William and Julia Moulden Dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

August 22, 2022

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

As we approach the start of Villanova University’s 180th academic year, I am pleased to share some exciting news regarding the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), our oldest and largest college.

Villanova has received a transformational $7.5 million gift from an anonymous donor to establish the William and Julia Moulden Dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Named in honor of William and Julia Moulden, a Black, Catholic couple who provided crucial support to the Augustinian founders of Villanova College in the 19th century, the gift will provide significant resources to the CLAS Dean to invest in key College initiatives.

The endowment will support the launch of new academic programs and Centers of Excellence, bolster existing centers and programs, and further innovative faculty and student research and scholarship opportunities. It will also establish a new endowed fund in the Office for Undergraduate Students to support participation in internships, professional development experiences, immersion programs and other experiential learning opportunities.

I am extremely grateful for the remarkable generosity that led to the endowment of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean. CLAS is foundational to our educational mission, providing all Villanova students with a strong academic grounding and understanding of our Augustinian and Catholic identity and tradition. Given its foundational role at Villanova, it’s fitting that the CLAS deanship is named for a couple whose remarkable generosity left an indelible mark on Villanova University.

Thank you again to everyone involved in making this gift a reality for Villanova.

Sincerely,

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President