Thomas and Mary Alice O’Malley as they were being affiliated. MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
Andrew Mannion, Sports Editor
Thomas and Mary Alice O’Malley were named affiliated members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools earlier this month. O’Malley, a former chairman at Manhattan University and long-time donor for the university, received what is viewed as the highest honor bestowed by the Christian brothers.
The ceremony was held on Sept. 3, where the O’Malleys were honored within the brothers’ residence. Brother Daniel Gardner, a Christian brother and former interim president at MU, spoke on the special event and how the family was celebrated.
“(The O’Malleys’) family and friends joined the brothers’ community for a Mass to celebrate the fact that they were spiritually joining the brothers,” Gardner said. “They were presented with the same articles that new brothers receive; a New Testament, a six-decade rosary bead, and a Crucifix. Their family witnessed their spiritual accomplishments recognized in a public forum, and it was a special event.”
The O’Malleys’ lives have shown great passion towards helping others in all situations. They have donated and served on boards of hospitals, schools and universities. These traits of the O’Malleys are what ultimately led to the honor. Gardner spoke more about the O’Malleys and how they have contributed to the local community.
“The O’Malleys were chosen because of their great leadership and commitment to the five points of the [Lasallian] star when Mr. O’Malley chaired the Board of Trustees,” Gardner said. “The O’Malleys are deeply committed to accessibility for MU for the underserved and financially excluded. He was influenced by the brothers and their mission since high school and took that philosophy into the world with him.”
Thomas O’Malley has always shown strong efforts toward improving MU. With over 50 years in business, O’Malley has seen the ever-changing job market and the role colleges play in helping students reach successful careers. Back in 2022, O’Malley spoke to The Quadrangle on the role a thriving college plays for students.
“Your education has to be able to give you a job when you get out of school,” O’Malley said in the article. “I think when [you] get out of college, you better be sure that you’ve taken enough courses [to] get yourself a good job that provides you with a good living. So an education that is very much career-oriented has become more important. But I still believe that a liberal arts background is helpful. I don’t think you can go forward and appreciate the world without having a fairly broad education.”
The O’Malleys’ efforts have without a doubt touched the everyday lives of students at MU. With contributions funding the Kelly Student Commons and O’Malley Library, as well the O’Malley School of Business, students have been given access to state-of-art facilities to complete their studies and enhance social life on campus. Student Body President Patrick Kantor spoke on the effects that O’Malley has had on students at the university.
“Us students are incredibly grateful for the contributions made by Thomas and Mary O’Malley towards Manhattan University,” Kantor wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “Being able to have incredible buildings like Kelly Commons and O’Malley Library help students every day they are around campus maximize their education. Having such great alumni is a noticeable trait of Manhattan, and the O’Malleys are a great part of that.”
*Editor’s Note: Grace Cardinal contributed to reporting.