Honoring William Donnell '77

About the event

Location: O'Dea Terrace,   Villanova, PA 
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Please join us as we honor Bill Donnell '77 with the 2017 Loyalty Award during Homecoming weekend. Everyone is welcome to attend as we present the award and honor Bill for his service. Instituted in 1932 by the Villanova University Club of Greater Philadelphia, the Loyalty Award is one of the University’s oldest awards. The recipient is selected by the vote of previous award winners.

About William Donnell '77 VSB

William (Bill) Donnell is a long-time volunteer and member of many Villanova alumni initiatives. His involvement and dedication have enabled alumni to connect with the school and provide important financial resources. 

Donnell joined the Villanova Financial Club in 1984, and this group has grown from 35 members to over 100. Donnell served as the Treasurer from 1988-2014, President from 2003-2004 and he currently serves as a Board Member. He founded or co-founded many of their successful programs including: VUFC Internship Program, Boot Camp, Interviewing on Wall Street, Working on Wall Street and VUFC Mentor Program. 

At Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) he engages the large BAML Villanova  group of more than 400 at an annual cocktail party and networking event. Their guest speakers have included  University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, Provost Patrick Maggitti and Jay Wright, William J. Finneran Endowed Head Coach who join the BAML VU group for this popular event. The VU BAML group run in an Internship Recruiting and Mentoring Program as well as a VU Sophomore Introduction  to Wall Street program.

The VU  DTD Alumni Chapter, now includes more than 650 alumni and was a project Donnell became involved with in 2001. He helped to organize the alumni chapter finding, reorganizing and reconnecting over 500 alumni from VU DTD. Yearly events included an annual resume program to help Villanova juniors and seniors find employment by sending student resumes to all DTD alumni members. Also DTD basketball suites were always popular as well as the Annual DTD Homecoming Event which was  the highlight of each year. 

Professionally, Donnell has been a successful member of Merrill Lynch since 1983. Beginning in Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and currently is a Senior Vice President in the Merrill Lynch Private Banking and Investment Group. He also is a member of the Circle of Excellence. 

Donnell has been the recipient of many awards including: the 2016 Villanova Basketball Award, the Joseph Walters Special Recognition Award, and the 2010 Villanova Bartley Award – presented to outstanding alumni with distinguished career and extraordinary service to Villanova University.

Bill and his wife Gloria (Rosemont College 1978) live in Scarsdale, NY and his children include Jill Donnell Shinnefield ’03, Billy Donnell ’06 and Brian Donnell ’09. The Donnells also have 3 young granddaughters who they hope to see as future Wildcats!

We look forward to seeing you!

Questions?

alumni@villanova.edu or call 1-800-VILLANOVA (1-800-845-5266)

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