Faith
Integrity
Diligence
Excellence
Service
Fall 2017
Vol. 81, No. 1
Entered as Periodical
at Post Office, Media, Pa.
The Williamsonian
A PUBLICATION for alumni and friends of Williamson COLLEGE OF THE TRADES
Watson Dorm — Williamson’s
New Dorm — Is Dedicated
After the ribbon was cut officially dedicating Watson dorm, a large group
from the ceremony gathered on the front porch.
Nevels Encourages Service From
Students At 124th Commencement
James E. Nevels, founder and chair-
man of the Swarthmore Group, of Phil-
adelphia, one of the largest investment
advisory firms in Pennsylvania, told
the graduating seniors at Williamson’s
124th Commencement on June 2, to
make service a part of their lives.
“As a graduate of Williamson Col-
lege of the Trades, your problem solving
talents are great, and so is the need out
there,” Nevels said. “So put those talents
to work for others. In your career. And
in your communities. You will be better
for it by every measure.
“We all know service is the right thing
to do. I’m here to share a secret — ser-
vice is the very best way to succeed in
your business careers. It has made mine.
James Nevels receives William-
son’s first ever honorary degree.
Serving others is the very best way to
ascend in business life.”
Nevels said his company has succeed-
ed not just because of their investment
prowess, but because they serve their
clients. “We seek to serve them. Relent-
lessly. Unexpectedly. Enthusiastically.
They know that. And they never forget
it.”
Nevels, who grew up poor in Alabama
and became the founder and chair-
man of a large investment firm, said “It
doesn’t matter where you came from.
It’s where you will end up. And in the
process of going there, you must serve.”
Several years ago, Nevels served Wil-
liamson by facilitating a meeting that
led to the school receiving the largest
gift in its history — $40 million from
Henry and Lee Rowan and H. FitzGer-
ald “Gerry” and Marguerite Lenfest.
At the end of Nevels’ keynote address,
President Michael Rounds, presented
him with the first ever honorary asso-
ciate in specialized technology degree
from Williamson and the traditional
Commencement Speaker Award, a
metal cube that was manufactured by
Williamson’s machine tool technology
students.
In his opening remarks, Rounds said
to the Class of 2017, “You made it. Your
class officers have led you through some
interesting times, including the fact that
you reported here to the Williamson
Free School of Mechanical Trades and
are graduating today from Williamson
College of the Trades.”
Continued on page 7
Watson Dorm, Williamson’s first new
dorm since 1912, was dedicated in a
special ceremony on Alumni Day.
The dedication opened with a prayer
by Rev. Mark Specht 7W7 and remarks
by President Michael Rounds, Board
Chairman William Bonenberger, and
Trustee David Watson, son of the late
Wayne Watson 4W8, for whom the
dorm is named.
Rounds told the audience some things
about the person for whom the build-
ing is named — Wayne Watson 4W8.
Watson joined the Board of Trustees
in 1971 and served as chairman from
1983 to 2016. He was the first board
chairman to be honored with the title
“Emeritus Chairman.”
He also thanked the anonymous
donor whose extremely generous gift
made the construction of the dorm
possible. He thanked Kevin Blackney
7W6, of Blackney Hayes Architects, for
designing the new dorm to look exact-
ly like the original dorms designed by
Frank Furness. And, he thanked Board
Chairman William Bonenberger, whose
company, W.B. Homes, served as con-
struction management, and whose em-
ployee, Steve Cava 9W5, served as proj-
ect manager.
Bonenberger said, “I am especially
pleased that my company was involved
in this important construction project
because this is the school where I got
my start. It is now payback time.”
He then thanked the alumni who
were contracted and went beyond what
was expected of them, putting in many
hours as volunteers and, in some cases,
donating materials.
Fran Shoup 9W3, put in many hours
of volunteer time in addition to his
contracted work. He, along with Rink-
er and Brown Custom Carpentry, the
construction company owned by Ron
Rinker and John Brown, both from the
Class of 8W5, put in the front and back
porches and did other carpentry work.
Rinker and Brown did the installation
of the interior trim, all door hardware,
and cabinets. Mario Cetroni 9W3, own-
er of Marco Painting, was contracted
for all of the painting and put in many
hours of volunteer work and contrib-
uted many materials. Phoenix Masonry,
owned by Tom Collins 8W1, provided
the lead mason and together with some
masonry students, laid the block for the
elevator shaft and emergency stairs.
Other companies contracted included
North Concrete, who donated all labor
and material for the footings, founda-
tions, and miscellaneous flatwork; Ad-
vanced Sprinkler, who donated all of
Continued on page 8
Class Of ’17 Helps Fund Entrance Signs
Two campus entrance signs, which greet all who enter Williamson’s cam-
pus, were built in part with a large donation from the Class of 1W7 as their
class gift to the school. Help in the construction came from masonry students
and the landscaping was completed by horticulture students. The signs were
designed by Kevin Blackney 7W6, owner of Blackney Hayes Architects.