Villanova Seeking 'Care,' 'Respect' For Victim Amid Graduation Turmoil

VILLANOVA, PA — Villanova University issued a statement Tuesday after a Philadelphia Magazine piece outlined the possibility of a student who recorded a campus sex assault walking at the same commencement ceremony as the victim.

Philly Mag's Victor Fiorillo Monday published an article outlining the situation at Villanova.

A female student was sexually assaulted on campus in 2022, and the perpetrator, Elijah Joseph Katzenell, 22, of Clarksburg, Maryland, pleaded guilty, though he was not sentenced to any prison time.

One of Katzenell's friends, Juan Eguiguren "participated by photographing the incident and then sleeping in the same room during the assault." He was never charged with a crime.

Eguiguren and the victim are set to graduate this spring, and there was no word from Villanova on Eguiguren being barred from participating in the commencement ceremony.

Friolrillo's piece led to Villanova receiving backlash from local residents, as well as alumni.

And apparently, the university either chose to address the concerns being raised or simply could not ignore them.

"We hear the concerns surrounding the harm done to the survivor and the wider community," a letter signed by Villanova Vice President of Student Life Kathleen Byrnes and Title IX Coordinator Ryan Rost said. "We are actively seeking an outcome that will offer care and respect for the survivor and ensure that the survivor can participate fully in Commencement."

The letter does not explicitly address the issue of Eguiguren's participation in the commencement.

However, Eguiguren's attorney told The Villanovan that his client "does not wish for his presence to detract attention from the deserved recognition and celebration of the Class of 2025 at Villanova University’s Commencement Ceremony."

"Therefore, he will not be in attendance," he told the student publication.

Patch has reached out to Villanova for more information and will update the story when additional details are made available.