News & Highlights

The O’Toole Family Foundation

The latest news and highlights about the foundation.

June 22, 2023
Gutierrez Named 2022 Trayes Scholar
PRINCETON, N.J. – Francisco Gutierrez, a 2022 Dow Jones News Fund editing intern at The New York Times, has been named the 19th Edward Trayes Scholar. He was selected for the honor by Dr. Ed Trayes from among 12 interns who completed his legendary editor boot camp at Temple University.
June 22, 2023
Mariana Labbate is Awarded the O’Toole Family Foundation’s Edward Trayes Scholarship
May 26, 2022
Mariana Labbate is Awarded the O’Toole Family Foundation’s Edward Trayes Scholarship
Columbia University master’s degree graduate Mariana Labbate is the recipient of the 2021 Edward Trayes Scholarship from the O’Toole Family Foundation. She was recognized with this honor due to her broad view of good journalism and enthusiasm for editing. A native of Brazil, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and completed internships at the Arizona Republic and the New York Times.
May 26, 2022
Jillian Atelsek is Awarded the O’Toole Family Foundation’s Edward Trayes Scholarship
June 16, 2021
Jillian Atelsek is Awarded the O’Toole Family Foundation’s Edward Trayes Scholarship
University of Maryland graduate Jillian Atelsek is the recipient of the Edward Trayes Scholarship from the O’Toole Family Foundation. The Dow Jones News Fund multiplatform editing intern at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is the 17th Edward Trayes Scholar. She was selected by Trayes, the professor who has directed the training program at Temple University for 53 years. Following her internship, she began her journalism career as a reporter at The Frederick News-Post, a daily newspaper in central Maryland where she covers agriculture and the environment.
June 16, 2021
February 12, 2020
Allison Swenson is Awarded the O’Toole Family Foundation’s Edward Trayes Scholarship
Columbia University master’s degree graduate Allison Swenson is the recipient of the Edward Trayes Scholarship from the O’Toole Family Foundation. Swenson received an undergraduate degree in psychology from Loyola Marymount University in 2016 before earning a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia last May. As part of the program she interned at the Associated Press, where she edited top news stories, feature stories, and mobile alerts. After her internship, Swenson received a six-month Voice Media Group Fellowship at Phoenix New Times where she works on a mix of quick daily stories and long-form, investigative news features.
February 12, 2020
Summer 2019
When Opportunity & Promise Meet
The O’Toole Family Presidential Scholarship delivers on its promise. In 2013, the couple committed to a $10 million gift to establish the endowed O’Toole Family Presidential Scholarship — Alex and Mafatta were the first recipients. “This day is a dream come true for us. We couldn’t be prouder to have you be the first O’Toole Scholars to graduate from Villanova,” Terry O’Toole told the graduates as they shared brunch together. “Hopefully you’re the first of 100 to come through this program.”
Summer 2019
February 27, 2019
Trevor Lenzmeier is Awarded the O’Toole Family Foundation’s Edward Trayes Scholarship
Recent University of North Carolina graduate Trevor Lenzmeier is the latest recipient of the $1000 Edward Trayes Scholarship from the O’Toole Family Foundation. The scholarship was given in recognition of Trevor’s outstanding skills and leadership at the rigorous Dow Jones News Fund Multiplatform Editing Training Program led by Temple University professor Edward Trayes.

Dow Jones News Fund
February 27, 2019
January 30, 2019 | O’Toole Family Foundation
Terry O’Toole Joins the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Board of Directors
Terry O’Toole, the co-chair and trustee of the O’Toole Family Foundation, was appointed to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum Board of Directors. This New York City-based non-profit organization remembers and honors the 2,983 people killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, as well as those who risked their lives to save others and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath of the attacks.
January 30, 2019 | O’Toole Family Foundation
June 10, 2018 | The Pingry School
The Class of 2018 Graduates!
Among the highlights of the ceremony—Pingry’s 157th Commencement Exercises—Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Edwards ’78 presented The Cyril and Beatrice Baldwin Pingry Family Citizen of the Year Award to former Trustee Terry and his wife Polly O’Toole, parents of Brian ’08 and Maggie ’05, a current Trustee. The O’Tooles were instrumental in starting the squash program at Pingry and were lead donors contributing to the School’s current squash facility in the new Bugliari Athletics Center. Their decades of support have made an invaluable impact on the squash program and on Pingry student athletes.
June 10, 2018 | The Pingry School
June 06, 2018 | Dow Jones News Fund
Aspiring Editor Crosses Globe
Natasha Ndlebe, editorial associate trainee at Clarity Editorial in Cape Town, South Africa, crossed the globe to attend the 2018 Temple University Center for Editing Excellence. A short film commissioned by The O’Toole Family Foundation, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Temple Center for Editing Excellence, served as an inspiration for attending the 10-day program.
June 06, 2018 | Dow Jones News Fund
May 14, 2018 | My Central Jersey
Gala Celebrates Spring and the Gift of Parochial Education
The evening raised more than $400,000 in scholarship assistance for children living at or below the poverty level. In partnership with donors such as the O’Toole Family Foundation, The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children has provided more than 50,000 partial-tuition scholarships, totaling more than $40 million, so that children of all faiths and backgrounds may receive a high-quality, values-based education at private and parochial schools within The Archdiocese of Newark.
May 14, 2018 | My Central Jersey
March 22, 2018 | Villanova University
Villanova University Surpasses $750 Million in Support for Comprehensive Capital Campaign, For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change
Villanova University announced today that its historic comprehensive capital campaign, “For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change,” has reached $750 million in gifts and pledges. The University reached its $600 million goal for the campaign in December 2016—18 months ahead of schedule.
March 22, 2018 | Villanova University
October 19, 2017 | Villanova University
Terry O’Toole’s Remarks at Villanova’s 2017 Business Leaders Forum
Dean Russell and Father Peter present Terry O’Toole with the Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion at the 2017 Business Leaders Forum.
October 19, 2017 | Villanova University
October 11, 2017 | Villanova University
Terence M. O’Toole ’80 VSB Awarded the 2017 Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion
The Villanova School of Business (VSB) honored Terence M. (Terry) O’Toole ‘80 VSB as the 2017 recipient of The Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion. The Bartley Medallion is awarded annually to recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers while also demonstrating extraordinary service to their communities and to VSB.
October 11, 2017 | Villanova University
July 17, 2017 | Pingry.org
Maggie O’Toole Joins Pingry’s Board of Trustees
The Pingry School announces four new members of its Board of Trustees: Anthe Angelides P ’16, ’20 (top left), Stephanie A. Link P ’25 (bottom right), Maggie O’Toole ’05 (bottom left), and Laura Overdeck P ’21, ’23, ’26 (top right).
July 17, 2017 | Pingry.org
June 19, 2017 | The American Copy Editors Society
Film tribute to Ed Trayes is also an ode to the value of editing
A new short film marks the 50th anniversary of the Dow Jones News Fund’s editing internship program and the 50 years that professor Edward Trayes has led the DJNF editing program at Temple University.
June 19, 2017 | The American Copy Editors Society
October 2013 | The Catholic Advocate
Short Hills couple establish $10 million scholarship program at Villanova University
A $10 million gift from Terence (Terry) O’Toole ’80, and his wife, Paula (Polly), has established the O’Toole Family Presidential Scholarship Program at Villanova University.
October 2013 | The Catholic Advocate
June 6, 2013 | The Wall Street Journal
Feeding a Stream of Nurturing
Paula and Terence O’Toole found a way to marry two causes close to their hearts. With a $10 million endowed gift to Pennsylvania’s Villanova University, Mr. and Mrs. O’Toole are providing full scholarships to two high school students attending Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools.
June 6, 2013 | The Wall Street Journal
May 24, 2013 | Philadelphia Business Journal
$10 million could change Villanova demographics
Terry and Polly O’Toole recently donated a $10 million gift to Villanova University that could help increase economic and intellectual diversity at the highly ranked private school.
May 24, 2013 | Philadelphia Business Journal
Spring 2013 | Villanova Magazine
Promises, Partnerships and Possibilities: A transformational gift creates access to education
Terence O’Toole, former chair of Villanova’s Board of Trustees and himself once a recipient of a Presidential Scholarship, and his wife, Polly, a Rosemont College alumna, have committed $10 million to establish endowed Presidential Scholarships for outstanding students from the Archdiocese of Newark to continue their education at Villanova University.
Spring 2013 | Villanova Magazine