One of the most transformational supporters in the history of Siena College has died at the age of 90.
George T. Maloney ’54 – trustee emeritus, key benefactor and alumnus – passed away June 24 at his home in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. The Maloney name appears on structures throughout the campus as a testament to his decades of leadership and support as an original “Builder of Siena.”
“Through his exceptional generosity and devotion to Siena’s Franciscan mission and values, George Maloney and his beloved wife, Sally, have truly transformed the College’s campus, its academic programs and its scholarship offerings,” said Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. “The entire Siena community mourns his passing. We will be forever grateful for his leadership and his contributions to the betterment of higher education.”
“George Maloney’s lifelong passion for Siena was ignited when he arrived on campus in the fall of 1950 on a golf scholarship,” said David B. Smith ’79, vice president of development and external affairs. “He went on to an extraordinarily successful business career, but never forgot the academic and spiritual foundation he received here. He has contributed to the College in so many ways: through financial support, business guidance, and by the example of a life well lived, forever guided by the Franciscan principles he learned as a student at Siena.”
Maloney served on Siena’s Board of Trustees for 16 years, retiring in 2006. During his tenure, he served with distinction on many of the College’s board committees; of note was his work to help transform the development committee, which he chaired for 12 years. He also served on the Board of Advisors from 1987–1990 before joining the Board of Trustees. The board voted him a trustee emeritus in 2007.
He was the 1989 recipient of the College’s Professor Joseph A. Buff Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his outstanding career accomplishments and achievements. In 2015, he was honored with the St. Bernardine of Siena Medal, bestowed by the board to individuals whose accomplishments reflect the traditions of Siena and who contribute significantly to sustaining the traditions of the College.
In addition to being actively involved in service and leadership on the Board of Trustees, George and Sally Maloney are recognized on the Ring of Honor in the campus quad for their transformational support. (The Ring recognizes lifetime donors of $1 million or more.) The Maloney Great Room in the Sarazen Student Union also honors their contributions along with:
- The George ’54 and Sally Maloney Sports Medicine Suite
- Maloney Commons within Cushing Village
- Marcelle Athletic Complex Wall of Fame
- The Maloney Reading Room within the Standish Library
The Maloneys committed $1 million to Siena’s prestigious pre-law program as part of their commitment to the Living Our Tradition campaign and founded The George T. Maloney ’54 Scholarship, awarded annually to students majoring in the School of Science.
After graduating from Siena in 1954 with a B.S. in economics, he was commissioned through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Siena as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Following his Army service in South Korea, he began his business career with General Motors, then joined C. R. Bard, Inc. a New Jersey-based developer, manufacturer, and marketer of medical technologies, as a sales representative. Over the years he rose through the ranks of several divisions, culminating in his appointment as president and chief operating officer in 1978. He graduated from the Harvard University School of Business Advanced Management Program, and became president and CEO of C. R. Bard in 1989, then chairman and CEO in 1991. He retired in 1995.
Maloney also served as a director of Medicon, Inc. (a Japanese Joint Venture of C. R. Bard, Inc.); Summit Bancorporation; Electro-Nucleonics, Inc.; Electro-Biology, Inc.; the Health Industry Manufacturers Association (HIMA); and the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC). He was a member of The Conference Board, the world’s preeminent business membership and research organization best known for the Consumer Confidence Index and the Leading Economic Indicators. He was also a patentee in the field of medical education.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Catherine. In addition to his wife, Sally, he is survived by his sons Peter and Timothy, and his daughter, Margaret. His memorial service will be held July 17 in South Carolina.