Reception Pays Tribute to President's Club Members
By Tom Wirth

It's no secret that there's a correlative relationship between the success of annual giving and the success of Villanova University. No where was this more apparent than on Friday, September 13 at the Connelly Center, as hundreds of Villanova's distinguished alumni, parents and friends gathered in the Villanova Room to be honored at the second annual President's Club reception.

The President's Club was established to acknowledge exceptional gifts made to The Annual Fund, which supports faculty and academic programs, student life activities, strategic initiatives, and capital projects. These gifts allow the University to continue to provide access to Villanova for deserving students, attract and retain superior faculty, and develop the innovative programs that have become the trademark of a Villanova education. In short, this is a forum for giving set up to allow supporters of the University to reaffirm their commitment to the future of Villanova.

Providing a superior educational experience in the spirit of St. Augustine has been the mission of Villanova University since the school was founded in 1842, and the President's Club reception is a unique event because beneficiaries of that educational experience, past and present, have a chance to meet in the same room.  Current students can thank their patrons, while past Villanova graduates are able to look with pride at what the Villanova community has done to bolster the University as it moves to meet future objectives.

The President's Club reception, which was cancelled last year because of September 11, is also way for Villanova to say thank you to its donors and to show how the University has put their good will to good use. Villanova president, the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A. '58, put it best in summing up the importance of annual giving: "the President's Club is really about our students. These generous donations give us the ability to provide quality programs throughout the year to our students, and they also help to insure that we remain competitive nationally and further distance ourselves from the schools we're competing with."

As was evident in a video segment shown during the ceremony, Villanova has more than remained competitive. This academic year alone the University received nearly 11,000 undergraduate applications. Equally impressive, is Villanova's thirteen consecutive year ranking by U.S. News & World Report as number one in its "Best Universities - Master’s (By Region)" list published annually. Additionally, the University has worked to upgrade many of its top-notch facilities, including extensive state- of-the art renovations to Bartley Hall, home to the College of Commerce and Finance, and a new building for the student Health and Wellness Center formerly located in Middelton Hall

According to Eugene H. Guicheteau '62, who spoke to this reporter at the reception, these are just some of the reasons why he is committed to staying involved in the life of the Villanova community. "I give Villanova credit for most of the wonderful things that have happened in my life," he explained. "When I was here I benefitted from the alumni before me, and I know that if we want to keep the university strong and vibrant into the future, that giving back is a key component of that."

Guicheteau is one of many in a long line of Villanova alumni, parents and friends who have helped to promote a legacy of gift-giving, which in turn has helped to promote the overall goals and initiatives of the University. As Father Dobbin noted, "developing a culture of gift-giving plays a significant part in maintaining the high standards of our institution. Not only does it breed a sense of loyalty and tradition, but it also makes our jobs as educators easier because we can focus on providing high quality education knowing that we have the proper support behind us."