The CAVS (Cabrini Alumni Volunteers and Supporters) were warmly welcomed to the Villanova University campus for an evening of dinner, awards, friendship and memories.

CAVS Leadership Chair Hollie Havens ’98 and CAVS Event Committee Co-Chair Andrea Rodgers ’99 extended a warm welcome to all. Highlights of the evening included a warm welcome-back to faculty members who had taught at Cabrini College/University for 50 years or more: Jim Hedke, PhD; Marilyn Johnson, PhD; Kathleen McKinley, PhD; Joseph Romano, PhD, Sharon Schwarze, PhD, Anthony Tomasco, PhD and Jerry Zurek, PhD.

Alumni were honored for Community Service – Craig Vagell, ‘05; Distinguished Alumni Service – Jackie Marciano, ’10; Career Achievement – Robin Larkins, ’85; Urban Education – Alycia Plowman ’15, and Young Alumni Award – Treci Butler, ‘18, Jason Fridge ’25 (St Joe’s University) and Mother Ursula Award Sam Sturkey ’25 (Eastern University).

Honorary Alumni Awards were presented to Kate Corcoran, former Cabrini University Vice-President of Athletics and StudentEngagement, and posthumously to Larry Stauffer, who had served as the electrician for Cabrini College/University for forty years. Larry’s award was accepted by his wife Kate Connolly Stauffer ’83 and his daughter Liz Stauffer, G ’15.

The spectacular evening was followed up the next day with a tailgate and outing to the Philadelphia Phillies baseball game.

Most people will remember exactly where they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, when they heard the news about the first of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center tower.

Some witnessed the attack firsthand in Manhattan and scrambled for shelter as debris rained down upon them. Others looked across the New York Harbor from New Jersey in horror and disbelief. Sirens wailed throughout New York City as first responders rushed to the scene threading through throngs of people dazed and injured.

The first plane hit the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. At 9:03 a.m. the second plane hit the South Tower. Then, at 9:37 a.m. a plane crashed into the Pentagon followed at 10:03 a.m. by a plane plunging into the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Life would never be the same. Today, we remember. We remember all those who lost their lives, their loved ones, the survivors, and all those who risked their own lives to save others.

And so, we pray…

On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we honor the lives that were lost in these tragic acts.
May we give thanks for those who served and saved, rendered aid and assistance.
May we give comfort to those who live with loss.
May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability,
and rely on you when the ability escapes us.
On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we build what has been torn down.
May we mend what has been broken.
May live your love when hate seems to reign.
May we bear witness to the cause of peace.
By Derek Weber, JesuitResource.org – Free Resources online

“Tis the Month of Our Mother,
Those blessed and beautiful days,
When our lips and our spirits
Are glowing with love and with praise.

All Hail to thee, dear Mary,
the guardian of our way;
To the fairest of all Queens
Be the fairest of seasons, sweet May.”

~ Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly written in 1850