RyeCity REVIEW THE
May 14, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 17 | www.ryecityreview.com
Iona finalizes agreement to acquire Concordia
Open Open sesame! sesame! Caden Whaling blows past a Tappan Zee defender on May 6. Whaling and the Garnets topped the Dutchmen 16-6 in the first game of the spring season. For story, see page 16. Photo/Mike Smith
Bowman, Latimer celebrate bringing federal funds to county U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Westchester County Executive George Latimer on Wednesday celebrated the conclusion of this year’s outreach process for federal appropriations requests, which resulted in Bowman submitting more than $300 billion in total federal funding requests on behalf of constituents in NY-16. “I’m grateful to County Executive Latimer and representatives of Westchester who made this such a successful outreach process,” Bowman said. “Our goal is to show our constituents what can happen when government works for them—and this appropriations season, which resulted in hundreds of proposals for funding to go directly to the district, is an example of what true cross-collaboration in the community looks like.”
“Working with all levels of government to provide ample resources for the people of Westchester is a hallmark of my administration that nets results that impact the daily lives of the people of our County. I am proud to work with Congressman Bowman during this vital timeframe to advocate for these game changing projects that would advance the quality of life in our community,” Latimer said. The requests Bowman submitted included increased funding for childcare, community development, public schools, firefighters, Medicare, medical research, refugee resettlement and environmental remediation, and many of the requests would benefit Westchester residents directly, including: Increased funding for the
Community Development Block Grant program ($4.2 billion), which supports important community and economic development initiatives across the county, a request which came directly from Westchester County government. Increased funding for essential federal food security programs to support Westchester families struggling with food access during the pandemic, including increasing funding for SNAP, WIC and the school breakfast program. Community project funding requests to support local initiatives in Westchester County aimed at closing the educational achievement gap in New Rochelle, enhancing Telehealth services for seniors, addressing sewage issues in Mount Vernon, rehabilitating a
senior center in Mamaroneck and affordable housing in Yonkers, and closing disparities in swim access. The House Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees will be meeting over the next several months to determine which requests ultimately receive funding. For the first time this year, members of Congress had the opportunity to submit 10 Community Project Funding requests to provide direct support to nonprofits and local entities in the district. In addition, Bowman submitted a total of seven Member Designated Projects requests that cover a range of transportation priorities including pedestrian safety for schoolchildren, infrastructure upgrades, and clean transportation projects. (Submitted)
Initiated earlier this year, an agreement has been finalized for Iona College to acquire Concordia College’s 28-acre campus in Bronxville. Concordia will cease academic instruction before the start of the Fall 2021 semester. The announcement sets the stage for Iona to pursue plans for a school of health sciences on the Concordia campus, furthering Iona’s strategic investment in the field and building upon Concordia’s legacy of excellence in health science education. The deal also creates opportunities for Iona to introduce new student programming in the performing arts, varsity and club athletics and other extracurricular activities, areas where Iona has successfully been engaging students around shared interests. Concordia President Rev. John A. Nunes, Ph.D., said: “As we honor Concordia’s rich, meaningful, relevant legacy, we look with hope to a time of new beginnings: for our graduates, our students, and Iona’s exciting plans for the Concordia campus, all fueled by the transformative power of education,” Concordia President Rev. John A. Nunes said, Ph.D.Founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Iona is a 45-acre campus in northern New Rochelle, located approximately three miles from Concordia. Both institutions have a shared commitment to providing students with a nurturing environment to explore their interests, discover their passions and graduate with a well-rounded, liberal arts education grounded in service, opportunity and Christian faith. In addition to leading the way and providing a safe in-person learning experience through the
pandemic, Iona this year forged ahead on its path of innovation. Empowering students to “Learn Outside the Lines,” Iona focused on engaging students in new opportunities that pushed them to grow beyond the classroom. “Concordia will forever leave its mark on the history and people of New York,” Iona President Dr. Seamus Carey said. “Iona is an institution similarly grounded in faith, and it is our intention to fully honor Concordia’s legacy as we turn the page to a new chapter. With plans to develop a leading school of health sciences on the Concordia campus, Iona hopes to turn these challenging circumstances into a positive development for the students and communities we serve.” As part of that effort, Iona hired its inaugural director of Performing Arts, who quickly launched and strengthened programs such as Irish Step, Dance Ensemble, Pipe Band and Pep Band; as well as its first director of Club Sports, who will be developing an array of new athletic opportunities. With the addition of the Concordia campus, Iona is poised to offer even more exciting programs that will help to support and develop the whole student. “Engaged students get more out of their college experience,” Carey said. “Engagement outside the classroom supports better performance inside the classroom and promotes physical, mental and spiritual maturity. It also leads to lasting relationships that will help them succeed in life. We couldn’t be more excited about the future at Iona, and today is an important step along that path.” (Submitted)
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