DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Michael Mahoney ’72 VSB Makes a Lasting Contribution to Education

Mike Mahoney ’72 VSB isn’t particularly interested in talking about himself or his accomplishments. He’d much rather discuss the importance of education, especially the value of a Catholic education, and how his recent donation will help VSB attract and maintain talented faculty. Mahoney’s seven-figure gift is being used to fund the Mahoney Family Endowed Professorship in Business.

“I’d been making annual contributions since about 1980. As I had success in my career, I funded scholarships, and did that for several years,” Mahoney said. “Then, Villanova approached me during the recent fundraising campaign and made me aware of how important it is to recruit and retain faculty, and I was glad to be able to support this effort. “My college experience has influenced me all of my life,” he said. “I was what they called a ‘day hop’ student— I commuted from home. I grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated from St. Thomas More High in 1968 and was shocked when I was accepted to Villanova. My generation was the first in our family to attend college. My goal was to get an education, get a job and make a living.” Mahoney spoke affectionately of the late Villanova professor Gerald Dougherty, CPA, VSB ’58, who mentored him in addition to teaching him accounting: “I was one of thousands of students Gerry taught and helped. He got me my internship.” And the rest, as they say, is history. Mahoney spent the first five years after graduation as a public accountant, and then went to work for a telecommunications firm. He spent the remainder of his career in the telecommunications industry, working for several cable, television and telephone companies, eventually serving as president and CEO of Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises in northeast Pennsylvania. “In the early years, I was focused on providing for my family. As time progressed, and I was successful in business, I was able to respond to requests for my involvement in civic life,” Mahoney said. While in northeast Pennsylvania, Mahoney served on the board of Wilkes University for 10 years. His service included a number of committees, as well as co-chairing the capital campaign that funded a new science building. During all that time, he continued to contribute to Villanova. He wasn’t as actively involved as he is now, although he kept his hand in: his two brothers, John and Andrew; his son, Michael Jr.; and his son-in-law Garrett Nordmann are all Villanova alumni. After his return to the Philadelphia area in the mid-2000s, he joined Villanova’s President’s Advisory Council, a position he continues to hold today. The Council is a group of alumni and parents who help raise the University’s national profile, helping to increase alumni pride and involvement in their school. A fellow Council member encouraged his involvement in Faith in the Future (FIF), a group of leaders in business, education, philanthropy and civic life committed to supporting Catholic education. FIF provides independent management of 17 high schools and four special education schools in the Philadelphia area.

Mahoney noted that the quality of a Villanova education was good when he attended, but “look at it today! It’s grown so much.”

The Mahoney Family Endowed Professorship in Business will help ensure Villanova continues to support outstanding scholarship and an excellent education for years to come; its first recipient is Narda Quigley, PhD, Mahoney Family Endowed Professorship in Business and professor of Management.

A Catholic school education provides not only strong academics but important training in morality and ethics. Take Villanova business grads: not only will they have a great business perspective, but I can trust the ethics are there too.”