Olympia receives Mount's inaugural Community Service Award

Peter M. Olympia, Jr. (center), recipient of an inaugural Community Service Award from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, is joined by Fr. Kevin Mackin OFM, president, and Sr. Ann Sakac, former Mount president.

At its 52nd annual academic convocation, Mount Saint Mary College presented an inaugural Community Service Award to Peter M. Olympia, Jr., founder and managing partner of Strategic Alliance, LLC, a consulting firm providing services to the banking industry.

Olympia was also invited to present the convocation address to hundreds of student honorees and their families at the ceremony on September 8.

Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, president of Mount Saint Mary College, praised Olympia’s accomplishments, service and generosity.

“The Mount Saint Mary College Community Service Award has been created by the college to acknowledge individuals who have shown dedication and provided outstanding service to the Mount and the Hudson Valley community,” said Fr. Mackin. “I am honored to present this year’s inaugural award to Peter Olympia.”

Peter M. Olympia, Jr. is a native of Newburgh, N.Y., and currently resides in Dutchess County. He is a graduate of Fordham University and the former St. Patrick’s High School in Newburgh.

Olympia spent most of his professional career as a senior banking executive and currently serves as founder and managing partner of Strategic Alliance, LLC.

He has served on the board of trustees of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh since 2002. He chaired its recent development program, and has been a mainstay on the board’s finance committee, an ad-hoc member of advancement, and on the investment sub-committee, said Mackin.

Olympia’s record of service is extensive.

He is a director and treasurer for the Anderson Center for Autism, a residential school providing services to children and young adults on the autism spectrum. He is also a board member of Cub’s Place, an organization providing services to young children at risk.

He served two tours of duty off the coast of Vietnam as a surface warfare officer, and was honorably discharged from the United States Navy as a lieutenant. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

In addition, he is trustee and administrator of the Peter M. & Edith P. Olympia Charitable Trust, established by his parents to support local educational, health and religious organizations.

Previously, he served on the boards of the former Eastern Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of the Hudson Highlands, the former Poughkeepsie YMCA, and the City of Newburgh Lions Club.

In his address to Mount Saint Mary College students on September 8, Olympia emphasized that students should look into their own hearts to clarify their vision.

“I remind you all it is up to you to choose,” he said. “Be awake before you agree to a dream that is not your own. Make a choice when you are fully awake: a choice that is informed by your heart, and not only by what others say or think or believe.”

He also encouraged the Mount students to keep their optimism. “Many will tell you that opportunities are limited, and the world is a changing place. Yes, there will be change -- just as there always has been – but as I look out at this sea of fresh faces, I see those who will have the opportunity to participate in a cure for cancer, participate in space travel, work on a sequel to the Internet, and most importantly, those who will teach our youth,” said Olympia.

Mount Saint Mary College, ranked a Top-Tier Regional University (North) by U.S. News & World Report, offers strong career preparation for health professions, education, business, psychology, communication/media production and more.

An Open House for next year’s prospective freshmen and their families will be held October 23. For more information or to register for events, see www.msmc.edu