Looking to the Future with Villanova's Strategic Plan

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Joseph V. Topper Jr. ’77 VSB
When his children chose
Villanova over Georgetown
University, Boston College,
Providence College and the
University of Notre Dame, Joseph V.
Topper Jr. ’77 VSB was very happy—and
not just because he and his wife, Maureen
Gallagher Topper ’77 A&S, are alumni.
“I was glad they picked Villanova
because the University has a sense of family
and community and isn’t solely focused
on individual accomplishment,” he says.
“Villanova students tend to complement
each other through teamwork rather than
compete with each other.”
The latter will serve them well after
graduation, he notes. “I’ve learned in my
career that you have greater success by
supporting your co-workers instead of trying
to put the spotlight on yourself. Others
will recognize those qualities and bring
you along. Helping one another finish a
task or project results in better teamwork—and,
in the case of Villanova, a
better education.”
Topper has enjoyed success in his own
career. He is owner and president of
Lehigh Gas Corporation in Bethlehem,
Pa., a wholesale distributor and retailer of
petroleum products for ExxonMobil,
Shell, Valero and BP that markets in
Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey,
Ohio and Massachusetts. One of eight
children, Topper began working in a gas
station at the age of 13. He started his
company in 1987 with two stations.
Today, the wholesale division of his
firm has 200 employees and the retail
division 1,800.
He’s both an entrepreneur at heart and
an entrepreneur with heart. His community
service includes serving for 20 years
on the Board of Trustees of Good Shepherd
Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown,
Pa. He was just named to Villanova
University’s Board of Trustees.
Topper was “humbled” when he heard
the news. “The University has been so
great to my wife and me and our family,
and it’s wonderful to be able to give back.”
He is excited about the University’s
Strategic Plan, recently presented to
the Board by Villanova’s president, the
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D.,
’75 A&S.
“I told Father Peter that I was overjoyed
with the Plan’s commitment to the development
of the whole student. As Villanova
has continued to attract top students, the
University has been able to maintain the
ideals of community and service.”
As a Board member, Topper would
like to continue to develop the overall
sense of Augustinian community at the
University. “All graduates leave Villanova
as a community of friends—and that sets
them up for success in their personal and
professional lives.”
He and Maureen feel this aspect of
Villanova will benefit children Maura
Topper ’08 VSB, Shannon Topper ’10 and
Connor Topper ’12. (Their youngest, Colleen,
is currently a high school sophomore.)
“Our kids have had such a good experience
academically and in terms of relationships
with faculty and other students,”
he notes. “The relationships you build at
Villanova remain with you all your life.
Maureen and I know that firsthand.”
—Jennifer Schu
“All graduates leave Villanova
as a community of friends—
and that sets them up for
success in their personal and
professional lives.”
Summer 2010 11