Iona College Launches Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Record $15 Million Gift to Prepare the Next Generation of Leaders and Innovators

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.--()--Iona College has announced plans to endow a visionary institute for entrepreneurs and innovative thinking.

The Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will establish an interdisciplinary curricular focus for students in any major, create majors and minors in entrepreneurship, and appoint endowed faculty fellows. The institute, which also creates a community incubator, will ensure students develop knowledge, skills and experience required lead in a technologically advanced global economy.

The institute is made possible by a $15 million gift from James and Anne Marie Hynes, who now become the largest lifetime donors to Iona. The gift is through the College’s $150 million Iona Forever campaign to advance student scholarship, accelerate academic innovation and enhance key learning environments.

“Building on a legacy that has long produced leaders who are known for their entrepreneurship and innovation, the Hynes Institute will fortify Iona's future while preparing our students to be the next generation of big thinkers and global leaders,” said Iona College President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D.

Said Mr. Hynes: “We wanted to do something for Iona College that would have lasting and far-reaching benefits for all students, present and future.”

Mr. and Mrs. Hynes are known in the Iona community for their presence on campus, leadership and philanthropy. Mr. Hynes holds a BA and an honorary doctorate from Iona, in addition to an MBA from Adelphi University. He has been active with the College since graduating in 1969, and has served on its Board of Trustees since 1995 and as chairman since 2008. In early 2006, Iona’s Hynes Athletics Center was dedicated in recognition of his leadership philanthropic support.

Mr. Hynes earned international acclaim as an entrepreneur, innovator and business leader whose career includes 25 years of entrepreneurial success in the telecommunications industry. He co-founded and was first CEO of Inteliquent, a leading provider of interconnection services in the United States, and was a founder and first CEO, of COLT, PLC, the first non-governmental telecom provider in Europe.

Mrs. Hynes holds a BA in mathematics, an MS in management science and a law degree from Pace University and is a member of both the New York and Connecticut bars.

"Students from any major will benefit from learning and elevating their creativity, their innovation, and leadership skills into an entrepreneurial mindset," Mrs. Hynes said.

See more about the institute and gift at iona.edu/hynesinstitute and about the Iona Forever campaign at iona.edu/ionaforever.

Contacts

Iona College
Brian Beyrer
bbeyrer@iona.edu

Contacts

Iona College
Brian Beyrer
bbeyrer@iona.edu