O’Malley donates $10 million for MC’s new student center

Manhattan College received $10 million, the largest donation in the school’s history, from Thomas O’Malley, the former chairman of the school’s board of trustees.

The money will help finance the Raymond W. Kelly Student Commons, a student center named after 1963 alumnus and NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Mr. O’Malley, a 1963 alumnus, said he was honored to provide the “lead gift” for the student commons.

“Police Commissioner Ray Kelly does, in our view, reflect all that Manhattan College teaches. His success, service and unblemished reputation provides the model that we ask our students to aspire to,” Mr. O’Malley said in a press release.

To date Manhattan College has raised $27 million for the student commons, which the school plans to break ground on by the end of the year.

Mr. Kelly said he thought the commons’ namesake a reflected well on the entire police department.

“I am honored beyond measure to have the new student center named after me, which I recognize as a tribute also to the life-saving work of the entire New York City Police Department, and to many outstanding Manhattan alumni who have served in its ranks,” Mr. Kelly said in a statement.