Iona University Cuts the Ribbon on New Dining Hall, Student Union
A bold, student-centered renovation opens in the heart of the New Rochelle campus
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Iona University proudly celebrated its newly renovated dining hall and student union with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 20, marking a major milestone in its ongoing commitment to elevating the student experience.
The 20,000-square-foot, two-story transformation of the LaPenta Student Union reflects a vibrant vision of campus life, one that fosters connection, curiosity and community.
“We are excited to provide our students with this state-of-the-art dining facility at the center of campus,” said Seamus Carey, Ph.D., president of Iona University. “In addition to being aesthetically beautiful, it will facilitate cordial interactions among students, which will deepen the sense of community for which Iona is well-known.”
With sweeping views of the Murphy Green, Mazzella Field and the LaPenta School of Business, the dining hall maximizes natural light with expansive windows and retractable doors that open to outdoor patios.
Inside, students can enjoy upgraded campus favorites such as pizzas, pastas, hand-crafted deli sandwiches, international cuisine and more, alongside expanded healthy offerings such as vegan and vegetarian dishes, high-protein smoothies, gluten-free options, and fresh, non-GMO snacks.
In a continued effort to enhance sustainability and enhance the overall experience, the dining hall also now features reusable plates and silverware – adding that extra touch of comfort and environmental consciousness to every meal.
Peter L. Bonacci, regional vice president for Chartwells Higher Education, noted that in addition to the new food options and classic favorites, the project also expands the use of ordering kiosks and other convenient solutions such as the LSU Market, featuring Amazon “Just Walk Out” technology for grab-and-go and quick bites.
“Chartwells and Iona University continue to create unique dining and gathering spaces, which have flexible culinary and technology-driven solutions,” said Bonacci. “I have been involved with Iona’s dining program since 2009 and am truly humbled and inspired every day by what Iona University has done to continue to enhance the campus community for the future.”
On the ground floor, a 6,000-square-foot student lounge and club meeting space provides multipurpose rooms for student organizations, cozy seating areas, flat-screen TVs, and a striking gas fireplace. The lounge seamlessly connects to an updated, on-site Starbucks, offering an additional location for the campus community to gather.
“This entire space was built with students in mind,” said Kevin O’Sullivan, senior vice president for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs. “It’s about creating a place to connect, build student leadership, relax with friends and learn in all the ways that happen beyond the classroom, as a community of Gaels. We are so excited for all that will come to life through this new space.”
Together with partners Chartwells Higher Education, SLAM Architecture and Consigli Construction, Iona has reimagined the LaPenta Student Union into a contemporary, open-concept hub for the entire Gael community.
The project builds on Iona’s growing momentum under President Carey’s leadership. Following the successful debut of the 30,000-square-foot Murphy Green in 2022, this latest renovation further reinforces Iona’s commitment to developing dynamic, inclusive spaces that unify and ignite the campus.
“This wonderful renovation on campus will redefine how Gaels continue to breathe new life into our campus,” said Krisna Rivera ’26, president of Iona’s Student Government Association. “I am grateful to be in a community that invests in its students’ experience, both in and out of the classroom. I look forward to the many memories that will be shared in this dynamic new space."
New & Upgraded Dining Stations:
- The Kitchen
Hot foods like steak, chicken, potatoes and veggies - True Burger
Fresh never frozen burgers, loaded fries and more grill favorites - Wok
Made-to-order Asian stir fry, dumplings and more - Ciao Bella
Customize your bowl of pasta with your favorite sauce and add-ins - Al Forno Pizza & Pasta
Pizza, stromboli and calzones made fresh daily - Create Chop’d
Salads tossed with your choice of protein, toppings and dressing - Smoothie Lab & Soft Serve Ice Cream
Make your own smoothie or acai bowl and try the new soft serve ice cream - The ONE Sushi
Specialty sushi and poke bowls made fresh every day - Boar’s Head
Build your own sandwich with the best quality of deli meats and cheeses
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering 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. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.