July 13, 2011
Newburgh, NY -
The
Dominican Sisters of Hope, whose administrative offices are in
Ossining, NY, have sold their 13.1 acre property on Powell Avenue
in Newburgh to Mount Saint Mary College.
R. Abel Garraghan, chairman of the Mount Saint Mary College
board of trustees, noted that the Sisters in Newburgh have
expressed their intention to eventually sell their property for
some years.
Sr. Lorelle Elcock, OP, prioress of the Dominican Sisters of
Hope, and Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, president of Mount Saint Mary
College, were authorized to sign a purchase and sale agreement for
the property. After college discussions with financiers,
contractors, and the local planning board, the property transfer
was closed on July 13, 2011.
The Dominican Sisters, who retain an easement to access a
private cemetery on the property near Gidney Avenue, spent 128
years at this site.
“Our mission of education began here in Newburgh when four
Sisters of Saint Dominic traveled from New York City in 1883 to
establish Mount Saint Mary Academy,” recalls Sr. Elcock. “Mount
Saint Mary College was later founded by the Sisters as a natural
extension of its mission. In 1973, the Sisters formally separated
the college from the congregation and subdivided the campus. We are
happy that, with this sale, the Dominican Center will be integrated
into the college campus.”
Newburgh was proud of its early educational centers, and the
Sisters of Saint Dominic were an integral part of that.
The Sisters’ presence grew, and they built a large
structure with a beautiful gothic chapel in 1927 (the chapel will
remain in the building, say college officials).
Mount Saint Mary College was established a half century ago. The
Mount remains the only independent four-year college in Orange
County. Its national accreditations include Middle States
Commission on Higher Education, Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher
Education.
From an opening enrollment of 166 students, Mount Saint Mary
College has grown to serve 2,700 students per year, has awarded
nearly 15,000 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and has alumni in
all 50 states and a half dozen other countries. Recently, new
faculty have been hired each year. Mount grads work in many area
hospitals, schools, businesses and other ventures.
“We celebrate and treasure our enduring connection with the
community and the many lives we have touched through our
ministries,” said Sr. Elcock, who serves as a college trustee. “The
Sisters forged strong bonds with their students and families, in
Newburgh and beyond.”
In addition to the $5 million purchase price paid to the Sisters
for the 90,000 square foot building, the college anticipates a
substantial investment in renovation costs.
The trustees have approved a $10 million capital campaign. JMZ
Architects and Planners, PC, engaged in higher education planning
for over 25 years, are helping to develop a master plan.
Preliminary plans for the building include a state of the art
library/learning commons, which Fr. Mackin believes will be a great
asset. The college is a member of the Southeastern New York Library
Resources Council, and also has a reciprocal borrowing agreement
with Newburgh Free Library and SUNY Orange library users.
“Our primary purpose is education, in view of the vision and
mission of Mount Saint Mary College,” said Fr. Mackin. “Our
strategic plan calls us to achieve academic excellence while
creating holistic living-learning spaces,” he noted. “And our
number of resident students has grown. Our purchase of the
Dominican property is a unique opportunity to help fulfill our
strategic plan, design a better living-learning environment, and
add some parking and green space."
Garraghan, a trustee since 2004, noted the Mount has been a good
neighbor, exemplifying stability and growth, and renovating and
maintaining properties.
The Center for Governmental Research in Rochester, NY, estimates
the regional economic impact of Mount Saint Mary College at $125
million per year.
Over the years, the college has invested millions of dollars in
Newburgh, provides a homeownership initiative program, and has long
been a favorite event site for city and other not-for-profit
groups.
According to Fr. Mackin, nearly 40 percent of Mount Saint Mary
College students are first generation college students.
“We need to steward our resources carefully,” he observed. “As
an independent college, students and families invest in us to do
that. We’re challenged not to rest on laurels, but to improve
constantly and build for the common good, to continue to provide
‘Hope’ for today’s young women and men.”
Ranked a Top-Tier Regional University (North) by U.S. News
& World Report, and with federal recognition for community
service, Mount Saint Mary College offers strong career preparation
in education, health professions, business, psychology, social
services and liberal arts.
Read more about the Dominican Sisters of Hope at www.ophope.org