40 Years of Impact:
James J. Maguire, BS ’58, H ’14, Makes New $10M Gift

The latest contribution from the visionary business leader pushes his lifetime giving total to nearly $85 million.

Written by: Victor Filoromo

 

When James J. Maguire, BS ’58, H ’14, made his first philanthropic gift to Saint Joseph’s University over 40 years ago, it would be hard to imagine decades later the impact that his donations would have. With a recent gift of $10 million to endow operations of the Frances M. Maguire Art Museum and Maguire Athletic Center, Maguire’s lifetime giving to the University now totals nearly $85 million.

"Saint Joseph’s University is where my life changed,” Maguire said after making a $50-million gift, part of which endowed the Maguire Scholars program, in 2017. “Early in my college career, I struggled academically, but it was the Jesuits who saw my potential and nurtured it, setting me on a path for success. I have never forgotten that it was at Saint Joseph’s where people first believed in me, and I have lived my life – professionally and personally – embracing the values that are the foundation of a Jesuit education.”

Maguire’s most recent gift is his latest in his long line of philanthropic commitments to Saint Joseph’s. From the expansion of campus acreage to generous aid given to students through the Maguire Scholars program to the renovation of the Art Museum and Athletic Center, Maguire’s foresight has helped position the University for the future.

These gifts, which impact the campus experience, financial aid and academic excellence, closely align with the University’s $300 million SOAR campaign priorities, elevating the University and positioning the institution’s growth for years to come.

A large chapel with a green spire on Hawk Hill campus

Transforming Campus, Enriching Student Life

Maguire made a $15 million gift to the University in 2005 that jumpstarted Saint Joseph’s expansion campaign with the purchase of the former Episcopal Academy property as the centerpiece. The property, which soon became known as the James J. Maguire ’58 Campus, reshaped the Hawk Hill landscape and the on-campus experience.

In 2012, when Saint Joseph’s purchased the historic former cardinal’s residence owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, it became the Maguire Wolfington Welcome Center, which welcomes thousands of prospective students and families to campus each year. Fellow donor Eustace Wolfington, BS ’56, H ’17, who also made a substantial gift to support the Welcome Center, met Maguire during their time at St. Joe’s and went on to develop a lasting relationship with him both in business and in life.

“Jim has always been a principled thinker,” Wolfington says. “And he’s always been very definitive in the direction he’s wanted to go — and very smart about it, too.”

To Wolfington, it's no surprise that Maguire has chosen to support not only the Art Museum and Athletic Center’s infrastructure enhancements, but also their day-to-day operations with his latest gift.

“The University did a lot for him, and he’s always been driven by giving back,” says Wolfington.

Since opening in 2023, the Museum has served as a vital and vibrant resource for students on campus and in local pre-K-12 public schools, bringing fine arts exhibitions, lectures, performances and more to the fully renovated Barnes property in Lower Merion. It also offers thoughtfully designed spaces for community programming, adult education, tours and classes.

Meanwhile, the Maguire Athletic Center, which opened in May 2025, has quickly become an essential and impactful space for Saint Joseph’s Division I student-athletes. It serves as the men’s and women’s basketball training facility and features an indoor turf field for the soccer and lacrosse teams, a training mezzanine for track and field, and a training room for the University’s rowing teams.

A man in graduation regalia holding a rolled up piece of paper

Investing in Students’ Futures

When Maguire enrolled at St. Joe’s, he experienced challenges with reading that affected his grades. Reverend Hunter Guthrie, S.J., an early pioneer in the study of dyslexia, realized that Maguire’s academic issues were attributed to the learning disability. Together with Fr. Guthrie, Maguire worked tirelessly to overcome his reading and comprehension difficulties, ultimately gaining confidence in the classroom and turning his grades around. It’s this spirit that spurs Maguire’s efforts to give back to the University that gave him so much.

With a deep commitment to financial aid, Maguire has unlocked educational opportunities for a talented group of academically and civically engaged students attending a Maguire Foundation partner high school. The creation of the Maguire Scholars program, through the Maguire Foundation, stands as a lasting expression of Maguire's desire to give back.

45

Current Maguire Scholars

121

Maguire Scholars at Saint Joseph’s Since 2011

37

Maguire Foundation Partner High Schools

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Unique Majors of Maguire Scholars

Recipients must achieve a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale, be engaged in community service and/or extracurricular activities, and wish to pursue a Jesuit education but lack the financial means. The current roster of Maguire Scholars at St. Joe’s currently stands at 45.

“Mr. Maguire has supported my education and the education of so many students at St. Joe’s,” says Thomas Van Fossen, BA ’27. “I’ve found community and connection through student groups and engaging classes. I’m truly grateful for his generosity.”

For Maguire, the goal has always been clear. Supporting one student means supporting every community and person that student will serve in the future. Investing in financial aid has meant supporting more than the individual — it strengthens the University as a whole.

A man standing at a podium speaking to an audience with red banners behind them

Furthering Academic Excellence

While St. Joe’s has long been recognized for its strong academic offerings, Maguire’s philanthropic efforts have propelled the University to new heights.

Having founded the Maguire Insurance Agency in 1960 — just 18 months after graduation — and going on to establish Philadelphia Insurance Company in the 1980s, Maguire was inspired to cultivate future leaders in the insurance industry. The creation of the Maguire Academy of Insurance and Risk Management (MAIRM) in 2008 was a major turning point for the University’s Erivan K. Haub School of Business.

I attribute most of my success to the Maguire Academy and the wonderful people within it, as they constantly support me and encourage me to reach for even greater heights. I have earned scholarships and internships, attended conferences, participated in a case-study competition, and had multiple opportunities to network and refine my skills as a young professional — all thanks to MAIRM.

— Trinity Summers, BS '27

Through industry events, the speaker series and other learning opportunities outside of class, the program creates a sense of community on campus and allows students to gain real-world knowledge. The Academy provides access to countless scholarships, internships and post-grad connections, and a network of industry professionals who have helped me manage school and made me feel prepared for my career.

— Patrick Colyar, BS '26

I was drawn to this welcoming program, built by a strong leader like Mr. Maguire. Looking back, I can’t imagine my SJU experience without the incredible opportunities offered through the Maguire Academy.

— Elizabeth Colpe, BS '23 Underwriter, AIG

The Academy promotes and supports the concept of risk management and insurance education and provides services to students, including scholarship aid, internships and co-op opportunities, and more. These students become well-positioned to make an immediate impact in the workplace upon graduation and are pursued actively by top employers in the industry.

“From day one, it was all about the industry focus to Jim,” says Michael Angelina, executive in residence and original executive director of the Maguire Academy. “We were able to tailor the curriculum and program to focus on what the industry was looking for, so students were prepared for a career.”

Beyond the philanthropic aspect, Maguire has been an essential part of the program itself.

“He has always been engaged and part of the classroom experience,” Angelina adds. “He loved to see students doing well. A few years ago, Jim joined our signature project where students performed a strategic analysis of a company and presented it to a team of five judges. Jim was one of the judges. And he really challenged them. Those students still come to me and talk about those interactions and how it helped them. That’s what Jim is all about.”

 

Fabric of the University

For four decades, Maguire’s journey of giving has been a part of Saint Joseph’s story. His philanthropy has represented more than just dollars, but also opportunity, hope and innovation for so many Hawks.

“It was important to Jim that his gift to renovate the Art Museum and support the Athletic Center had a lasting impact,” says Joseph Kender, MBA, vice president for university relations. “He was deeply committed not only to making the initial investment, but also to sustaining these spaces for future generations.”

From transforming the campus experience to opening doors through financial aid, and to advancing academic excellence, his work has embodied the Jesuit ideals that hold strong at St. Joe’s. And his legacy goes beyond buildings, scholarships and programs.

“Jim's generosity has shaped Saint Joseph’s University in profound and lasting ways,” says Saint Joseph’s President  Cheryl A. McConnell, PhD. “His philanthropy reflects not only his extraordinary commitment to the SJU community, but also his deep belief in the power of Jesuit education to change lives. We are so grateful for his vision, partnership, leadership and friendship.”