From Middle School through Graduate School

Barbara Sliker Weikert and husband Joshua Weikert like to tell the story of how they first met as students in middle school in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. She had an inkling that perhaps he was the one; he came to that conclusion a little later. In the years between their meeting and their wedding, they pursued their passions, finished college, completed military service for Josh and began their careers as educators. Barbara, a talented musician, initially considered going into school administration but realized that her first love is teaching music to middle school students. Josh combined his enthusiasm for all things political with a university teaching career in political science. They each chose Villanova for their graduate studies and were changed forever.

In 2000 Barbara completed her undergraduate education at Chestnut Hill College. While she had been interested in Villanova, she chose Chestnut Hill because it offered a music major. Josh is a graduate of West Chester University, where he pursued a political science degree.

Having lost touch through the years, Josh and Barbara reconnected while they were in college. Following graduation, Josh entered the U.S. Army, where he was offered the opportunity to study Arabic, an interest which he continues to pursue to this day. When he had completed his Army service, Josh returned to the West Norriton area and his relationship with Barbara deepened.

As they both settled into jobs in the Philadelphia area, they planned their next career development step: graduate education. They initially chose Villanova because it offered studies in the disciplines they wanted to pursue and because it was close to home and work. Barbara enrolled first and worked towards her MA in Education. In 2003, she finished her degree program and shortly thereafter married Josh. Then, Josh began his Villanova graduate work and completed his MA in Political Science in 2005. After, he received his doctorate in Political Science at Temple University.

Once on campus, they saw the true benefits that Villanova provides. For Josh, the University was a perfect size, offering all the necessary resources as well as a supportive community. Along with this, the tireless dedication of both faculty and staff stand out for Josh as critical elements of what made his Villanova experience so extraordinary.

As a delightful example of life coming full circle, Barbara studied in the St. Augustine Center, which her father, a builder, had helped to construct. At Villanova, she gained a deeper –and lifelong—appreciation of the Catholic tradition of learning by serving the community. She also enjoyed the sense of being enveloped in her Catholic faith.

Both Josh and Barbara credit the Villanova faculty and staff with giving them the “knowledge to change the world.” Barbara in particular recalls the research class taught by Fr. Richard Jacobs, as well as instruction by Dr. Catherine Hill and Dr. Edward Fierros She also was especially drawn to the multicultural and global education classes that were part of her program.

Currently Barbara is a music teacher in the Norristown Area School District. The combination of the revelation of the significance of service to others with the idea that we are a global community, both instilled at Villanova, has guided Barbara throughout her professional life. In 2020, she was awarded a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program Scholarship. Before the COVID pandemic shut down international study programs, Barbara had been planning on spending time in Senegal with this prestigious program designed to equip teachers to bring international perspectives to their schools through training, experiences abroad and global collaboration. She is optimistic that once the pandemic is vanquished, she will be able to complete the foreign study portion of her scholarship. Her takeaway from her Villanova experience is that through service, we share ourselves with the world.

After having taught at Villanova for a time, Josh began a position at Immaculata University. Currently he is chair of the Department of Civic Engagement there, which encompasses the History, Sociology and Political Science faculties. As if this were not sufficient to keep him busy, Josh also serves on the staff of Representative Joe Webster of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, aiding with explanation of the 40 odd bills per week that land on the Representative’s desk. He draws on his Villanova education and experiences continuously in his work in providing feedback, context and explanation to the staff.

Besides carrying their strong connection to the Villanova community, Josh and Barbara also return to campus for theater events and basketball games, as well as to visit the bookstore. In addition to supporting the University through these activities, Barbara and Josh have also made the thoughtful and generous decision to make Villanova a beneficiary in their estates. Joshua had previously worked in fundraising for a college and understood full well the importance of donating through one’s estate. He regards making a bequest to Villanova as a way to be a good steward of the University for future students. As Josh explains, making a bequest also allows a donor to provide for family and for the school, and not feel the pinch of lacking funds.

If your Villanova experience changed your life, consider joining the Weikerts by making Villanova part of your estate. You can make an estate gift in your will, through retirement asssets, real property, a trust or in many other ways. To discuss an estate gift, contact Tim McKinley at 215-240-0812 or timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu. Tomorrow’s Villanova students will thank you.