ARRIGONI CENTER: RESTORED & REVITALIZED On October 19, Iona College gathered to celebrate, and rededicate, the Arrigoni Center – a beautiful and prominent gathering center on the Iona campus. During the last year, the Arrigoni Center underwent a much-anticipated restoration to return the building to its original splendor. This restoration was made possible by the generosity of benefactor, Edward Arrigoni ’56, ’91H. The Arrigoni Center is named in loving memory of Ferdinand E. Arrigoni, father of Edward Arrigoni. Brother Joseph Cussen, CFC ’57, provided the opening remarks for the rededication, noting that Mr. Arrigoni has given unfailing support to the College over the years on several projects from strengthening athletics facilities, libraries and more, in addition to the latest Arrigoni Center restoration. President Nyre also expressed his sincere thanks to Mr. Arrigoni and referenced the Arrigoni Center as a vital component of our College community. The Arrigoni Center serves as a place of worship, as well as a place for campus receptions and events. President Nyre remarked that he, as well as the rest of the College community, were excited to watch the Arrigoni Center expand and improve for the benefit of the students, faculty and staff. At the conclusion of the rededication ceremony, President Nyre presented Mr. and Mrs. Arrigoni with a commemorative platter as a token of Iona’s appreciation, and as a thank you for their undivided love and support of the College.
KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING While the start of summer break meant getting some much-needed down time for many Gaels, our Facilities Management and Information Technology staff members jumped into action on many campus improvement projects. Several renovations were made throughout our academic buildings to allow us to continue providing a top-notch educational experience to our students. Smart-classrooms in Amend Hall, Cornelia Hall, McSpedon Hall, Spellman Hall, Hagan Hall, Murphy Center and the Iona College Arts Center were updated with new equipment including document cameras and webcams. Iona’s first collaborative learning classroom was also piloted this summer and permanently established in a classroom in Murphy. This classroom features new-style student desks which are easily moved to create different classroom layouts in order to enhance the learning environment. Additionally, a classroom in Hagan Hall was transformed into a video conferencing classroom. During the summer, the College worked with Chartwells food service to improve the dining experience for students, faculty and facelifts. New food concepts including subs and sushi are in the process of being introduced in both The Vitanza Dining Commons and Robert V. LaPenta Student Union. Earlier this fall, the College and Chartwells also debuted a food truck which will provide a varying menu at several campus locations at different times. Additional updates to campus included a rebuilding of the front stone steps of Cornelia Hall and the replacement of common area lighting in Loftus Hall with LED options to reduce energy and further Iona’s commitment to being a green campus. The College is also in the process of implementing a campus lock-down system that will allow Campus Safety to secure all exterior entrances on the major campus buildings from the Security Annex.
Chartwells hosted a naming contest for the food truck — find out which name won!
The Hynes Athletics Center Pool also received a much-needed upgrade – replacement of the liner and water lines as well as some aesthetic enhancements to the doors and pool deck. This project was completed in the early part of the summer and was ready in time for the many summer camps that took place on campus.
Fall/Winter 2014
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