Saint Joseph's University, 2007–08 - With Faith and Strength to Dare ...

campaigndonors | Robert D. Falese Jr. ’69
James J. Maguire ‘58 Campus
During a long and distinguished career in banking, Robert D. Falese Jr. ’69 (B.S.) has come to
be known for a signature style of lending, built upon knowing the customer’s business, the market,
the collateral and the people.
That kind of individualized attention – of targeting customized services – has as its educational
equivalent the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, care for the entire person. It’s no wonder, then, that
when Saint Joseph’s University had the opportunity to acquire Episcopal Academy’s 38-acre Merion
campus, Bob Falese came on board quickly as a major supporter.
After all, the classrooms, laboratories, academic facilities, fields and green spaces comprising the
campus would give the University more flexibility than it ever had in fully engaging each student
individually, at his or her specific place in life.
Professionally, Falese has risen through the banking ranks ever since joining First Pennsylvania
Bank while still a student at Saint Joseph’s. He was recruited to Fidelity Bank in 1981 and 11 years later
joined Commerce Bank, which was recently acquired by TD Bank. He currently serves as chair
of commercial banking.
Personally, Falese has been a valued friend of Saint Joseph’s for years, serving as a member of the
Board of Trustees and member of the Board of Visitors of the Erivan K. Haub School of Business.
He is also involved in various community and professional
organizations, and in 2001 he and his wife Mary established
a charitable foundation that provides funding for
organizations engaged in Catholic education and children’s health services.
“The Maguire Campus represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Saint Joseph’s,” Falese says.
“What this University gave to me 40 years ago was exactly what I needed then; what Maguire will give
tomorrow’s students is exactly what they will need to make this far more complicated world a better place.
I am honored to assist those efforts.”
was more than happy to contribute to this important initiative ...
The education based on the Jesuit tradition of developing the
whole person has served me well over the years,
both personally and professionally.
““ I
14 president’s report
why i give
Robert D. Falese Jr. ’69