Marymount Manhattan Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary in Recognition of the Bedford Hills College Program

President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., presents Nora Moran ’06 with the 75th Anniversary Gala award.

Mistress of Ceremonies Rehema Ellis, chief education correspondent of NBC News, gracefully orchestrated the flow of the evening’s program, starting with her first introduction of the talented and recent Marymount Manhattan graduates Austen Nash Boone ’12, Rebecca Kate Moyer ’12, Robert Torres ’12 and Jessica Zambrotta ’12, who performed their acapella rendition of the National Anthem. Afterwards, James Buckman, chairman of the Board of Trustees, shared welcoming remarks. 

Theater arts major Emmy Raver Lampman ’12 (who is joining the national tour of Jekyll and Hyde), performed an outstanding rendition of “If We Only Have Love,” and was accompanied on the piano by graduating class speaker Robbie Torres ’12. 

In his passionate remarks, President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., reflected upon how much has changed since 1936 while the college’s mission today still reflects the founding objectives. The president underscored the benefits of higher education and what it can do for people. For instance, the Bedford Hills College Program brings Marymount Manhattan education to incarcerated women, who may never otherwise have access to college. Upon release, rather than having little to no skills, these women are empowered with skills and a college diploma in hand and are ready for a future with unlimited possibilities. Yet, due to a cut in federal and state funding, the program almost closed if not for a committed Board of Trustees and extraordinary donors. 

With special recognition to educator and donor Dr. Valerie Rowe, President Shaver praised her strong advocacy to preserve access to education for incarcerated women. He explained to thunderous applause, that through <i.the rowe=”” challenge<=”” i=”“>, $1,000,000 was matched by Dr. Rowe and her husband, Dr. John (Jack) Rowe, for gifts to the Bedford Hills College Program Endowment. 

Dr. Valerie Rowe, with joy in her voice, said “Tonight we celebrate the achievement of a million dollar matching challenge. The Bedford Hills College Program now has an endowment of $2.5 million. This does not ensure financial independence but does ensure financial stability.” 

The gala program also included a moving video presentation. Watching and listening to some of the BHCP women as they shared their emotional life journeys sent a powerful message about the vitality and impact of the Bedford Hills College Program and why it is so necessary. 

Our honoree, Noran Moran, whose extraordinary story ran in DNAinfo.comspoke passionately about the incarcerated women who are earning their degrees, some of whom may never leave the correctional facility: “From prison, through Marymount Manhattan’s Bedford [Hills] College Program, our ideas are heard, have value, and are able to influence change. The education we received provided us with the opportunity to breach our disconnection from the outside world. We now share our insights with our families…and even help our children with their homework. And on a very real level, we are able to become participants in and contributors towards a larger academic community.” 

Music and dancing to the Hank Lane orchestra topped off the evening. 

Click here to view the photo gallery.

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.

Published: June 14, 2012