Iona Residence Hall Named For Westchester Philanthropic Couple

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Iona College has renamed a campus residence hall previously known as South Hall in recognition of Alice Marie and Thomas E. Hales (’58, ’04H) for their leadership commitment to the Iona Forever campaign and a lifetime of generous support to the college. A ribbon-cutting ceremony rededicated the facility as Hales Hall Saturday, April 29. Participating were members of the Hales family, friends, faculty, staff and students, many of whom now call Hales Hall home.

“Mr. Hales is not only a successful business professional but a compassionate philanthropist who has contributed his time and wisdom to many organizations,” said President Joseph E Nyre. “It gives me great pleasure that everyone on campus will be now be familiar with the Hales name and will associate it, as I do, with the Iona spirit of service and generosity.”

A member of Iona’s Board of Trustees since 1995, Thomas Hales holds a BBA in accounting from Iona and was awarded an honorary degree in 2004, according to a college spokesman. He began his career as a staff member of Price Waterhouse and Company and subsequently operated his own accounting firm for 17 years. He joined Union State Bank as its chairman, president and CEO in 1982 and served in that capacity until 2007. Hales was credited with establishing Union State Bank as one of the predominant banks in the Hudson Valley Region, with growth in assets from $23 million to $3 billion during his time there.

The Hales helped establish the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Trauma Center at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, provided major support for the Thomas E. and Alice M. Hales Endoscopy Unit and the Alice Marie and Thomas E. Hales Pediatric Treatment Area of the Emergency Department at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center. They established in perpetuity the Thomas E. and Alice Marie Hales Distinguished Professor in Transplant Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which is held by Bartley P. Griffith, MD. The Hales continue to lend their support widely, and are ardent activists and supporters for organ donation.

In addition to his service as an Iona trustee, Thomas Hales has served on the boards of various organizations including the Leukemia Society of America, Westchester and Rockland County Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, and the Boy Scouts, among many others. He received Westchester County Business Journal’s Business Leader of the Year Award in 2004, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2003, the William Cullen Bryant Award from the Westchester Medical Center for distinguished leadership in 2008, the Corporate Citizen Award from the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of New Rochelle, among other honors.

In 1991, Thomas Hales was the recipient of Iona College’s Brother Arthur A. Loftus Award for Outstanding Achievement and in 1998, he was awarded the Cornelia Award for outstanding service to the College. In 2000, he was honored with Iona’s Legacy Award, which recognizes the lifetime achievements of an alumnus who has lived the College’s values of peace, justice and service.

The Hales reside in Briarcliff Manor and Boynton Beach, FL. They have six children — Lianne ’82, William, Carolyn, Thomas Jr., Terence and Allison — and nine grandchildren.

Hales Hall, which opened in 2003, is a six-floor, on-campus residence that includes amenities which enhance living and learning opportunities and is staffed by a residence hall director, student resident assistant, and student ministers who offer spiritual and practical guidance to residents.

Photo caption: Deputy Westchester County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett, left, presents a proclamation to Mr. and Mrs. Hales and Iona President Nyre, right, announcing April 29 was Thomas E. Hales Day throughout the county. Photo credit: Iona College.