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Suffolk County Sheriff to host back to school supply giveaway

by Press Release - August 14, 2024

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Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s S.T.A.R.T. Resource Center team will be hosting a back-to-school giveaway on Monday, August 19 at 2 p.m. The free event is open to all Suffolk residents and will take place outside of the Yaphank Correctional Facility located at 200 Glover Drive in Yaphank.

Children in attendance will receive a backpack filled with various school supplies as well as a pair of pajamas courtesy of EJ’s PJ’s, free treats from Starbucks and other giveaways. In addition, various non-profit service providers will be on hand and there will be free activities for kids. The event is first come, first serve, and will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p,m, or until supplies last. The event is rain or shine.

For more information, call 631-852-3436.

Comsewogue School District mascot to shift to the ‘Spartan’ ahead of the 2025-26 school year

by Samantha Rutt - August 2, 2024

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By Samantha Rutt

Comsewogue School District, along with at least six other Long Island districts, will see a new mascot ahead of the 2025-26 school year. Included is Half Hollow Hills East High School, previously the Thunderbirds, now known as the Red Hawks.

Following a New York State policy set back in April of 2023, New York became the 21st state to restrict Native-themed imagery in public schools, banning Native American-themed names, mascots and logos for all school districts in the state. Five L.I. districts have active lawsuits against the state in respect of the mascot ban.

Comsewogue, hitherto the Warriors, will don the “Spartan” as their official school mascot starting July 1, 2025. The decision for the Spartan came from a series of conversations within the district.

“The district formed a student committee,” said Matteo DeVincenzo, school district athletic director. “They came up with some names that each particular building liked, we then took all of those lists and put it together for parents, the community, staff members and everyone related to the community had an opportunity to vote on what they liked best — it was a very democratic way of deciding.”

Back in January the district began gathering “insight into what terms best represent Comsewogue” as per the school district’s website. In February, the district used the insights to gather additional information through a survey.

Then in April, the Comsewogue Leadership Team, composed of students from grades 3-12, narrowed the search down to five possible mascot/logo ideas: the Chargers, Cobras, Commanders, Spartans and Wolves. A vote was held in June to determine the winner.

“We narrowed it down to a top five list and from there, each day we’d would remove one. That was ultimately how the Spartans were selected,” DeVincenzo said.

Historical background

Before Europeans had ever stepped foot on Long Island, from present day St. James to Wading River and as far south as Gordon Heights, the Setalcott Nation once inhabited the lands. Within that territory lies Port Jefferson Station/Terryville, an area known to the Setalcotts as Comsewogue, meaning “place where paths come together.”

The Terryville-Comsewogue School District was formed in 1874, and the senior high school opened nearly a century later in 1971. The school district has prominently showcased its precolonial heritage along with its name, boasting the Warrior mascot.

“The Spartans are a part of Comsewogue history. Before we were the Warriors, we were the Spartans, before the high school came into existence. At JFK [middle school] we were the Spartans. I believe it was prior to 1972 that we were the Comsewogue Spartans,” DeVincenzo claimed.

As for this school year, Comsewogue School District will still be represented by the Warrior and looks to continue developing a logo and other fine-tuning before the Spartan is unveiled.

Stony Brook University & the Simons Foundation named recipient of 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

by Press Release - July 22, 2024

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Marketing Photo Shoot — Stony Brook University: Entrance sign

Stony Brook University and the Simons Foundation were recently named recipients of the Insight Into Diversity magazine 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award.

Insight Into Diversity is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Stony Brook University and the Simons Foundation will be featured, along with 82 other recipients, in the September 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.

“I am so proud of the cutting-edge research, outstanding teaching, and engaged scholarship and service gained from the collaboration of Stony Brook and the Simons Foundation around excellence in STEM,” said SBU Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Judith Brown Clarke. “We look forward to continued partnership in our quest for deep transformational impacts that are powerful and create long-lasting changes that have a positive effect on individuals, communities, and entire societies.”

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by Insight Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

“I take great pride in the dedication and enthusiasm shown by our scholars and staff in initiating this program with such vigor and excellence. We are grateful for this recognition and remain dedicated to advancing the legacy we have started,” said Erwin Cabrera, executive director of the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program. “The core values of Insight Into Diversity Inspiring Programs closely resonate with the objectives of the SBU Simons STEM Scholars program, and we appreciate the opportunity to be recognized alongside other distinguished recipients.

Long Island school districts are suing social media giants over rising mental health concerns

by Toni-Elena Gallo - July 20, 2024

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social-media-6557345_1280 — Social media applications. Pixabay photo

By Toni-Elena Gallo

According to News12 Long Island, thirteen Long Island school districts are suing social media companies Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook, citing increased mental health concerns among students.

South Huntington, Kings Park and Port Jefferson are just three of the school districts taking part in the class-action lawsuit.

South Huntington Union Free School District superintendent, Vito D’Elia, commented on his school district’s decision to join the lawsuit in a notice on the district’s website, saying, “We know the damage it’s doing to our students. We see it. We’re dealing with it. We see students that are more focused on their interactions on social media as opposed to their education. And, the ramifications are extremely dangerous.”

This stance was, recently, corroborated by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, when he said that “it is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms,” citing found evidence that more than three hours per day on social media can double the risk of poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Social media use is a major component of the vast majority of adolescents’ lives. According to data obtained by Pew Research Center in 2022, up to 95% of youth, ages 13 to 17, use at least one social media platform, and more than a third use social media “almost constantly.”

A prime motive for joining the lawsuit is hiked mental health service costs, as students have been showing symptoms of internet overexposure.

South Huntington school district is seeking increased funding to employ more mental health professionals, as well as implement “social emotional learning lessons more,” including assemblies and workshops, on safe digital use.

Social media harm to students’ psyches has forced the school district to revamp their curriculum in recent years, with teachers having to focus on things “other than their actual lesson plans,” explained South Huntington Board of Education president, Nicholas Ciappetta, who added that the board’s decision to join the lawsuit was unanimous.

“There are costs associated with [our plans],” he said.

The lawsuit is also asking for the social media companies to implement appropriate and stricter safeguards including improved age verification, parental notification upon sign-up, improved management of age appropriate content and the design of their algorithms.

Ciappetta did add that the purpose of social media is not completely negative, or in vain.

“We’re not trashing social media,” he said. “[The school district] certainly uses it as a way of getting our message out. But if you look at any of the platforms, there’s a lot of negativity on there. And I think the negative always gets amplified. So you need a little more positivity and you need a little more kindness. And that’s something that the social media companies can invest in too. They can partner with us to promote that message.”

Joining the lawsuit comes at no cost to the school districts. Lawyers taking on this case will get a percentage of a monetary recovery, if any, that comes out of this legal challenge.

The Stony Brook School undergoes construction project

by Samantha Rutt - July 18, 2024

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Dormitory building to be completed by fall 2025

By Samantha Rutt

The first major construction in over a decade is in the works at The Stony Brook School. The private Christian college-preparatory school, located just off Route 25A in Stony Brook, will soon be the home of Daley Hall — a dormitory building set to house 52 boys and four faculty families.

The new building will replace a 100-year-old dormitory on campus and will be named on behalf of Clayton Daley, an alumni of the boarding and day school — Class of 1969 — who is also the former CFO of Procter & Gamble.

“We expect construction to be completed in time for the 2025-26 school year,” said Dan Hickey, the school’s director of advancement.

Led by J. Petrocelli Contracting, a family-owned construction company based in Ronkonkoma, the soon-to-be dormitory building is set to be constructed in line with the campus’ existing land.

The construction will utilize the elevation drop, on the Quaker Path border of the campus, to their advantage as they are in the process of “moving earth.” As explained by Hickey, “We are using the land drop to our advantage, maintaining the proposed three-story structure but building into the hill to adhere to the existing tree line.”

Obtaining approval and initial concerns

Just over a year ago, in July of 2023, the school applied to the Town of Brookhaven Board of Zoning Appeals, for a proposed expansion to add three new buildings to the 55-acre campus.

The initial proposal included the construction of an indoor practice facility, a three-story dormitory building and a three-story STEM building.

The school’s original application proposed installing a parking lot from campus, near the sports facility, with exit points onto Chub Hill Road, Stony Road and Woodbine Avenue, potentially resulting in an uptick in traffic in the neighborhood.

Since then, The Stony Brook School has hosted several well-attended meetings with members of the surrounding neighborhood where representatives of the school entertained input, ideas and concerns.

“The new athletic facility was a point of contention with our neighbors who bordered our campus. We had several in-person meetings with our neighbors on campus last year,” Hickey said. “The result of those meetings was a desire on our part to change our plans for a large stand-alone athletic facility to an expansion of an existing facility — an idea that actually came from one of our neighbors,”

On Sept. 20, 2023, after several ZBA meetings and opposition from nearby residents, the proposal was finally approved, but not without modifications.

The new construction “will have less impact on sight lines and traffic/parking, and we are very excited to move forward together as a community,” Hickey added.

Additional construction

The Stony Brook School is now in phase one of two phases, which will complete the updates approved by the town.

Phase two is set to include two additional structures — an academic building that will focus on math-and-science-related studies and an athletic building. Both structures are still in the planning phase, as the school continues to work with architects.

“We are currently working on those plans and they are not yet before the Town of Brookhaven,” Hickey said.

Going forward, The Stony Brook School looks to continue to enhance student experience, campus facilities and being good neighbors.

“We wanted to be good neighbors,” Hickey explained in an interview. “The level of concern from our neighbors was real, we want to be good neighbors. Though the upgrades would benefit our school, it was not worth fragmenting our community.”

SUNY names former Rutgers president Richard McCormick as interim SBU president

by Daniel Dunaief - July 17, 2024

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By Daniel Dunaief

The State University of New York Board of Trustees has named former Rutgers President Richard McCormick, 76, interim president of Stony Brook University as the school continues its search for a seventh president.

McCormick, who will take over the reigns at the downstate flagship SUNY school on August 1st, replaces Maurie McInnis, who left Stony Brook after four years to become the president of Yale University on July 1.

Dr. Bill Wertheim, Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine, has been serving as Officer-in-Charge and Stony Brook University Hospital’s Governing Body since July 1.

McCormick, who was president of Rutgers from 2002 to 2012 and has taught and studied United States political history in the 19th and 20th centuries, has over four decades of experience in higher education, including leading several highly ranked public universities.

McCormick will oversee Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine and will serve as part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory.

“Each step we take in this leadership transition is important, and we welcome Dr. McCormick,” John King, Jr, SUNY Chancellor said in a statement. “His vast higher education experience will continue to move this esteemed university forward as the campus conducts a national search for its new president.”

McCormick welcomed the chance to lead Stony Brook during this transition period.

Stony Brook “has achieved national stature yet remains fully engaged with its Long Island community, for which it is an economic engine,” McCormick said in a statement. “My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King and the Stony Brook Council for this opportunity.”

As an interim president, McCormick will not be a candidate to become the next permanent president.

In addition to his tenure at Rutgers, which started in 1976 when he joined the history department, McCormick also was vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1992 to 1995 and was president of the University of Washington from 1995 to 2002.

The incoming interim Stony Brook president earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College in American Studies and his PhD in history from Yale in 1976, 20 years before McInnis also earned her PhD in the History of Art from the New Haven-based Ivy league school she now leads.

McCormick started his academic career at Rutgers, where he was a member of the history faculty from 1976 to 1992. He was also Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

McCormick is the son of Richard Patrick McCormick, a former Rutgers professor and Katheryne Levis, a former Rutgers administrator.

McCormick and his father co-taught an American history course.

An author of several books, McCormick is writing a book on the history of American political corruption from the 17th century to the present.

Rutgers achievements

McCormick, who earned his high school diploma from Piscataway Township High School in Piscataway, New Jersey, orchestrated constructive changes in his hometown university during his presidency.

McCormick helped raise $650 million while he was president.

Four years after becoming president, the university reorganized the undergraduate colleges on the New Brunswick campus into a School of Arts and Sciences and School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

The reorganization included a comprehensive new curriculum at the School of Arts and Sciences, first year seminars, signature courses, expansion opportunities for undergraduate research and honors programs and support for top undergraduates competing for highly competitive scholarships and awards.

In the final years of his tenure, he merged Rutgers with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and divisions of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The New Jersey Legislature passed a bill to integrate almost all units of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey into Rutgers.

“Dr. McCormick’s notable accomplishments as president of Rutgers from 2002 until 2012 included reinvigorating undergraduate education, elevating its standing in the top tier of public research universities, realizing a longstanding goal of returning medical education to the university’s portfolio, and improving and strengthening connections with important partners, including alumni and local communities,” Wertheim said in a statement. “He is the ideal leader to help Stony Brook sustain its momentum as New York’s flagship university.”

The former Rutgers president led the school when it installed 40,000 high-efficiency solar panels over two large surface parking lots on the Livingston campus, producing over eight megawatts of power, which, at the time, was the largest renewable energy system built on a college campus in the country. Rutgers has continued to add solar panels.

Stony Brook momentum

McCormick’s experience with solar energy dovetails with some of Stony Brook’s recent environmental initiatives and successes.

With the support of the Simons Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Stony Brook University won the competitive process as the lead institution to create a climate solutions center on Governors Island. The New York Climate Exchange will develop and deploy dynamic solutions to the global climate crisis, will provide educational and research opportunities and will serve as a place for New Yorkers to benefit from the green economy.

The Climate Solutions Center will include 400,000 square feet of green-designed building space, including research labs, classroom space, exhibits, greenhouses, mitigation technologies and housing facilities.

McCormick takes over as interim president at a time when Stony Brook has achieved some important financial and academic victories.

A year ago, the Simons Foundation made a $500 million endowment gift to Stony Brook. The gift, which will be spread out over seven years, was the largest unrestricted donation to an institution of higher education in United States history.

The Foundation gift, which the state will match on a 1:2 program, and other philanthropic contributions are expected to increase the endowment by as much as $1 billion.

Stony Brook recently climbed 19 spots in the rankings of colleges from US News and World Report, ranking 58th in the rankings. That’s the highest ever rank for a State University of New York institution. The school also placed 12th among national universities for social mobility rank.

“Stony Brook is a world-class institution, moving on an upward trajectory, educating the next generation of leaders and thinkers and bettering our society through research and economic development,” Stony Brook Council Kevin Law said in a statement. “I am pleased to welcome Dr. McCormick, whose accomplishments and vision in higher-education leadership are nothing short of extraordinary, as our interim president, and to begin the search for our next permanent president.”

Challenges ahead

McCormick will likely face the same some of the same challenges other university presidents, interim or not, have dealt with as protestors have expressed their frustrations over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

At numerous universities, protests disrupted exams, classes and graduation ceremonies.

College presidents have tried to balance between the rights of students to assemble and express themselves and the university’s need to protect various groups of students from intimidation, bullying, or threats.

Local politicians welcomed McCormick. “I look forward to getting to know Dr. McCormick and collaborating with him to ensure that Stony Brook remains a premier institution of higher learning, providing a safe environment for students of all religions,” said Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY1).

SBU Provost Lejuez discusses McInnis departure, tenure track reviews, Regents exams

by Daniel Dunaief - July 11, 2024

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StonyBrookUniversity_004-scaled — Stony Brook University. File photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Like colleges around the state and country, Stony Brook University is preparing for the possibility that New York State students will no longer be required to pass Regents exams to graduate from high school.

Stony Brook University Provost Carl Lejuez. File photo

During Covid-19, when many schools including SBU made reporting Scholastic Aptitude Tests, or SATs, or American College Testing, or ACTs, optional, the university continued to take a broader view of college applicants.

“The idea of holistic admissions has been something that has been gaining steam for a while,” said Provost Carl Lejuez in a wide ranging interview. Such an approach brings numerous potential student strengths into the admissions decision process.

“Judging by the success we’ve been having, we feel good about our ability to bring in the best students and help them succeed,” Lejuez added.

The admissions process at SBU has been considering additional factors, such as students’ educational experiences and opportunities, the adversity they experienced, and their trajectory and improvement.

A flagship public university, Stony Brook has become an important higher education entry point for students who are first-generation college applicants.

The university does not “want to make the process so onerous that it becomes less successful when you think of low income, first generation students who may not have a lot of the same opportunities” as students in wealthier, more established school districts, Lejuez said. The university wants to be “rigorous and equitable” in the strategy for bringing in the best students.

In the meantime, Stony Brook University recently completed its first full week after the departure of President Maurie McInnis, who had led the school for four years and is now the president of Yale University.

“The mark of a good leader is an organization that continues to thrive when they’ve gone and that is something, because they’ve created the right infrastructure and hired the right people and developed the right culture” that McInnis did, Lejuez said. “While folks are eager to have our permanent leadership in place, things are exactly how they should be.”

Indeed, Stony Brook in the coming days is expected to announce an interim president, who will take the reins for the university while the school conducts a national search, chaired by Stony Brook Council Chairman Kevin Law, for the seventh president.

Since McInnis’s departure, Stony Brook Medicine Executive Vice President Dr. William Wertheim has overseen operations as Officer-in-Charge.

Professor grades

In evaluating professors, Stony Brook uses student-driven evaluations. The university also has peer faculty observe classes and provide feedback.

“We are revising a lot of our promotion and tenure guidelines,” said Lejuez. “We’ve been very, very clear that you have to be an excellent teacher as well as an excellent researcher here at Stony Brook.”

Stony Brook emphasizes the importance of teaching at faculty orientation, where administrators urge new professors to visit and get to know the options available at the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.

Through various assessments, SBU is working to ensure students are learning the lessons and ideas they should in classes.

The university made its first set of revisions this year by providing a midpoint feedback at the three-year mark for professors on a six-year tenure track throughout the university. Such feedback had been available for faculty in the College of Arts of Sciences previously.

“When you see professors who are struggling with their research or teaching, they should be getting feedback,” said Lejuez. “Sometimes they don’t get it until they’re going up for tenure. That’s not fair to the students or the faculty for that matter.”

To help students throughout their educational journey, Stony Brook invested several million dollars in increasing the number of advisors, while also increasing the support within the tutoring center.

These efforts have paid dividends, as the retention rate from first year to second year for students, which had been in the mid 80 percent range, is moving higher. Within two or three years, SBU would like to see that number reach 92 percent or more.

As for international efforts, the university plans to connect resources in places like the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya, Centre ValBio in Madagascar and SUNY Korea, which is a partnership between SBU, SUNY and the South Korean government.

“I, as well as several deans and faculty, have made trips to all three in the past year and we are increasing our support,” said Lejuez. “We have also been ramping up fundraising efforts.”

John Glenn’s Class of 2024 celebrates an exciting milestone at graduation

by Press Release - July 11, 2024

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Beneath a beautiful blue sky, the graduating Class of 2024 from Elwood-John H. Glenn High School walked on to the field on June 28 for the school’s 62nd commencement ceremony, ready to mark a milestone on their school and life journeys.

After All School Vice President Sarah Collins led the Pledge of Allegiance, senior musicians shined while playing for the last time with the school’s band, performing “The Last Ride of the Pony Express,” directed by Gabrielle Caviglia and with the school’s choir, performing “Go the Distance,” directed by Brittany Wheeler.

“I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of working with this very special class over the past four years, and have witnessed firsthand what they have accomplished throughout their high school career,” Principal Corey McNamara said before highlighting the seniors’ educational achievements. “These young adults are remarkable and have helped us to earn some amazing accolades. Aside from the amazing academic accomplishments, the Class of 2024 is a kind, mature, polite, respectful and compassionate group of students who value helping others. Many of the young men and women here tonight have consistently served their school and their community as members of various organizations and clubs, both inside and outside of school. We thank them for their leadership and volunteerism to the Elwood community. Additionally, over the past four years, our students have shared their talents with us and have truly represented John Glenn High School with dignity, grace and a tremendous amount of Elwood pride.”

“Your graduation is the completion of a significant process in your life, and the beginning of an exciting journey that awaits you,” Interim Superintendent Kelly Fallon told the seniors. “As you begin this journey, I ask you to consider a thought that I hope will inspire you: Live to learn well, and learn to live well. Living to learn well recognizes the value of embracing every experience and opportunity to grow. Your years at John Glenn have taught you that education extends far beyond classrooms, assignments and textbooks. It is about curiosity, exploration and the courage to ask questions, and in our world today, it is so important to not only ask questions, but seek, hear and listen to all the answers. Now, let’s consider learning to live well. This speaks to applying what you’ve learned to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. It’s about understanding that your education has equipped you with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. Class of 2024, as you walk off this field this evening, let’s commit to a life of continuous learning and purposeful living. Embrace the unknown with enthusiasm and let your passion for knowledge guide you. Graduates, here’s to living to learn well and learning to live well.”

Salutatorian Lauren LaMena spoke to her classmates about embracing their own journey.

“Each of us has traveled a unique path filled with challenges, triumphs, and countless moments of growth, and as we gather here today, let us celebrate not only our achievements, but also the courage it took to forge our own paths,” LaMena said. “Never forget the impact that we can have on the world around us by daring to be different. By following our own paths, we inspire others to do the same. We become beacons of hope, guiding others to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. As we stand on the brink of a new beginning, let us embrace the journey ahead with courage, resilience and an unwavering belief in ourselves. Let us forge our own paths, guided by our passions and fueled by our dreams. Taylor Swift once said, ‘people throw rocks at things that shine.’ If you’re ever doubting yourself or your journey, let this quote serve as a reminder to persevere in the face of adversity and to continue shining brightly despite the rocks thrown your way. Our futures await and the world is ours to conquer. Let us go forth and make our mark, knowing that we have the strength, courage and determination to achieve anything we set our minds to.”

After rolling out a printed list of all those he wished to thank, valedictorian Christopher Sanelli offered three pieces of advice for his classmates.

“The first one is to always show respect,” Sanelli said. “Respect is at the foundation for fostering meaningful relationships and earning trust. The future holds different possibilities for us all, but no matter how smart or successful you become, everyone has the ability to make a positive impact on someone’s life and display a sense of respect. The second piece of advice is to have gratitude. When we express gratitude, we not only recognize the efforts of others, but also create a mindset of abundance and creativity. When we finally become truly grateful for everything that we have, the world around us starts to fall into place. You’ll find yourself being content with who you are and you won’t need to compare yourself to others. This brings me to the third and final piece, which is probably the most important, and that is to take risks. I have the utmost confidence that all of you will leave fulfilling lives, but as humans, we innately suffer from the poverty of time. Time is the one continuity in life, so please don’t waste your future being afraid or question your ability to do something. Rather, focus on the things within yourself, like displaying gratitude and respect. Therein lies everything you will need, and each risk you take is merely a bonus to your already amazing life.”

Class of 2024 graduation speaker Anthony Bell, selected by his peers as a student who exemplifies John Glenn’s spirit, gave the event’s final address.

“Tonight, we gather to participate in one of the most important and meaningful events people go through in modern society,” Bell said. “The beauty behind a day like today, that marks the transition from one era into another, is shared in both the reflecting of memories and in the anticipation of what the future holds. Throughout the past 15 years, we’ve all experienced change. For better or for worse, each and every one of us is on an ever-changing path, and none of us can truly see into the future. The diverse set of roadblocks that has carved all of our own unique paths is what has brought us all to where we are as individuals and is what makes this celebration matter. The challenges we have all faced to get to this point today should serve as reminders to ourselves of how strong we really are and what we can do. Looking to our past should fill us with pride, motivation and excitement for the future and the challenges we will face and overcome on our journey.”

Following the distribution of diplomas, the members of the Class of 2024 gathered one last time to turn their tassels and toss their blue and white caps skyward, proud and prepared to walk out as John Glenn alumni.

Farmingdale State College announces new president

by Press Release - July 6, 2024

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Farmingdale State College has announced Dr. Robert S. Prezant has been appointed by the SUNY Board of Trustees to serve as the 10th President of the College, effective August 14. He will succeed President John S. Nader, PhD, who announced his retirement last year.

“I am both humbled and honored to be joining Farmingdale State College as the next President. I extend my sincere appreciation to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King, Farmingdale’s College Council and the presidential search committee for entrusting me with this outstanding opportunity,” said Robert Prezant, president-elect of Farmingdale State College. “The faculty, staff and students of Farmingdale State clearly stand poised to continue to excel, and to move an already exceptional college to the next level by growing additional exciting and important programs, enhancing external support, finding new corporate partners, and collaborating with the community. Farmingdale State College is fully focused on ensuring that students get a preeminent education with an emphasis on experiential opportunities, all to ensure they are fully prepared for tomorrow. It will be my pleasure and privilege to join this outstanding team.”

Dr. Prezant joins FSC from Southern Connecticut State University where he is provost and vice president for academic affairs. As provost, he has led in strategic planning, served on New England Commission of Higher Education accreditation visitation committees, led a university-wide branding effort, serves as principal investigator on a $3.2 million NSF Alliance for Minority Participation grant, created the Southern Fellows-in-Residence program to help diversify the faculty, helped grow external funding, and has led on revamping the honors college.

As a biologist and administrator, he has been the lead or co-lead in generating over $20 million in external funding to support research and academic programs. His administrative efforts have resulted in creation and support of several centers and institutes, new degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, corporate partnerships, development and enhancement of online and on-ground continuing education programs, and several global affiliations.

Dr. Prezant previously served as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Queens College, City University of New York, and chair of the biology department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He holds a PhD in marine biology from the University of Delaware, an MS in biology (marine science) from Northeastern University, and a BA in biology from Adelphi University.

“Dr. Prezant has a wealth of experience and a record of achievement in public higher education. He understands the college and is clearly well positioned to build on Farmingdale’s many achievements,” said John S. Nader, president of Farmingdale State College. “I have no doubt that he will cultivate our growing partnerships with both businesses and philanthropies while advocating for our students and faculty. I congratulate Dr. Prezant on his appointment and look forward to working with him on a smooth transition.”

“Dr. Prezant’s track record of increasing funding to support student success during his career makes him well-suited to assume the presidency at Farmingdale State College,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “I would also like to thank Farmingdale State College President John Nader for his incredible career of service to the SUNY system. From his time as provost at SUNY Delhi, to his tenure serving as president of SUNY’s largest technology focused campus, President Nader has moved FSC forward in a positive direction and I strongly believe Dr. Prezant will build on the strong foundation laid by President Nader.”

Reflecting on Dr. Prezant’s appointment, Farmingdale State College Council Chair Patricia Hill Williams EdD, said, “On behalf of the Farmingdale State College Council, I’m both proud and honored to congratulate Robert S. Prezant, PhD on his appointment as the tenth President of this dynamic and thriving institution. After a thorough and exhaustive search, Dr. Prezant emerged as an exceptional choice to lead FSC. The entire Council looks forward to working with Dr. Prezant to build on Farmingdale’s strong foundation, enhance the student experience and foster connections in the College community and beyond.”

Congratulations, Ward Melville High School Class of 2024

by Press Release - July 4, 2024

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Members of the Class of 2024 proudly gathered at Ward Melville High School one final time to celebrate their graduation Sunday, June 30. Students marched out in front of the building as their family and friends applauded them and the honors orchestra played “Pomp and Circumstance.” The processional was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Ward Melville High School Acting Principal Paul Gold welcomed the crowd and soon-to-be graduates, offering them words of advice for their future endeavors. He also recognized the students headed into the Armed Forces after graduation. Three Village Board of Education President Susan Megroz Rosenzweig then gave remarks and congratulated the Class of 2024.

Student Government President Nicole Scala presented the class gift. The Class of 2024 has enabled construction to begin on the Commons at Ward Melville High School. The Commons will be revamped and renovated to offer a more engaging space for students.

Gold recognized the top academic leaders of the Class of 2024, beginning with co-salutatorians William McGovern and Michael Zhang. Both students left parting words for their peers.

“As you enter this next chapter of your lives, take all the knowledge and memories you’ve gathered through your years in Three Village and pave the way for the amazing futures that lie ahead of each and every one of you. And remember that today is a gift — always live it and appreciate the present moment,” McGovern said.

“Trust me when I say this, you will find being yourself is not only a liberation from crushing self-consciousness, but a path to success. I urge you to take this path for yourself and not just follow a societal dogma,” Zhang said.

Following the co-salutatorian address, Gold introduced Class of 2024 valedictorian Katherine Liang. She reminded the graduating class of their time in Three Village schools, as well as their potential to shape the future.

“We will always be echoes of the sophomores who trickled into this building, nervous and excited for high school. We will always be echoes of the steadfast teachers and administrators who shaped our cores. We, as a rolling river emerging from today’s graduation, will leave canyons and valleys in our wake. We will shape the future of our country,” Liang said.

After the student speeches, members of the graduating class stepped across the stage to receive their diplomas from Gold and the Three Village Board of Education. The Class of 2024 returned to their seats, turned their tassels and tossed their caps into the air, officially designating them as graduates of Ward Melville High School.

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