Dr. Joseph E. Nyre Inaugurated as Iona College's Eighth President

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Joseph E. Nyre was inaugurated today as Iona College's eighth President during a ceremony filled with color and pageantry. Delegates from 55 higher educational institutions, attired in academic regalia, marched in a procession with other distinguished guests including members of Iona's faculty, administration, alumni, students and representatives from the community.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111028/NY96098 )

The highlight of the ceremony was Dr. Nyre's acceptance of the Presidential Medallion as the first non Christian Brother to lead the college since its founding 70 years ago.

In his inaugural address, "Optimism Rooted in Reality," Dr. Nyre focused on the underpinnings of Iona's Edmund Rice Christian Brothers education that has and will continue to prepare students to become skilled decision makers and be committed to serve others.

Pointing to current trends, Dr. Nyre raised the question of how do we balance preparing students for meaningful careers with preparing them for useful lives?  "College graduates have the lowest level of employment and the highest level of debt in recent in modern history; nearly two-thirds of Americans are unhappy with their job; a majority of Americans do not expect to have a better life than their parents.

"We must ensure that students at Iona College pursue their passions and turn those passions into gainful employment and, like Edmund Rice, use their career success and their time to serve others. New challenges will require us to focus even more on helping our students find meaningful and joyful careers. Careers they enjoy.

"Yet, I remain optimistic," he told the audience. "My optimism is rooted in the reality of Iona College's greatest assets: our people and our faith. From our Christian Brothers who truly live a life of service; to our faculty and staff who live the Iona mission; to our students whose energy and creativity inspire us; to our alumni and friends who understand the purpose of Iona. "

He concluded with a promise. "American optimism is not a thought and emotion of the past. It will be profoundly present in every corner of this college;  rooted in reality, guided by our mind, bodies and spirits;  building on our past,  mindful of our present, reaching for a bright future; always most dependent on our people, and our humanity and our faith." For a complete transcript of Dr. Nyre's inaugural address, visit www.iona.edu.

James P. Hynes, chairman of Iona's Board of Legal Trustees, who presented the Presidential Regalia and Medallion to Dr. Nyre, said:  "A new chapter begins today with the inauguration of our new President. On behalf of the Trustees and the entire college community, we wish Dr. Nyre great success and look forward to working with him to continue Iona's great tradition of shaping our students to lead successful and fulfilling careers and lives."

The guest speaker was Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J., President Emeritus, Georgetown University. Dr. Nyre's wife, Kelli, read the poem, "The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost.

Among the delegates were the Presidents of nine colleges including: Dr. Charles Flynn, Jr., College of Mount Saint Vincent; Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M, DePaul University; Sister Mary Eileen O'Brien, OP, Dominican College; Dr. Alice Hoersch, La Salle University; Dr. Brennan O'Donnell, Manhattan College; Dr. Judson Shaver, Marymount Manhattan College; Dr. Kimberly Cline, Mercy College; Elizabeth Hill, JD, St. Joseph's College and Ms. Judith Huntington, The College of New Rochelle. In addition, there were representatives from major universities including: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Washington and Lee University, Fordham, New York University, Notre Dame, Seton Hall and others.

Dr. Nyre earned an Ed.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and completed post-doctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School and the University of Kansas. He earned an M.A. from the University of Missouri and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Prior to attending college, he served in the U.S. Navy.  He and his wife, Kelli, have three children.

About Iona:

Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona offers 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.

SOURCE Iona College