Iona University’s Liam Geer ’21 Honored as 2023 Irish Top 40 Under 40
The Irish Echo selected Geer as a rising personality of Irish America
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (February 2023) — Iona University’s Liam Geer ’21 has been named as one of the nation’s “Irish Top 40 Under 40” award winners by the Irish Echo.
Widely celebrated as the director of the Iona University Pipe Band, Geer was chosen for his dedication, innovation and achievements as an up-and-coming leader of Irish America. He will be recognized at the Manhattan Manor at Rosie O'Grady's in New York City at the Irish Echo’s 16th annual award ceremony on February 24, 2023. Vote for Geer to also win the “People’s Choice Award” at the event by clicking here!
“Thank you to the Irish Echo for this recognition,” said Geer, who currently serves in Iona’s Office of the Registrar. “Being selected as an Irish Top 40 Under 40 Award winner is a tremendous honor. I’m proud to be amongst such accomplished Irish-American leaders, but I’m also proud to represent Iona, where being a Gael has allowed me to celebrate and amplify my passion for my culture.”
Originally from Newport, R.I., Geer’s interest in music, especially the Highland pipes and drums, began at a young age. Once at Iona, Geer spent his time outside of the classroom supporting the Office of the Registrar, while also being a member of the Pipe Band. He received his bachelor’s degree in international studies, and is currently a degree candidate for a Masters of Business Administration in management.
Among his many affiliations, Geer is an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), an Irish-Catholic fraternal organization with the motto, “friendship, unity and Christian charity.” Geer is currently the vice president of the New Rochelle Division, recording secretary of the Westchester County Board and serves on the AOH NYS recruitment committee. Geer is also an instructor for the Pelham Regional Pipe Band.
Directed by Geer since 2022, the Iona University Pipe Band is a unique group of performers dedicated to Iona and the music of the Great Highland bagpipe. Founded in 1966 by Brother Charles Quinn and Jack Dooley, this award-winning group leads the University’s march up Fifth Avenue during the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade. In 2019, the group won first place in the “College and High School Pipes and Drums Division.”
“Thank you to the AOH and Iona University for all of the support I’ve received in light of this special recognition,” Geer said.
The Irish Echo is the nation’s most widely circulated Irish-American weekly newspaper. Each year, they present these awards to celebrate Irish culture and highlight the distinguished young professionals making a difference across all walks of life, from every part of the nation. See this year’s distinguished class here.
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 more than 50,000 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 is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2024 national list of “The Best 389 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. 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 NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. 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.