School officials say Iona College is now officially Iona University. 

The name change took effect July 1.  

“I can’t wait to get that diploma in hand and see it,” said rising senior Aidan Connolly, one of the first to wear the new gear and graduate under the new status next year. “But I’m also very excited to be a part of the community still because even though it is a name change, it is still Iona and this culture here, it is home.”  

The reason for this change is growth. Enrollment at Iona spiked 35% in the last three years. 

In January, Iona will be opening a school for health sciences at the former Concordia College in Bronxville. New York Presbyterian gifted Iona $20 million to cultivate health care professionals at this new school. 

As the institution grows, leaders see its success as resilience for the entire city, which was once known for being the epicenter of COVID-19.   

“Throughout our city we’ve seen new businesses coming in, we’ve seen structurally new developments rising throughout the pandemic, and now we’ve seen Iona College expand into a university,” said Catherine White of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. “It just shows the growth and promise of the city of New Rochelle.”  

Campus officials also say they are adding new programs for education and business and are rolling out new clubs and performing arts programs.  

Officials say this is a great milestone and hope it will attract new students.