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A Foundation of Support
With the expansion of Drosdick Hall complete, it’s easy to walk inside and see the obvious contributions from the team of engineers, architects and builders who created the space. But the project would have gone nowhere without substantial support from generous donors. Here is a bit about the people who gave their names to the labs, halls and seminar rooms that make Drosdick Hall what it is.
Jones Family Learning Commons
The soaring, three-story atrium at the center of the expansion already serves as a community gathering space for students from all majors on campus. But it got its name from a College of Engineering alum who became a success in the field of chemical engineering, John P. Jones III ’72 ChE, and his wife, Denise.
Before he retired as chairman and CEO of Air Products and Chemicals Inc., an industrial gas supplier, John rose through the ranks of various subsidiaries and led its
European company. He now serves on the boards of ADP and the Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health. He has also served on the Villanova University Board of Trustees. Denise is a graduate of Rosemont College, and they have two daughters, Marcelle and Jacqueline.
“We are excited to support this new facility that will allow Villanova to elevate the Nova Engineering experience for its current and future students,” John says.
Rowen Bioengineering Laboratory
Inside the Rowen Bioengineering Lab, researchers are investigating drug targets for food-borne pathogens, repurposing FDA-approved drugs for neurodegenerative diseases and developing earthworm hemoglobin as an ultra-stable alternative to donated red blood cells. Their facility became possible in part due to Diane and Jim Rowen.
Diane ’86 CLAS and her family have been staunch supporters of Catholic education, providing funding for STEM instruction and research at 18 institutions in the Northeast. She is currently a Villanova trustee. Jim, former COO of Renaissance Technology, founded venture capitalist firm Lightscape Partners, focusing on artificial intelligence across numerous industry verticals. He serves as a trustee for Fordham University, where he is an alumnus. The Rowens are the parents of three children, Kaitlin, Jim ’16 VSB and Megan ’20 CLAS.
The family’s name may already be familiar. The Rowen Campus Green honors the family’s previous commitments to the University benefiting students and several areas across campus.
“Villanova’s new Bioengineering Laboratory represents for us the intersection of innovation, compassion and education—the very values that will shape the future of health care and technology,” the Rowens say. “Supporting this initiative is not just an investment in cutting-edge research but a commitment to empowering the next generation of Villanova leaders who will transform lives and solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Clark Robotics, Dynamics and Systems Laboratory
Research conducted by our mechanical engineers will revolutionize robotics and automation across a variety of fields. Recognizing this importance, Mechanical Engineering alumnus Harry Clark ’64 ME, ’69 MSME lent his name to this important lab.
After graduating from Villanova, Harry (pictured above with his wife, Kina Simeone-Clark) worked for several years as an engineer, building dams and power stations. A career change into the finance world led Harry in 1986 to found Clark Capital Management Group (CCMG), an independent asset management firm. In 2024, for the fourth time in five years, CCMG was named Asset Manager of the Year by the Money Management Institute and Barron’s, ranked among firms with assets under management below $100 billion. The Philadelphia Business Journal has also named CCMG one of the best places to work in Philadelphia for six straight years. Harry is a frequent guest on CNBC and CNN and has written for Business Week, The Financial Journal and other financial publications.
“There is no better way to deploy capital than to help young engineers reach their goals, especially in relatively new technologies of robotics and systems engineering,” Harry says.
Dolan Family CEE Soil and Mechanics Lab
The College’s commitment to efficiency and innovation is exemplified by this lab named for the Dolan Family. This teaching lab houses undergraduate courses taught by water resources and geotechnical engineering faculty, with a focus on water and soil challenges in civil infrastructure. The Dolan family has a long-standing legacy in the engineering and construction industry, working together to lead Dolan Contractors and its San Antonio affiliate, Green Mountain Construction, both specializing in engineering and design/build development. Founded by Edward Dolan, the multigenerational family business thrives today under the leadership of Michael, Theresa and Joseph Dolan, who each play integral roles in its continued success.
The Dolans’ dedication to engineering and business excellence is mirrored by their deep-rooted ties to Villanova University, where Michael and Theresa’s son, Joseph ’19 CE, earned his degree. The family’s Villanova legacy spans generations, including Theresa’s father, as well as Michael’s uncle and two siblings, underscoring their enduring commitment to both their profession and their alma mater.
“Villanova’s mission of truth, unity and love aligns perfectly with the Dolan family’s commitment to Catholic leadership, integrity and service—values that inspire our support of this project and our dedication to future Villanovans,” the family says.
Metz Zone
If the Jones Family Learning Commons is the heart of Drosdick Hall, then the Metz Zone is the rest of the circulatory system. Serving as the administrative and professional development hub for undergraduate students, the Metz Zone houses the College’s Office of Undergraduate Affairs.
The space is named for Arthur and Laura Metzler. Arthur ’86 ME is a University trustee and president of AMA Group, a national 250-person engineering design and construction management firm that he founded in 2000 and that recently merged with Legence, a Blackstone portfolio company. Arthur has evolved into an industry leader in designing media and production facilities, including for NFL Media, NBCUniversal, CBS, Telemundo and Fox News. Laura, who studied journalism at Ohio State University and for many years was employed by NBCUniversal, co-chairs the VU Parents and Family Committee for Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University. Two of their four children are also Villanovans: Arthur ’24 VSB and Ella ’26 CLAS.
“When first asked to participate by Dean Gabriele back in 2012, the project was a modest expansion and we were moderately interested,” Arthur says. “But as the project grew more aspirational and transformative over the next 10 years, our interest and excitement grew exponentially, such that Drosdick Hall became the area at Villanova that we wanted to focus our continued philanthropic goal, giving back to the Engineering community which afforded me such a great engineering foundation.”
Piazzola Engineering Gateway
Upon entering the Piazzola Engineering Gateway, the grand lobby area of Drosdick Hall, visitors are immediately greeted by one of the building’s signature design pieces, the St. Patrick medallion. This bronze fixture displays the patron saint of engineers and is encircled by images representing seven engineering disciplines at Villanova: Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Sustainable, Biological and Computer.
Nick Piazzola ’68 EE and his wife, Deirdre, made this gorgeous Engineering Gateway possible. An expert in secure telephone communications and cybersecurity, Nick spent nearly three decades with the National Security Agency, earning the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and Presidential Design Achievement Award before transitioning to a vice president role at VeriSign. After retiring in 2014, Nick invested in a restaurant, Arturo’s Trattoria in Glen Burnie, Md., satisfying his passion for Italian food and wine. Nick and Deirdre also funded and named the Cybersecurity Physical Systems Lab in the former Center for Engineering Education and Research in 2016.
“My Villanova Engineering education enabled the success in my government and industry careers,” Nick says. “Contributing to the new Villanova Engineering building was a great way to thank the University and help future generations of Villanova Engineers.”
Drosdick Hall's Newest Named Space: Kinsley Living Laboratory and Rooftop Terrace
In the spring, the College of Engineering announced the naming of the Kinsley Living Laboratory and Rooftop Terrace, in recognition of a gift from the Kinsley Foundation. Spanning nearly 1,800 square feet, the terrace serves as a cutting-edge research and teaching space, while also providing a stunning venue for small campus gatherings. With design elements including advanced water reuse systems and real-time climate-monitoring technology, this instrumented green roof facilitates interdisciplinary collaborations between the College’s civil and computer engineers to develop and refine data collection systems, among other research.
OTHER NOTABLE SPACES
Dionisio Family Lecture Hall
This 134-seat tiered classroom was named for the family of John Dionisio, father of Michelle Callow ’03 CE, ’04 MSCE. John is executive vice chairman of Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc., which he co-founded to invest in the transport and logistics sector. A Professional Engineer, John previously was chairman, CEO, president and a founding shareholder at the multinational engineering giant AECOM, where he spent more than four decades. He also served on Villanova’s Engineering Advisory Board from 2018 to 2024.
Ward-Cunningham Seminar Room
A more intimate, 43-seat seminar room, this multifunctional classroom was named after Susan Ward ’80 ChE and her husband, Patrick Cunningham. Susan, who serves on Villanova’s Board of Trustees, retired as head of mergers and acquisitions and commercial finance–Americas of Shell Oil Co. after serving as CFO and vice president of publicly traded Shell Midstream. Patrick is a retired officer in the Coast Guard. The parents of Ryan Cunningham ’08 VSB, the couple have also provided two endowments for the College of Engineering, supporting the annual Patrick J. Cunningham Jr. and Susan Ward ’80 Endowed Lecture Series in Engineering and the Patrick J. Cunningham Jr. and Susan Ward ’80 Endowed Fund for Professional Development.
Mendoza Family Board Room
This stately conference room, named for Juan Simón Mendoza and his wife, Cristina Peña de Mendoza, seats 24 guests and overlooks Tolentine Hall. Together with his brother, Lorenzo Mendoza, Juan runs Empresas Polar, one of the largest food and beverage conglomerates in Venezuela, with operations in Latin America, the US and Europe. The company was founded by their grandfather in 1941. Juan previously served as president of the Venezuelan Executives Association and the Chamber of Venezuelan Business. His family’s charity, Fundación Empresas Polar, is focused on education, health and community development, and offers the most important award given to contemporary scientists in Venezuela. The Mendozas are the parents of Ximena ’21 ME and Maria ’27 FCN.
