Remarks by Andrew McKeough at the 2026 1842 Heritage Society Brunch
COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA AND PRESS OFFICE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release | May 3, 2026
Remarks by Andrew McKeough at the 2026 1842 Heritage Society Brunch
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania
10:41 A.M.
MR. McKEOUGH: Good morning, everyone.
Thank you to Fr. Peter, the University leadership, the Office of University Advancement, and, of course, to all of you—my fellow Villanovans, friends and family. It is an incredible honor to be with you today here in Drosdick Hall, a very meaningful and special place for our family specifically, as we celebrate the enduring legacy and the very bright future of Villanova University.
When I was first approached about joining the 1842 Heritage Society, I have to admit, I had a brief moment of pause. Having just graduated in 2019, I am well aware that I am one of the youngest members being inducted today. Usually, when a twenty-something Villanova alum talks about making arrangements for the future, they are talking about securing a table at Kelly’s, not finalizing a planned giving strategy.
But in all seriousness, while planned giving is often associated with the later chapters of our lives, I quickly realized that joining the 1842 Heritage Society isn’t really about age. It is about gratitude. It is about recognizing the profound impact this university has had on our lives, and deciding—no matter what stage of life we are in—that we want to guarantee those same experiences for the generations of Wildcats who will come after us.
For my family and me, giving back to Villanova is not just an obligation; it is a joy. It is why we established the McKeough Family Endowment for the Washington Minimester.
During my time as a student, I learned firsthand that a Villanova education is not confined to the classroom. The Washington Minimester is a shining example of that. It provides students with a transformative, immersive opportunity to step out of the traditional academic setting and directly into the heart of our nation's capital. It allows them to engage with the political process, to see public policy in action, and to build the kind of real-world networks that launch meaningful careers.
My family and I wanted to ensure that this incredible program could thrive in perpetuity. More importantly, we wanted to guarantee that financial barriers would never stand in the way of a passionate, driven Villanova student experiencing that kind of impactful, experiential learning. I want to take a moment to thank my family, who are here with me today, for sharing in this vision and making that endowment a reality.
Villanova’s core values—Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas; Truth, Unity, and Love—are not just words painted on the walls of the Connelly Center or etched into the campus crest. They are a call to action. They challenge us to seek truth, to build community, and to lead with love.
Investing in Villanova’s future, whether through an endowment today or a planned gift for tomorrow, is our way of living out Caritas. It is an act of love for an institution that has shaped who we are.
So, while I may be one of the youngest members of the 1842 Heritage Society, my hope for Villanova is the exact same as everyone else’s in this room: that this university continues to thrive, continues to ignite change, and continues to send leaders out into the world with sharp minds and compassionate hearts.
Thank you to the University for this tremendous honor. Thank you to my family for your unwavering support. And thank you all for your shared dedication to the future of Villanova.
God bless, and Go Cats!
END
10:44 A.M.
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