Antoinette, “Toni,” Iadarola has lived up to Cabrini’s mission to “Do Something Extraordinary” in the 16 years that she has held the position as the president of Cabrini College.
Since the announcement on Friday afternoon, the campus has been buzzing. Students and faculty have been reflecting on Iadarola’s accomplishments, and the possibility of change with the incoming of a new president.
Iadarola’s surprise announcement of her retirement has left some faculty and students wondering why it came so suddenly, while others see that this year, the 50th anniversary, as the perfect time.
According to the American College President: 2007 Edition Web site, presidents serve an average of 8.5 years in office at a college or university. President Iadarola has outdone that statistic, nearly doubling it, all the while making much needed changes to the college as a whole.
As the college’s president, Iadarola raised millions of dollars, built five new buildings, recruited faculty and staff in the top of their fields and launched a five-year strategic plan, which will continue to develop the college in every aspect. She has placed Cabrini on the academic map through her leadership and ideas.
As students, we complain about the small size of our rooms and the treasure hunt that takes place just to find a parking space. Without Iadarola’s vision of a larger community, we would have even less space in which to live. Just a few years ago, the apartment complex, East Residence Hall and West Residence Hall did not exist.
Cabrini has achieved many accomplishments over the years, however, the 50th anniversary of the college warrants a new change; a change that a new president will bring next academic year. We believe Iadarola’s successor will continue her hopes and dreams for the college, at the same time adding their own perspective and vision.
The percentage of women presidents at a college or university has more than doubled, from 10 percent of total presidents in 1986 to 23 percent in 2006. Iadarola has proven that you don’t need to be a man to achieve success in a position of power, especially as powerful a position as being in charge of an entire college community.
The average age of presidents in a college or university is 60; another number in which Iadarola has beaten. She announced her retirement at age 67.
Many people at large universities probably can not name their school’s president. It is rare to find someone on Cabrini’s campus who does not know who President Iadarola is. She can tell you what the food in the cafeteria tastes like because she actually has had a meal there. She opens her home to students, whether it is to host a meal for them or let them cook for her and destroy her kitchen in the process.
Cabrini has been lucky to have such a compassionate and heart-felt woman as Toni Iadarola as the president of their college for the past 16 years. We, the editorial staff of the Loquitur, wish her the best of luck in everything she does in the future, and thank her for everything she has done for the college.
