Father Peter
Photography by Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D
If you’re reading this, you are strong enough to persevere.
High school was a great time for me. I attended a small Catholic high school in Royal Oak, Michigan. There were 84 people in my graduating class and, for the most part, we moved from the elementary school to the high school building next door. To say the least, we knew each other. I was comfortable.
School came easy for me. I was an A-B student and honestly, the Bs were few. I never remember getting anything below those grades. I was class president for four years, had leading roles in all school plays, and had a very active social life. I relished having a tight-knit group of friends.
Ironically, 52 years later, I have kept in touch with one person from the pack. There is the occasional email from one of them, but the friendships have faded over the years.
My decision to attend Villanova University came as a surprise to many in my friend group. Philadelphia was a world away. Less than half of my graduating class were attending colleges and only two of us were leaving the state. It was a different time and circumstances, and college was not on the radar for many first-generation students like me. So, attending Villanova University was a big step forward. I was on my own in the world, and it scared me.
Freshman year is a difficult transition no matter who you are or where you are from. Moving from Detroit to Philadelphia was more difficult than I thought. The biggest challenge was adjusting to the east coast culture and living in an institutional environment. For the first time in my life, I was uncomfortable.
I assumed school would be the easy part. I realized that college classes would be demanding, and everyone heard the stories about professors trying to intimidate freshmen. I thought this would not be a problem for me – I had a good educational background and was prepared. I soon discovered this was not the case.
Freshman English had a heavy focus on writing and the first paper I submitted came back with a big red F and an accompanying message: “Where did you go to High School and HOW did you ever get accepted?” I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. Never had I received such a grade. I was embarrassed and humiliated. I felt like I was not worthy enough or smart enough to fit in at this school. Questions were flying through my head. Was coming here a big mistake?
I could not believe I failed my first college assignment. Looking back, I came to Villanova as a big fish from a small pond, and suddenly I was a small fish in a large lake, leaving me to feel moments of loneliness and unworthiness. The self-doubt that I experienced during this time nearly crushed me.
However, I now realize how much I needed that F. I needed that punch in the stomach, and I needed to experience the discomfort that came with adjusting to Villanova in order to grow. Although it was painful, I pushed through it, and look where it has taken me.
While this is just one example, my message to you is that whatever discomfort or pain you are going through, whatever hard time you are facing, you are not alone, it will pass, and you will come out stronger.
If you’re reading this, you are strong enough to persevere.
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D , Villanova University
Villanova University President
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