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THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE TRUSTEES REAPPOINT
PRESIDENT, DR. STEPHEN J. SWEENY

New Rochelle, N.Y, March 31, 2004 – Sr. Jean Baptiste Nicholson, OSU, Chairperson of the CNR Board of Trustees has announced that the Board has voted unanimously to renew Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny’s contract as President through 2009.  The Board noted that Dr. Sweeny’s leadership and vision throughout his tenure at CNR has well positioned the College for growth and expansion in the 21st century.  Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny was inaugurated as 12th president of The College of New Rochelle in 1997 for a four-year term and was renewed in 2000 for a second four years. 

In the seven years since his inauguration, Dr. Sweeny’s achievements have been notable.  During his first term, he led a dramatic and successful fundraising effort for the $7.2 million dollar renovation of the School of New Resources’ South Bronx campus, the John Cardinal O’Connor Campus.  He was integral in securing CNR’s largest single donation, a gift of $5 million from alumna Ellen Mooney Hancock and her husband Jason Hancock, and oversaw the completion of the renovation and technological enhancement of the award-winning Mother Irene Gill Library.  This year, Dr. Sweeny will launch a $20 million dollar campaign for the College’s new state-of-the-art Center for Wellness and Community Investment.

In securing the College for its future growth, Dr. Sweeny has inspired the “visioning process,” engaging the support of CNR community through a long-range planning process that has forged a community well positioned for the 21st century.  Additionally, under Dr. Sweeny’s stewardship, the College received its re-accreditation from the Middle States Commission, with the Commission commending Dr. Sweeny for leading the institution’s commitment to the mission, and faithfulness and vitality of its programs. 

Sr. Jean Baptiste noted, “In this Centennial year, we are fortunate to have Dr. Sweeny’s continued dedication to fulfilling the mission of the College as a Catholic, liberal arts, women’s college serving a diverse constituency in Westchester and New York City.  His steadfast leadership, passion for women’s education and dedication to preserving and growing the institution has been impressive.”

Dr. Sweeny earned a B.A. degree in Spanish from Catholic University of America and went on to earn an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a second M.A. in Theology at Manhattan College.  He subsequently received a Ph.D. in Higher Education from New York University and a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

In more than two decades at the College, Dr. Sweeny has served in key positions including Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (1981-1997), Vice President for Planning and Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs (1980-1981), Executive Assistant to the President (1979-1980), Assistant to the President for Government Relations (1978-1979), and Assistant to the Provost (1976-1978).  He has also been a principal and teacher at two New York City Catholic elementary/junior high schools.

A recipient of the 2003 New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA) Honorable MEN-tion, Dr. Sweeny is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities and the American Association for Higher Education, and is a board member for the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ and LaSalle Academy in New York City.  He is also a former board member and Chair of the Board at Convent of the Sacred Heart School, a K-12 school for girls in Greenwich, CT.  Dr. Sweeny has been honored by induction in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and is listed in “Who’s Who in America.”

“Serving the community of The College of New Rochelle has been a very great professional and personal privilege.  Now, after 27 years as a member of this community and seven years as President, the mission of the College is in my bones!  I am delighted to have the Board’s confidence as we continue to provide the society around us with the benefits of education.  This is a most appropriate time in American history to double our efforts as a Catholic liberal arts college with a special commitment to women and to educational access!” stated Dr. Stephen J. Sweeny.


The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City. Visit the College’s website at www.cnr.edu
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