Vincent and Michele Beni Endowed Scholarship

Vincent T. Beni graduated from Iona in 1971 with a BA in English and completed his MS in Education at Iona in 1974. He earned his doctorate from Fordham University in 1981. Dr. Beni completed a successful and satisfying 33 year career in public education in 2004. During that career he served as a teacher and basketball coach in New York City and Thornwood, NY. Beginning in 1980 he quickly rose through the administrative ranks, becoming an Assistant Principal and then Assistant Superintendent in Pearl River, NY. In 1987 Dr. Beni became the Superintendent of Schools in Hastings-on-Hudson, then Southern Westchester BOCES, and finally in Irvington, NY. In his 17 years as Superintendent, Dr. Beni compiled a legacy of significant accomplishments.

Dr. Beni has received several prestigious awards from throughout the country including three from Phi Delta Kappa. He has received special recognition for his accomplishments from President Bill Clinton.

Following his retirement from public education in 2004, Dr. Beni embarked on and continues with a very successful consulting and philanthropic career.

Michele Beni served as a teacher and guidance counselor for 33 years in Byram Hills and Scarsdale School Districts. Since leaving her education career she has focused her energy on several philanthropic endeavors including: Maria Ferrari Children’s Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Ringling College of Art and Design and the V Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research, working closely with Dick Vitale.

Dr. Beni has remained close to Iona, including serving on the Goal Club Executive Committee. He and his wife are Sarasota, FL residents and have provided generous contributions to Iona’s capital campaigns and scholarship funds. Dr. Beni was recognized by the Iona Goal Club with its Donald Walsh Award at the 2015 Hall of Fame event. In 2016, Iona also awarded him the Loftus Award for his many contributions to public education.

“As a poor ten year old boy in NYC, whose father passed at age 31 leaving behind a 29-year-old widow and five young children, I could never have imagined having such a rewarding career. Like many Iona graduates, I was the first among all of my immediate and distant family members to earn a college degree. The scholarship that Iona offered provided me with an exceptional education and opened the door to a successful career which focused on ensuring that all students had the same opportunity that I had. I am privileged to offer a similar opportunity for other Iona students.”