Panepinto Hall at 762 Montgomery St. in Jersey City — Courtesy: Saint Peter’s University
By Joshua Burd
Saint Peter’s University has opened a new residence hall in Jersey City that will be named after iconic developer Joseph A. Panepinto, an alumnus and longtime benefactor of the school.
Located at 762 Montgomery St., the six-story building sits near the university’s Mac Mahon Student Center and has suite-style rooms with private bathrooms and amenities for students, including kitchenettes, study lounges, a large game room, modern laundry facilities and views of the Jersey City and Manhattan skylines. The university on Monday said it would be named Panepinto Hall in honor of the Panepinto Properties CEO and president, citing his decades of service and contributions of time, talent and treasure.
That includes Panepinto’s $10 million donation in 2018, which at the time marked the largest-ever philanthropic gift to the Jersey City school in its 150-year history.
“We are in an era of campus revitalization at Saint Peter’s and Panepinto Hall is the latest project that will enhance our students’ experience,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, president of Saint Peter’s University. “We are proud to name this building in honor of Joe Panepinto, an individual who has been an unwavering believer in Saint Peter’s. We are incredibly grateful for his extraordinary support and look forward to the future generations of students who will call Panepinto Hall home for many years to come.”
The school said the new building will create a hub for residential life on its East Campus, meeting the growing demand for apartment-style housing. The facility has drawn interest from current and prospective students due to its modern amenities, but also its proximity to the Mac Mahon Student Center and McGinley Square.
In addition to his philanthropy, Panepinto served Saint Peter’s for many years as a regent and trustee, supporting several presidents and board chairs, according to a news release. The school added that he has provided wisdom and expertise on countless matters related to real estate, campus growth, master and strategic planning, facilities and construction projects and fundraising.
“It was exactly 60 years ago that I enrolled at Saint Peter’s College and while many things have changed since then, the issues and concerns that 18-year-old students face today are not unlike those we faced decades ago,” Panepinto said. “What Saint Peter’s affords first-generation and other college students is the opportunity to learn, explore and choose a direction in which they feel they can fulfill their life. This new student residence hall will provide students the opportunity to study and live on campus, meet students from all different walks of life and gain independence while continuing to have a support network to help them during their transition from student life to a professional and business life.”
The university will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening and naming of the residence hall at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21.
Panepinto donates $10 million to Saint Peter’s, its largest-ever gift
