(Still) At Home in Connelly

Connelly Center unveils a new look—and upgraded student-centered amenities

For 45 years, the Connelly Center has been central to the student experience at Villanova. This past summer, the first floor of the building—home to dining, lounge, gathering and study spaces—underwent a significant overhaul, reopening at the beginning of the fall semester with a refreshed, modernized look.

“Connelly is the living room of campus. When students are not in class or they want to meet somebody, they head to the Connelly Center,” says Anthony Alfano ’74 VSB, ’86 MBA, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services. “The work that has been done maintains the character of the building as it was originally built, but it's upgraded. It still feels like home.”

The highlights of the renovation, which began in spring with upgrades to the Villanova Room, include increased seating throughout the building; a stage for student performances; and the addition of new flooring and lighting to brighten the spaces.

A centerpiece of the project was the enhancement of the dining options. There is now a full-service Wawa store, as well as a sushi counter and Nova Noodle Co.

“This really is the next evolution of the dining program at Villanova,” says Andrew Camuso, executive director of Dining Services.

The Connelly Foundation, which funded the original building in 1980, provided a leadership gift of $10 million toward the renovation costs. A new Commons area on the ground floor has been dedicated in honor of Emily C. Riley, executive president emerita for the Connelly Foundation and former member of the University’s Board of Trustees.

“As we look forward to the opening of the Cabrini Campus in fall 2026, we recognized the importance of improving Connelly as a hub for all students, including those traveling between the campuses,” says Roger Demareski ’91 COE, Executive Vice President. “The renovated spaces are ideal for community-building and collaboration.”