The usually quiet Ryan library was disturbed on the morning of Nov. 5 as freshman bagpiper Jennifer Westphal opened the Dedication Ceremony of Romita Auditorium and Castle Café.

Romita Auditorium, formerly known as Ryan Library Lecture Hall, sits on the ground floor of the library, just across from the Café.

It was Acting Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Marilyn L. Wilkie that suggested that the lecture hall be named after Mr. Mauro C. Romita, Esq. ’61.

Romita and his wife Linda have always been supporters of education and have done their best to help where they could. They have been long time donors to Iona College.

Romita attributes his dedication of giving back to his parents, who gave generously to education, children in need, and healthcare. Romita said it was very fitting to have the auditorium dedicated to them.

Romita recounted his times at Iona in the old lecture hall, where he would retreat to the room when he needed some quiet time. The cafeteria used to be housed in the same building as the library, and Romita recalled spent a lot of time in the building.

Although the main cafeteria has moved to the basement of Spellman Hall, students can still grab a bite to eat in the library’s Castle Café.

When the library’s major renovations was finished two years ago, Br. James A. Liguori appealed to the donors during the dedication ceremony to help with the remaining renovations which would cost approximately two million dollars. Among the donors, Romita and his family stepped up and greatly helped cover the cost.

This dedication ceremony was  a time to celebrate, according to Liguori.  With all the money for the library renovations finished, the ceremony is a way for Iona to show their thanks and gratitude for the Romitas’ ongoing support for the school. “We couldn’t have done it without them and others like them,” Wilkie said.

Liguori expressed his hope that someday a new Romita would step forward with a new president to further the college and improve the education of the students.

 “If you make it, they will come; if you make it outstanding, they will use it,” Brother J. Kevin Devlin said.

The college certainly makes use of this space. SGA uses the auditorium for their debates and the Honors Program holds thesis presentations in the auditorium.

Both the Education Department and the English Department have made use of this space for guest lecturers and for viewing films.  Several activities for the Week of the Peacemaker will take place in the auditorium.

Romita Auditorium was used this summer for the Career Services presentation during Freshmen Orientation. Devlin said that the auditorium would again be used in future orientations so that every incoming freshman will become familiar with this space.

The Romita family and their friends were joined by Mayor of New Rochelle Noam Bramson; President of the College of New Rochelle Stephen J. Sweeny; Director of Rockland Graduate Campus Sr. Pat McGinley;  Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Warren Rosenberg; Dean of the Hagan School of Business Vincent J. Calluzzo; Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Brian Nickerson as well as the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Iona. Additionally, donors Mr. and Mrs. Ed Arrigoni, whom the Arrigoni Center and Library is named after, were in attendance.