DEVELOPMENT

De La Salle Dinner Recognizes Eminent Alumna and Raises $1.2 Million

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR THE LIFE LESSONS that “Manhattan uniquely teaches its students,” Lynn Martin ’98, president of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), accepted the College’s 2021 De La Salle Medal as friends and alumni gathered to raise more than $1.2 million for student aid.

Addressing the energized attendees, Martin said that at 17, choosing to attend Manhattan was “my first major decision, which turned out to be the right one.” Almost 25 years later, she continued, “I’ve come to realize how much I really learned.”

The dinner took place at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City in October. Established in 1951 and held annually since 1977, the College’s premier fundraising event generates resources for scholarships and other forms of aid “to support the wonderful young men and women” who study on its campus, said President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D.

The enduring worth of life and learning at Manhattan is evident in the achievements of exemplary graduates like Martin, O’Donnell said.

“You are a Jasper through and through,” he continued. “You have made the most of every opportunity, constantly finding ways to be the best you can be, and, very importantly, bringing out the best in others.”

Taking her place on the podium, Martin shared the influences that led her to Manhattan. She decided against a different university after attending its accepted students day events. “Fortunately, my mom, a former guidance counselor, pushed me to apply to other schools — Manhattan included.” Martin’s uncle, Ernest Maler, graduated in 1965. “Based on the way he talked,” she said, “I was pretty sure it was the happiest time of his life.”

A campus visit convinced Martin to choose Manhattan. Her father, who has a master’s degree in engineering, encouraged her to pursue her interest in math and science. In 1998, Martin earned a degree in computer science and a Phi Beta Kappa key, followed by a master’s in statistics at Columbia University. Launching her career at IBM Global Services, she went on to positions as CEO at NYSE Liffe U.S. and New York Portfolio Clearing LLC. Prior to the NYSE, she served as president of Fixed Income and Data Services at the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), following roles as president of ICE Data Services and COO of ICE Clear U.S.

Reflecting on her education, Martin highlighted three main lessons she learned at the College. First, she said, the world com-

The College awards Lynn Martin ’98, president of the New York Stock Exchange, the 2021 De La Salle Medal. Mary Beth McDade ’93, President Brennan O’Donnell and Board Chair William Dooley ’75 join in honoring Martin at the dinner. prises “a mosaic of people,” and Manhattan celebrates that diversity. The second: “hard work wins the day. That’s why no one is better qualified to join the workforce than a Manhattan grad.” The third lesson, Martin said, was “don’t be afraid to intellectually fight your corner.” At Manhattan, she learned to be confident and think analytically. “It’s something I like to refer to as the beauty of higher mathematics,” Martin explained. “There’s a point when you stop talking in numbers and begin speaking in terms of reason.” This habit of thought, she noted, was prevalent in all disciplines at the College. Reinforced by the Lasallian tradition of excellence, Martin said, these helpful approaches to life and learning “epitomize what makes the College so special. I can’t thank Manhattan enough for all of the direction that has stayed with me throughout the years.” Mary Beth McDade ’93, an Emmy award-winning news anchor at KTLA 5 in Los Angeles, served as emcee for the second consecutive year. Frederic Salerno ’65 — director of Intercontinental Exchange, past De La Salle Medal recipient and former trustee — led the effort as the dinner committee chair. William Dooley ’75, chair of the board and retired executive vice president of investments and financial services at AIG Inc., hailed Martin for always emulating “the Lasallian Catholic values of her alma mater.” Those values, O’Donnell noted in his remarks, have made the College “a gateway to success, educating generation after generation not only in how to make a living but on how to live a full and purposeful life.” He thanked attendees for supporting that mission — “even in the midst of these challenging times in higher education.”

Scholarship Helps Accounting Major Stay at the College She Calls “Home”

ASHLEY REDDINGTON ’22, ’23 (MBA) HAS BEEN A JASPER AT HEART

ever since childhood, when she visited campus every October for Safe Halloween, the annual children’s trick-or-treating event hosted by the education honor society Kappa Delta Pi.

“I have clear memories; I knew the entire campus,” the Inwood, New York, native recalls. “I absolutely loved it as a kid, and I just knew, ‘When I get older, I’m going to be a Manhattan College student.’”

In due course, upon graduating from Saint Vincent Ferrer High School, Reddington enrolled at Manhattan, choosing to major in political science with a minor in accounting. A commuter student, she enjoyed the quick and convenient access to campus via the No. 7 bus. After completing her classes for the day, she was a short walk away from her daily tutoring job with a Riverdale family — one she has held since high school.

However, as it did to so many students, the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of her sophomore year brought complications to Reddington’s college experience.

“The environment was tough for learning because I live in an apartment and have two sisters and two dogs,” she recalls. “The dogs would be barking, and I could hear my sisters while I was participating in my remote classes. We managed to get different desks and figured it out.”

“It was hard not seeing people in person, but all of the professors were extremely helpful during that time,” she continues. “They would always be consistent with their emails, reaching out, making sure students were doing well.” Virtual breakout sessions, she says, helped foster communication with her classmates.

It was during this time that Reddington began to reevaluate her career options, and decided to switch accounting from her minor to her major, with political science as a minor. “I realized I was interested in finances and how money works,” she says. “I wanted to open as many doors as I could, and I knew accounting offers a lot of opportunities.”

Aileen Farrelly, assistant dean of the O’Malley School of Business, proved especially helpful, Reddington notes, as was Amanda Sanseverino, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, CIS and law.

“Professor Farrelly is just always there for me, and Dr. Sanseverino talked to me about the MBA program,” she says. “I had to catch up on my math and accounting classes, and each and every professor definitely helped me.”

The pandemic proved challenging in other ways, too. Reddington’s family was contending with unexpected medical bills, and the household income was impacted when her father, a retired New York City police officer, had his hours as a court officer temporarily reduced.

Unbeknownst to her family, Reddington reached out to the Financial Aid office to apprise them of her circumstances.

“I take my academics very seriously, and I didn’t want anything to change,” she says. “I wanted to continue my classes and my whole college experience.”

Happily, Reddington was awarded the Linda M. and Peter M. Musumeci Jr. Foundation Inc. Scholarship, which was founded in 2007 to assist students enrolled in the O’Malley School of Business during their junior and senior years.

“My family was really shocked; it was a great surprise for them,” Reddington recalls. “They were very grateful and happy to hear about it. I’m very grateful, too, because it kept me on track to finish my degree.”

Now a senior, she has decided to continue at Manhattan for her MBA after graduation. She’s taking a heavy courseload of six classes, including a graduate-level accounting class, and is focused on the future. As a member of Beta Alpha Psi, the honor organization for financial information students and professionals, she attends information sessions with representatives from corporate and accounting firms to learn as much as she can about career opportunities and potential internships, for which she is currently interviewing.

A fitness enthusiast, when not studying at the library, she can often be found in the campus fitness center in Kelly Commons. “I love the people I’ve met; I feel like this is home,” she says. “I convinced my younger sister to come here next year!”

Looking back, the scholarship Reddington received has further cemented the affection she has felt for Manhattan ever since her trick-or-treating days. As she wrote in her thank you letter to the Musumecis: “I’ll forever remember this gift I was blessed to receive.”