My Iona

St. Columba Legacy Society

Shaping Iona's Future Through Estate Planning

The St. Columba Legacy Society honors those who play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Iona by including the University in their estate plans. Their contributions will empower us to continue to provide exceptional educational opportunities, foster innovation, and positively impact students' lives.

One has to be passionate, motivated, and exceptional in their field of choice - Iona University provides the foundation for all of the above. I believe in giving back and helping those less fortunate who excelled in high school but do not have the resources to further their education with the hope that someday in their success, they too will do the same for others.

Dominick J. Martello Jr. ‘76

St. Columba’s Enduring Legacy

This society is named after St. Columba, a major part of our Christian Brother heritage. In 1916, when the Christian Brothers founded new schools in New Rochelle, Br. Ignatius Doorley named them "the Iona Schools" after St. Columba's island monastery, inspired by Columba's legacy.

Columba, born into an Irish ruling family in 521, chose a monastic life over royal claim. Irish monasteries, flourishing as centers of learning, offered a classical curriculum in Latin, rhetoric, geometry, astronomy, theology, and scripture. Monks transcribed works of Latin authors, spreading knowledge across Europe.

As a key leader of the monastic movement, Columba founded influential monasteries in Ireland. In 563, he sailed with twelve companions to Iona, off the coast of Scotland, where they established a monastery. For thirty-four years, Columba taught, studied, and led his monks, making Iona a vital center of Celtic Christianity. Iona's scriptorium produced many manuscripts, including, some believe, the Book of Kells. Monks from Iona evangelized northern Britain and founded numerous churches and monasteries, making Iona a renowned center of spirituality and learning for two centuries.

Iona made all the difference in my personal and professional life. Since I was the first in my family to attend college, I hope my contributions will help other first-time college graduates, especially first and second-generation immigrants, to have a chance of success in our society, as it did for me.

Charlie Gorgolione, Ed.D., ‘64

Gaels welcome visitors on North Ave.

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