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Parents Honored at Dundale Reception

Parents' Weekend is a time for students to welcome their parents to campus and provide them with a slice of life at Villanova University. It's also a time for parents and students to interact on campus together, perhaps at a Wildcats football game, at the Parent's Weekend liturgy, or maybe even at LateNite at Villanova in the Connelly Center. It also offers the University the perfect opportunity to honor parents for their contributions to Villanova.

On Saturday, September 21 at  Dundale , Villanova held a reception for parents, a forum for moms and dads of past and present students to interact and for the University to acknowledge its gratitude for parents' active participation in campus life. Needless to say, parents are an integral component of the Villanova community, and they have a vested interest in the University's mission: to uphold the highest educational standards for their sons and daughters.

"As we integrate parents into the life of the University, we have become increasingly impressed with the level of interest parents have taken in the University and in their sons' and daughters' experiences here. As a result, we have been prompted to look at the ways we can more fully integrate parents into the community by getting them involved in the various planning processes that accompany building an effective academic and administrative structure," said John M. Elizandro, vice p resident for Institutional Advancement.

One way the University has worked to integrate parents is through the planning of Villanova's future. In the University's current capital campaign, Transforming Minds and Hearts: The Campaign for Villanova, the newly formed Parents' Committee will play an active role in planning and organizing fundraising efforts. The Parents Committee consists of parents of current and former students who serve as advocates and spokespersons for The Campaign. They will be involved in cultivating and soliciting parents for gifts for capital and endowment purposes, as well as for recurring annual support.

Committee members include: Patricia H. Imbesi, Committee Chairperson, mother of Charles, sophomore, A&S, Paul '01 A&S, and Anthony '96 A&S. Janet R. Braen, mother of Dirk, junior, A&S, Joshua, sophomore, A&S, Samantha '99, A&S. Alexander A. and Christine DiGuido, parents of Diana, junior, A&S, George '02 C&F, Rosemarie '01 A&S  James T. and Maureen Hackett  whose daughter is  Molly, a freshman, A&S. Marc C. and Janice Mondavi, parents of Angelina, a junior, A&S.  James P. and Ellen Riley,  parents of Shannon, a junior, A & S, and Brigid '02 C & F. Richard J. and Priscilla Schmeelk  whose son Matthew is a junior, C& F. John Dukes III and Marybeth Wooters.  Their son  John is a, sophomore, A&S.

University Designates to The Parents' Committee include: the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., University president, John M. Elizandro, vice president for Institutional Advancement,  the Rev. John P. Stack, O.S.A., vice president for Student Life, Stephen R. Merritt, dean of Enrollment Management, Kathleen J. Burnes, Esq., assistant vice president for Student Life, Nancy J. Dudak, director of Career Services, and Mary R. McRae, associate vice president for Development.

"Parents are a vital part of the University because they have so much invested in it. It's in a parent's best interest to take notice of the direction that the University is moving in. Overall, I think parents are an untapped resource, and it's our job to cultivate that resource," explained Patricia Imbesi, chairperson for The Campaign's Parent's Committee.

Overwhelmingly, parents at the Reception expressed their satisfaction with the quality of education and the various aspects of social life that encompass the Villanova experience. Many parents noted the positive response that their sons and daughters have had not only in the classroom, but in their daily interactions with other students as well.

"I think the important thing that Villanova is doing is providing a realistic and practical learning experience. I think our daughters are prepared to go out in the (business) world and use the skills they've gained at Villanova to their advantage. It's also important to recognize the quality of the product and the important relationships that the students are building. In other words, how much better off is the student at the end four years? I think Villanova does an excellent job in ensuring that all students are better off," commented Jim Riley. Riley's daughters, Shannon, junior, A & S and Bridgett '02 C & F are current and former Villanovans respectively.

Tradition, loyalty, and support were the three major themes that emerged from the Parent's Reception. Several parents of former students touched on how their children, living in different cities around the country, have found a Villanova "support mechanism" in those cities. These former students have sought out or found by chance fellow alumni that they can relate to and share common experiences with although they may be far from "home." It's this positive experience that Villanova offers its students that draws so many loyal parents, alumni, and friends to participate in the social environment of the campus in a variety of important ways.

John Dukes Wooters, whose son John is a sophomore, A & S, noted "Villanova is a very welcoming community. As soon as you set foot on the campus you feel like you are part of something larger. You feel a sense of togetherness, and I think that's what drew us into enrolling our son here in the first place."