Villanova grad gives $2.5 million

DELAWARE COUNTY

Villanova graduate donates $2.5 million

RADNOR TWP. A Villanova University alumna from the College of Engineering has committed $2.5 million to the school.

Nance K. Dicciani, the retired president and chief executive officer of the specialty materials division of Honeywell International, has donated the money to establish a endowed chemical engineering chair.

"Villanova's professors gave me the academic foundation and personal confidence to follow my dreams, and I want to ensure that the learning experience I benefited from remains possible for future Villanovans, especially in the areas of engineering and science," Dicciani said in a statement.

The holder of the chair is expected to help recruit faculty, develop both undergraduate and graduate curricula, and promote the department's research efforts. - Mari A. Schaefer