New Rochelle and Bronxville, N.Y. – There is a deeply felt commitment at Iona University that “Gaels Take Care of Gaels.” For Ron DeFeo ’74,’13H and Andrea DeFeo, that credo and the responsibility of giving back are at the heart of their philanthropy.
The DeFeo Family Endowed Scholarship, which they established in 2004, aims to advance the academic careers of undergraduate students who are selected based on academic quality, financial need, demonstrated leadership ability and a commitment to excellence.
Currently the largest family endowment at Iona, the DeFeo Family Endowed Scholarship has provided 150 awards to 71 students, totaling more than $1.5 million in financial aid since 2004.
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In addition, Ron and Andrea DeFeo recently made a significant gift that has increased the endowment by 17 percent to a total of more than $4.8 million in the endowment, which will provide an average of nine to 12 scholarships each academic year.
“I am deeply grateful to the DeFeo family for their generous support of my education at Iona,” said Ryan Murphy ’25. “Because of this scholarship, I am able to maximize my experience at Iona without the worry over finances. It means the world to me and I am so thankful to them for helping me build my future.”
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“Receiving this scholarship has filled me with joy,” said Natalia Guiracocha’25. “The DeFeo family has lifted a big weight off my shoulders. I am deeply grateful to them for their incredible generosity.”
But for all that the DeFeo Family Endowed Scholarship has accomplished over the past nearly 20 years, Ron DeFeo said, more needs to done.
“The need is great and many of my fellow alumni are now in a position to share their success by giving back to current students,” he said. “Establishing an endowed scholarship doesn’t require an all-up-front gift. By pledging over time, it all adds up quickly. And knowing that you’re making a difference for even one student at Iona is truly life-changing.”
Learn more about making a gift and supporting students at Iona by visiting www.ionaconnection.com/give. You may also contact Christine Maloney Downes ’05, senior director of development, at cmaloneydownes@iona.edu or (914) 637-7749.
