Paul Bowen 9W2, Masonry Contractor
Wesleys Receive Boards’ Prestigious Isaiah V. Williamson Award at Founder’ s Day
6
Alumnus Profile
Paul Bowen 9W2, Masonry Contractor
Paul Bowen 9W2 loves masonry and has been running Paul A. Bowen Masonry as the sole proprietor since 1992.
His business is still going strong and he does a little bit of everything related to masonry- stone work, outdoor barbecues, pools, fireplaces, brick veneer, and general masonry.
Headquartered in Havertown, Pa., much of this work is done in towns along Philadelphia’ s Main Line.
All these years, he has never advertised, relying solely on word of mouth to get business.
He often hires Williamson underclassmen during the summer as interns and enjoys teaching them about the trade.
His love of teaching masonry recently led him to becoming an adjunct masonry instructor one day a week in Williamson’ s Masonry Shop.
He says,“ The students are skilled and great guys. They are a pleasure to work with and are super polite. It is rewarding to see how much they have learned in a short amount of time. They all try very hard and have a great attitude. It is very rewarding to teach them my trade.”
This position came about as a result of helping out in the shop over the years, such as giving a lesson in flagstone.
He has often assisted with the campus’ SkillsUSA masonry competitions and this past December during the competition could be seen mixing cement.
Several years ago, he started the annual visit of Williamson’ s masonry students to the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, where they watched bricklaying competitions, did a lot of networking among employers in the masonry field, and learned of the newest masonry products. The event is intended to promote the many benefits of a career as a mason.
Bowen grew up in Haverford Township, Pa., and graduated from Haverford High School. In high school, he was on the golf team and took carpentry classes. His father was a general contractor and he learned a lot working with him summers.
After learning of Williamson from some alumni, he decided to enroll in the masonry program.
He is very appreciative of his Williamson education and says,“ At Williamson, I was taught how to earn a living as a
Paul Bowen 9W2 in Williamson’ s Masonry Shop where he has been teaching as an adjunct instructor.
mason. I learned skills I still use today. In addition to learning in the shop, I did side jobs evenings and weekends, often working with my classmate Dean Iacobucci. We poured the steps going from the dormitories to the Restall Sports Center and they are still in use today. I was known as a hard worker among my instructors and fellow students.”
As a student, he was the baseball team manager, lifted weights, and played intramural volleyball, winning first place three years in a row.
After graduating, while running his business, he often worked with Iacobucci for various contractors doing stone work, concrete, and brick.
Williamson is a huge part of his life and he enjoys giving back. As an alumnus, he attends as many alumni activities as his time permits, including the annual Golf Outing, the Philadelphia Phillies games, and Alumni Happy Hours.
In his spare time, he enjoys tinkering on his old cars. He and his wife, Adriana live in Havertown with their two boys, Nicholas and Joseph.
Wesleys Receive Boards’ Prestigious Isaiah V. Williamson Award at Founder’ s Day
Continued from page 1
In 2022, The Wesley Family Foundation gave the college $ 20 million to build the Joseph L. and Marion M. Wesley Student Center, which opened in January 2023. They then added $ 1.5 million for bleachers, lights for the athletic field, and some landscaping.
Bonenberger said,“ Since its opening in January 2023, this building has become the most popular destination on campus. It houses three basketball courts, an indoor running track, a weight room, cardio room, esports room, and rooms for student engagement. It also has a press box, a kitchen, and an outdoor veranda overlooking the athletic field. We are extremely proud of it.
“ This amazing facility has made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. I’ ve heard it is a normal occurrence for students to be waiting at the doors to automatically unlock at 5:30 in the morning. The building gets a tremendous amount of use and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
“ It also has helped get our alumni back on campus for gatherings and events with students, such as cornhole tournaments. Many special events have been held there such as our Career Fairs and Alumni Days. This building has greatly benefited our mission and vastly improved the day-to-day lives of our students.”
The Wesleys are also members of the Legacy Society, which means they have endowed the Marion M. and Joseph L. Wesley Sr. Scholarship. This scholarship ensures that a young man will receive a tuition-free Williamson education in perpetuity.
In 2022, Joe Wesley gave the keynote Commencement address and at the conclusion of his remarks, was awarded an honorary Williamson diploma, only the third person to receive this honor.
Joe Wesley grew up in humble circumstances with a limited education. He married Marion when he was 16. Bonenberger said,“ Like most smart, successful men, he credits his wife for a great deal of the success they achieved in life and business. He often said,‘ None of it would have been possible without the love and support of Marion.’”
He joined the Marines at 17, where he learned how to operate cranes. After his service, he worked as a crane operator for several companies. He and Marion then mortgaged their home to buy their first crane and started their crane rental business, the American Equipment Rental Co., in 1967.
They grew the company through hard work and sacrifices until it became a major American crane rental company. They changed the company name in 1976 to AmQuip,“ The Crane People.” Under their leadership, the company, headquartered in Bensalem, Pa., became one of the largest crane companies in the world. In 2007, he sold the company to a private equity firm.
As their wealth grew and they neared
The Williamsonian USPS( 684-860)
Spring 2025 Vol. 88, No. 2 The Williamsonian is published two times a year by Williamson College of the Trades.
Editor CARL A. VAIRO
Sports Editor DALE H. PLUMMER
Copy Editor MARY JANE TAYLOR
Periodicals Postage Paid at Media, Pa., Post Office
Postmaster, send change of address to: The Williamsonian Williamson College of the Trades 106 S. New Middletown Road Media, PA 19063-5202
retirement, Joe and Marion created The Joseph and Marion Wesley Family Foundation, concentrating on educational organizations. They began with generous donations to several schools, and when they learned of Williamson decided to help the college.
Joe Wesley has a desire to help young people receive an education because he grew up in humble circumstances with a limited education and knows how difficult this makes pursuing a career. The Wesleys learned of Williamson in 2017 from a member of the Board of Trustees and, after touring the campus and talking to students, returned for a second visit. He liked that many Williamson students have a background similar to his and he sees the value of a trade education. A patriotic man who believes the United States is a country of oppor- Continued on page 7
Main Switchboard 610-566-1776
Office of Institutional Advancement 610-565-1095
Williamsonian email: cvairo @ williamson. edu
Change of Address email: advancement @ williamson. edu
Web address: www. williamson. edu
Williamson College of the Trades prepares deserving young men to be respected leaders and productive members of society. Williamson develops the entire student, spiritually, socially, and professionally, emphasizing academic, trade, technical, and moral education in a structured community based on Christian principles, without charging for tuition or room and board.