Iona University raises over $1.6 million at Trustees Scholarship Award Gala
Iona University announced on May 5 that its annual Trustees Scholarship Award Gala, held April 29 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, raised more than $1.6 million for student scholarships and welcomed over 500 guests.
The event highlighted Iona’s commitment to supporting students through scholarships and recognized individuals who reflect the university’s mission of service and education. The gala featured performances by the Iona University Pipe Band, Irish Step Dance team, and the Iona NightinGaels.
This year’s Legacy Award was presented to Timothy Murphy, vice chair of Mastercard. Murphy has held several senior roles at Mastercard during his more than 25 years with the company and is active in civic leadership as chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Urban League and co-chair of the Cyber Readiness Institute. In accepting his award, Murphy said: “Legacy is about responsibility – what we choose to support, what we sustain, and whether we leave the doors we walked through open for others to follow. For more than 85 years, Iona has done just that, forming thoughtful and compassionate leaders for a complex world. If our partnership can help advance that mission, then this honor is truly shared.”
Alfred F. Kelly Jr., current trustee and retired Chairman and CEO of Visa, served as emcee for the evening alongside co-chair Peggy Kelly. “For more than sixty years, this Gala has been an act of faith – that when you invest in a young person, the return is immeasurable,” Kelly said.
President Seamus Carey reflected on how education shapes both individuals and society: “We are navigating a world that is new, uncertain, and still taking shape. What will guide us is not only what we know but who we are – our values, our purpose… That is what we strive for at Iona.” Carey added: “[At Iona], we believe there is nothing more important than the education of the young and the renewal of the world.” Proceeds from this year’s gala directly benefit scholarship support for students.
Iona University enrolls more than 4,000 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16-to-1; it offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences and business administration as well as graduate programs across several disciplines including nursing and health sciences according to its official website. The university fields NCAA Division I teams such as men’s basketball; promotes community wellness through service-learning initiatives; maintains campuses in Westchester County (New York) plus Ireland; remains affiliated with its Catholic roots via connection with Christian Brothers; achieved high national rankings including topping New York state for student experience per recent Wall Street Journal listings; supports academic inquiry across diverse regions; emphasizes intellectual engagement alongside cultural experiences according to its official website.
Looking ahead after another successful gala season focused on supporting educational access through scholarships—an effort now bolstered by over $1.6 million raised—Iona continues its tradition aimed at preparing future leaders while honoring those who contribute significantly to community life.
