By James Hurley
Ionian EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Iona College is an institution with a sense of purpose and mission. That mission is constantly in action both on and off campus through the actions of administrators, faculty, staff and students. In an effort to help foster a better understanding of that mission, the College created the Office of Mission Integration in 1994. Since that time the office has played an integral role in aiding both faculty and staff, and arguably students to a certain degree, in identifying and understanding the mission of Iona College as highlighted through an education steeped in the Christian Brother tradition.

It is with a warm welcome that Iona College has appointed Dr. Regina Plunkett-Dowling to the position of Director of Mission Integration. Plunkett-Dowling spent a total of 11 years at Fordham University, divided between teaching in the theology department and serving as an administrator. Having been required to divide her time at Fordham between the Lincoln Center campus and the Rose Hill campus, Plunkett-Dowling is looking forward to working on a single campus, with a single drive and focus. Plunkett-Dowling joins Iona with a strong background in theology, specifically Christian scripture. She holds her degrees, including a doctorate in religious studies, from Yale University. In a recent interview Plunkett-Dowling expressed her excitement in her new position and for Iona College as a whole. "Everybody I spoke to about Iona had nothing but great things to say about it and the sense of community it has", Plunkett-Dowling said. Plunkett-Dowling also described Iona College as a "wonderful community" of which she feels comfortable in.

Prior to her entrance into academia, Plunkett-Dowling participated in the Peace Corps program during which she volunteered in Nepal. In a prepared statement, Plunkett-Dowling commented on the fact that such an experience was transformative in its very nature, and she would be happy to talk with any Iona student considering international service Although this is her first experience with the Christian Brothers, Plunkett-Dowling has expressed genuine enthusiasm in the mission, life, and actions of Blessed Edmund Rice. Looking to the future Plunkett-Dowling is interested in participating, in some capacity, with the Iona in Mission trips housed out of the Center for Campus Ministries and various other opportunities on campus.

Plunkett-Dowling has replaced Theresa Johnson who served as the Director of Mission Integration since 2003. During that time Johnson developed countless initiatives to foster a greater understanding of social justice on campus. Johnson, too, partook in an Iona in Mission trip during her tenure, leading a group of students this past summer to Kenya. Her presence at Iona College will be missed by many.  There was a search committee which was put in place in an effort to find a replacement for Johnson. The search committee was comprised of various members of the Iona Community, all of which took their task quite seriously. "[The committee] realized the impact the Director of Mission Integration has on the present and future of Iona College, and voiced their support for Plunkett-Dowling stemming from this realization", Executive Assistant to the President, Sister Patricia McGinley said. Plunkett-Dowling echoed throughout the search process and again recently that "mission should inspire all", a statement that carries with it much power and focus which will come into being in the months and years to come at Iona College.

"I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Regina Plunkett-Dowling to the campus, and look forward to working with her in the future", McGinley said in a prepared statement. 

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For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu