Fury Over Villanova Allowing Party To Sex Assault Walk At Graduation

VILLANOVA, PA — Outrage is growing online after a Philadelphia Magazine piece outlined how Villanova University is allowing a student who recorded another student's sexual assault on video to walk at the same commencement ceremony as the student who was victimized.

Philly Mag's Victor Fiorillo outlined the circumstances in his piece published Monday.

Former Villanova University student Elijah Joseph Katzenell, 22, of Clarksburg, Maryland, pleaded guilty to sexual assault in September 2024.

Katzenell told the victim he had sex with her after she became highly intoxicated on Aug. 25, 2022 in a university dorm room.

According to a Change.org petition launched online, fellow student Juan Eguiguren "participated by photographing the incident and then sleeping in the same room during the assault."

"Such behavior is not only morally unacceptable, it is in violation of the Villanova Student Handbook rules," the petition reads in addition to calling for his expulsion.

No charges were ever filed against Eguiguren in connection with the 2022 assault, according to court records.

Fiorillo reports the victim and Eguiguren signed an "information resolution agreement" and that Eguiguren's attorney said nothing in the agreement prevents him from participating in the commencement ceremony. The victim's attorney said she signed the agreement "with much trepidation and under extraordinary duress."

Fiorillo's piece has prompted a movement among Main Liners and Villanova alumni.

On social media, locals and 'Nova grads are expressing outrage over the possible inclusion of Eguiguren, alongside the victim, in the commencement ceremony.

"The only way to change this is for all the students to threaten not to show up and let him walk the stage alone," one person wrote online.

"There was a time when a University such as Villanova would have a code of conduct that would have swiftly dealt with this via expulsion," another said. This is horrible and a stain on Villanova."

"What a disgusting act by the university," someone else commented. "Not really doing anything to dispel worries that Catholic institutions continue to hide and excuse acts of sexual violence."

"Nothing about this surprises me, sadly," one social media user said. "It’s par for the course regarding campus sexual assault and rape. Victims are demonized and assailants are let off the hook. Our culture does not believe women or honor their trauma. What’s stunning is how many of these men go on to victimize multiple women."

Many other users also questioned the Delaware County District Attorney's Office decision not to charge Eguiguren in connection with the assault, and some went on to call for charges to be filed.

"I'm told that Villanova is being absolutely flooded with calls, emails and comments," Fiorillo wrote on local social media page after sharing his piece.

The writer went on to post the email addresses of various Villanova figures, including university president Rev. Peter M. Donohue on social media as public outcry intensifies.

Patch has reached out to Villanova University and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for more information on the upcoming commencement, and will update the story when additional information is made available.