Iona President Joseph E. Nyre Presents State of the College Address at Spring Convocation 2012

New Rochelle, NY (February 9, 2012)-- Dr. Joseph E. Nyre, president of Iona College, addressed a large audience of students, faculty and staff on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Spring Convocation 2012 in The Christopher J. Murphy Auditorium. Convocation is held twice each academic year, spring and fall, to provide an overview of the current state of the College and to highlight plans for the future.

Dr. Nyre spoke of the actions the College has taken over the past seven months to overcome recent challenges. He emphasized that student learning and campus activities remain vibrant and are a priority as the planning process for Iona’s future continues.  He also addressed how the College accreditation planning and related processes are moving forward and how the current budget reflects reduced tuition increases, continued salary increases, additional support for student financial aid and balanced tuition within a competitive marketplace.

The shared impact of state, national and Catholic higher education trends on Iona and how they impact future planning were a focus of his remarks prior to highlighting his detailed vision for the College. President Nyre underscored the importance of: informed decision making; reliable and valid data; affordability; employability; academic distinction; student distinction; faculty development; infrastructure; diverse revenue streams; and of sharing the “Iona Story.” He outlined the next steps in the strategic planning process, encouraging the College community to provide input and advice on specific actions to accomplish the stated goals. 

Dr. Nyre thanked the committees and the community for coming together to overcome challenges and advance the core purpose of the College. He stated: “Through the collaborative efforts of the Integrity in Reporting and Strategic Planning Steering Committees, Iona College continues to accomplish the goals set out by Blessed Edmund Rice [Iona’s founder].”

He closed by emphasizing the importance of the next comprehensive campaign for financial aid, faculty development and campus enhancement, and how the College will work together to arrive at its next level of excellence. “American optimism is not an emotion of the past,” concluded Nyre. “Let it be a belief that is profoundly present in every corner of this College, rooted in reality; guided by our mind, bodies and spirits; building on our past, mindful of the present, reaching for a bright future; and always most dependent on our people, our humanity and our faith. It is a belief that defines Iona College.”

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