Steering Committee Considers Potential Funding Objectives During Preliminary Campaign Planning Period
Commerce and Finance Dean Presents Academic Needs, Underscores Endowment as Highest Priority

Chris Kovolski ‘96

As the Steering Committee for The Campaign for Villanova continues their deliberations in preparation for a comprehensive capital campaign, they are focusing on many key factors that will determine the timing and scope of University needs to be addressed through such an effort.  During this period of early fundraising and evaluation known as the quiet phase, these factors will be reviewed to confirm them as strategic priorities critical to support for Villanova’s future.

Remarked Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A. ’58, Villanova President, “Through the University’s strategic planning process, more than $200 million in needs have been preliminarily identified for funding, representing every college and every area throughout the campus.  During the quiet phase, it is critical that The Steering Committee form a complete understanding of these needs to confirm them as funding priorities as it moves forward with campaign planning.”

Continued Dobbin, “We have identified the College of Commerce and Finance as an important component of preliminary campaign plans.  With an innovative curriculum, an exciting new facility and the dynamic leadership of its Dean, it is poised to join the ranks of the nation’s best business schools.  An increase in endowment resources will allow the College to address its needs, while raising its profile and the profile of the University.”

At the Steering Committee’s December meeting, Dr. Tim Monahan, dean of the College of Commerce and Finance, presented a report outlining recent progress that has been made in the College, and described its goals as it seeks to increase its national profile.  While Monahan spoke about innovations in the College’s curricula and the importance of research, he confirmed that securing additional endowment resources is critical to the College’s future.

Noted Monahan, “Building our endowment is one of the College’s highest priorities in the near term. A meaningful endowment would enable us to implement new growth strategies in our business curriculum.  Commitments to support the business program at all levels, including an endowment to name the College, will establish a strong identity – a Villanova brand – that will increase our visibility and round out our offerings.”

During his presentation, the Dean also spoke about progress that has been made in the academic offerings of the College and specifically noted the success of the Executive MBA program, the Summer Business Institute and the Leadership Skills program.  He also described the College-wide effort to develop and implement a cross-functional component to all levels of business education.

“There are opportunities to define the College’s core business curriculum around a cross-functional approach to education, including the use of actual case studies and adjunct faculty who can help identify specific industries that may be interested in our approach to education,” commented Monahan.

It is clear that the future of the College also includes a strong research component, which will help to build an identity for the College and increase its competitiveness as it seeks to attract the best and brightest students.

The dean stressed that, “the College needs to increase its level of sponsored research projects.  Such funds enable new academic programs, faculty opportunities, and – perhaps most important – enhance our ability to attract the highest quality undergraduate and graduate students.”

Research opportunities will support a faculty that is consistently increasing in profile and distinction.   Over the past five years, 22 new faculty members have been recruited nationally.  They represent real-world business experience and knowledge of current trends, adding value to the College’s curriculum and, together with the faculty already in place, form one of the region’s most dynamic body of educators.

Members of The Steering Committee were also briefed on the College’s newly renovated and expanded learning facility that features increased classroom space, administrative offices, and education resources.  The building includes state-of-the art technology, ensuring the most current learning and teaching techniques can be developed and applied to the College’s already advanced curriculum.

Monahan reaffirmed that a commitment to endow the College of Commerce and Finance willprovide a critical source of recurring funding that will allow the College to continue developing its curriculum, attract sponsored research opportunities and attract the highest quality faculty.  Such a commitment will also foster innovative programming and the development of support services in the critical areas of student advisement and career advancement; faculty development; technology infrastructure improvement; and alumni and corporate involvement.

The Dean also noted a history of similar endowments at business schools across the country, including Boston College, Georgetown and Notre Dame.  An endowment at Villanova will allow the University to remain competitive with these institutions in attracting top learners and educators, while providing the College with local and national visibility.

“As our College grows, it will become necessary for us to define and nurture a multidimensional brand, a brand that comprises educational excellence and research achievements with Villanova’s Augustinian identity” stated Monahan.  “An endowment to name the College is the first step in developing this brand and confirming Villanova as a leader in business education.”

Added Gerald S.J. Cassidy, Esq. ’63, Campaign Chairman, “Dr. Monahan has provided The Steering Committee with a more complete understanding of the unique needs of the College of Commerce and Finance and the challenges it faces as it moves forward.  The quiet phase gives The Committee an opportunity to consider such specific campus needs in an effort to confirm them as funding priorities.  These priorities, including those in the College of Commerce and Finance, will help The Steering Committee determine a working goal and the timing of a public announcement as it moves forward with preliminary plans for a comprehensive capital campaign.”

Measuring Progress in the College of Commerce and Finance