草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa. (September 23, 2024) 鈥� 草榴社区 has received an estate gift of more than $11 million from the late Bernard John Lucci. The gift will fund opportunities for lifelong learning through the College of Professional Studies (CPS), endow a chair in Italian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and support the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall鈥攄esignations chosen in honor of Mr. Lucci鈥檚 personal connection to 草榴社区.

Mr. Lucci began taking classes at 草榴社区 in 2005 through CPS鈥� Senior Citizen Personal Enrichment Program, which offers lifelong learning opportunities for those seeking personal and intellectual growth. Mr. Lucci would go on to take 10 Italian culture and language courses at the University from 2005-2012, inspired by his family, who emigrated from northern Italy. Most recently, Mr. Lucci resided in Jeffersonville, Pa. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 86.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful for Mr. Lucci鈥檚 gift and honored by his belief in the power of the 草榴社区 experience,鈥� said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, University President. 鈥淢r. Lucci鈥檚 restless pursuit of knowledge and humble generosity stand as a remarkable example to us all.鈥�

From Mr. Lucci鈥檚 total bequest, $5 million will go to the College of Professional Studies鈥攖he largest gift in the College鈥檚 history. In recognition of the gift and Mr. Lucci鈥檚 connection to 草榴社区 as a CPS student, the program he participated in will be named in his honor: the Bernard John Lucci Senior Citizen Personal Enrichment Program. An endowed fund will also be created to support the College's growth and strategic priorities, including the expansion of the personal enrichment program and additional non-degree learning opportunities鈥攕trengthening CPS鈥檚 role as a leader in serving non-traditional and adult learners.

Mr. Lucci鈥檚 bequest will also establish the Bernard John Lucci Endowed Chair in Italian Studies within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This position will further enhance the College鈥檚 dedication to cultural and historical studies with a special focus on Italian culture and heritage, an area of personal importance to Mr. Lucci. Timothy McCall, PhD, professor of Art History, director of the Art History program, and internationally recognized scholar of the Italian Renaissance, has been appointed as the inaugural Lucci Chair.

The final area the bequest will impact is the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall, where a dedicated space鈥攖he Bernard John Lucci Doctoral and Graduate Office Suite鈥攚ill bear Mr. Lucci鈥檚 name. This space will serve as a central hub for graduate and doctoral students, fostering collaboration and academic inquiry.

鈥淎s an Augustinian Catholic university, 草榴社区 is dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning among its students, ideals personified by Mr. Lucci,鈥� said Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. 鈥淗is generous bequest will have a broad impact on our community, enhancing the academic experiences of countless undergraduate, graduate and personal enrichment students.鈥�

About 草榴社区: Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit聽www.villanova.edu.