Costellos Share Life After MMC and Encourage Others to Support the College’s Future

This forward momentum is due in part to the contributions that have been made in support of the campaign special initiatives. These initiatives include: The Sr. Judith Savard Endowed Travel Fellowship andFaculty Chair, Professor Gurcharan Singh Endowed Memorial Fund, Maureen Lyons Olson Endowed Scholarship Fund, Dr. Marvelle S. Colby Endowed Scholarship Fund, Professor J. William Bordeau Endowed Scholarship, theGloria Spinelli Bohan – A Challenge to the Alumni of the 1960s, and theJohn and Priscilla Costello Fund. 

Priscilla and John Costello were exemplary professors who shared their love of literature and their passion for learning with Marymount Manhattan students. They devoted two professional lifetimes, a combined total of 78 years, to MMC and its students. The retired professors continue to hold the College close to their hearts as they move forward with their next stage in life. 

Since retiring in 2009, John has continued his research in Medieval and Post-colonial literatures, and he has also continued his love of singing opera. He has been cast as Rich Nyx in the Hudson Opera Theatre production, “Orpheus in the Underworld” by Jacques Offenbach, scheduled on April 11, 17 and 18 at the United Presbyterian Church of Middletown. 

“It’s different from teaching,” said John, who since 1984 has performed 43 roles. “You have to continue to develop your singing capacity. You need to know the language that you are singing…more often than not it’s in Italian or French. As in drama courses, you need to know the style of theatre, and you need to be able to integrate the acting and the singing.” 

John joined the MMC faculty in 1966 and taught more than 70 different literature courses. John also worked collaboratively to create courses with colleagues in other departments, including art history, psychology, history, music, philosophy, sociology and theatre. John envisioned and directed the first summer program for Community Leadership Program (CLP) students in the late 60’s when the College first began to recruit capable but under-prepared students. He also chaired the English department for 32 years and the Humanities Division for several. 

Priscilla has completed a children’s book. In addition to writing this novel she has composed music to accompany the text. Priscilla continues to read widely in literature and history, particularly pursuing research in 19th century American history and women’s studies. 

Priscilla Costello joined the faculty in 1965 and retired in 2000. Initially hired to teach American literature and develop its curriculum, she expanded her field of expertise and developed new and interdisciplinary courses for the College in her areas of study. Priscilla established the Critical Thinking Program and served as its director for over ten years. She was the first director of Alpha Chi, the College’s first honor society, and was the first sponsor of the annual Honors Colloquium. She also led the College in the late 1980’s as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. 

In 2009, the College celebrated John and Priscilla’s careers and honored their many years of service through the establishment of The John and Priscilla Costello Fund, a special initiative of This is the Day, the Campaign for Marymount Manhattan. The purpose of this fund is to provide resources to the English department as it continues in the tradition that they nurtured throughout their careers. Funds raised in John and Priscilla’s names provide support to the English Department to advance a number of initiatives: the Priscilla H. Costello Award for Essay Writing and the John Costello Award for Creative Nonfiction; the John and Priscilla Costello Speakers Series; and outings for English majors to some of New York City’s literary landmarks and events. 

John says supporting the Costello fund will provide the opportunity for future generations of students to have an enriching experience at Marymount Manhattan. 

“Most of our students have shared the same values of education and learning, together with the curiosity and exploration,” he said. “Supporting this fund would be enormously helpful for the English department, so they can continue to provide students with an educational experience that is professionally challenging, practical, and personally rewarding.” 

To learn how you can join others to pay tribute to John and Priscilla’s unwavering commitment to Marymount Manhattan College, please contact Jean Wilhelm at (212) 517-0460 or jwilhelm@mmm.edu. Learn about other campaign initiatives by visiting www.mmm.edu/campaign.

Published: March 30, 2010