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New Rochelle, New York, March 21, 2000 - Thomas E. Hales, a member of the Legal Board of Trustees of Iona College, will be recognized by his alma mater for his long-term commitment to the College at its 39th annual Trustee Award Dinner Dance on Friday, April 28 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Mr. Hales, chairman, president and CEO of Union State Bank (USB), and a College trustee since 1995, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in 1958 from Iona. In 1998, he received "The Brother William B. Cornelia Founders Award" for Outstanding Service to Iona College. Other honors include the 1999 "Corporate Citizen Award" by the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Rochelle.

"I am committed to Iona and have been since my graduation more than 30 years ago. As a trustee, I see the gains the College has made, most recently by the Hagan School of Business which received accreditation from the premier accrediting agency for U. S. business schools, the AACSB - The International Association for Management Education. By empowering the College, we empower students, and they empower the entire community. I'm honored that Iona wishes to recognize my contribution."

Thomas E. Hales has been credited with establishing USB as one of the predominate banks in the Hudson Valley region with growth from $27 million to $1.7 billion in assets in under two decades. Today, USB ranks among the 250 largest commercial banks in the country and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. While growing at a breathtaking rate, Hales continued to focus on the bank's "Hallmark of Excellence," a program that outlines USB's commitment to its employees, customers, and the community.

In addition to serving as a trustee for Iona College, Hales's current board memberships include the Leukemia Society of America, Nyack Hospital, and the Rockland Economic Development Corporation. He was a founding member of the Rockland Community Trust for Strong Families and Resilient Kids, a former Board member of the Rockland Business Association, and a former trustee of Dominican College. He has supported Good Samaritan Hospital and the American Heart Association as well. His professional affiliations include the Independent Bankers Association of New York State, and of the Independent Community Bankers of America. He has also served as a Task Force member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

In addition to Thomas E. Hales, Iona will honor Andrew Dolce '57, a member of the College's Board of Advisory Trustees. Mr. Dolce is chairman and chief executive officer of Dolce International, which manages resorts and conference centers. Past honorees have included Francis Cardinal Spellman, former New York Governor Malcolm A. Wilson, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, former New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner and former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton.

The event will also acknowledge The Hagan School's Accreditation and celebrate Iona's 60th anniversary.

Iona College, founded by the Christian Brothers in 1940, is a private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of American Catholic higher education. The College offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, master's degrees in arts, science and business administration, and numerous post-graduate programs.

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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