University Trustee George '78 VSB and Katie Coleman Make $5 Million Planned Gift to Support Scholarships in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
When George Coleman ’78 VSB reflects on his life, he often thinks of the ways ĂŰĚŇTV has shaped his path.
He recalls the Business classes that set the stage for his career on Wall Street, remembers the lasting friendships he built as a fraternity brother in Delta Tau Delta, and notes the subtle influence the University’s Augustinian Catholic values and teachings continue to have on his worldview.
“As a student, I felt I was surrounded by people who wanted to make a difference,” says George. “Villanova gave me the platform to go to the next phase of my life and really do something with it.”
In gratitude for the transformative impact of his own Villanova experience, and recognizing the enriching effect it has today, George and his wife, Katie, recently decided to make a generous $5 million commitment to the University through their estate plans. Together, they aim to empower the next generation of Villanovans to develop their talents and abilities, realize their potential and make a powerful impact for good in the world.
“I believe that education is the key to unlocking people’s futures—futures that might not be otherwise,” George shares. “It changes lives. It gives people the skills to change their lives.”
The Colemans’ planned gift will directly benefit the Veronica Ryan Coleman Endowed Scholarship, established in memory of George’s late mother. A dedicated nurse whose passion for learning led her to earn a doctorate at age 63, Veronica served her community with distinction and grace for many years, comforting and assisting those in deepest need. Through the scholarship in her name, awarded to an academically gifted full-time student in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the Colemans not only pay homage to her legacy, but also set the framework for future health care professionals to take up her work.
Importantly, the Colemans’ decision to make a planned gift was also shaped by thoughtful financial planning. George knew that his IRA would be subject to double taxation if left to heirs—first at the federal estate tax level for when the total estate value exceeds the federal estate tax exemption, and then again at ordinary income tax rates when distributed. This asset would be significantly diluted if left to their children, who would likely receive less than 40 percent of the full value. However, by providing in other ways for their children and directing this asset to Villanova, they ensure that the full value of this IRA supports a cause close to their hearts.
“I was always inspired by my mother’s work ethic and her care for those in need, especially the least fortunate among us,” says George. “She put a really strong foundation in me that I had a responsibility to take care of other people. Through the scholarship and this gift, I get to honor her memory, while leading from the front.”
As George shares, one of the most fulfilling aspects of maintaining the scholarship is noticing the parallels between its recipients’ experiences and those of Veronica herself—a daughter of immigrants and a first-generation American, raised in a working-class home in the Bronx. By making a planned gift, and by providing for the scholarship’s continuation, George sees himself bridging the past, present and future, carrying forward the values his mother instilled in him at an early age.
In turn, the Colemans’ gift to the University stands as more than a gesture of appreciation for George’s alma mater—it’s an investment in something greater. Alongside Katie, he is working to form the leaders of tomorrow, providing an education with a value they and their family understand firsthand.  Â
“Whether it’s my career, my friends, my children going to Villanova, or maybe someday one of my grandchildren going to Villanova, much of the good that’s happened in my life leads back to the University,” George says. “So, for me, leaving Villanova in my estate was an easy decision.”Â