Derick Eastman VSB ’98 and Kelly Eastman COE ’99

The Wedding Rehearsal That Wasn’t

Villanova has played matchmaker for many couples, Derick and Kelly Hogan Eastman among them. On the first day of Kelly’s freshman year, she met Derick, a sophomore, at a party at his fraternity house. From that day on, they were together and would marry a year following Kelly’s graduation.

Derick grew up in the small town of Charlotte, Vermont. In choosing a college, he was looking for someplace in an area that was more metropolitan. Derick comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and a desire to major in business was a natural instinct. He knew he wanted to study finance, and Villanova’s stellar School of Business was an immediate draw for him. At VSB, his course work and involvement in incredible real-world projects, such as a collaboration with the Philadelphia International Airport to improve the airport’s security operations, stand out for Derick as defining experiences at Villanova.

For Kelly, who grew up in New Jersey, Villanova felt like home even before her first day because she had visited her brother, Jerry Hogan, COE ’93, when he was on campus. Kelly’s interest in mathematics and science drew her to mechanical engineering. Additionally, her family, like Derick’s, has a construction firm, and her skills as an engineer would be put to excellent use in the family business.

During Kelly’s time at COE, women were far fewer in number than these days. Kelly estimates that she was one of four women in her mechanical engineering program. One of her strongest memories is having classes in labs in the forbidding basement of Tolentine Hall, a far cry from the state-of-the-art facilities that students have today.

In addition to her engineering program, Kelly also took advantage of an excellent opportunity offered to students for the first time, the Summer Business Institute. This program, run by VSB, allows students to graduate with a business minor by attending an intense summer program, which Kelly describes as “fabulous.”

Having received their degrees, Kelly and Derick planned to marry at their beloved Villanova on Dec. 30, 2000. Three days before the wedding, it became clear that a major winter storm was heading their way. By Dec. 29, the weather predictions proved to be accurate, and the storm enveloped the couple as they made their way to St. Thomas of Villanova for their wedding rehearsal.

The forecast for the wedding day was even worse. While the couple remained optimistic, the bride’s mother jumped into action—she was not about to risk having the wedding postponed. In a brilliant move, she asked the presiding priest if the bride and groom could instead marry at their rehearsal.

And so they did.

The next day, the couple renewed their vows and celebrated at their reception with family and friends in attendance. Today, Derick and Kelly are the loving and incredibly busy parents of four children: Megan, age 17; Aidan, age 16; Abby, age 12; and Quinn, age 8.

Life is fast-paced with four children and two careers, but Kelly and Derick always find time for Villanova. They regularly attend basketball games, return to campus several times a year for other activities and stay in touch with college friends. Derick also is an enthusiastic participant in the annual Bartley Briefcase Challenge, which keeps him close to VSB and current students.

The Eastmans also stay connected to Villanova through their generous financial support, both with current gifts and with a planned charitable estate gift. They regularly attend the beloved Heritage Society Mass for thoughtful donors such as themselves who have placed the University in their estate plan.

To accomplish their charitable estate gift, the Eastmans have made a generous bequest in their wills to benefit scholarships at Villanova. They wanted to provide support for future generations of students to have that same experience they had.

Additionally, Derick received financial aid from the University, and he wanted to give back. The Eastmans believe that we are not here for ourselves, but to be in service to others, something which was was instilled in them at Villanova. Their charitable estate gift is one more way that they live this value.

Derick and Kelly’s story of giving back can be yours too. If you are passionate about what Villanova has given to you, consider making Villanova part of your estate plan. For ideas and opportunities for charitable giving, please contact Tim McKinley at timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu or 215-240-0812.