LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Dr. Dominick A. Iorio, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Science at Rider University for 24 years and a member of the philosophy faculty for 32 years, has announced his retirement effective August 31, 1997.

"Dom has been a wonderful member of the Rider community for 32 years. His contributions to the University and his impact on the lives of our students has been enormous. I wish him good health and much happiness in his retirement," said Dr. J. Barton Luedeke, Rider president.

Dr. Phyllis Frakt, vice president for academic affairs and provost, added, "Dom's retirement will end an era at Rider. He continually reminded us of our ideals and guided us to extend our reach."

A resident of Lawrenceville, Iorio, 65, joined the Rider faculty in 1965. He became dean of liberal arts and science in 1973, but also remained active in the classroom. Teacher of such courses as oriental philosophy and philosophy of religion, he became professor of philosophy in 1990.

As dean, he enhanced the College's breadth of offerings and reputation. He was instrumental in the recent $5.4 million expansion of the Science and Technology Center. Other programs such as communications and political science have benefited from his leadership.

Holder of the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching in 1971, Iorio is a specialist in medieval and Renaissance philosophy. He is the author of several scholarly articles and books, including: Nicholas Malebranche: Dialogue Between a Christian Philosopher and a Chinese Philosopher on the Nature and Existence of God, published by University Press of America, and The Artistotelians of Renaissance Italy, published by Mellen Press, and The Holocaust: Lessons for the Third Generation, published by University Press of America (December 1996).

Before coming to Rider in 1965, Iorio served eight years on the faculty of Trenton Junior College (now Mercer County Community College).

Active in the Mercer County community, he held the elected post of Mercer County Freeholder from 1971 to 1973, was commissioner of the Mercer County Park Commission from 1974 to 1981, was a Governor Kean appointee to the New Jersey Education Advisory Committee for Block Grants, was a Governor Cahill appointee to the New Jersey Secondary Mortgage Loan Advisory Committee, and a consultant to the new Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

He is also a member of the American Philosophical Association, American Catholic Philosophical Association, Renaissance Society of America, American Friends of the Vatican Library, International Society of Christian Philosophers, American Association of University Administrators, academic council of Thomas Edison College, and the advisory committee of Somerset County Vocational Schools.

A native Trentonian, Iorio attended St. Lawrence Philosophical Seminary and Monastery in Beacon, NY, before receiving his A.B. degree in philosophy, magna cum laude from Seton Hall University. He earned his A.M. degree and Ph.D., both in philosophy, from Fordham University.