Wiley’ 25 Scores 1,000 Points
12
Wesleys Honored With Award During Founder’ s Day Celebration
Continued from page 8 legacy of our founder Isaiah Williamson, whose vision has forever changed the lives of generations of young men and our community. Our college has steadfastly championed Mr. Williamson’ s legacy ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and be successful. On behalf of the entire Williamson community, we are honored to continue his call to serve with faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service.” Next came the presentation of the Sons of the American Revolution’ s( SAR) William J. Yearsley 4W1 Outstanding Citizenship Award by Steve Kopsick, president of the Philadelphia-Continental Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, to Anthony Colangelo, a Construction Technology-Electrical junior. With Kopsick, from the SAR, were Bill Baker, Frank O’ Donnell, and Eugene Hough. [ Kopsick wore his colonial color guard uniform.]
This award is presented to a junior who has shown outstanding citizenship and the qualities of industry, self-discipline, personal integrity, reliability, and contributions above the call of duty. He also must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher and have fewer than 28 disciplinary points. [ A full article is on page 11.]
This was followed by the Student Tribute by David DiCampli 2W5, senior class president, who said,“ On behalf of the student body it is an honor to pay tribute to our founder Isaiah Williamson. Mr. Williamson’ s vision was not only to build a strong future for the trades, but also to build young men of character to be successful in the trades and everyday life. Many young men have taken the gift they received and continue to thrive in life. I’ m confident the students in this room tonight will do the same.”
Next, Chris Moran 9W9, president of the Williamson Association of Alumni, gave the Alumni Tribute, saying“ Williamson is a special and unique place. There is no other place like it. For over 130 years Williamson has been preparing young men to have successful
Connelly Foundation President to Speak at 132nd Commencement
Tom Riley
Tom Riley, President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Connelly Foundation, will deliver the keynote address at the 132nd Commencement at 10 a. m. on Thursday, May 22, on the Betty and Russell Harvey Athletic Field.
He began at the foundation as vice president for strategic planning. Earlier, he was vice president of the Philanthropy Roundtable in Washington, D. C., and associate director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. There, he was the principal spokesman for all federal drug control and addiction programs.
Riley often speaks and writes about charitable giving and has served as a contributing editor of Philanthropy magazine, a member of the Strategy Committee of the Alliance for Charitable Reform, and as a board member of many Philadelphia-area nonprofits. His local board service includes the Philadelphia Police Foundation and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
The Connelly Foundation’ s mission is to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in the areas of education, human services, culture, and civic life that strengthen resilience and help people to flourish.
The foundation, based in West Conshohocken, Pa., has donated over $ 400 million to nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area. Since 1996, the foundation has provided important support to Williamson with gifts that helped launch the Construction Technology- Electrical program, renovate Eyre Dormitory, build the Energy Island, and overhaul the Tech Center and the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel.
The Connelly Foundation was founded by Tom’ s grandparents, John and Josephine Connelly. John Connelly achieved remarkable business success as president of Connelly Containers and later Crown Cork and Seal, manufacturing companies based in Philadelphia. He and his wife Josephine, strongly motivated by their Catholic faith and their love of the Philadelphia region, dedicated their good fortune to helping others.
Riley earned Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Science degrees at Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor Degree at Villanova University’ s Charles Widger School of Law.
Marion Wesley looks at the Isaiah V. Williamson Award she and her husband just received during the Founder’ s Day celebration while William Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman( center), congratulates Joe Wesley and the audience looks on.
careers, be active and engaged in their communities, all while stressing the importance of helping one another. We are all part of the Williamson team and for that we have Isaiah Williamson to thank and extend our gratitude.”
William Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman, in his remarks, said“ On behalf of all Williamson alumni, both living and those who have passed on, we thank God for giving us Isaiah Williamson, a man of incredible faith and talent, who dedicated the best years of his life and the majority of his wealth to lifting up people he didn’ t know and would never meet.“ Thank you Mr. Williamson for the incredibly simple mission that the school was founded on 136 years ago which has not only stood firmly against the test of time, but has actually flourished since its humble beginnings. The mission is as simple and pure today as it was in 1888. Take teenage boys who have a desire to better themselves, but may not have the money or opportunity to do so, place them in an environment that feels like family, surround them with people who genuinely care about them, teach them a mechanical trade that will give them
Senior basketball guard Robert Wiley scored his 1,000th career point during his Williamson career this season.
He was honored for his accomplishment at halftime during the Mechanics game against Patrick Henry College.
“ Rob has been a force for us all three years that he played for us. We would not have had the success we have had the past three years without him. I’ m very happy for him to achieve such a wonderful honor,” shared Williamson’ s Hall of Fame coach Bill Michaels.
Wiley joins an elite group, as he is just the 13th player in school history to score 1,000 or more career points at Williamson pride and confidence, provide them with moral and religious training, then stand back and watch what happens. Each and every day of your thousandday journey you slowly, but surely, grow into a Williamson Man.
“ When asked,‘ What is Williamson College of the Trades all about, my one sentence answer is,‘ It’ s the most direct path for a young man to achieve success in life that I’ ve ever seen.”
He then presented the C. W. Schrenk 4W9 Young Alumnus Award to Daniel Deaver 1W5, an Aerial Line Supervisor at PECO, and the Isaiah V. Williamson Award to Joseph and Marion Wesley, founders of the Joseph and Marion Wesley Family Foundation. [ Full articles are on pages 11 and 1.]
Mark Specht 7W7, chaplain, opened the program with the invocation and closed it with the benediction. The Artisans, led by Sherre Gaertner, led the singing of the alma mater. Dr. Susan Waller, vice president of research and assessment, provided piano music as guests and students entered the chapel. The evening began with dinner in the dining room provided by Tim Burbage, director of food services, and his staff.
Wiley’ 25 Scores 1,000 Points
Robert Wiley 2W5