By Josh Dubin, Class of 2012
Washington, D.C., area residents and St. Bonaventure University alumni Steven G. Barry, Anthony G. LaBarbera, Mari L. Snyder, and James J. Zaniello have contributed a total of $100,000 to St. Bonaventure University’s School of Business Campaign, the University announced today.
St. Bonaventure is in the midst of a $15 million campaign to construct a 26,000-square-foot building to house its School of Business. The new center will feature high-tech classrooms, a financial services lab, a state-of-the-art boardroom, and special meeting and office spaces for student groups and faculty.
All four D.C.-area business leaders noted their strong belief in St. Bonaventure’s brand of business education and the importance of supporting the campaign.
Mari L. Snyder, class of 1990, serves as vice president of Social Responsibility and Community Engagement at Marriott International, Inc. Having received a full scholarship to attend St. Bonaventure, Snyder understands the importance of this initiative and is eager to give back to her alma mater.
“St. Bonaventure set me up for success. The dedicated faculty — and sense of community the University instills — help develop leadership skills,” said Snyder. “It is important that alumni partner with the University to pass on the legacy of a St. Bonaventure education.”
Also pledging support for the campaign is alumnus James J. Zaniello, class of 1990. Zaniello is president and founder of Vetted Solutions, a boutique executive search firm specializing in association and nonprofit recruiting and consulting. He is a former member of St. Bonaventure’s National Alumni Association Board.
“St. Bonaventure gave me the foundation I needed to succeed,” said Zaniello. “It is my belief that investing in a University as unique as St. Bonaventure will in turn produce the next generation of strong, ethical and globally influential business leaders.”
Adding to the mix, alumnus Steven G. Barry, class of 1988, also pledged his support to the School of Business Campaign. An accounting graduate, Barry is partner at KPMG, LLP.
“It is a pleasure to give back to St. Bonaventure and to support this initiative,” said Barry. “I’m confident that the new center will have a huge impact on the program, the University as a whole, and the elite graduates that St. Bonaventure is known for producing.”
Also pledging support is alumnus and class of 1980 graduate Anthony G. LaBarbera, president and managing director of Guardian Realty Investors, LLC. He resides in Vienna, Va.
“St. Bonaventure established a strong foundation of business ethics and community,” said LaBarbera. “I am passionate about Bona’s and am pleased to support this critical initiative that will provide opportunities to students.”
The University broke ground for the new business building on March 23. Construction will begin by June, with occupancy set for fall 2013.
“The new William E. and Ann L. Swan Business Center is a key element in our overall strategic plan,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of the University. “We have seen firsthand the power of new facilities on our campus, and know that investing in this building will position us to better compete for high-quality students and faculty who want to be part of a unique and distinctive scholarly environment."
The $15 million campaign will provide $10 million for the construction of the new business center, $4 million in endowments for faculty and programmatic support to ensure a vibrant intellectual community, and $1 million for building endowment.
More than $13 million has been raised.
The leadership gifts from the Barry, Snyder, Zaniello and LaBarbera families are among more than 400 commitments made to the campaign by St. Bonaventure alumni and friends.
Donations to the campaign may be made by visiting www.sbu.edu/bullishonbusiness/donate or by calling (800) 664-1273.
For more on the planned business center and the School of Business Campaign, go to www.sbu.edu/bullishonbusiness.
About the University: Inspired for more than 150 years by the Catholic Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them.