GRAD CLAS NOTES

Amid this enduring pandemic we enter Holy Week, culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday, the most important holiday for Christians. What will be missing is the coming together as a community to celebrate. Masses will be streamed live, but as an essential step in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus, we will be celebrating in our own homes. Easter is supposed to be a time for reflection and redemption, but as we sit sequestered from one another, what is redeeming about our experience in this unparalleled time?

Good Friday marks the time of great sacrifice in the Christian faith tradition. Today, health care workers, first responders and grocery laborers, among others, are giving themselves to help fight the crisis facing us all. Millions around the world are afflicted with a virus for which we do not yet have a cure. Some are dying. Millions more are out of work and are losing their means to provide for their necessities. The world is suffering in this sacrificial moment. Again, I ask what on earth could be redemptive about these dark times? The hope of Christian faith that has lasted for millennia was established three days after the darkest moment in the faith tradition. I have hope for light in these dark times.

While I do not wish to in any way to discount the trauma and disruption of our global crisis, I propose that this can be a time for deep reflection, and, yes, redemption. Our regular busy lives may have hindered our appreciation for the small moments with family that we should be cherishing. For those of us lucky enough to be able to do so, we can use this time to reconnect with our loved ones. With our everyday experiences so limited, some of us have been able to engage more deeply in our work, and for many of us, I imagine this crisis has brought a renewed determination to make our world a better place, in whatever small ways we can.

So, this Easter Sunday, I will reflect on what I can do to help. I will give thanks for the many blessings that I have. I will pray for everyone fighting this terrible disease. I will celebrate with my family. Because I have faith. I have faith in us. The Villanova I know will also be praying, believing and doing whatever it can to help us all reach the light at the end of the dark tunnel of COVID-19.

- Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Please note that some deadlines have changed because of circumstances related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Last day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX) for all students (except HRD and MPA online)—April 14
  
• Last day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX) for HRD and MPA online students–April 20
• HRD and MPA online Summer 1 registration deadline—April 22
• Last day for Thesis/Dissertation submissions for May 2020 graduates—April 24
• Last day for HRD and MPA online students to select S/U grade option—April 30
  
• Last day for students (excluding HRD and MPA online) to select S/U grade option—May 12
  
• For a complete list of dates and deadlines please refer to the on-campus and online academic calendars.

See University's COVID-19 Update page.

Career Center Webinar Series

The Villanova Career Center invites you to a "Zoom-at-Noon" virtual deep dive into successful strategies for each stage of the job-seeking process. Each webinar includes 40 minutes of presentation by Meredith Okenquist ’96, Career Transitions Coach, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. All start times are noon EDT. Click the name of the desired topic below to register.

• Thursday, April 9: Job Seeking Resources and Industry Success
• Tuesday, April 14: Interviewing
• Thursday, April 16: Offer Negotiation

Falvey Memorial Library Resources

Villanova's library offers a tremendous number of electronic resources and virtual services that support learning and research, including expert subject librarians who are available virtually to help students. Learn more about library resources.

Online Lenten Retreat for Graduate Students, Faculty and Staff - April 9

A modified Lenten retreat has been rescheduled for Holy Thursday, April 9, 10—11 a.m. via Zoom. This Lenten season has been unlike any other, as it has been paralleled by our ongoing journey through the “wilderness” of dealing with COVID-19. Join with colleagues to reflect together on the strength drawn from our faith. Learn more and register.

Livestream of Holy Week Masses - April 9 - 12

Join University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, and the Augustinian Friars for Holy Week Masses livestreamed from St. Thomas of Villanova Church. Learn more.

Crisis Conversations with Dr. Bill Cowen - Virtual Event April 14

Gain insights into the foundations of crisis management and participate in a Q&A session during this live Zoom event from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14. Bill Cowen, EdD, is a faculty member in the Communication Department and Public Relations Society of America Hall of Fame member. Learn more and register.

Summer Language Workshop - Applications Due April 15

All graduate students in CLAS are invited to apply to take part in a summer language workshop in either German, French or Biblical Hebrew. These courses are 0 credit and tuition free. Learn more.

Support Students in Need

Many people have inquired about how they can help support students during this time of crisis and transition. There are emergency funds available that directly address the needs of students, including the Graduate Student Hardship Fund. These funds help students who are facing unexpected costs including transportation, housing, technology, resources for conducting research remotely, as well as other basic needs caused by the impact of COVID-19. If you are interested in contributing, learn more about how you can make a gift.

Email: gradinformation@villanova.edu
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Phone: 610-519-7090
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