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Summer 2003

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Kimberley Wheat enjoys studying the sciences, particularly biology, because of their real-world applications, but she also likes her French classes and enjoyed the course she took last semester entitled, “Ancient Medieval Renaissance Thought.” The holistic, broad-based education Wheat is receiving at Villanova stands as a testament to the enduring strength and importance of the liberal arts. The University’s emphasis on the liberal arts allows a student to study a range of varying disciplines, all of which serve to develop the whole person.

Wheat, a first-year student from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, is a recipient of the John J. McAndrews Endowed Scholarship. McAndrews ‘60 established the scholarship as part of The Campaign for Villanova, which ended in 1997 resulting in more than $125 million in funds raised for the University, to make a significant and lasting contribution to the university that had influenced his life in so many positive ways since he was a child.

“I have always had a connection to Villanova dating back as long as I can remember,” McAndrews said. “My father, who had been an active alumnus since he left the ‘College’ in 1930, sparked my interest in the school when I was a boy by bringing me to Villanova for sporting events, particularly football, basketball, and track. I knew early on that I would attend Villanova, which I did from ‘56 to ‘60. My mother, whose maiden name is Durang, grew up in Rosemont, and her father and grandfather were the architects and builders of several Villanova buildings, including the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. So I decided to carry on the connection to Villanova in my own way by establishing the scholarship.”

Without McAndrews’ generosity, expressed through the gift of an endowed scholarship, Wheat said that her aspiration of attending Villanova would not have been realized.

“I am the oldest and first of four children to go to college from my family, and even though my parents have been trying to put away money for us to go to college, it has been hard for them. I am honored to be able to say that I go to Villanova University, and I know that my parents are proud of me, too. I just cannot say enough how much of an honor it is to be a recipient of this scholarship. It is rewarding to know that my hard work in high school has paid off in such a helpful way both to myself and my family.”

When Wheat visited campus for the first time as a high school junior, she knew that she and Villanova would make a good match.

“Everything about the school was attractive to me,” said Wheat, who in addition to her studies, has become involved with Special Olympics on campus. “When I saw campus, its facilities and classrooms, and walked around and saw all of the people and how much they loved it here, my mind was made up.”

The very highest reward for student academic achievement at Villanova is an endowed scholarship. Scholarships provide support for an individual who has demonstrated exceptional academic work and exciting potential for future development. And while the endowed scholarship provides financial assistance to aid the student with the cost of higher education, it also serves as a meaningful way to honor the heritage of Villanova and further perpetuate the University’s mission of providing quality students the access to join Villanova’s community of scholars.

“I had a wonderful, eventful, and memorable time at Villanova,” McAndrews said. “Because I was fortunate enough to have had a successful business in my professional life, I was able to share some of the financial rewards with Villanova. I certainly felt that one of the best and most direct ways to share was to fund a scholarship that would achieve three objectives: give the University the funds necessary to create the scholarship, allow the school total discretion to designate the recipient, and give me the personal satisfaction that I was able to assist in the educational process, which is always in need of support to deliver the desired results.”

Gifts of endowed scholarships form a large part of Transforming Minds and Hearts: The Campaign for Villanova, which is now in its quiet phase scheduled for a public announcement later this year. The gift of a scholarship is an ideal way for participants in The Campaign to honor their Villanova experiences and provide the resources for others to have the opportunity to create their own unique experiences at the University. Further, the gift of an endowed scholarship allows a donor to contribute to the University’s growing endowment by assisting students. Donors can participate at different levels to meet their own needs while impacting the lives and education of students.

During his four years as a student at Villanova, McAndrews recalls that A’s didn’t come easy to him, but as he matured as a student he developed good study habits and the skills necessary to succeed in business.

“I struggled for grades initially, but I eventually learned how to study and grew academically over the four years,” McAndrews said. “I took this lesson with me to the business world, where the learning cycle can take years of patience and questioning in order to develop the skills required to recognize opportunity when it comes, and then capitalize and build something of significance for yourself.”

McAndrews fondly remembers the time he spent at Villanova and the people he encountered here while a student and hopes that through his gift of an endowed scholarship, a student will flourish and take advantage of all the University has to offer.

“All the people I met at Villanova – faculty, priests, and friends – influenced me in one way or the other,” McAndrews said. “I‘m sure by establishing this scholarship some young person will get a good start and make the most of opportunities when they come along.”

Wheat is well on her way to realizing her full potential as a student and future Villanova graduate.