Remember. Reconnect. Relive.
2024 Alumni BBQ Reunion
The sun shone brightly over Villanova as alumni and their guests from all corners of the country gathered for a momentous occasion: the school’s 100th-anniversary alumni reunion. Board members, former faculty, and parents of alumni joined the celebration. The warm weather enveloped the campus in a comforting embrace, drawing in more than 500 guests—an unprecedented turnout that spoke volumes about the impact Villanova had on generations of students.
Laughter and excitement filled the air as friends reconnected and shared memories of late-night study sessions, spirited debates, and unforgettable moments on campus. The aroma of barbecue wafted through the air, mingling with the chatter and laughter. The food was as delicious as the stories being shared, and everyone was eager to indulge.
New Employee Announcement
Jermaine Britton, Assistant Headmaster for Student Life
We are thrilled to announce the return of Jermaine Britton to the Villanova family!
Jermaine will serve as our new Assistant Headmaster for Student Life starting in the Fall of the 2024-25 school year. He will oversee Athletics, Activities, Discipline, Health & Safety, Transportation, and related departments.
For those who know and worked with Jermaine, you already understand what a valuable member of the Villanova community he was during his 15 years as a teacher, coach, and Dean of Students. He was instrumental in building a strong and reputable aquatics program, establishing Nova Bowl, and maintaining our community's spirit and energy. After leaving in 2016 to join his alma mater, Nordhoff High School, we are delighted to welcome him back in this new role. "Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!"
For those who don't know Jermaine, we can attest to his strong work ethic, positive attitude, professionalism, and attention to detail. He is a man of character and integrity and an excellent role model for our students. As we begin our centennial year, we can’t think of a better person to bring aboard as we look toward the next generation of Villanova—a generation focused on providing a well-rounded, challenging, Augustinian education that ensures a positive and enjoyable student experience.
Featured Alumni
Peter Appleby '18
After graduating from Villanova in June 2018, Peter pursued International Relations and German at California Lutheran University. Upon finishing his studies and spending time abroad, he sought to combine his love for travel and cultures with a career in public service, using his education to benefit others. The Peace Corps provided the perfect opportunity for cultural immersion and community capacity building. He was particularly drawn to Kosovo due to its recent emergence as a new state and the rich cultures and languages of southeastern Europe.
In Mitrovica, Peter teaches English, assists with extracurricular activities, spends time at a local youth center, practices his Albanian language skills, and volunteers at an NGO (non-Governmental Organization) promoting peace and reconciliation. A significant aspect of his work in Kosovo is building meaningful relationships and acquiring language skills that are essential to understanding and meeting the community's needs.
Last semester, his primary school students from grades six to nine were able to apply their English skills in a nationwide creative writing competition that he administered locally. The enthusiastic turnout and creative submissions surprised him, highlighting the students' passion and interest for learning. This experience motivated him to encourage and push them to learn and pursue more. It also reminded him of how Villanova inspired him to seek knowledge and academic achievement, not just for a career, but for a life of meaningful service to others.
Peter has been in Kosovo now for nine months and will serve until autumn 2025.
Estate Planning Tip
Lauren Sims `05
Estate Planning: Do you need one?
Summer is upon us—a popular time for travel! As vacations approach, people without estate plans (or those who haven’t updated their plans in a long time) may seek to get something new in place to feel “everything is in order” before departing. People often don’t realize, however, that the estate planning process can take more than just a few weeks, and they may wait to get started until it is too late to accomplish their goals before their trip.
Every estate plan is unique, and the time to prepare a plan can vary greatly depending on the client's particular needs.
Dear Class of 2024,
As you embark on your exciting journey into college life, we want to help you prepare for what lies ahead. This section aims to give you a glimpse of what to expect as a college freshman, helping you navigate this new chapter with confidence and ease.
We asked Mischa Mathieu '23 to share a brief insight into her first year of college. She attends California Baptist University in Riverside, California, with about 8,000 undergraduates. Riverside is on the opposite side of Los Angeles from Ojai, and the CBU campus feels like a city within a city. Freshmen can have cars, and there are many off-campus activities.
Can you tell us about the campus and dormitory?
My freshman dorm was a three-story all-girls building for freshmen only. It was a great community of girls, with two girls in each room. There were about 250 girls in the whole dorm. We enjoyed activities like movie nights, tea parties for the entire dorm, and hall-specific events for our groups of around 25 girls. I had an amazing roommate; our room even had a sink, with shared bathrooms and showers in each hall. The campus is the perfect size, with everything no more than a ten-minute walk away. We have ten dining options, including Chick-fil-A, which are all part of the meal plan. Everyone is super friendly, and it is a great Christian environment.
How did you prepare for your freshman year of college?
I prepared for my freshman year of college by using checklists to ensure I had everything needed for my dorm. There are many helpful online resources for preparing for a great college experience. Another important tip is to locate your classes the day before they start so you know where to go and don't show up late on the first day.
