A Legacy of Kindness

If you’ve visited Bartley Hall within the last 15 years, you’ve likely seen, heard of, or visited the “Clay Center.” Named for Alvin A. Clay ’51, The Clay Center carries out the former Dean’s legacy of caring for others. This support center is designed to help undergraduate business students grow academically, personally, and professionally.

Before he was Dean, Al Clay grew up during the Great Depression, working at 11 years old to support his family after school and on weekends at Bruder Farm in Springfield, Pennsylvania. In high school, Al was a star athlete and student, working at the Bruder Family’s company, MAB Paints. His boss, Tom Bruder Sr., recognized his work ethic and promise and gave Al an opportunity that would have a domino effect of kindness – he offered to pay for Al to go to college.

For the next four years, while completing his degree, Al continued working at the paint factory. But he stayed connected to Villanova long after his graduation. He would go on to teach at the University for 40 years and was often remembered by students as “the best teacher I ever had at any level, in any subject.”

In 1978, Al was named Dean of the School of Business, serving 17 years until his retirement in 1995. His tenure was marked by significant accomplishments in VSB’s history; Al started VSB’s MBA Program and the Master of Taxation Program within the University’s Law School, and was responsible for Villanova receiving its first AACSB Accreditation. In his role as Dean, Al led with kindness and compassion. He believed in giving second chances, encouraging students to have hope, and making opportunities so that they could find success, no matter what life threw at them – trouble at home, a death in the family, or simply getting off on the wrong foot.

Reflecting on the impact of his father who passed in 2012, Alvin Clay III says, “Without the many acts of kindness that Dad performed over the years, there are hundreds of people who would not have had the personal and professional success they’ve had.” Many of those people have in turn done the same for employees and colleagues, continuing Al’s legacy of kindness for years to come.

Hanging on the walls of the Clay Center in Bartley Hall is a photo of Al surrounded by 60 smiling faces – these are the faces of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Each day, VSB students pass this photo on their way to meet with their advisor to discuss their course plan, the Associate Dean to discuss a path forward after an unexpected life event, or a career coach to discuss a recent job offer.

Clay III says, “The results of an act of kindness grow geometrically. It’s not something we will find in our human resource manuals, but it is something we can all find an opportunity to do. Who knows how many lives we can change for the good?”