$1 Million Gift from Richard ’83 VSB and Marianne Kreider Establishes Endowed Chair in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations in the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing

In continued support of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN), Richard Kreider ’83 VSB and his wife, Marianne, have made an additional $1 million commitment to elevate the Kreider Endowed Professorship in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations to an endowed chair.

This gift also advances a critical priority of Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University, to grow the number of endowed faculty positions and expand research opportunities for students and faculty throughout the University. Endowed faculty positions provide a dedicated source of funding to accelerate research, enhance teaching and support scholarly activities.

Originally created in 2018 as a professorship, this endowed position has supported a distinguished faculty member whose teaching and research significantly contribute to the healthcare of populations at high risk for chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The holder of the Kreider Professorship has enhanced, expanded and provided ongoing leadership in the development and sustainability of this critical component within nursing education.

Since 2022, the endowed faculty position has been held by Bridgette M. (Brawner) Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN, and she will continue as the holder of the newly established endowed chair. Dr. Rice, who earned her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the College, also serves as associate dean for Research and Innovation. She is a lauded expert in behavioral health and intervention development whose work aims to promote health equity and break down the individual, social and structural drivers of health inequities.

This latest gift represents the most recent chapter in Rich and Marianne’s longstanding philanthropic partnership with the College and their commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of high-risk populations. Over the years, their philanthropy has also established the Kreider Family Endowed University Scholarship, the Kreider Endowed Professorship in Healthcare Simulation and Innovation and the Kreider Endowed Fund for Nursing Research. In recognition of their leadership and impact, the Dean’s Suite in Driscoll Hall was named in their honor. Their connection to the College is also personal—four of their five children attended Villanova, including daughter, Kristen Triesch ’05 FCN, who is a graduate of Villanova Nursing’s BSN program.

Beyond philanthropy, Rich has played an active leadership role at the University. He is a former member of the University Board of Trustees, where he served as chair of the Investment Committee from 2023 to 2025. He also served as an inaugural member and chair of the College’s Board of Consultors. Additionally, he is a former member of the Villanova University Alumni Association Board and the Villanova School of Business Accounting Advisory Council. He currently serves on Villanova’s Espiritus Nova Campaign Executive Committee and is co-chair of FCN’s Espiritus Nova Campaign Committee. Rich also plans to rejoin the FCN Board of Consultors in January 2027.

As proponents of the belief in the power of a Villanova Nursing education, the Kreiders continue to make investments in Villanova Nursing’s faculty by providing them with opportunities to lead innovative research and simulation, shape academic programs and continue strengthening partnerships that address health inequities in vulnerable communities both locally and globally.