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Brother James A. Liguori, CFC, President of Iona College, Receives Arthur A. Loftus Award for Legacy of Excellence

Faculty and Staff Who Have Worked for 50, 40, 30 and 20 Years Also Honored

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 10, 2011) Brother James A. Liguori, CFC, EdD, President of Iona College, was honored for his legacy of excellence by being presented with the Arthur A. Loftus Award, during an awards ceremony dinner last night held at Lake Isle Country Club, Eastchester. The Loftus Dinner honors the service of an outstanding Christian Brother as well as faculty and staff who have worked at Iona for 50 years (Facere et Docere); 40 years (Pro Multis Annis); 30 years (Bene Merenti) and 20 years (Pro Operis).

The award is named after Brother Arthur Austin Loftus, CFC, who was one of the founders of Iona and served as its second President. He also held the post of Provincial of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and became the first non-Irish born Brother elected to Superior-General.

Brother Liguori was honored for his legacy of excellence as Iona's seventh president. Dr. Regina Plunkett-Dowling, Director of Iona’s Mission Integration, which co-sponsors the Loftus Award Dinner with the department of Human Resources, said: “Brother Liguori left an indelible mark on every aspect of Iona College. Under his leadership, the college's stature as an institution of higher learning grew dramatically as Iona transformed from a sleepy commuter school into a prestigious, nationally-recognized, mid-sized college and a vital neighbor in the New Rochelle community." She added: “An alumnus of Iona who also served as headmaster of Iona Prep School, Brother Liguori has made a lifetime commitment to the betterment of this school."

In his remarks upon receiving the award, Brother Liguori paid homage to Iona’s past leaders, noting: ”We stand on the shoulders of heroes and giants.” He added: “The future of Iona is looking very bright because of people like you who are passionate and will always remain true to the college’s rich 70-year legacy and its mission. If there was ever a gift to pay for those who have gone before, including the past leadership, it would be the gift of Iona’s mission which each of you holds so dear or else you would not be here this evening. Hopefully in years to come, everyone who follows you will hold it dear too.”

Brother Liguori will also be honored at Iona’s 50th Annual Trustee Award Dinner on April 29 at the Waldorf Astoria, in New York City, an event that will also celebrate the College’s 70th anniversary. He will end his tenure on May 31 after he presides over the commencement ceremony for the undergraduate class of 2011.

Iona Service Awards were also presented to:

50 Years of Service
Victor Stanionis, PhD, Iona alum (’60)
Physics
40 Years of Service
John Mahon, PhD
English
30 Years of Service
Frances Bailie, PhD
Computer Science
James Carpenter, PhD
Mathematics
Stephen D’Alessio
Computer Science
Alexander Delfini
Philosophy
Brother William Joyce, CFC
Information Technology
Robert Schiaffino, PhD
Computer Science
Warren Rosenberg, PhD
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
20 Years of Service
Rose Antonelli
Controller’s Office
Mary Hagerty, PhD
Political Science and International Studies

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