Iona College Students Win $250 Grant From Association of College Unions International For Outstanding Multi-Cultural "Home for The Holidays" Program

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 2011) Iona College's Diversity, Leadership and Programming Initiatives program has won the Dr. Teresa D. Drummond Memorial grant in the amount of $250 from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI). Iona was cited for its "outstanding multicultural program," the Home for the Holidays event.

Iona is a member of ACUI which supports the development of community through education and advocacy.

In 2009, more than 350 students participated in Home for the Holidays, a three- hour celebration of holidays around the world that underscored the diverse heritage and customs of the college's student population and community. Various college clubs and organizations showcased a holiday that is unique to their membership including Three Kings Day, Chinese New Year and Kwanza. Students demonstrated how Christmas and special holidays are celebrated in their homes or in their country of origin. For example, the Gaelic Society focused on Irish traditions and the Italian Society shared special holiday Italian treats and customs.

Facts and highlights about various holidays were made available at information tables as well as food samplings. The event concluded with dinner and performances by the Iona pipe band, cheerleaders, dancers and singers.

Students who live in off-campus housing also joined local families and community members in the Light the Night initiative to decorate homes for the holidays.

Sherlene I. Ayala, MS, Assistant Director of Iona's Diversity, Leadership and Programming Initiatives, said: "We find  Home for the Holidays is very successful and meaningful because of the magnitude of the diverse student organizations which participate."

The grant will be used to help pay the cost of the closing ceremony of Iona College's Black History Month celebration with a performance of King Arts Productions' King's Dream at noon, Thursday, February 24 at the La Penta Student Union's End Zone. The production is a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that combines live performance with a multi-media presentation.

Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. 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 advanced certificate programs.

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