Villanova University Unveils New Academic Hub: Vic Maggitti Hall
Villanova, Pa. (Oct. 19, 2026) — A significant milestone has been reached at Villanova University with the opening of Vic Maggitti Hall, the new home for Falvey Library. This 150,000-square-foot structure is designed to bolster research, teaching, and collaboration by uniting essential library resources and academic services in one central hub.
“A library is the intellectual heart of a university, a place where scholarship, discovery and community come together,” remarked the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, president of Villanova University, emphasizing the role of the new facility in fostering a dynamic learning environment. According to Donohue, the hall will “strengthen the academic life of our University and foster the meaningful connections that are central to our mission.”
The development of the $130 million Vic Maggitti Hall is a testament to Villanova’s dedication to enhancing its academic facilities. The project, initiated in summer 2024, was shaped by feedback from over 400 students, faculty, and staff, ensuring that the building addresses the evolving needs of its academic community.
Millicent Gaskell, Dean of Falvey Library, expressed that the new facility “offers the entire Villanova community a welcoming space that fosters intellectual exploration, advances learning and supports meaningful scholarship across disciplines.”
Enhancing Academic Resources
Vic Maggitti Hall expands Falvey Library’s capacity to support research and scholarship with specialized areas for distinctive collections, digital scholarship, and the teacher-scholar model embraced by Villanova.
- Distinctive collections: Rare books and archival materials are available in the Distinctive Collections Reading Room, complemented by multimedia displays. Other highlights include the Villanova Heritage Room and the Augustine Heritage Room.
- General collections: Falvey’s 400,000-volume collection is stored in compact shelving, with a special section for works authored by Villanova faculty on the ground floor.
- Digital scholarship: A suite dedicated to digital research and creative projects offers resources for data visualization, media production, and more, including audio and video studios.
- Research and Teaching: The Commons integrates resources from VITAL, the Office of Research Development, and Falvey’s Research Librarians to support Villanova’s academic initiatives.
Fostering a Collaborative Learning Environment
The new facility offers abundant opportunities for collaboration and individual study, complete with a variety of amenities to support the university community.
- A place to gather: Central atrium and spaces like the Speakers Corner and multipurpose rooms facilitate lectures, events, and conferences.
- Centralized student learning commons: A dedicated floor provides services such as tutoring, exam preparation, and presentation support.
- Expanded study and research: Fifty-nine group study rooms and 50 micro-offices for graduate students enhance study opportunities.
- Spaces for well-being: Wellness rooms offer quiet spaces for mental relaxation, with one designed for sensory differences.
Vic Maggitti Hall is named in honor of a $20 million leadership gift from Victor J. Maggitti Jr. ’56 VSB, recognizing his enduring connection to Falvey Library and his passion for supporting the university’s facilities.
About Falvey Library
Serving as the academic heart of Villanova University, Falvey Library is a hub for research, teaching, and learning, welcoming over 500,000 visitors annually. Its extensive collection includes more than 2.8 million titles, and the Library actively partners with university departments to host events and programming that highlight faculty scholarship and foster a vibrant intellectual community.
Read More Here
Comments are closed.