Villa Maria College has announced the appointment of Thomas P. Honan as its new vice president for development. Honan will oversee all development functions at the college, including fundraising, external affairs and alumni engagement.
His appointment marks another major change at the college, following the announcement of a new visionary plan in June. This is the first leadership change in over 30 years for Villa’s development office.
“Thomas Honan is an experienced professional with an extensive background in higher education development and non-profit advancement,” wrote Sister Marcella Marie Garus, president of Villa Maria College in a campus announcement.
Honan served for six years as director of corporate and foundation relations for the University at Buffalo, helping to secure grants for capital projects, new programs, research, and scholarships. Prior to his appointment at UB, he was vice president for institutional advancement at Hilbert College where he led efforts to increase annual fund and special event revenues, secured grants to create new academic programs, and directed a capital campaign that led to new construction and renovation of buildings throughout Hilbert’s campus.
Previously he held leadership positions at arts and cultural organizations throughout the state including the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Artpark, and the Kenan Center in Lockport. Currently, Honan serves as secretary and is a founding board member of the Girls Education Collaborative, a Buffalo-based organization that supports education initiatives in developing countries.
He earned his MBA and BA from Binghamton University.
A private, co-educational, Catholic college, Villa Maria provides the premiere student-centered experience in Western New York. Students learn and grow with a culturally diverse population and a culture that lives its values of truth, charity, and unity.
