Tom Riley, president of the Connelly Foundation, the keynote speaker at Williamson’s 132nd Commencement on May 22, told the 97 members of the Class of 2W5, “As you all know, the five core values of Williamson are faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service. Those are great values. They define what Williamson is.”
Speaking on a stage on the Betty and Russell 5W0 Harvey Athletic Field on a rainy and cold morning, Riley said, “I want to focus today on service. Service is important to me. Service is a great thing. Service is not just an obligation. Service is an opportunity. You have the opportunity to do something. And that’s what service is.”
He then said, “Look at the people who are here today. They could be doing other things, but they are here. They’re here because they care about this place. They care about you. They care about the future of this place. And that’s worth their time and effort.
“That’s what America is all about. That’s what the secret sauce is of this country. It’s baked into our DNA. Charity and giving money away. Giving your time away. Volunteering. Helping other people. When Europeans hear of the generosity of Americans they are in disbelief because it doesn’t make sense to them. In their countries, everybody relies on the government for everything. Here, we rely on ourselves and each other. So service is your opportunity to show yourself and the world who you are.
“This is the thing I want you guys to remember. Times change, but people don’t. Human nature is always the same. It never changes. Whether it’s 20 years ago, 50 years ago, the Class of 7W5. 200 years ago, 2000 years ago. Clothes change, hairstyles change, and technology changes. But, people are always just people. They’re the same when you read stories from the Bible.”
He then spoke of three people who chose to live lives of service – Walter Stewart, Isaiah Williamson, and Tom Connelly.
Stewart, born an Irishman, but grew up in Philadelphia, joined the American army at the age of 20 when the Revolutionary Way broke out. “He was dedicated to his service and stuck it out no matter how difficult times were during the war. He had values and he had principles and stuck up for them, doing what he thought was right.” He soon won the respect of the men he served with including George Washington. He was rapidly promoted and was a general by the war’s end. “He’s not a famous person, but his efforts might have helped win the war.”
He then spoke of Isaiah Williamson. “He was born in a Quaker family in Bensalem. As a teenager, he was apprenticed to a guy who had a dry goods business. He saved some money, built up a good reputation, came to Philadelphia when he was 22, and got a job in the dry goods business. He eventually started his own business and retired at the age of 40.
“He traveled around the world and read a lot. He tried to enjoy the world, but something really important was missing in his life. It was service. The thing that was missing was helping other people. He took the money he had, invested it, and dedicated the rest of his life to making money so he could help other people.
“When he died, he left all he had for what he thought was his grand purpose, one incredible project – it was this place. It’s incredible when you think of the thousands of men who have gone here, thousands of men who have helped build, improve, create this whole region and themselves because of the service that man felt for everybody else. And, it wasn’t like he had to do it. He did it because it was what he wanted to do.”
He then spoke of John Connelly, the founder of the Connelly Foundation. He dropped out of school at a young age and then worked in a box factory where he learned all he could. He worked hard and learned self-discipline. In his early 20s, he moved to a sales and management job at another box company and shortly afterward started his own company. He soon bought another company and eventually became an international industrialist with factories around the world.
“He never forgot his roots. He never forgot the values that made him successful. He did not care about publicity, fame, or luxury. He cared about his family, his faith, his community, and Philadelphia. He said he thanked God every minute of every day for the privilege of being able to help all of these people. Service to others. That’s the thing that brought him joy and happiness.”
When Connelly died, his money went to the creation of the Connelly Foundation, which continues to help people throughout the Philadelphia area. “A few years after he died, we at the foundation learned about Williamson. He would have loved this place. He would have honored the people who work here. He would have honored you guys, the graduates today.”
“Here’s the thing, though. God actually is asking you all the time to help others. You just need to listen for your opportunity to make a difference. If not you, then who? If not now, then when? Think of those people who made an extra effort in your life, who chose to care, who made a difference, big or small. That’s you in the future, giving back and serving here or wherever it is that you care about. And it’s not because you have to. It’ll be because you want to.”
In his introduction of Riley, President Michael Rounds said, “Mr. Riley is a fierce advocate for Williamson, and the foundation has been instrumental in our success, having provided over $1.4 million for us over the years. The many projects they have funded include helping to start the electrical program, helping us create a campus energy island, and the renovation of the Eyre dormitory, the Tech Center, and the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel.”
Riley has been president of the Connelly Foundation since 2018. Earlier, he served as vice president of the Philanthropy Roundtable in Washington, D.C., and associate director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, where he served as a principal spokesman for all federal drug control and addiction programs.
The Connolly Foundation, located in West Conshohocken, has a very admirable mission, which is to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in the areas of education, human services, culture, the arts, and the civic life that strengthens resilience and helps people to flourish.
“The foundation was founded in 1955 by Tom Riley’s grandparents, John and Josephine Connolly. After John Connolly achieved great success in business as president of two manufacturing companies based in Philadelphia, Connolly Containers and Crown Court, he and his wife Josephine, strongly motivated by their Catholic faith and their love for the Philadelphia region, decided, just as our founder Isaiah Williamson did, to use their fortune to help others.”
At the conclusion of his remarks, David DiCampli, the senior class president, presented him with the Williamson Gear Award, a plaque made by Williamson students that represents the college’s six trades and core values.
In his welcoming remarks, Rounds pointed out that there were two empty seats in the Board of Trustees seating area, representing two trustees who passed away. One was for Thomas Ott, who passed away May 27, 2024. He joined the board in 2016 and was a key developer of Williamson’s newest trade – the Construction Technology – Electrical program. “This Commencement marks the first graduating class in the new electrical program and the first presentation of the Thomas L. Ott Memorial Award for excellence in the electrical field. And, we’re so happy to have Tom’s wife, Andrea and his daughter Cheryl here, and other family members, to witness the presentation of this award for the first time.
The second chair was for Larry Turner, who passed away on April 22, 2025. He served on the board 22 years, was a trustee who contributed significantly in many ways, and was completely dedicated to Williamson. Rounds announced that the board will create an award in his honor next year.
“These are two gentlemen who were here with us last year and are not with us today and we honor them and miss them greatly, but we are thankful for the impact they had here.”
Rounds also announced that his secretary, Joan Berry, was retiring after 18 years of service, and Dale Plummer, the Director of Athletics, was retiring after 37 years of service.
In his Senior Address, DiCampli said “I’ve never been prouder to be a part of something as I am today. We learned to rely on each other and we built a brotherhood. This is the closing of a chapter that helped shape us into who we are now. It wasn’t always easy and we learned to rely on each other.”
He then passed the senior gavel to Chase Thompson, president of the Class of 2W6, who said “I congratulate the Class of 2W5 on making it through your Williamson journey. You have put in work that outsiders cannot comprehend. Strive to achieve the next daunting task. Continue our pursuit of excellence. This is the moment you have waited for and you earned it.”
Olivia Martinez, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, announced the recipients of the Commencement awards and William Bonenberger 7W9, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented the most prestigious award, the Jeanette and James R. Clemens 3W4 Award for citizenship, leadership, and scholarship to Victor Valentine, a Construction Technology-Carpentry senior. Valentine was on the tennis team, was a student Ambassador, and sang with the Artisans. He also was a Henry Dunlap Scholarship Fund scholar. He volunteered for a Service Week project in West Virginia and did volunteer work as a Boy Scout. He was inducted into the I.V. Club and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and received the Williamson Association of Alumni’s Persistence Award in Carpentry. He has a GPA of 3.84 and received no points during his 1,000-day Williamson journey.
Rounds, Riley, Bonenberger, Giusesppe Palmese, Dean of the Henry Rowan College of Engineering, Chris Moran 9W9, president of the Williamson Association of Alumni, Philip Staurowsky, a Class of 7W5 50th class celebrant, and Rev. Dr. Mark Specht 7W7, Chaplain, then presented the associate in specialized technology degree to each of the 97 seniors.
In his closing remarks, Rounds said “You came in with a great attitude and enthusiasm and led by example. I’m super proud of you guys. You chose ‘Don’t count the days, make the days count” as your class motto and you really did that. Williamson is not an easy place. It’s challenging and requires hard work. Not many young men are capable of completing this program. You came together as a class and you accomplished the mission you started 1,000 days ago. You leave today not just as Williamson graduates, but as Williamson Men. Each one of you owes a debt of gratitude to your classmates, the Williamson faculty and staff, and your families and friends.
“Your journey as a Williamson student is complete, but you are now just beginning an exciting new journey and we are confident you are prepared and will carry on the core values in everything you do.”
As they left the athletic field, each graduate, with diploma in hand, rang the Commencement Bell signifying he is now a Williamson alumnus.
Commencement began with the Artisans, under the leadership of Sherre Gaertner, singing the National Anthem and closed with the alma mater. Staurowsky, representing his class as they celebrated their 50th anniversary of graduating from Williamson, opened the program with an invocation. Specht closed the event with the benediction.
