Endowed Scholarships Act As Living Tributes to Villanova Faculty
Chris Kovolski

Nearly every Villanova student – past or present – has a story about a professor or administrator that touched their lives in a special way or helped to shape their futures. Many Villanovans have sought unique ways to honor these mentors, friends and advisers and have found that endowing a scholarship in their name is an excellent way to ensure that their memory lives on at the University forever.

"Endowing a scholarship at Villanova is an excellent way to have a long lasting impression upon the University that benefits individual students, as well as the entire campus community, for years to come," said Mary McRae, associate vice president for development. "Additionally, naming the scholarship in honor of a faculty member allows new students each year to be living tributes to truly great Villanovans who have had a positive impact upon the University."

Endowed scholarships have a tremendous impact upon each scholarship’s recipient and upon the University community. These scholarships are important in ensuring that Villanova provides the best educational support to its most deserving students. These scholarships may be directed to support students with any majors in any department of the University or may be open to students without regard to academic areas of interest. They may also be targeted to academically qualified student athlete in any Villanova sport.

Endowed scholarships take many forms to meet the needs of a unique student body:

· Academic scholarships bring to campus greater numbers of students with strong high school records who have demonstrated academic promise, leadership and initiative both in and out of the classroom. As the academic reputation of the student body continued to rise, the University uses these scholarships to be more favorably positioned to to attract the brightest students to our programs.

· Need-based scholarships are helping to preserve the very character of Villanova. They guarantee that a mix of high-quality students will continue to have access to a Villanova education, regardless of family income. Need based scholarships are closing the gap that exists for many students between their ability to pay and the University’s traditional financial resources.

· Diversity-based scholarships are helping Villanova to provide the highest quality of education for all students, across ethnic, gender and socio-economic backgrounds. New scholarship funding in this area encourages students of color to apply who otherwise might not focus on Villanova during their college selection process. These scholarships ensure that the University reflects the diversity of the larger community it serves.

As Villanova rises to the forefront in providing its students with the fundamental academic and leadership skills essential to their future successes, investment in student scholarships is critical. Endowed scholarships represent a permanent source of financial aid designated to attract academically qualified students who otherwise might not have access to a Villanova education. Only the annual income from these funds is used for scholarships; the principal is invested in perpetuity.

"I have the opportunity to interact with a lot of students on campus, including many who are recipients of endowed scholarships," commented Charles A. Wright, director of the annual fund and advancement services. "Without exception, the student recipients are very grateful for the opportunities that their scholarships provide for them at Villanova and know a great deal about who the award is named for. Endowed scholarships are a great way to honor outstanding members of our community."