Legacy Building

Bob Morro’s retirement caps more than two decades of inspired leadership of the Facilities Management Office

By Meg Maxwell

For 22 years, as vice president for Facilities Management, Bob Morro led the team responsible for making sure that every Villanova light bulb is lit, every walkway is edged, every pothole is filled and hundreds of other essential but hidden tasks are complete. Morro’s team also oversaw complex renovations and managed every new building project the campus has seen since 2002. Morro’s tenure encompassed a remarkable period of growth for Villanova, and his principled leadership earned him a campus-wide reputation for astute foresight, meticulous planning, and an unswerving belief in the nearly 300 staff of the Facilities Management Office (FMO).

On Sept. 1, Morro celebrated his retirement from Villanova.

“Bob’s leadership has made a lasting mark on Villanova,” says Roger Demareski ’91 COE, Villanova’s Executive Vice President. “His commitment to the University’s Augustinian Catholic mission has been evident in the care with which he has approached his work, as well as in his relationships with colleagues over the years.”

Marilou Smith ’84 COE, ’22 MBA, a longtime Facilities Management leader recently named Morro's successor as vice president, reflects, “Bob notices everything and cares about every employee, and always tries to acknowledge the hard work he sees. Some bosses would be happy to take credit for the work of all 268 employees in their department, but Bob knows that it takes a team to get any of these jobs done—and he makes people proud to be on his team.”

When Morro arrived at Villanova in 2002, he brought with him an engineering and project management skill set honed over 20 years in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He was drawn to Villanova’s mission and excited by the energy of a place dedicated to working with young people. Upon the inauguration of the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS as president in 2006, Morro recommended that the University draft a facilities master plan that would allow Villanova to be responsive to the needs and wants of faculty, staff, students and alumni, but also strategic about the use of resources. All of the institutional priorities of that first master plan have been achieved, and Morro was heavily involved in creating the new 10-year master plan for 2024 and beyond.

Morro says, “In the 18 years of Father Peter’s presidency, we’ve done more construction than in the previous 50 years. We’ve completely transformed the way people experience campus, making it more walkable, more accessible and just a more pleasant place to be. Our facilities have been elevated to the top of our peer group while honoring the style and beauty of Villanova’s original architecture.”

Though new construction may be the most visible result of Morro’s leadership, he is emphatic in his praise of the FMO employees—carpenters, plumbers, groundskeepers, custodial staff, IT professionals and others—who toil behind the scenes. Morro calls them unsung heroes who deserve generous praise for all they do to keep things operating smoothly. He says, “Our staff takes tremendous pride in making sure that all of the details are cared for, so that everyone who steps onto campus has a positive experience.”

Even in retirement, Morro will be surrounded by Wildcat spirit. All four of his children are Villanova graduates, and three of them are married to alumni. Never one for sitting still, he plans to spend time with his six grandchildren and turn his attention to some of his own construction projects, which include building decks for family and friends. He says, “I’m looking forward to retirement, but I will always be grateful for the blessing of my career at Villanova.”