Villanova B-School Gets $50 Million Gift

VillanovaThe Villanova School of Business today (Oct. 28) said that it had received a $50 million commitment from alumnus James C. Davis and his wife, Kim, making the largest-ever gift to Villanova University.

The generous gift from Davis, founder of a private staffing company called Allegis Group, is also among the 25 largest ever given to a business school and one of the few at that level which did not require the school naming itself after a benefactor.

The school said it will use the money to support the development of internship and CoOp opportunities, provide additional scholarship and funding for study abroad experiences, and support the development of new mentorship, service learning and professional development programs, and promote curricular innovation and provide additional support for faculty. In addition, the Davis’ gift will allow the school to renovate and improve its current facilities, Villanova said.

“The Davis’ remarkably generous gift will allow us to continue to create a learning environment at VSB that is unprecedented in the world of business education, one that transforms lives, positively impacts society, nurtures creativity, provides a global perspective and develops ethical leaders,” said Patrick G. Maggitti, dean of the Villanova School of Business, in a statement.  “I am honored and grateful to be entrusted with these generous gifts on behalf of Villanova and VSB. This support will help ensure we will continue to provide a unique world-class experience.”The pledge by Davis is part of Villanova University’s $600 million Comprehensive Capital Campaign, “For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change,” which officially launched this past weekend. The school said that it has now raised nearly $90 million for the Villanova School of Business as part of the University’s capital campaign.

A member of the Villanova University Board of Trustees, Davis serves as Campaign Co-Chair together with Terence (Terry) M. O’Toole ’80, former chair of the Board.  “Villanova’s leadership continues to navigate the University to new and exciting heights, and this Campaign will help to assure an even brighter future,” said Davis in a statement. “A Villanova education builds leaders, and the University’s role in helping develop these leadership qualities compels Villanovans to want to give back. As someone who gained so much through his time as a business student at Villanova, I believe in this University and this trust led Kim and me to want to invest in its future.”

The school also announced three additional commitments—of $5 million each—by Daniel M. DiLella ’73 VSB, James V. O’Donnell ’63 VSB and Robert F. Moran ’72 VSB. DiLella’s gift is a continuation of one made previously, which established the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate. With this renewed commitment, DiLella will continue to support the center and its programs. O’Donnell’s $5 million gift will establish the Charlotte and James V. O’Donnell ’63 Center for Professional Development. This center will enhance academic advising, provide students more opportunities to interact with business professionals and offer increased access to internships and CoOps. Moran’s gift will establish the Robert Moran Sr. and Eleanor Moran Center for Global Leadership. This support will allow the center to create more global opportunities for students, provide additional funding for such opportunities and enhance its programmatic offerings.

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