Mount Saint Mary College awarded $1 million from state

Million Dollar Smiles: Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM (left), president of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, receives good news from Senator William Larkin.

This fall, Mount Saint Mary College kicked off the public phase of a $10 million campaign by announcing it was nearly two thirds of the way toward its goal.

On December 19, the college received more good news: its Dominican Center project will receive $1 million in Empire State Development Grant funds, via the regional economic development council process of consolidated funding application.

College president Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, described the Dominican Center capital project as a “flagship project, to transform a 1927 structure and grounds into a 21st century living and learning center.”

He praised Governor Andrew Cuomo for recognizing that “Mount Saint Mary College is a regional economic engine.”

“This construction project alone will be employing around 200 New Yorkers,” said Mackin, who notes the lead contractor is Kirchhoff-Consigli Construction Management.

Mackin also acknowledged “major partnership gifts” from the Kaplan Family Foundations, the Dyson Foundation, the Dominican Sisters of Hope, the college’s board of trustees, and alumni and other friends.

The Dominican Center’s five story 100,000 square foot primary structure will accommodate a library/learning commons, a residence hall for approximately 156 students (meeting a growing demand for on-campus housing), a dining facility, and the existing Chapel of the Holy Rosary.

The center is projected to earn its certificate of occupancy in late 2013, to open January 2014.

Other phases of the project include the renovation of space made vacant in Aquinas Hall by the relocation of the library. That space will be used to expand the college’s business education.

Mount Saint Mary College’s mainstays of health professions and teacher education are expected to continue to thrive.

“More than 40 percent of this year’s freshmen are pursuing health professions, be it nursing or physical therapy, pre-med, pre-physician assistant, etc.,” explained Mackin. “And many are first generation college students in their family. The Mount is definitely an integral part of the community…a sign of hope.”