Iona College Dedicates Romita Auditorium

Mauro "Chris" Romita, a 1961 alumnus, has vivid memories of the Ryan Library auditorium.

"The first time I made a public statement anywhere, it was here, 50 years ago, long before it was renovated," Romita explained.

Romita took a public speaking class in the auditorium, during which he participated in his first debate.

"I was assigned to debate an African-American friend of mine about the Civil Rights movement," Romita recalled. "He was for the demonstrations, and I was supposed to be for law and order."

"Obviously," Romita said, chuckling, "My heart wasn't in the thing."

But Romita's heart is in improving his alma mater. Romita shared his fond memories of Iona at Friday's dedication ceremony for the newly renovated Romita Auditorium and Castle Café in Ryan Library.

The new facilities, which include an air-conditioned auditorium with plush seats and a café featuring healthy snacks and Starbucks coffee, were made possible by a $100,000 gift from Romita, the president and CEO of the Castle Oil Corporation, and his family.

The auditorium and café renovations are part of an ongoing overhaul of the Ryan Library that began last year with the addition of a new wing, whose front entrance lobby and courtyard face North Avenue. Iona is now in the process renovating the original part of the library building to match the newer addition.

Romita remembers his Iona professors and the hours he spent in the library "with a cup of coffee, preparing for my next class" or "trying to memorize lines from Dante's Divine Comedy."

For Romita, Iona's religious affilitation was also meaningful.

"Iona's Christian Brothers reinforced values I learned from my parents, including respect for human beings, respect for work and charity for those less fortunate," he said.

Romita also noted that "Iona is a special place for me—it's where I met my life's partner, my wife, Camille."

Romita and his wife have three children and live in Pelham Manor. They are dedicated philanthropists. Romita is a chairman of board of governors of the Sound Shore Medical Center and is on the board of directors for the Archdiocese of New York's Inner City Scholarship Fund. He was knighted by Pope Benedict XVI to the order of St. Gregory the Great. Romita has received many awards for his charitable giving, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and The Bronx Means Business Award.

Friday morning's ceremony included an invocation from Monsignor Ferdinando Berardi, a formal blessing from the Rev. Frank Dixon and remarks from Marilyn L. Wilkie, acting vice president for advancement & external affairs and Brother Kevin Devlin, director of student retention. Devlin explained that the auditorium has already been used for film screenings, thesis presentations and a seminar called "Happy Birthday, Mr. Shakespeare." Devlin also looks forward to using the auditorium for freshman orientation.

"After a long day, every freshman comes into this space," Devin said. "It will have nice seats, rather than those hard ones we're all used to, and air-conditioning."

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson spoke briefly, calling the renovations "the merging of tradition and a very bright future" and "a wonderful example of philanthropy."

Iona College President Brother James Liguori said the auditorium and café will benefit "not only these students, but also those who will come after them."

As the attendees filed out of the auditorium, it was clear students were already enjoying the facilities. Several students waiting to buy breakfast and coffee at the café discussed their neuroscience class. Others lounged in the café's oversized chairs with books on their laps.

Iona freshman James McGinley, who was hanging out in the library lobby, lauded the renovation.

"The auditorium is a nice size, and it's air-conditioned," he said. "And if you're in the library falling asleep, and you need an energy shot, you can go to the café."