Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is located in Radnor Township in Delaware County and is known primarily for being the home of Villanova University.

History[edit | edit source]

Villanova was named after Villanova University, which was founded in 1842. The university was named after Saint Thomas of Villanova, a Spanish Augustinian bishop and theologian in the 16th century. The community of Villanova grew around the university.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Villanova is located at the center of the Philadelphia Main Line, a series of highly affluent Philadelphia suburban towns located along the original east-west railroad tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is served by the SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line regional rail train and Norristown High Speed Line.

Education[edit | edit source]

The most prominent feature of Villanova is Villanova University, a Catholic university in the Augustinian tradition. The university is a major contributor to the local economy and community.

Notable people[edit | edit source]

Several notable people have been associated with Villanova, including Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, who earned her doctoral degree from Villanova University.