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Summer 2003

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Parents have always played key roles in every aspect of the Villanova experience, from the moment their sons and daughters step foot on campus as first-year students to the culminating moment of graduation, when parents celebrate their children’s accomplishments and look forward to the future.

In recognition of the vital role parents play in the Villanova community, the University has organized The Parents’ Program, which focuses on involving parents in four specific areas of the campus: Student Life, Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement, and Career Services.

The Parents’ Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers who direct the Parents’ Program and operate under the oversight of the Steering Committee, is an integral part of the new initiative and the University’s current capital campaign, Transforming Minds and Hearts: The Campaign for Villanova. The Campaign, which captures Villanova’s unique character as an Augustinian university, builds on years of planning, hard work, and past success, and will firmly establish Villanova as one of the nation’s leading Catholic universities.

“Parents involved in the program use their collective expertise and networks to advise and support nearly every aspect of the University. These dedicated volunteers are already becoming involved by helping the University to expand its corporate partnership program and plan fundraising efforts,” said Mary R. McRae ’82, associate vice president for Development.

As part of its leadership role, the Parents’ Committee hosts receptions around the country designed to update parents on the state of the University, highlight Villanova’s recent accomplishments, and outline its plans for the future, McRae explained. Receptions also provide parents the opportunity to meet other involved parents and key University representatives, who can answer questions about the status of Villanova initiatives and programs.

Janice and Marc Mondavi, members of the Parents’ Committee and parents Angelina ’04, recently hosted a Parents’ Reception which engaged more than 80 parents in the San Francisco Bay area on September 13, 2003.

“Since we live on the West Coast, I felt a strong need to be even more connected to Villanova, since it is an East Coast school,” Janice Mondavi said. “By serving as a member of the Parents’ Committee, I feel much more connected to the school and much more informed about what’s happening there. I’ve been very impressed and pleased with the University’s communications and educational efforts directed at parents through this program.”

“This committee will be actively seeking to develop new opportunities for parent involvement at all levels of the University,” noted Patricia H. Imbesi, parent of Charles ’05, Paul ’01, and Anthony ’96 and chairperson of the Parents’ Committee. Among other projects, members of the committee currently are working closely with University leaders to develop a more integrated communications program that will keep parents even more informed of campus-wide initiatives and strategic objectives.

Daniel M. Finnegan, a member of the Parents’ Committee, explained that his daughter, Alexandra ’03, has had a very rewarding experience at Villanova. He said that his involvement in the Parents’ Committee gives him and his family a way to express their appreciation for the exceptional education she received at the University.

“The passion and dedication of the faculty and staff were constantly evident throughout our daughter’s four years in the College of Nursing,” Finnegan said. “The present cost of higher education suggests that only those universities with large endowments, a supportive alumni, an excellent curriculum, attractive facilities, an energetic board of trustees, a dedicated faculty, and a leader with vision and passion will prosper. This requires the talents and resources of all members of the Villanova family. A university, like any other institution, needs the support of all its constituencies if it’s going to accomplish its mission. Parents have played and will continue to play a constructive role in this endeavor.”

William B. Finneran ’63, vice chairman of The Campaign, co-chair of the Leadership Gifts Committee, a University Trustee, and the parent of Suzanne ’04, Diane ’93, and William ’90, explained that both Villanova alumni and parents have an important role to play in the success of The Campaign for Villanova. “These are times when it’s more difficult to fund the University, and at the same time, it’s more of a challenge to educate our children,” Finneran said. “I think we’re looking for both our alumni and parents – those who have benefited the most – to participate in this Campaign.”

“The increase in parent involvement in their children’s education over the past 15 years coincides with Villanova’s growing outreach to all of its stakeholders during that same period,” said Rev. John P. Stack, O.S.A. ’71, vice president for Student Life. “The creation of the Parents’ Program demonstrates Villanova’s belief in the partnership that exists between the University and the parents of its students.”

For information on how you can get involved, please contact Patty McGoldrick, director of the Parents’ Program, at 610-519-4576 or at Patricia.McGoldrick@villanova.edu.