Invested in the Future of Villanova

Accelerating Academic Research

A key initiative of the University’s new 10-year Strategic Plan, Rooted. Restless., calls for increased investment in high-potential research and scholarship. Across the University, McGuinn’s gift will provide critical seed funding and support research and scholarly projects that positively impact society—and the world.

It also will provide funding to accelerate the University’s most promising research projects through targeted faculty grants, as well as create a permanent funding source for high-level, impactful research projects. “The groundbreaking research and scholarship of Villanova’s faculty has been a key factor in the University’s continued national recognition,” says Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. “These endowed funds will propel our research enterprise forward, creating even more opportunities for our teacher-scholars to innovate and create knowledge that positively impacts the world.”

McGuinn has earmarked the majority of his gift to further support and advance the research efforts of faculty, particularly in the Charles Widger School of Law. In addition to being a proud alumnus of the Law School, McGuinn received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2013 and served as chair of the Law School’s Board of Consultors. He previously established the Martin McGuinn ’64 ’67 Endowed Scholarships at the Law School and endowed the Martin G. McGuinn Professorship of Business Law.

“We are so grateful for Marty’s continued strong connection to Villanova—and especially to the Law School,” says Mark C. Alexander, JD, the Arthur J. Kania Dean and professor of Law at the Charles Widger School of Law. “Our faculty’s scholarship is at the cutting edge of law and policy, and his investment bolsters their reach and scope, ultimately influencing our community and world for the good.”

A portion of McGuinn’s gift will support Villanova Law faculty members, providing scholarship grant awards each year to help further their research and promote awareness of their work. These grants will recognize Law School faculty whose scholarship has had a significant impact on the academy, the law, the legal profession and/or policy.

Expanding Access for Veterans

As part of its efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and to embrace a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds, the University continues to focus on helping more veterans earn their degrees at Villanova.

A veteran himself, McGuinn served for three years as a captain in the US Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He allocated a portion of his gift to grow Villanova’s Office of Veterans and Military Service Members and the programming and resources the office provides to assist veterans, service members and their dependents. That includes increasing the number of veteran students at Villanova on an annual basis by expanding the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides additional funding toward the cost of tuition and fees.

“Marty supports areas of the University that he feels passionately about, and, in doing so, he has helped elevate Villanova’s stature and recognition,” says Father Peter. “Through his exceptional generosity, Marty has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Villanova’s mission and our vision that is reflected in the new Strategic Plan.”