New President to take office at the conclusion of Sweeny’s term in 2011

New Rochelle, NY, August 19, 2010 – The College of New Rochelle (CNR) Board of Trustees has announced the election of Judith Huntington as the 13^th president of the College, effective July 1, 2011. She will succeed Stephen J. Sweeny, Ph.D., who has served as president since 1997.

“To announce the selection of the president-elect a year in advance of her taking office is unique,” says CNR Board Chairman Michael N. Ambler. “But the board believes by doing so, we are ensuring a more seamless and successful transition of leadership.”

Ambler said the Board of Trustees’ primary consideration in the selection process was to choose a successor who respected the founding principles of the College’s mission and was dedicated to moving the College toward an expanded and prosperous future.

He said that the trustees overwhelmingly chose Huntington because they felt that she was the best choice for the continued success of the College.

“When we began this search, we defined the qualities and core values that we believed our new President should have, and Judith was a perfect match. She demonstrates an appreciation for the work of faculty and staff; she is a moral and authentic role model, as well as, an astute and capable leader with a passion for the College’s Mission. She is committed to the education of women, to the primacy of the liberal arts, to the College’s Catholic and Ursuline heritage, to solid career preparation grounded in the sense of service, and to the importance of building a community drawn from diversity. Finally, she is highly regarded in the concentric circles in the community. In short, she is exactly what this college needs to lead us into the future,’’ said Ambler.

Huntington joined the College in 2001 as Vice President for Financial Affairs, assuming full responsibility for all fiscal issues involving the College. Having served as an outside auditor to the College for eight years before her appointment, she was already well acquainted with the College’s financial affairs.

Dr. Sweeny said that her passion for the College’s Mission coupled with her fiscal leadership through difficult economic times convinced him that she was the best candidate to succeed him as President.

“As President for many years, I recognize the qualities that it takes to be President: the leadership ability, the commitment to the College and its students, and above all, the ability to be flexible and to balance competing interests. Judith has all these qualities and more.”

During her tenure, Huntington has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments which include overseeing the construction of the College’s $28 million Wellness Center, maintaining a BBB rating from Moody’s Investor Services, and improving the College’s financial outlook through conservative spending and investment.   

Huntington’s experience includes more than 20 years in the financial arena, working with not-for-profits and specializing in higher education. Prior to joining CNR, she served as audit senior manager in KPMG’s metro New York higher education, research, and other not-for-profit practice, providing audit and accounting services.  She also served as the engagement senior manager for several of KPMG's most complex clients, including Manhattan College, Pace University, Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, Save the Children Federation, and The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

Among one of the youngest in her firm to be selected to serve on the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in Norwalk, CT, she spent two years working to develop policy that is the standard in the industry including FASB Statement No. 116, "Accounting for Contributions Received and Contributions Made," and FASB Statement No. 117, "Financial Statements for Not-for-Profit Organizations."

She is a former member of the Yorktown Central School District Board of Education, serves on the Lower Hudson Valley Catholic Consortium, and is a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s evaluation team. In 2008 Huntington received an Apex Advocacy Award from the Westchester County Association for her participation on the Association’s Property Tax Alliance. Huntington holds a bachelor of business administration degree from Pace University.

Huntington and her family are residents of Yorktown Heights, NY.  Her husband of 23 years, Brad Huntington, is the President of Tri-State Engineering. They have two children, Amanda, a freshman at Sacred Heart University majoring in Theology and Psychology, and Bradley Jr., a sophomore at Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers, NY. They are parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown Heights and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church in Brookfield, CT.

Huntington said that she was honored to be chosen to carry on in the tradition of Presidents such as Dr. Sweeny and Sister Dorothy Ann Kelly, who had also come from within the College Community.

“For more than 18 years it has been my honor to be associated with The College of New Rochelle and to see first-hand the brilliant work of Dr. Sweeny and others who came before me. I will do my best to continue the fine work of Dr. Sweeny and to uphold the tradition of excellence here at CNR.’’