President Joe Biden to Appoint Villanovan to Commission on Presidential Scholars

VILLANOVA, Pa.—President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, Jr., announced his intent to appoint 21 new members to the Commission on Presidential Scholars, among those Neil J. Horgan, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Villanova University. The announcement was made by The White House in a press release, Friday, July 15.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars is a group of eminent private citizens appointed by the President to select and honor the Presidential Scholars. Commissioners are selected from across the country, representing the fields of education, medicine, law, social services, business, and other professions. The Commissioners make the final selection of the Presidential Scholars.

“It is a great honor to be nominated to serve on the Commission on Presidential Scholars—to help identify and recognize our nation’s brightest young students,” said Neil J. Horgan, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer. “These are students who are not only academically gifted but committed to public service. They will be tomorrow’s leaders, both in their communities and in our country.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. The Scholars demonstrate exceptional accomplishments in academics, the arts, career and technical education and an outstanding commitment to public service.

Horgan was appointed Vice President for Finance at Villanova in 2015, following eight years as Associate Vice President for Finance and Controller at the University. As the Chief Financial Officer, he oversees budget, financial planning and reporting, and the management of financial operations. Horgan came to Villanova in 2000 as the University’s Controller, after spending the previous nine years at University of Pennsylvania Health System. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Georgetown University and went on to receive a Master of Taxation from Villanova University. Horgan previously served on the Board of Directors of the Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University School of Law. As students grow intellectually, Villanova prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them.