Pictured: Iona University students celebrate following the announcement on July 12, 2022. 

By Diana Costello, Iona University 

July 13, 2022:  It was a historic day as one of New York’s most influential colleges announced it had officially become Iona University. Founded in 1940 with more than 50,000 alumni around the world, Iona University celebrated the news with an unveiling on its New Rochelle campus.

In making the announcement, Iona University President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., said the change not only reflected the quality and prestige of an Iona education, but also that it will support the institution’s continued growth as it attracts top talent from across the globe. He was joined at the official reveal by students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Board of Trustees, as well as local community partners.

“While this change reflects the growth, structure and direction of Iona, it also carries forward the legacy we have inherited,” Carey said. “Our name is different, but our mission and values are the same.”

Founded by the Christian Brothers and inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and St. Columba, Iona’s success comes despite the headwinds facing many others in higher education.

In March 2020, Iona was on the front lines when COVID-19 hit New Rochelle – the epicenter of the pandemic. Hailed as the “first to close, first to reopen,” Iona nevertheless pushed ahead on its path of innovation under Carey’s leadership. Today, Iona University has emerged as an anomaly in higher education.

Not only has enrollment spiked 35 percent in three years, but Iona has even acquired a second campus in nearby Bronxville, N.Y., to help expand its programming both inside and outside of the classroom.

Most notably, Iona launched a premier new school of health sciences to develop the next generation of health care professionals in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian, ranked New York’s #1 hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Supported by a $20 million gift, the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences will open its new state-of-the-art facilities in Bronxville this January. Meanwhile, Iona continues to add new academic programs across the LaPenta School of Business and the School of Arts & Science, in addition to expanding club sports, performing arts and other activities that empower students to “Learn Outside the Lines” of the classroom. 

“Just as St. Columba, Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers looked beyond their own interests to address the pressing needs of their times, we understand that our mission has never been more important,” Carey said. “Class by class, year by year, we help students realize why it is in their best interest to choose a life of responsible citizenship driven by care and compassion over narrow self-interest. To the extent that we are effective, we not only fulfill our duty as teachers and administrators, but we also meet our social responsibility of contributing to an educated citizenry. These are the values that will continue to be the lifeblood of Iona University in the future.”

With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students, Iona is highly accredited, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The change to Iona University was effective as of July 1, 2022.

Reflecting on his college journey through a pandemic, Aidan Connolly ’23, president of the Student Government Association, said: “While other college communities were shaken to the core with campuses either closing for extended periods of time or in the worst cases, indefinitely, Iona beat all odds… I am more excited than ever to be a Gael. I can attest that being a student at Iona feels like home. Our tightknit community and our commitment to fighting the good fight while learning outside the lines has allowed the campus to blossom. As a representative of the student body, I am confident in saying that the institution and community is prepared, excited and ready to become Iona University!”

Mary Marvin, Bronxville Mayor, said: “What an exciting time for Bronxville to welcome Iona to our community. Fueled by the power and promise of education, we look forward to building on our partnership and ushering in the next chapter with the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.”