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New Rochelle, NY, February 6, 2003 - (Br.) James A. Liguori, CFC, has been unanimously re-elected by the Iona College Board of Trustees as President for a five-year term beginning July 1, it was announced today. Making the announcement was Mr. Patrick J. Lynch, Chairman of the Iona College Board of Trustees.

"Brother Liguori has faced some significant challenges since he assumed the presidency of Iona College in 1995," Lynch said. "The last decade has been a difficult time for institutions of higher education and many colleges have struggled. The entire Board of Trustees is proud that, under Brother Liguori, Iona College has not only survived but thrived. His leadership and vision have helped Iona to exceed all of the expectations of the Board and we are confident that he is the right person to continue to lead Iona College and to make it a model for other colleges to follow well into the 21st century."

Liguori, 59, is the seventh president in the 63-year history of Iona College. Under Liguori's eight years of direction, Iona has undergone spectacular growth, highlighted by an increase in Freshmen from 592 in 1995 to approximately 800 for 2003. The institution has experienced exceptional improvement in the academic proficiency of its educators and students, the development of its physical campus, the commitment to fiscal responsibility and record levels of capital development (see attached list for selected achievements) since 1995.

Liguori's background features 33 years of experience in academic administration including terms as principal at secondary institutions such as Rice High School (1973-76), Iona Prep (1980-89) and Bishop Hendricken High School (1992-93) before being named Executive Vice President of Iona College in 1993. He also completed three-year terms as the Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York (1977-80) and Superintendent of Schools (1989-92) for the Archdiocese of Newark.

"Though we have achieved much in recent years, there are still many goals ahead for Iona to accomplish," Liguori said. "We remain committed to the tradition of American Catholic higher education and the ideals it represents. We will continue to strive to attract the best faculty and students, and we will endeavor to provide them with the infrastructure necessary for them to excel. It is essential that we make sure that an Iona College education remains affordable to all. To realize this objective, we will continue to emphasize the importance of supporting our present capital campaign and future campaigns which we expect will focus on endowments.

"With ongoing commitment to our strategic plan, I am confident that Iona College will continue to provide a high quality education combined with social responsibility and a strong sense of values for future generations of students. We may be living in troubling times, but it is satisfying to know that Iona is helping to develop citizens with excellent skills and true moral commitment to improving society."

To help Liguori continue to lead with the highest level of motivation and commitment, the Board and his religious community have also granted him a six-month sabbatical from July 1-December 31, 2003. After nearly 40 years as a Catholic Educator, Liguori expects to use the time away from Iona for personal, spiritual and educational development before refocusing on leading Iona to the achievement of the remaining components of its strategic plan.

Founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Iona College is a private, co-educational institution of learning in the tradition of American Catholic higher education. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous post-graduate certificate programs.

For questions or more information please contact:
Meghan Finn
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
tel: 914 633-2005 fax: 914 637-2711

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