Mercy College Celebrates Founder’s Day
October 27, 2008- Dobbs Ferry, NY – October 26, 2008 marked a special occasion for Mercy College, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. The day-long celebration commemorated the beginning of a new College legacy, Founders’ Day.
Mary “Mimi” Lyon, widow of Frank Lyon, received the College’s inaugural Founders’ Day Medal. This award will be presented annually to individuals who have contributed to the continuous growth of Mercy College through the founding of the traditions and programs that have become part of the Mercy College experience. The late Frank Lyon created the Daddy Short Legs Scholarship, an endowed scholarship fund offering short-term financial assistance for living expenses to Mercy College seniors with a substantial need. This scholarship was established September of 2001 Lyon anonymously made a contribution to one of the students of Mercy College who was in need of financial assistance. As Frank Lyon maintained contact with Mercy College, he learned of other students with similar circumstances. He then established a fund of $50,000, naming it the Daddy Short Legs Fund after Jean Webster’s book, Daddy Long Legs, about an orphan girl whose education was funded by an anonymous donor.
Dr. Kimberly Cline, president of Mercy College, believes this new tradition is important for the College and surrounding communities. “As we enter what promises to be one the most important periods in the history of Mercy College, it is only fitting that we recognize the individuals and traditions that have brought us to where we are and that have made our promising future possible.”
Nicole Sheindlin and Pamela N. Minyard were also honored by Mercy College for sharing the values and mission of Mercy College within their organizations. In 2007, Sheindlin launched the Her Honor Mentoring Program. She co-instituted the 25-week program to assist at-risk girls at Mamaroneck High School. The objective of the program is to link students who plan to attend college with self-motivated female mentors in the community, and to display how the domino effect of hard work followed by a career you are passionate about results in confidence and independence.
Pamela N. Minyard, founder and executive director of Giolai, a division of Tomorrow Leaders, Inc., is a Westchester based not-for-profit organization. Giolai’s goal is to enhance the future for girls ages 11 to 18 who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Minyard helps girls to become responsible, independent and successful students who will mature into equally successful adults and members of their communities.
The Grow Garden was named for Dr. Ann E. Grow, in her honor for her outstanding teaching, devoted service and steadfast passion for the mission of Mercy College. Dr. Grow has been a cornerstone of the Mercy College community throughout her 45 of service at the College.
During her remarks, Dr. Kimberly Cline said of Dr. Grow, “Ann is the embodiment of the Mercy College spirit. Her passion for educating the students of Mercy College is unparalleled. Today we celebrate Ann’s return to her first love-teaching, and we publicly thank her for her administrative legacy during which she took on no fewer than 10 different administrative positions.”
Joseph Valenti, vice president of Institutional Advancement concluded, “All of us at Mercy College are grateful for the enormous contribution and dedication of the honorees for this Inaugural Founders’ Day. There is a sense of excitement at Mercy College deriving from the knowledge that we are poised to build upon a mission and tradition that is even more relevant today than at the time of the College’s founding. Our Founders’ Day celebration offered the College community an opportunity to be re-inspired by the mission that continues to move us forward.”
About Mercy College
[Mercy College is a private, nonprofit institution founded in 1950, providing motivated students with the opportunity to earn degrees in over 90 undergraduate and graduate programs, including 25 programs online. An engaging and personalized learning experience is offered at the main campus in Dobbs Ferry, as well as campuses in the Bronx, Manhattan, Yorktown Heights and White Plains 1-877-MERCY-GO.]
Contact: Christine Baker, Director of Public Relations Phone: 914-674-7596 or cbaker@mercy.edu.
