Senate Resolution No. 2017

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMEMORATING 50 years of women at Iona College to
be celebrated with a Kick-Off Reception in September
of 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those exemplary institutions of higher education within the
State of New York for their enduring commitment to the pursuit of
academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate 50 years of women at Iona College to be celebrated with a
Kick-Off Reception in September of 2019, and continuing with a myriad
events throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, This campus wide celebration will include lectures,
exhibitions and special events hosted by the LaPenta School of Business,
the School of Arts & Science, the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship &
Innovation and various campus organizations; these special programs will
highlight women and their contributions to the College and the larger
society; and

WHEREAS, Located in New Rochelle, New York, Iona College is a caring
academic community, inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and
the Christian Brothers, which embodies opportunity, justice, and the
liberating power of education; and

WHEREAS, Iona College's purpose is to foster intellectual inquiry,
community engagement, and an appreciation for diversity; and

WHEREAS, In the tradition of American Catholic Higher Education,
Iona College commits its energies and resources to the development of
graduates recognized for their ethics, creativity and problem-solving
abilities; their independent and adaptable thinking; their joy in
lifelong learning; and their enduring integration of mind, body and
spirit; and

WHEREAS, Iona College is a college of choice for motivated students
seeking to better their lives and the lives of others, using their
education for the common good; their success is facilitated by a
committed and talented faculty and staff, who inspire students to
prepare for full lives and productive careers in a liberal arts based
and a technology-rich, collaborative learning environment which
emphasizes critical thinking and creativity; and

WHEREAS, Developing the whole person, Iona College facilitates
leadership development, promotes community engagement and service
learning, encourages enrichment through diversity, and capitalizes on
its proximity to New York City with its wealth of learning and
employment opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1940 with nine Christian Brothers and six
lay faculty greeting the first class, Iona College's goal was to open

new paths to economic and social advancement for the sons of New York's
working class; and

WHEREAS, The name Iona was selected after a small island off the
west coast of Scotland where St. Columba founded an abbey in 563; as did
the monks of St. Columba's time, Iona's founders believed in the power
of education to move the world; and

WHEREAS, America's entry into World War II caused Iona College's
small enrollment to decline; only three members of the entering class
went on to receive Bachelor of Arts degrees in August of 1944; despite
this, the life of the college survived and student groups such as the
newspaper, sports teams and service clubs were active; and

WHEREAS, After the war, returning veterans, helped by the GI Bill
and attracted by Iona's practical majors, soon stretched the College to
capacity; in 1948, 71 men graduated and by 1950, the number increased to
300; and

WHEREAS, In the 50 years leading up to the turn of the 21st Century,
Iona College grew dramatically while retaining its original mission;
today, the college is a diverse institution of nearly 4,000 students,
offering 45 majors, 35 minors and 30 graduate programs, on a beautiful
45-acre campus; and

WHEREAS, With great admiration, this Legislative Body is proud to
pay tribute to this eminent college which stands at the threshold of the
future with its legacy of outstanding achievements and its impressive
body of distinguished alumni; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate 50 years of women at Iona College to be celebrated with a
Kick-Off Reception in September of 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Iona College.