Iona Prep has appointed Br. Thomas R. Leto, CFC as the new president of Iona Prep. Leto will replace Br. James A. Liguori, President of Iona College, who served as interim President of Iona Prep over the past school year.
The Board of Directors recommended the hiring of Brother Leto and this recommendation was accepted by the Trustees of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers of North America Province who have appointed him effective July 1, 2010.
Br. Leto has been the President of Bishop Hendricken, a high school with 930 boys in Warwick, RI for the past eleven years. During his tenure, the school completed a 33,000 square foot addition that includes twelve classrooms, science labs, a digital production studio, music studios, and a 350 seat theater. He also added athletic fields, press boxes, and a beautiful prayer garden during his time at Bishop Hendricken.
Br. Leto grew up in Yonkers. He holds degrees from Iona College, New York University and the University of Dayton. Throughout his teaching years, Br. Leto held positions at Iona Grammar School, Catholic Memorial in Boston, Rice High School in NYC, and Essex Catholic in New Jersey. Prior to his most recent appointment he served as President of All Hallows in the Bronx.
In an announcement, John Verni (’80), Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors, said:
Br. Leto lives every day in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice and is guided by the mission of the Christian Brothers. Beyond his commitment to outstanding academics, competitive athletics, and a rich arts curriculum, Br. Leto believes that service learning is an important part of the Catholic high school experience. At Hendricken, not only do the students participate in service projects in their own community, but the school sponsors four service trips a year to places such as the Appalachian Highlands in Kentucky; Christian Brothers Schools in Bonita Springs, Florida and Lima, Peru in the impoverished Canto Grande area; and this summer they will journey to Kenya, Africa. Br. Leto believes that the students should know that they are part of a larger Edmund Rice community.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, the Board of Directors were impressed with his long-term vision for the advancement of Iona Prep as we move towards our centennial in 2016. Br. Leto recognizes the unique mission of Iona Prep, the rich traditions of the School, and its important place in the community as the premiere Catholic secondary preparatory school for young men in Westchester County.