Promoting Inclusive Excellence

Robert Courey ’83 EE and Thomas Keebler ’84 VSB are named co-recipients of Villanova’s Nance Award

The Villanova University Alumni Association named Robert Courey ’83 EE (above, right) and husband Thomas Keebler ’84 VSB as co-recipients of its 2023 Dr. Terry Nance Award for Inclusive Excellence. The award honors alumni who have created an inclusive culture and have gone above and beyond in welcoming all Villanovans. Courey and Keebler were presented with the award during a ceremony at Villanova’s Homecoming Weekend in October.

“I can’t think of two more deserving people to receive this award,” says Kevin Noller ’04 CLAS, ’09 MBA, vice president for University Advancement. “Their love for Villanova shows with their active engagement in making the University a more inclusive place for all Villanovans.”

Courey earned his master’s in Electrical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and held an engineering position with General Electric before spending two years teaching in the Peace Corps in Central Africa—an experience that turned his focus toward education. After working for Lockheed Martin, he went on to earn his master’s in Education at Drexel University and taught math for many years before retiring from Friends Select School in Philadelphia in 2018.

Together, Courey and Keebler have worked tirelessly to create academic opportunities for students.

“We wanted to do something for Villanova, but we wanted it to benefit kids like us,” says Courey. “As far as I knew, when I was a student at Villanova in the 1980s, gays didn’t exist. I remember feeling isolated and closeted, like I was the only person in my situation. Tom and I didn’t want anyone to have the same experience we did.”

In 2013, they established Villanova’s first-ever LGBTQ+ scholarship. So far, the scholarship has supported five students whom Courey and Keebler connect with regularly and remain in touch with after graduation. “It’s been a blessing to see them learn, grow and then graduate and become great people,” says Courey. The couple’s support has inspired fellow donors to also support LGBTQ+ students.

Courey and Keebler have also worked extensively with Heights Philadelphia (formerly Philadelphia Futures), a nonprofit organization that supports the city’s low-income, first-generation students with opportunities for admission to and success in college. “We knew part of Villanova’s mission is to support disadvantaged students, so we approached them to see if they would become a partner school,” says Courey. Thanks to Courey and Keebler’s efforts, in 2019, Villanova became an official college partner of Heights Philadelphia, providing three incoming students each year with a full Villanova scholarship.

Courey and Keebler didn’t stop there. To support Heights Philadelphia scholars and other students with financial needs while they were at Villanova, they provided funding to the University’s Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA), an office that supports underrepresented, first-generation and Pell-eligible students on campus. They also recently funded a study abroad scholarship for Heights Philadelphia students and others with financial need.

“We try to support people as much as we can,” says Courey. “If everyone could help people with time, talent or treasure, the world would be a better place. That’s all we’re trying to do—improve what we can.”