Villanova, PA, October 28, 2013 – The Villanova School of Business (VSB) received a $50 million commitment from alumnus James C. Davis ’81 VSB and his wife, Kim, making the largest-ever gift to Villanova University, according to University President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD.
The Davis’ gift—along with three other leadership gifts to VSB—is part of Villanova University’s $600 million Comprehensive Capital Campaign, “For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change,” which officially launched this weekend. With these four major commitments, gifts totaling nearly $90 million have already been designated to the Villanova School of Business as part of the University’s capital campaign.
“The Davis’ remarkably generous gift will allow us to continue to create a learning environment at VSB that is unprecedented in the world of business education, one that transforms lives, positively impacts society, nurtures creativity, provides a global perspective and develops ethical leaders,” said Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business. “I am honored and grateful to be entrusted with these generous gifts on behalf of Villanova and VSB. This support will help ensure we will continue to provide a unique world-class experience.”
The historic $50 million gift, made through the Davis Family Foundation, is transformative for VSB. It will enable the college, consistently ranked in the top-15 in the nation, to further enhance its strong position as a top, nationally-ranked business school. It will provide support for numerous VSB initiatives ensuring that future generations of VSB students will have access to the most up-to-date resources and opportunities. The gift will also support the development of unique internship and CoOp opportunities, provide additional scholarship and funding for study abroad experiences for VSB students, and support the development of new mentorship, service learning and professional development programs. VSB will also be able to promote curricular innovation and provide additional support for faculty. In addition, the Davis’ gift will provide the necessary resources to make improvements to VSB’s facilities.
A member of the Villanova University Board of Trustees, Davis serves as Campaign Co-Chair together with Terence (Terry) M. O’Toole ’80, former chair of the Board. “Villanova’s leadership continues to navigate the University to new and exciting heights, and this Campaign will help to assure an even brighter future,” said Davis. “A Villanova education builds leaders, and the University’s role in helping develop these leadership qualities compels Villanovans to want to give back. As someone who gained so much through his time as a business student at Villanova, I believe in this University and this trust led Kim and me to want to invest in its future.”
Three additional commitments—of $5 million each—have been made to VSB by Daniel M. DiLella ’73 VSB, James V. O’Donnell ’63 VSB and Robert F. Moran ’72 VSB. DiLella’s gift is a continuation of one made previously, which established the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate. With this renewed commitment, DiLella will continue to support the center and its programs. O’Donnell’s $5 million gift will establish the Charlotte and James V. O’Donnell ’63 Center for Professional Development. This center will enhance academic advising, provide students more opportunities to interact with business professionals and offer increased access to internships and CoOps. Moran’s gift will establish the Robert Moran Sr. and Eleanor Moran Center for Global Leadership. This support will allow the center to create more global opportunities for students, provide additional funding for such opportunities and enhance its programmatic offerings.
For more information on “For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change,” visit the Villanova Campaign website at: www.forthegreatergreat.com.
