Skip Content
  • Student Life
  • Give
  • News

    Happening in and around the College.

    November 17, 2016

    Palony Wellness Studios: Celebrating Life Through a Commitment to Wellness

    Anne Palony ’65 was a firm believer in maintaining good emotional, physical and spiritual health and, although she passed away in June 2016 at the age of 72, her generosity will enable future generations of Le Moyne students to promote their well-being.

    Among the ways that belief will continue on Le Moyne's campus is through the presence of the Palony Wellness Studios, which were opened in Fall 2016 and formally dedicated at a ceremony that took place on Nov. 17. Created through the transformation of two racquetball courts into one large studio, the studios feature state-of-the-art video and audio systems, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, dance barres, a retractable center wall, and new workout balls, fitness mats, medicine balls, hand weights and other equipment. A wide variety of fitness classes are offered in the space for members of the Le Moyne community, including Body Sculpt, Boot Camp, Cycle & Strength, Spinning, Kickboxing, TRX, Barre, Yoga and Zumba.

    Palony, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, provided the College with the lead gift for the studio, as well as funding that established an annual wellness-themed lecture series, which was launched in 2013. Other health related initiatives that will result from the gift are still being developed. Also providing inspiration and financial support for the studio is the Patrick family, Donna and James, parents of Kendra '16 and Truman '18.

    Over the course of her life and through her estate, Palony gifted the College with $2 million, a portion of which came from real estate that she donated to Le Moyne and which the College later sold. She provided the College with a gift to establish an annual wellness-themed lecture series and with another significant donation that was used to help create new, state-of-the-art wellness studios in Le Moyne’s Recreation Center. Both the lecture series and the studios will play a pivotal role in promoting a healthy culture and create opportunities for students when they are learning to care for their overall welfare.

    “Anne believed strongly in the connection between the mind, body and spirit, and cared deeply about health and wellness,” recalled Dean for Student Development Anne Kearney. “She was aware that the college years are times when students are forming important lifestyle habits that can affect their health for years to come. Anne really wanted students to have myriad opportunities to learn about and experience wellness during this critical time in their lives.”

    Kearney, who came to know Palony through their work on the Palony Wellness Series, said that the alumna attributed her success in the field of real estate to the College and wanted to give back to her alma mater. Since its founding three years ago, the Palony Wellness Lecture Series has brought to campus experts in stress management, nutrition and spiritualty to speak to students and the local community.

    “Anne was a vivacious woman who truly understood how critical it is to take care of yourself, not just to prevent disease, but to flourish,” Kearney said. “That is what she would want for our students, and her generosity will go a long way toward helping them achieve that goal for generations to come.”  

     

    Category: Press Releases Tags: