Villanova University, founded in 1842, and its Division of Part-Time and Continuing Studies, which dates from 1918, have served many generations of students. To be part of this tradition, many students need financial assistance to gain the education that will help them be successful in their lives and careers.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Robert Stokes (610.519.4311) to discuss your interests in strengthening these programs or for information about how to donate stock or include Villanova University in your Will. Your support of the 90th Anniversary Scholarship Fund will make a difference in the educational opportunities for many students in the future.

A 90th Anniversary Scholarship Fund has been established to recognize the nine decades of Part-Time and Continuing Studies and to ensure that qualified students will always be able to complete their degree or certificate program at Villanova.

The division’s first two endowed scholarships (described below) have been established. The goal is to create more scholarships. Each endowment requires $100,000. Over time, with additional gifts and investments, a fund could support many students beyond the initial recipients.

Albert O. Rinier—Robert Francis O’Toole Memorial Endowed Scholarship

A significant gift made through a bequest from Albert O. Rinier ’71, as well as his family’s desire to complete the endowment in memory of another family member, Robert Francis O’Toole, provided funding to create the Albert O. Rinier—Robert Francis O’Toole Endowed Scholarship for Part-Time and Continuing Studies. In his Will, Rinier specified his intentions to recognize the Evening School/University College (now Part-Time and Continuing Studies). His bequest truly will have a lasting impact on the amount of financial aid that can be offered to future Villanovans.

Rinier, who had a 35-year career with UNISYS, was a caring individual dedicated to his family, his parish and those in need. Rinier’s loyalty to Villanova also was evident. O’ Toole graduated from West Chester University and earned a master’s degree at the University of Wyoming. A speech pathologist, he taught in many schools and spent much of his career at Philadelphia’s Harrington Elementary School. O’Toole often purchased coats for students in need. At his funeral, many people spoke of how he had quietly helped them.

O’Toole’s siblings—Jim O’Toole, Bill O’Toole, Catherine Allison and Margaret Roth—contributed the funds in his memory. “I think he would be very pleased to be remembered at such a prestigious university as Villanova,” noted Roth.

Bisk Education Endowed Scholarship

Bisk Education, the world’s largest exclusive provider of professional education online, has made a commitment to support higher education at Villanova. The Bisk Education Endowed Scholarship will reward the outstanding academic achievement of adult students in a variety of important  fields.

For more than six years, Villanova and Bisk Education have successfully partnered to deliver online certificate programs in project management, Six Sigma, human resources, leadership, information technology and other in-demand knowledge areas. These interactive programs feature streaming video lectures and live professor interaction, enabling students to complete a program entirely online. Villanova’s unique combination of academic excellence and online convenience appeals to professionals worldwide. Based in Tampa, Fla., Bisk Education provides a broad range of degree and certificate programs, many of them offered through the nation’s leading universities.

Bisk Education has had than 300,000 enrollments in online courses. Nathan Bisk, J.D. founded Bisk Education in 1971. Since then, this pioneer in online education has expanded by partnering with top-ranked universities like Villanova.