Villanova University has announced four gifts totaling $21.5 million from alumni in support of its College of Engineering.

The gifts include a pledge of $13.5 million in cash and an estate gift from Sterling Construction Company CEO Paul J. Varello ('65) and his wife, Jan. The largest gift ever to the College of Engineering will support the Strategic Initiatives Fund, which deans at the school will be able to use at their discretion to support academic programs, faculty and students, infrastructure, equipment, and other needs.

Other commitments include $3 million from Denise and John P. Jones III ('72), retired chair and CEO of Air Products and Chemicals, to establish the Jones Family Student Learning Commons in the Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER); $2.5 million from Villanova trustee Nance Dicciani (PhD, '69), retired president and CEO of the Specialty Materials Division of Honeywell International, to establish the Nance K. Dicciani PhD ’69 Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering; and $2.5 million from Gloria J. and John G. "Jack" Drosdick ('65), retired president and CEO of Sunoco, to fund a new Engineering Innovation Lab to be housed in CEER.

"We are grateful that these distinguished alumni have chosen to reinvest their success in Villanova's future," said Michael J. O'Neill, the university's senior vice president for advancement and alumni relations. "Their generosity has helped us take a great leap forward in our [$600 million capital] campaign and will dramatically enhance the opportunities Villanova can provide to its engineering students and faculty."