Commencement 2007 - Villanova University

“Why did I decide on Villanova? Well, it was intimate,and I had this curiosity about the liberal arts.”—Charles A. Heimbold Jr., Esq., ’54 A&SIt is a misty, late spring day in Riverside,Conn. The foliage is full and verdant. Pastthe gray shingled house, the lawn, a carpetof green, gently unfolds down to the shorelineof Long Island Sound. For Charles A.Heimbold Jr., Esq., ’54 A&S and Monika,his wife of 45 years, this is a special place. Itis perfectly situated in an environment thatallows them to pause and recoup from aschedule heavy with commitments and travels thatoften take them to distant places. Theirs is a globallife, a partnership that draws upon their mutual experiencesand expands to touch the lives of others on apersonal level.A gift for the man who has great tasteCharlie, as most of his friends and colleagues callhim, had been working earlier this morning in thebreakfast sunroom, surrounded by broad beams andceiling-high windows. His wife, Monika, joined himfor the interview.“You’re asking about the Wallenberg Scholarship?,he began, “Well, the Wallenbergs are one ofthe most influential families in Sweden, somethinglike our Rockefellers, renowned as bankers andindustrialists and with great affection for educationand for America. Dr. Peter Wallenberg, a friend ofours, was about to celebrate his 80th birthdayThe Campaign for Villanova Receives $10 MillionCommitment from Charles and Monika HeimboldThis is the largest-ever commitment from an alumnus. It will create, as oneof its objectives, a unique educational link between Villanova and Sweden.BY KATHLEEN SCAVELLOVillanova University hasreceived a generous commitmentof $10 million fromCharles A. Heimbold Jr., Esq., ’54A&S, a former United States ambassadorto Sweden, and his wife, Monika.The pledge is the largest ever made byan alumnus in the University’s history.“This commitment from Monikaand Charlie speaks to the heart of Villanova’smission. It will create neweducational opportunities while contributingto the diversity and vibranceof the campus community,” the Rev.Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., ’75 A&S,University president, said.While the Heimbolds are workingclosely with the University to determinethe designation of their latest commitment,part of their focus is on providinglearning and teaching opportunitiesthrough a partnership between Swedenand Villanova. A portion of the Heimbolds’commitment will fund the Dr.Peter Wallenberg Scholarship, establishedin honor of Dr. Peter Wallenberg,a Swedish banker and industrialist and aleader of one of the Scandinavian country’smost illustrious families.Annika Andersen, from Märsta,Sweden, will enter the University thisfall as the first Wallenberg Scholar andwill study at Villanova for the entireacademic year.“The Heimbolds’ exceptional generositywill impact the cultural climate atVillanova through this exciting partnershipwith Sweden. We are eternallygrateful for their visionary support ofhigher education and Villanova,” FatherDonohue continued.Ambassador Heimbold, a retiredchairman and chief executive officer“The Heimbolds’ exceptional generosity will impact the culturalclimate at Villanova through this exciting partnership with Sweden.”—The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., ’75 A&Sof the Bristol-Myers Squibb pharmaceuticalcompany, established theCharles A. Heimbold Jr. EndowedChair in Irish Studies in 1999 at Villanovafor the purpose of bringingnoted Irish authors and poets to campusas visiting professors each spring.Noted John M. Elizandro, vicepresident for Institutional Advancement,“Charlie and Monika’s exceptionalsupport of Villanova Universityand The Campaign for Villanovaexemplifies transforming minds andhearts, the theme of this campaign.“Through this level of generositythey will create experiences that willtransform the minds and hearts of4 Villanova Magazine