Villanova University Marks Two Decades of Community Service Tradition
VILLANOVA, Pa. (September 12, 2025) — Villanova University is set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service on Saturday, September 20. This milestone event continues to highlight the university’s dedication to community service and its Augustinian values.
University President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, remarked, “Since its start in 2006, the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service has brought us together in the spirit of Caritas, fostering community and the common good. It is a wonderful and powerful testament to our Augustinian heritage, values and mission.”
This annual event, named after the University’s patron saint who was a 16th-century Augustinian friar known for his charitable work, ranks as one of the largest single-day service initiatives in the Delaware Valley.
The 20th edition of the event will see participation from over 4,000 members of the Villanova community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. These volunteers will engage in a variety of service projects at more than 100 locations throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond, contributing to causes such as food banks, community farms, schools, and nursing homes.
Father Donohue expressed his admiration for the enduring commitment of the Villanova community, stating, “For 20 years, our campus community’s commitment to the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service has been absolutely remarkable. Each fall, I am filled with profound gratitude for how widely and enthusiastically this event has been embraced, and I look forward to once again taking part.”
The Day of Service is part of numerous opportunities Villanova offers for engagement in community service. Throughout each semester, Villanova students and staff frequently participate in various outreach efforts, including mentoring, service break experiences, and Habitat for Humanity projects. Collectively, the Villanova community dedicates nearly 250,000 hours annually to service work, making substantial impacts both locally and globally.
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