Message from the President

To the Manhattan University community:

At this time of growth and opportunity for our entire academic community, I am excited to introduce this special issue of Manhattan’s annual Honor Roll of Donors — our tribute to the extraordinary alumni and friends who so generously support our University.

When I assumed my role as Manhattan’s interim president — and a new Jasper — in October, I already knew about the remarkable commitment of those who believe in the enduring value of our Lasallian Catholic mission. Our 2024 Honor Roll of Donors places your dedication on vivid display.

In this expanded edition, we express our deepest thanks to all of you for two uplifting achievements: First, we celebrate the steadfast members of our Jasper family who continued to support the Fund for Manhattan. Comprising Annual Giving, Anniversary Class Giving and other vital efforts to benefit students, this year’s fund contributed to a giving-year total that surpassed $17 million. Second, we gratefully announce the completion of Invest in the Vision: The Campaign for Manhattan, an unprecedented initiative that has set the proverbial stage for a dynamic new era of excellence at our Riverdale campus.

The campaign’s phenomenal success comes at a momentous time in our long history — our change in status to Manhattan University. This development, of course, reflects Manhattan’s continual growth, from its days as the Academy of the Holy Infancy to the distinguished institution it is today.

Our special Capital Campaign section begins here. Introduced by Thomas Mauriello, senior vice president for university advancement, it describes our campaign’s accomplishments in considerable detail. However, I deeply appreciate this opportunity to share my own thoughts about what this means for the talented young Jaspers pursuing their dreams at Manhattan.

In addition to our campaign, I feel immense pride in the widespread acclaim our University has continued to draw from leading college rankings and other media observers. We provide a sampling on our Rankings and Ratings page. Clearly, Manhattan University offers a learning experience that changes lives. This heritage of excellence is rooted in our Lasallian Catholic educational tradition, which I personally appreciate. I have served as a professor and administrator in higher education for the past 30 years — 24 of them at Saint Peter’s University, a Jesuit institution in New Jersey, where I witnessed the unlimited benefits of a values-based education.

For more than 171 years, Manhattan has excelled at preparing young men and women for leadership in their communities and careers. Our past and present successes stem from the charism of the Christian Brothers who founded Manhattan. As always, they and their lay colleagues remain true to their educational mission, in partnership with benefactors like you.

Today, we owe our continuing strength to all the loyal alumni and friends whose names appear in this 2024 Honor Roll of Donors. As I begin my tenure at Manhattan, I look forward to working with you on behalf of our University, its mission and the worthy students who come to us for a truly distinctive educational experience.

Frederick Bonato, Ph.D.
Interim President