James Maher ’71 VSB

For James Maher ’71, going to college was in his plans from a young age. It was not a family tradition, but rather a dream of his parents who never attended college, nor had any of their seven siblings. Graduating high school in the 1960s, he was oblivious to what constituted a “good” college, but nonetheless applied to four universities.

The University of Vermont and the University of New Hampshire both had appeal because of their ability to provide fine educations as well as great skiing options. Rutgers University was a quality school close to home. Villanova University, however, offered a school with a reputation for an excellent education, superb athletic programs and a recent co-educational framework. Jim was lucky enough to be accepted to three out of four and chose Villanova.

The transition from high school to a university setting was at first foreign and challenging, but later a smooth and meaningful change. Courses were well developed and demanding, requiring thought and offering the opportunity to question assumptions. Dr. Fred Carrier influenced Jim to think beyond capitalism, while Dr. Dan Regan opened his eyes to the many aspects of our society. Rev. George Riley inspired his love for business and law and showed Jim compassion and understanding.

Villanova provided a solid beginning for future endeavors and offered a well-rounded student body that knew how to celebrate victories and accept defeats. The educational foundation he received at Villanova was enhanced by a master’s degree in finance from Fairfield University to form the basis for success and growth. Jim’s accomplishments in the corporate world allowed him to retire at age 56.

The friendships he made at Villanova proved to be everlasting. Jim still recalls the amazing times and fond memories from his time on campus. After graduate school, he met his eventual wife, Sharon. The Mahers have been married for 46 years now, splitting time between their primary residence in Connecticut and a vacation home in Nevis, West Indies.

Villanova was the source for Jim’s success and the reason why he has been giving back to the University through monthly gifts. Jim also established a very generous charitable estate gift in his will to create an endowed fund to support the Villanova School of Business. He hopes his generosity will help others enjoy Villanova the way he had. You, like Jim, can make a lasting impact at Villanova. Contact Tim McKinley at 215-240-0812 or timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu to learn more.