News Releases, 2004 - 2005 Academic Year

New Rochelle, NY - The memory of John Cardinal O’Connor will be preserved in Iona’s Ryan Library Cafe through the generosity of Mauro (Chris) Romita, Esq. ’61, the president and CEO of Castle Oil Corporation, and his family. Members of the Iona community and the Romita family gathered to formally name the John Cardinal O’Connor Café and to celebrate the generous gift to Vision into Reality, the College’s capital campaign.

Romita spoke about his memories of Cardinal O’ Connor, who died in 2000, and said that the occasion was very important to him. In a letter he and his wife Camille presented with their contribution, Romita stated “we are giving this gift in gratitude for the life of our dear friend Cardinal O’Connor.”

President James A. Liguori, C.F.C. and Rich Petriccione, vice president of Advancement and External Affairs, were joined by Rick Palladino, director of Libraries, in honoring the Romita family. “It is because of the generosity of people like the Romita family that we can do even greater things for our students and further the legacy of Iona College,” said Palladino. A $5 million dollar renovation and renewal project is planned for Ryan Library to include a new North Avenue facing facade and the addition of a 7,000 square foot wing.

Pictured above are Iona President Br. James A. Liguori and Camille and Chris Romita standing in front of the painting of Cardinal O'Connor the Romita's donated as part of their gift.

Pictured above is the Romita family.

Founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Iona College is a private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of American Catholic higher education. Iona, currently listed in the US News and World Report's 18th annual "America's Best Colleges 2005" and The Princeton Review's Best Northeastern Colleges and Best 143 Business Schools 2005 editions, 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.

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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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