A Decade of Impact: Celebrating 10 Years of the Charles Widger School of Law
Villanova Law commemorates the 10th anniversary of its naming gift and honors Charles Widger '73 and Barbara Widger for a decade of impact on students, faculty, scholarships and academic programs.
October 7, 2026—In 2016, a historic gift from Charles (Chuck) Widger '73 and his wife, Barbara Widger, helped reshape Villanova Law’s future, establishing the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and ushering in an ambitious new era.
Over the last decade, the Widgers’ generosity, which includes a second significant gift in 2021, has touched nearly every aspect of the school. These gifts specifically support key areas such as innovation, scholarship, faculty, leadership and professional development. The gifts also support the school’s “Where Law Meets Business” philosophy, which infuses business principles, professional skills, ethical training and practical experience into a Villanova Law education.
Mark C. Alexander, the Arthur J. Kania Dean, arrived at Villanova Law shortly after the naming gift. He said it gave the law school the leeway to think bigger and aim higher from the start.
“Chuck Widger has changed this school in extraordinary ways,” he said. “His support has allowed us to expand student resources, invest in our faculty and staff, and plan strategically for our future. The foundation that he and Barbara helped build continues to strengthen our community and improve people’s lives today.”
Since 2016, the school has launched clinics and programs that give students new opportunities to hone their skills, including the Caritas Clemency Clinic, the Intellectual Property Law Clinic and the International Entrepreneurship Program. Additional programs include the Building Bridges Initiative, which brings together speakers with differing viewpoints to model civil discourse, and the Health Innovation Lab, a cross-disciplinary hub to explore emerging healthcare issues.
The school has added several endowed faculty positions, helping to attract and retain the highest-caliber legal scholars and educators. Thanks to the Widgers’ 2021 gift, the school also bolstered its signature Professional Development program by adding several key staff positions and expanding programming to help ensure Villanova Law graduates are prepared for leadership roles and success across a variety of fields, practice areas and organizations.
The Widgers have also made a direct impact on students through the Widger Scholarship Leadership Program, which provides three-year, full-tuition scholarships annually to a select group of students who have demonstrated strong leadership potential and an interest in law and business. Each Widger Scholars cohort receives leadership coaching and mentoring from Chuck Widger and other alumni. They also form a tight-knit community that they will carry throughout their lives and careers.
On October 1, Widger Scholar alumna Emily Newcomer, COE '12, CWSL '20, spoke at an event held at the law school to honor the Widgers. Among those in attendance were University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD and Provost Patrick Maggitti, PhD.
“So much has been accomplished because of Chuck and Barbara’s incredible investment,” Newcomer said. “As Chuck often says, successful enterprises are driven by two key components: talent and capital. His investment in Villanova Law, along with the efforts of the many talented members of this community, has helped make the Law School one of the nation’s top schools.”
As the University continues Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University, the Widgers’ support for Villanova Law stands as an example of how philanthropy can shape an institution. A decade later, their legacy extends far beyond the school’s name, creating opportunities for generations of Villanova lawyers and leaders.
“The true measure of a gift is what people do with the opportunities it creates,” said Chuck Widger. “It takes talented people aligned around a clear purpose to translate resources into programs, scholarships and experiences. The Law School and University community has brought the talent, leadership and daily commitment needed to turn those opportunities into reality. Barbara and I look forward to what the next decade will bring.”