By Theresa Schliep
The Cunniffes contributes to their legacy as $20 million donors with a generous gift to the university last week.
Maurice Cunniffe, FCRH ’54, and Carolyn Dursi Cunniffe, Ph.D. GSAS ’71, made the donation to the university and dedicated to funding student financial aid. The money will go towards the presidential scholars program, newly named the Maurice and Carolyn Cunniffe Presidential Scholars Program.
The donation comes as the university campaigns to raise $175 million for financial aid. The gift is the second largest in university history.
The university’s administration building, the Cunniffe House, as well as the Carolyn Dursi Cunniffe Fountain, bear the Cunniffe name in recognition of their contributions to the university. A number of offices find residence in Cunniffe House, including the office of Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university.
“We renamed the administration building Cunniffe House to acknowledge Mo and Carolyn’s great generosity and service to Fordham, as well as their integrity and steadfastness,” McShane said. “Having known Mo for more than two decades, I can say with authority that his accomplishments and humility are unparalleled. It is very much Fordham’s honor to have their names associated with our most prestigious scholars.”
Maurice Cunniffe is the chairman and chief executive officer at Vista Capital Corporation, was a director of Sola International, had been chief engineer at the Sperry Gyroscope Company, consulted for McKinsey and Company, and has served on the board of trustees of the Cancer Research Institute, Fordham Preparatory School and Fordham University.
Carolyn Dursi Cunniffe was a senior vice president with Cablevision and has received three degrees from Fordham, including a doctorate.
According to Fordham University’s financial aid office, the presidential scholarship grants the top twenty admitted students each year full tuition and room and board, renewable each year. Presidential Scholars are normally amongst the top 1-2 percent of their high school class.
In 2010, the university presented Mario Gabelli and Cunniffe with the Founder’s Award, which the university gives to notable alumni.
Maurice Cunniffe was born to Irish immigrants, and grew up in the Bronx, according to Fordham Preparatory School. He attended Fordham Prep from 1946 to 1950. After his graduation, he attended the university and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in physics. He later earned his Master of Science degree from Stevens Institue of Technology.
The university granted Maurice Cunniffe with an honorary degree in 2016.
The Cunniffes did not respond in time for comment.
