VN_SPR SUM_06 covers FINAL.indd - Villanova University

FAREWELL TO FATHER DOBBINPersuading this departing president to engage in a recitation ofhis accomplishments is a nearly impossible task, even though FatherDobbin could point with pride to many things. During his 18-yearpresidency, he has overseen a major expansion of Villanova’son-campus learning and residential facilities, including:■ the construction of the West Campus apartmentcomplexes for students;■ the restoration of a West Campus mansion that inOctober 2005 was renamed Picotte Hall at Dundale;■ the expansion and renovationof Bartley Hall, the home of theVillanova School of Business(formerly the College ofCommerce and Finance);■ the expansion and renovationof the science building, nowcalled the Mendel ScienceCenter;■ the construction of theSt. Augustine Center forthe Liberal Arts; and■ the building of new researchfacilities for the Collegeof Engineering (CEER,the Center for EngineeringEducation and Research, and alsothe Structural Engineering Building).As Father Dobbin’s presidency drew to a close, Villanova wasfinalizing plans for new facilities for the College of Nursing andthe School of Law.At the same time as the physical expansion, Father Dobbinguided the effort to modernize the campus technologically tomeet the needs of the Information Age.To finance these and other initiatives, Father Dobbin institutedtwo major fundraising efforts. The Villanova Campaignraised more than $140 million between 1992 and 1997. Thecurrent effort, Transforming Minds and Hearts: the CampaignIN PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF VILLANOVA and its primaryfocus, the students, Father Dobbin could look back on his time asa Villanova undergraduate, student-athlete and seminarian. (Topphoto) In his student days, he is shown with fellow Augustinians(clockwise from upper right) the Rev. William M. Clearly, O.S.A.,’58 A&S; the Rev. John Tyma, O.S.A., ’59 G.S.; and the late Rev.William Gallimore, O.S.A. (Bottom photo) The input Father Dobbinreceived from conferring with students always found its wayto other meetings, such as this one with (from left) the Rev.George F. Riley, O.S.A., Ph.D., ’58 A&S, ’61 G.S., special assistantto the president for external relations; Dorothy A. Malloy, Esq.,University general counsel; Dr. Helen K. Lafferty, University vicepresident; John J. Gallen ’61 C.E., now retired as executive directorof Facilities Management; and John M. Elizandro, vice president forInstitutional Advancement.26 Villanova Magazine