07/02/2026
It gives us great pleasure to announce the *inaugural* recipient of the St. Rita of Cascia Humanities Award for Augustinian Ideals to Gabe Donovan, ā26 CLAS, who graduated this May as a double major in Humanities and Public Administration in the Honors Program.
This new award is named for St. Rita of Cascia, one of the most remarkable saints in the Augustinian Order. Her life was distinguished by her commitment and care for those in her lifeāas a daughter, mother, wife, and member of a religious community; the depth of her contemplation and vision; her persistence and patience in the face of suffering; and her thoughtful, collegial generosity and service. She is popularly known as the āsaint of the impossibleā for overcoming adversity and resistance to realize her dream of joining the Augustinian community.
In the judgment of the department of Humanities faculty, the recipient of this award best exemplifies such qualities of character and intellect among the graduating class of Humanities majors. This includes a joyful life of service to fellow community members that is founded on an understanding of the Humanities educational mission; a generosity, depth of insight, and profound love of learning in and outside of the classroom; dedication to enhancing the departmentās common good at events and activitiesāformal and informal; and, when relevant, a dedication to Humanities that overcomes difficulties to share in our life of learning.
And anyone who know Gabe Donovan knows how well this describe him! We extend retroactive congratulations to and gratitude for all those Humanities students over the years who have played a similar role enlivening our classrooms, our lounge, and our community at large in just this way.
Most of all, warm congratulations to Gabe, who will be studying for a Master of Public Administration at Villanova this coming academic year. We are so glad to have him around on campus for one more year!
