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Graduate receives University award for work among poor
and underprivileged persons
 Villanova
University has given its annual Thomas J. Mentzer Memorial Award to Nancy
Steedle, a member of the graduating class of 2003. This award is presented
to a Villanova undergraduate who has contributed significantly, through
his or her service work, to expanding opportunities for those who are
poor and underprivileged.
The award was established in memory of Thomas Mentzer, a Villanova graduate
of 1955 who later became a faculty member in the history department. He
was active in many of the social issues of the times, including fostering
better understanding of African-Americans among Catholics, and worked
to oppose racial conflict and segregation. He died in 1967 in an automobile
accident.
Steedle, who was nominated by the Center for Peace and Justice Education,
served in leadership roles in the Villanova chapters of Amnesty International,
Bread for the World, Villanovans for Life and Villanovans for Peace.
She played an active role in letter-writing campaigns and conferences
on topics that including the School of the Americas Protest, the annual
National March for Life, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger
and Homelessness, and Bread for the World’s African Hunger to Harvest
Conference.
She was a coordinator for the Sophomore Service Learning Community, serving
as a tutor in North Philadelphia, and has spent time working in Uganda.
Outside the University, she participates in Habitat for Humanity and other
projects through her church, The Church of the Brethren. Beginning this
summer, she will spend several years in Nigeria at a women’s center.
Steedle was also an outstanding student, maintaining a GPA of 3.8. She
was a member of the Villanova Gospel Ensemble and was new student retreat
leader. She also was awarded the Merton-Day Award, presented by the Center
for Peace and Justice Education.
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