Wesley to Speak at Commencement
3
Continued from page 1 to AmQuip Crane Rental .
Under Wesley ’ s leadership , the company , headquartered in Bensalem , Pa ., became one of the largest crane rental companies in the world . In 2007 , he sold the company to a private equity firm , and served on the board for many years .
Wesley learned how to operate cranes after joining the Marines at a very early age and realized he was good at it .
At the age of 16 , he married Marion and started a family . After leaving the Marines , he borrowed money and went into the crane rental business . He worked hard to make his company successful and even put his house up as equity so he could purchase additional equipment .
As his wealth grew and he neared retirement , he created the Joseph and Marion Wesley Family Foundation , concentrating on educational organizations .
His first major gift was to the Pennington School , an independent coeducational school in Pennington , N . J ., for students in grades six through 12 , where all ten of his grandchildren attended .
This whet his appetite for giving to another school and in 2017 , after learning of Williamson , he decided to visit . He was so impressed with Williamson ' s mission he returned for another tour . He liked that many of the students had a background similar to his and saw the value of a trade education . A patriotic man who believes the United States is a country of opportunity , he also was impressed with Williamson ’ s values-based education and teaching of patriotism .
The Wesley Student Center is expected to be ready for use in spring semester 2023 . The center will provide students with a place to play sports , have activities , and spend their free time .
It will have three basketball courts , an elevated track , a large weightroom , an eSports room , a lounge , game room , and rooms for clubs and activities .
The magnificent addition , plus exterior enhancements to the campus , was made possible by a generous gift of $ 21.5 million from the Joseph and Marion Wesley Family Foundation .
President Michael Rounds said , “ Joe and our founder , Isaiah Williamson , have many traits in common . He came from humble beginnings , started a business , worked hard , grew his company ,
Nicholas Davey 8W5 ( center ) holding his Isaiah Vansant Williamson Award . Also pictured are , from left to right : Mark Specht 7W7 , chaplain ; Davey ' s mother , Betty Lou Davey ; President Michael Rounds ; and William Bonenberger 7W9 , board chairman .
Joseph L . and Marion M . Wesley , the Williamson benefactors whose generosity is making the Wesley Student Center possible .
Davey ’ 85 Receives the Board ’ s Isaiah Vansant Williamson Award
Nicholas J . Davey 8W5 , a trustee since 2005 , received the board of trustee ’ s 2021 Isaiah V . Williamson Award from board chairman William J . Bonenberger 7W9 during a special chapel in the fall .
The award is intended to honor those who exemplify in their life and work the ideals of the founder of Williamson College of the Trades .
Davey is chair of the board ’ s Governance Committee and vice chair of the Disciplinary Review Committee .
He is founder and president of Davey Utility Services , outside Chicago , Ill ., a company he founded in 2003 . It is a consulting business that works to ensure projects are completed on time in a cost-effective manner and has offices in several states . His business now has an annual revenue of $ 1.5 million .
After studying power plant technology at Williamson , he gained extensive experience in the power industry working in the electrical utility business in both nuclear and transmission and distribution areas . He also had extensive experience in planning , managing , and scheduling as well as start-up initiatives and reorganizations .
His experience in the power industry began at PECO in Philadelphia as a technical assistant , electrical design engineer , system manager , planning supervisor , and work management supervisor .
He earned a bachelor ’ s degree in engineering at Widener University and a master ’ s degree in organizational dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania . He also studied supervisory development at PECO and finance for executives at Penn ’ s Wharton Business School .
and obtained much worldly success . But , as his wealth grew , he knew what was important was making a difference and giving back , just like Mr . Williamson did in founding this school . He founded the Joseph and Marion Family Foundation and focused on educational organizations .”
Piotrowicz Receives Ursinus College Award
Michael T . Piotrowicz , Williamson ' s longest-serving trustee , was honored by Ursinus College , his alma mater , with the Bear2Bear Impact Award for Leadership and Service on April 1 .
After earning a bachelor ’ s degree in economics in 1978 , he entered the financial services industry . He went on to found Legacy Advisors , LLC , which has become a premier planning advisory firm .
He serves Ursinus as a member of its board of trustees and as a generous donor . He established the Piotrowicz Family Scholarship and has given back for the Annual Fund , faculty development , capital projects on campus , and athletics programs and initiatives . He received the Glenn Eshbach Award and was inducted into the college ’ s Hall of Fame for Athletes .
He received Williamson ’ s board ’ s Isaiah Vansant Williamson Award , is a supporter of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation , and received the National Philanthropic Foundation ’ s Legacy Award for his extraordinary passion ,
He is active with New Life Covenant in Humboldt Park , Chicago . Once a week he feeds the homeless in Chicago with Bridge to Life , and is active with the Pregnancy Center in Elgin , Ill ., having served as president . In 2008 , he was inducted into the Sun Valley High School Hall of Fame for his outstanding career accomplishments .
generosity , personal commitment , and dedication to charitable causes throughout the Philadelphia community . He serves as the development committee chair of the Independence Mission Schools and is the vice chair of the Union League of Philadelphia ’ s Legacy Foundation .
Trustee Michael T . Piotrowicz