South Hall was renamed Hales Hall on April 29, in honor of Thomas Hales, ’58, ‘04H, who donated to the school the same day.

“We couldn’t think of a better opportunity to put his [Thomas’] name next to Conese and Br. Loftus name on North Avenue,” Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Paul Sutera said. “Mr. Hales believes in the opportunities in the Iona Forever campaign.”

The college held a ribbon cutting ceremony, where the building which was formerly South Hall was renamed to “Hales Hall.” The Hales Family attended the ceremony, including six of Hales’ grandchildren. Multiple college officials were present, including Vice Provost for Student Life Denise Hopkins, who led the ceremony, Br. Kevin Devlin CFC, who gave the blessing, followed by speeches from SGA President senior Kayla Kosack, President Dr. Joseph E. Nyre as well as Thomas Hales himself.

Hales, the former president and CEO of Union State Bank, donates to philanthropic ventures often, including to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Trauma Center Westchester Medical Center, the Alice M. Hales Endoscopy Unit and Alice Marie and Thomas E. Hales Pediatric Treatment Area of the Emergency Department at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, according to a press release from the college. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 1995 and holds a BBA in accounting.

“We are incredibly thankful for Mr. Hales’ continuous support and dedication to Iona,” Kosack said. “He is a true testament to fighting the good fight and moving the world and personifies service in the purest form. This is a pivotal and transitional moment for Iona residential life program and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”

“It’s an appropriate gift because of his vision to build housing on North Avenue,” Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Transfer Coordinator Br. Jason Ford said.

“I think it’s a generous gift that Mr. Hales gave, especially when it comes to the students and their needs.”