Villanova University is a comprehensive, Roman Catholic institution, based in Villanova, Pennsylvania, about 12 miles west of [2111:Philadelphia^. It is the oldest and largest Catholic university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The university was established in 1842, as Augustinian College of Villanova (also called Villanova College), by Father Thomas Kyle and Father Patrick - two Augustinians from Saint Augustine’s Church in Philadelphia. The college was closed twice, in 1845 and 1857, due to financial crisis. After its reopening in September 1865, the college has evolved into a highly reputed institution and achieved university status in November 1953. Initially serving as a men’s college, it became co-educational, in 1968. Villanova University confers graduate and undergraduate programs through five academic units - the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Commerce and Finance, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, and the School of Law. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools to award bachelor's and master's degrees. Located in a suburban community, the 254-acre campus is renowned as one of the most-wired campuses in the nation with excellent technological resources. It features more than 60 buildings including the 11,800-seat multi-purpose stadium and 26 residence halls. Falvey Memorial Library holds a comprehensive collection of more than 800,000 volumes and one million microform items. The Villanova Conference Center, about one mile from the university, is an ideal setting that meets the business, dining, accommodation, and recreational needs of the community. An outstanding Catholic university, Villanova is identified as one of 262 institutions and one of 18 Catholic institutions to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the prestigious liberal arts honor society. U.S. News & World Report ranked the institution among the "Best Universities-Master's" category in the northern region. Further, the university has an arboretum with self-guided walking tours on its picturesque campus. It is home to the world’s largest student organized Special Olympics event, which is conducted every fall.