VN_SPR SUM_06 covers FINAL.indd - Villanova University

Villanova University’s ability to transform young people into outstandingleaders was showcased at Radio City Music Hall on May 11 when sevenrecent graduates shared with guests the ways in which their Villanovaeducation has shaped their success. From Fulbright and Rhodes scholars toan award-winning astronomer, these high achievers exemplified the leadershipbeing celebrated that evening, as well as the transformative powerof a Villanova education.The young alumni showcased during “The Campaign for Villanova: A Celebration ofLeadership” thanked the generous donors for their role in making Villanova the institutionit is and for providing the financial support that enabled many of them to attend.The speakers talked of having benefited from Villanova’s facilities, academic programs,professors and values, as well as from the opportunities for community service and studyabroad that they enjoyed as students. Several who attended on scholarships made a pointof thanking the donors who helped make possible their education.The Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., ’58 A&S, University president, made special noteof their laudable accolades when he took the podium. “These young graduates are part of agrowing phenomenon of Villanova students winning nationally and internationally prestigiousscholarships,” he said. Over the past decade, 150 Villanova students have reachedfinalist status in competition for such awards, and 79 have won, Father Dobbin observed.“Every one of these young people is clearly a leader already and going to be a great leader inthe future,” he said. “This is what we’re about; this is what we’re celebrating tonight.”The two young graduates who co-hosted the evening were:✴ ISIS S. MISDARY ’99 A&S: A native of Cairo, Egypt, she is an off-Broadwaytheater director in New York City. A Fulbright Scholar who graduated with a majorin Honors from Villanova, she did her postgraduate work in Egypt, where she filmeda documentary on Cairo’s indigenous street performers. She has directed more than20 productions in New York City, Cairo, Barcelona, Sydney, Minneapolis and SanFrancisco. Misdary is the youngest person to have received a prestigious NationalEndowment for the Arts Career Development Award, given to only a handful oftheater directors every two years. She also received a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowshipfor New Americans in 2006 to support up to two years of graduate study.✴ DAVID J. QUINN ’02 M.E.: As a Villanova student, he received both Fulbrightand Gates Cambridge scholarships. After graduating summa cum laude, he earneda master’s degree in engineering from the University of Cambridge and anothermaster’s in mechanical engineering from MIT. The Boston resident is now pursuinghis doctorate in mechanical engineering at MIT, where he conducts research inbiotechnology and nanotechnology, including looking for a new cure for malaria.14 Villanova Magazine