Iona College today announced the appointment of the school's eighth President.

Dr. Joseph E. Nyre will become the College's first lay president, succeeding Brother James Liguori who is completed his 17th year in the position.

Nyre is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hope Institute for Children and Families, headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, an organization that advances public policy, conducts research, links institutions of higher education and offers healthcare and educational services.

Chairman of Iona's Board of Legal Trustees, James Hynes noted that Dr. Nyre was selected from over 60 candidates. "We are very excited to be able to welcome Dr. Nyre. Dr. Nyre brings a unique background and special skill set to the position of president that we believe can take Iona to national prominence," said Hynes.

According to Iona College officials, Dr. Nyre transformed The Hope Institute for Children and Families into a nationally recognized institute serving 29,000 people annually and training more than 30,000 clinicians, physicians and teachers since 2003. 

Officials with Iona College in New Rochelle say a new Green Initiative entered into with utility company Con Edison is expected to save the College $117,000 in electric costs a year.

Brother James Ligouri, President of Iona College, made the announcement today in Iona's Hynes Athletics Center Gym, one of the buildings where the upgrading is underway.

By adopting a new energy-saving lighting system for 17 of its buildings and facilities, Iona will save up to $117,00 annually and will earn an additional rebate of $130,000.

Iona College Thursday hosted its first-ever Transportation Infrastructure Conference Program, bringing together State and local officials as well as leaders from the private sector.

Panelists included State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, Congressman Jerrold Nadler as well as acting  Commissioner of the State Department of Transportation Stanley  Gee, Rear Admiral Richard Larrabee with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Howard Permut, President of the MTA and Metro North Railroad, among others.