Fall 2012 - Villanova University

| volunteer spotlight |School TiesMichael Yachnik ’89 VSB and Cathy Yachnik ’89 VSB live out their dream—and theirVillanova connectionby shawn proctorNo matter where their lives have takenthem, Michael and Cathy Dunne Yachnik,both ’89 VSB, have remained strongmembers of the Villanova Universityalumni community. From recruitingVillanova School of Business students towork in New York City to hosting newstudent receptions, the Yachniks weartheir Villanova pride on their sleeves.“We’ve been very successful, but itwas part of the broader Villanova experience,”explains Michael. “Time, talentor treasure—we always want to givesomething back.”That’s not surprising, since Villanovais where the Yachniks, now married20 years, met. They got to knoweach other better at the end of junioryear after realizing they had a friendin common. They reconnected thefollowing autumn and have beentogether ever since.“We had such a great experience there.Villanova is our second family,” saysCathy, who explains that they are stillclose with the friend who introducedthem. The two families live in NewJersey and visit several times a year.Once a Villanovan, Always aVillanovanVillanova also prepared Michael well fora career in business, giving him strongconnections in New York. He focusedon audit work in his early years, becamea partner at a “Big Four” accountingfirm and moved into the corporatefraud investigation division. Duringhis 21 years in the corporate world,Michael remained close to the Universityas one of its leading recruiters ofstudents from New York City. He alsoreturned to campus to speak to classes inVSB and the Villanova UniversitySchool of Law.Michael carried the University’s bannerin other ways, including service asa Villanova University Alumni AssociationBoard member and the AlumniAssociation’s Monmouth Ocean Chapterpresident, which gave him the opportunityto expand the chapter’s engagement.For the past 11 years the Yachniks havehosted receptions at their home to welcomeincoming Villanova students andhelp them with the transition to college.Their lives took a big turn 18 monthsago. The Yachniks always had dreamedof owning a marina and finally tookthe plunge when they opened HorizonMarina, located in Toms River, N.J.Michael and Cathy had settled on thename before they married.Boating is in his blood, Michael says.“It was my passion since I have alwayslived near the water. So we decided itwas now or never.” He and Cathy arecurrently finishing up renovations on thefull-service marina.As they dive into this latest venture,the Yachniks remain active in the alumniassociation and continue to carry theVillanova spirit within them. “I appreciatethe student experience at theUniversity. It’s one of those things wewould love to go back and do all overagain. You can’t, but you can find ways tostay connected,” Michael says.Cathy adds that they can counton one hand the number of people“Michael and Cathy Yachnik’s commitment toVillanova—from new student receptions andgolf outings to Michael’s work on the VillanovaAlumni Association Board—has benefitedstudents, alumni and parents over the years.”—Gary Olsen ’74 A&S, ’80 MS,associate vice president for Alumni Relationsthey know who readily discuss theircolleges. “We joke that all of ourclose friends know where we wentto school because of our continuousinvolvement with the school. Once aVillanovan, always a Villanovan.” villanova.edu 45