By Victoria Newsome
RADNOR, Pa. (CBS) — Villanova University and Cabrini University entered into an agreement on Friday, June 28, under which Villanova will take ownership of the Cabrini campus. This transition is a huge step for Villanova as it expands its university region, as one ending marks a new beginning.
The 67-year-old Cabrini campus will be closed for about two years to make necessary infrastructure updates and renovations, Villanova said. The university’s board of trustees told students in an email that it supported the plans and said more of the vision for Cabrini would be shared when students return to Villanova’s campus this fall.
Villanova wants to improve the site and make it feel like a natural extension of the existing campus. The company expects to reopen the campus no later than fall 2026.
“Effective July 1, most of the campus will be closed to the public with the exception of the Upper Gulph entrance and athletic facilities, which will be used for various local camps and other athletic activities,” said Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue in a press release.
With the Cabrini campus closed for the next two years, Villanova promised its community that it will continue to monitor access options as work progresses.
The newly acquired campus will be named “Villanova University Cabrini Campus,” Villanova announced.
Since last June, Villanova University has been actively working with its community to determine the best ways to integrate and develop the Cabrini campus for the benefit of students, faculty, staff and alumni. The behind-the-scenes work has included visits to other multi-campus universities, a Villanova community survey and internal discussions.
It plans to initiate several programs that will preserve the legacy and mission of Mother Cabrini and Cabrini University.
This acquisition followed the financial challenges Cabrini has faced in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite efforts to improve revenue streams and changes in leadership and academic ranks, Cabrini’s operating deficit remained insurmountable.” Cabrini and Villanova officials said this in a joint statement last summer. “Having exhausted all other possible options and having decided that they needed to wind down their operations, Cabrini University entered into discussions with Villanova around a plan that would preserve Cabrini’s legacy and mission and honor the original intent of the Cabrini campus to advance opportunity in Catholic education.”
Villanova has more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students. Cabrini had more than 1,600 students and continued the 2023-2024 academic year as planned, graduating its final class in May.
While many await the full plans for the Cabrini campus, it is both exciting and bittersweet for the Villanova and Cabrini communities, especially among the students.
If Cabrini will graduate its senior class in May 2024, students told CBS News Philadelphia in May about their future plans.
Junior Jason Fridge will transfer to St. Joseph’s University to complete his digital communications degree, grateful for St. Joe’s tuition matching and credit acceptance, but recognizing the uncertainty teammates and underclassmen face.
Fifth-year senior Corbin Kerraghan graduated a month ago as he expressed sadness over Cabrini’s closure, citing the supportive community.
Kylie Kelce, wife of Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and a Cabrini alumna, delivered the speech at the start of the training in Cabrini The final university graduation ceremony.
Thinking about Cabrini’s impending closure, Kylie Kelce got emotional.
“This was your home, and this is where you found your extended family,” she said. “When the sign at the front entrance no longer says Cabrini and a new school moves in, know that your home is still there.”
CBS News Philadelphia Staff
