Program Overview

Introduction to the O'Toole Family Presidential Scholarship

The O'Toole Family Presidential Scholarship is a unique promise scholarship model that provides two high-potential, high-achieving high school sophomores from the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., with the opportunity to attend Villanova with all expenses paid for four years.

Program Details

• The scholarship is endowed with a $10 million gift from the O'Toole family.
• The selection process involves a multidisciplinary committee that represents several academic and co-curricular departments.
• The committee considers factors such as:
  • Principal's nomination letter
  • PSAT scores
  • Report cards
  • Rigorous courses
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Personal essays
• In addition to measurable factors, the committee also considers non-cognitive skills like leadership, grit, critical thinking, and tenacity.

Selection Committee

The selection committee consists of:

• University Admission: Director Michael Gaynor
• University Career Center: Executive Director Kevin Grubb, assistant vice provost of Professional Development
• Center for Access, Success and Achievement: Nicole Davis, associate director of Retention and Outreach Counseling
• Diversity and Inclusion: Associate Vice Provost Teresa Nance, PhD, chief diversity officer
• Enrollment Management: Dean Leon Washington and Vice Dean Cathy Connor
• Honors Program: Thomas Smith, PhD, Anne Quinn Welsh Director

Support System

• The O'Toole Scholars receive support from the Center for Access, Success and Achievement, which includes mentorship and guidance throughout their high school and college careers.
• Nicole Davis, associate director of Retention and Outreach Counseling, plays a key role in mentoring the scholars and helping them transition to college life.

Community of Scholars

• The O'Toole Scholars become part of a community of scholars, which includes current scholars, alumni, and donors.
• The scholars participate in annual events, such as the O'Toole Scholar luncheon, where they meet with the selection committee, Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, and University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, '75 CLAS.

Other Scholarship Programs

• The James C. Curvey Endowed Scholarship: supports students from Schuylkill County, Pa., with scholarship funds and a fellowship to travel abroad after graduation.
• The Connelly-Delouvrier International Scholars Program: provides semester-long international study abroad trips for Honors Program students and international health care experiences for Nursing students.
• The Anthony Randazzo Endowed Presidential Scholarship: supports underrepresented students from Philadelphia with full tuition, room, board, and fees.
• The Herbert G. Rammrath International Scholarships: provides financial resources for international students attending VSB and outgoing VSB students participating in study abroad experiences.
• Philadelphia Futures: provides full-tuition scholarships to Philadelphia students, with plans to grow to 12 scholars enrolled annually.