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 Purchase, NY - “The New York State Legislature’s approval of the lease of nearly forty acres of land on the campus of Purchase College for development of a senior learning community is a significant achievement and will provide an enormous benefit to the educational and cultural mission of Purchase College,” said Thomas J. Schwarz President.
“We are ecstatic at the news and grateful to the many legislators, friends and supporters who have championed our efforts to establish a senior learning community at Purchase College,” said Thomas J. Schwarz, President of Purchase College. “It has been a multi-year effort.” he said.
“We will finally realize our long term goal, housing and lifelong learning on campus for an active community of senior citizens and broadened educational and research experiences for our students and faculty,” said Schwarz.
We wish to thank Assemblyman Adam Bradley, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, Senator Vincent Leibell, Senator Kenneth LaValle, the staff of the New York State Assembly and Senate, the State University Board of Trustees and Vice Chancellor Michael Trunzo and his staff for their tireless efforts on our behalf. We also thank our ardent community of supporters for their expertise and guidance, especially Carl Austin, Robert Feder and Eugene M. Grant.
Purchase College joins a growing trend of nearly forty colleges and universities nationwide with senior housing communities.
“It is a perfect fit,” says Schwarz. “The seniors can spend their retirement in a residential environment filled with intellectual stimulation as active learners through continuing education programs. We already have a large number of seniors who audit courses and participate in programs at the Neuberger Museum of Art and The Performing Arts Center, and this senior learning community will provide even greater incentives to remain active. With the senior learning community there will be more opportunities for residents to become involved as patrons and audience members for student and professional performances and at exhibitions. They can also become volunteers for the Neuberger Museum of Art, the Performing Arts Center and the Children’s Center.”
Seniors taking classes can also be involved as mentors and tutors utilizing their professional expertise, and they will infuse the classroom experience for students with the perspective of another generation.
Our program for the study and research of gerontology will have added benefits for our faculty and students. There will also be opportunities for new innovations in oral history programs.
The Purchase College Advancement Corporation will take various next steps in compliance with the legislation that lead to the preparation of a Request for Proposals to contract with an operator of retirement communities which will build and operate the housing units. According to the legislation, seventy-five percent of the proceeds from a long-term lease will provide scholarships for economically and educationally disadvantaged college students and twenty-five percent of the proceeds will support full-time faculty positions.
“Everyone wins. This initiative is at the core of the College’s mission. This is a home run for Purchase College, for Westchester and New York State,” said President Schwarz.
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Thank you,
Donald and Teresa MacDonald