dailey invited me to join the Stage Management Team as an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM).

Being an ASM was a huge time commitment. Not only did I have to attend nearly every rehearsal, but I had to arrive half an hour early to set up the room (and later the stage) and stay late to clean up and help fill out paperwork. This drastic change to my normal daily routine was difficult to adjust to, and I had to re-evaluate how I managed my time in order to remain on top of my schoolwork and other responsibilities.

Revenge (Annabella Nordlund)
Photo by Paola Nogueras

However, despite the challenges this role posed, I loved it all the same because it allowed me to witness the development of this play. The directors had a clear vision for The Spanish Tragedy, and the cast and production members worked hard to bring about that vision. Despite how big of a project this production was, everyone involved was super passionate and enthusiastic. They all wanted to be there and see this thing to its completion, and that motivation and dedication rubbed off on me.

My experience with The Spanish Tragedy was an amazing opportunity. Being a part of stage crew in a theatre production was new to me, but I learned so much. I had no idea so much work went on behind the scenes, and I definitely gained a better appreciation for the individuals who help make these shows a reality.

I’ve had so much fun backstage working with the other ASMs, and I am excited for this upcoming week of shows. It’s sad to know that the end of the production is near, especially since this play has been a part of my life all year. I’m grateful for this opportunity all that same and so happy that I was able to participate in the production of such an awesome play.

Rebecca Amrick is a first-year graduate student in the English Department and a Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.