Iona Celebrates First Birthday as a University
Iona University hosted a birthday party on September 19, honoring its new University status 82 years since its founding
Students celebrated a new chapter for Iona.
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.— Iona University hosted a spirited celebration on September 19 to commemorate its transition to a University, marking its 82nd birthday since its founding and its first as a University. Gathered on the University’s new Murphy Green in the heart of campus, students, faculty and staff came together to enjoy food, music, games and giveaways, officially ushering in a new chapter for the prestigious institution.
“Becoming a University was a historic milestone for the entire Iona community, and it deserved to be celebrated together,” said Seamus Carey, Ph.D., president of Iona University. “The energy on campus right now is exhilarating. We look forward to another successful year ahead as we continue to expand opportunities for students and open the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences on our new second campus in Bronxville.”
Members of the Iona University women’s basketball team.
The celebration kicked off with Iona’s award-winning pipe band, who later performed again alongside the University’s dance team for a prideful display of Gael spirit. Iona’s dynamic and newly expanded pep band, an instrumental ensemble, also performed. Meanwhile, members of Iona’s athletic teams also participated in the festivities, and attendees received exclusive Iona University-branded giveaways including t-shirts, pennants, customized Crocs charms and more.
Iona officially became a University on July 1, 2022, reflecting its growth as an institution and the academic excellence that distinguishes an Iona education. Learn more about this historic milestone here.
Iona University hosted a spirited celebration to commemorate its transition to a University.
September 19 marked Iona’s 82nd birthday since its founding and its first as a University.
Iona University-branded giveaways included t-shirts, pennants, customized Crocs charms and more.
The Iona University pipe band.
The Iona University dance team and Killian.
The Iona University pep band.
Iona partnered with DeCicco & Sons –a local, family-owned supermarket, bakery and catering company – to create 350 customized pull-apart cupcakes for the celebration.
Rick Pitino, Iona University men’s basketball coach.
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 2025 national list of “The Best 390 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.