A Message of Gratitude for Supporting the Friends of Brother Devlin Fund
In times of unexpected challenges and unforeseen obstacles, the Iona University community stands together, united by a shared commitment to supporting one another during our greatest time of need. The Friends of Brother Devlin Fund is a beacon of hope and support, designed to provide immediate aid to students facing sudden and urgent financial needs. Named in honor of J. Kevin Devlin CFC, Ed.D., ’61, whose dedication to Iona's mission has left an indelible mark on generations of students, this fund reflects the spirit of compassion and community that defines the Iona experience.
A Message from Brother Devlin, Student Resource Liaison
I want to thank all of our generous donors for your consistent support of the Friends of Brother Devlin Fund. Your kindness has made a remarkable difference in the lives of our students, allowing them to focus on their education rather than worrying about basic necessities.
In the Tradition of Edmund Rice
Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, established his first school at Mount Sion in Waterford, Ireland, in 1802. With practical wisdom beyond his time, he understood that education alone was insufficient—children needed their basic needs met to truly flourish.
Today at Iona University, we continue this sacred tradition thanks to the generosity of our caring community. Because of you, students overcome obstacles that might otherwise prevent them from completing their education.
The Impact of Your Generosity
I am delighted to share with you the wonderful impact your contributions have made this academic year:
- Our campus food pantry has become a beacon of hope, serving approximately 50 individual students with nearly 100 total visits.
- Students have received essential support for transportation, educational materials, and unexpected emergencies.
- Your gifts have provided not just necessities, but moments of joy through special treats like Nutella jars at Thanksgiving and cookie tins at Christmas.
It’s truly moving for me to witness the students’ reactions when they visit the food pantry. They arrive—sometimes alone, sometimes with friends—but always with smiles of warmth and gratitude. They appreciate not only the assistance itself but the confidential and dignified manner in which it is provided.
Making Education Possible
Your generous support helps the University provide resources for students when hardships threaten to derail their education. This assistance addresses immediate needs and allows our students to succeed academically. By continuing the Edmund Rice tradition of compassionate service, your support transforms lives. As one student recently shared with me, “This fund didn’t just help me eat—it showed me that someone believes in me.”
Our Continued Mission
As we move forward, we remain committed to ensuring that no student must choose between their education and their basic needs. In the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, we recognize that we cannot “Fight the Good Fight” on an empty stomach.
Thank you for your generous support which embodies the very best of our shared values and mission.
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 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 5 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 recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” 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 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.