November 2016
Paying It Forward and Making It Count 
Close connections are a defining part of the Adelphi experience.

This theme infuses the stories our students and alumni have shared with me about their Adelphi journeys. Students express how grateful they are for the personal attention in our classrooms, and alumni routinely mention the lifelong relationships they have maintained with faculty members.

Increasingly, motivated by these deep connections, alumni are taking the opportunity to give back to Adelphi in recognition of their transformative experiences.

I am very pleased to announce today that Vincent C. Tizzio '89 has established an endowed fund to honor and recognize a faculty member who, he says, was "one of the most influential people in my life." Tizzio has set up an annual scholarship in the name of longtime faculty member Sal Primeggia '64, M.A. '66, Ph.D., professor of sociology. In making his gift, Tizzio said to Dr. Primeggia:

"I've wanted to find a tangible way to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for all that you have done, are doing and will continue to do for me in the years ahead. I know how much your work at Adelphi means to you, and I know that you take great joy, pride and satisfaction in shaping and molding the minds of students. Sal, as long as there is an Adelphi, there will be a scholarship given out in your name to an Adelphi student with demonstrated financial need."

This month we will give thanks to our veterans for their service to our country, express our gratitude for our friends and families at Thanksgiving, and continue to find meaningful ways to give back to others in our communities. Tizzio's story, which includes Dr. Primeggia's role in his Adelphi journey, is just one of the many I have had the opportunity to discover. In this season of thanksgiving, I hope you will take a moment to share yours at [email protected].

All the best,
Christine M. Riordan, Ph.D.
President
UNIVERSITY NEWS
The Adelphi Momentum Tour Takes Off 
Last month, we launched the Adelphi Momentum Tour--a multi-city effort to power up the Panther network and continue to build our community. In each city, we are meeting with alumni and parents of current and prospective students to fill them in on our strategic direction and progress to date and to let them know how they can be part of our momentum.

Already we have held events in Atlanta and St. Louis, where, collectively, we have nearly 1,200 alumni. Upcoming stops include Washington, D.C.; Denver; Chicago; and San Diego. It has been a joy to meet so many Panthers. They have inspired us with their stories and encouraged us with their enthusiasm. The schedule can be found here. Watch for posts from each city on Facebook and Instagram. 
 
Momentum Builds With New Councils
We are moving forward quickly to implement Momentum, our strategic plan. This month, we launched three new working councils. These councils, together with the Growth Operations Council, announced last month, will ensure that Adelphi grows in smart ways. Thank you to the more than 50 faculty and staff members who are carrying out this important work.

The Strategic Partners Council, co-led by Thomas Ward Jr. '93, executive director of the Center for Career and Professional Development, and Elaine Smith '78, M.S. '88, Ed.D., associate dean for operations in the College of Nursing and Public Health, will map out how Adelphi can develop a strong network of corporate, community and nonprofit partnerships.

The Operational Excellence Council, co-led by Elizabeth Cohn, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Health Innovation, and Gene Palma, associate vice president for public safety and campus transportation, will collaborate with administrative units to improve efficiency and service.

The Risk Management Council, co-led by Carol Ann Boyle, deputy chief information officer, and Jeffrey Kessler, assistant vice president and dean of student affairs, will identify, evaluate and limit risks that may impact the safety of our community, operations or reputation.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT 


Maria Nagan, Ph.D., Strengthens Chemistry Program Through NSF-Funded Grant
Adelphi chemistry majors now have even greater access to cutting-edge technology, thanks to Professor Maria Nagan, Ph.D. Dr. Nagan is one of 27 members of the Molecular Education and Research Consortium in Undergraduate computational chemistRY (MERCURY), which just received a grant of $225,000 from the National Science Foundation to purchase a supercomputer.





Elizabeth Cohn, Ph.D., Expands the Reach of Precision Medicine
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of the agencies leading the charge to implement President Obama's bold plan to expand the scope of precision medicine. The goal is to move away from medicine's one-size-fits-all approach, and instead tailor disease treatments and preventions to people's genes, environments and lifestyles. Elizabeth Cohn, Ph.D., executive director of Adelphi's Center for Health Innovation, is working with the NIH to make this promising new science a reality for millions of Americans. 

See more on how Dr. Cohn is helping to change medicine.
 
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT  
D.C. Internship Puts Students in the Heart of Politics and Policy
What is it like to work in Washington, D.C., in the midst of a contentious presidential election? Timothy Anderson, an Adelphi senior who is interning in the office of Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, is finding out, thanks to a longstanding partnership between Adelphi and The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The partnership lets political science majors try their hands at policy and politics before they graduate. For Anderson, the experience has created connections and given him "a great way to start" his career.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT 
Adelphi's New Neuroscience Program Opens Doors to Burgeoning Field 
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2016 list of the 100 best jobs, and most of the top ones are in medicine. Adelphi's new interdisciplinary neuroscience major, which prepares students for opportunities in healthcare and beyond, is a prime example of how the University is meeting changing needs and opportunities and continuing to strengthen its academic offerings.

Learn more about the student experience in this interdisciplinary major. 
SHOUT-OUTS
Congratulations to...

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for raising $30,000 at its fall reception last month, with the support of the Panther Club--our volunteer athletics fundraising committee--and 350 guests

Adelphi's student king and queen--Kendell Mason-Francis and Eryka Windley--who were crowned in one of the most anticipated events of October's Family Weekend

The 10 young alumni who were named to Adelphi's 10 Under 10 for their significant personal and professional accomplishments: Trevor Braaten '07; Nqobile Chitimbire '12; Kevin Ciminelli '12; Nicole Cosides '08; Alyssa Grieco '12; Hilda Perez '11; Stephanie Pontillo '08; Felicia Singh '11, M.A. '12; Mirirai Sithole '12; and Candace Thompson '08
EVENTS

New York Times Columnist David Brooks to Preview the Election
On the eve of the presidential election, David Brooks, who writes a weekly op-ed column for The New York Times, will give a free lecture, "What to Expect 'Tomorrow'-The Presidential Election," on Monday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m., in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom of the Ruth S. Harley University Center. 
 
Hip-Hop, Intersectionality and Black Joy With Bettina L. Love, Ph.D.
Bettina L. Love, Ph.D., award-winning author and associate professor of educational theory and practice at the University of Georgia, will give a free lecture on her discoveries concerning the ways in which urban youth negotiate hip-hop music and culture to form social, cultural and political identities on Wednesday, November 9, at 7:00 p.m., in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom of the Ruth S. Harley University Center. 
 
Carmen M. Ortiz '78, J.D., on the Role of the U.S. Attorney's Office in High-Profile Cases
Carmen M. Ortiz '78, J.D., the first Hispanic and the first woman to represent Massachusetts as U.S. attorney, has overseen the criminal prosecutions of corrupt former Speaker of the Massachusetts House Sal DiMasi, infamous gangster James (Whitey) Bulger and the Boston Marathon bombing suspects. She will give a free lecture on Monday, November 14, at 11:30 a.m., in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom of the Ruth S. Harley University Center.

AUPAC Season
AUPAC's 2016-2017 season is in full swing. Highlights include:
Adelphi Symphony Orchestra, featuring the world premiere of a new orchestral score by Matthew Bosch '12 as well as a composition by University Professor Paul Moravec, on Thursday, November 3, at 8:00 p.m.
 
The Okee Dokee Brothers, winners of a Grammy Award and two Parents' Choice Awards, will bring their Americana folk songs to Adelphi on Saturday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m.

The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade--Adelphi theater students perform this Tony Award-winning play--a haunting depiction of revolution--from Tuesday, November 8, through Sunday, November 13. Times vary.

Trio Solisti, Adelphi's celebrated ensemble-in-residence, will perform works by Beethoven, Dvorak and Mendelssohn on Saturday, November 19, at 8:00 p.m.

In Fall Dance Adelphi: Aszure Barton, the students of Adelphi's dance department will perform the work of choreographer Aszure Barton, from Wednesday, November 30, through Sunday, December 4. Times vary. 
ADELPHI IN THE NEWS
In October, 120 media stories covering Adelphi appeared in top 100 national media outlets, with 900 stories appearing in total. Some highlights of recent coverage include:

Jessica S. Klein, Ph.D., associate professor, published an op-ed in The Hill on the bullying epidemic and what schools and communities can do to address it. Through her role as founder and director of Creating Compassionate Communities--an initiative of Adelphi's Center for Health Innovation--Dr. Klein works with New York City schools to address and prevent bullying. 

The Huffington Post interviewed Stephen Shore, Ed.D., clinical assistant professor and a board member of the advocacy and research organization Autism Speaks, about the organization's decision to drop the word "cure" from its mission statement. Dr. Shore said that the biggest change in the new mission statement is an emphasis on supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder throughout their lifetimes. "Autism is here to stay and may be considered a part of the diversity of the human gene pool," Dr. Shore said.

In advance of Hurricane Matthew's destructive blow to parts of Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina, The New York Times covered efforts to evacuate the region. According to the Times, 5 percent of the population was likely to stay despite the dangers. Meghan McPherson, program coordinator of Adelphi's emergency management graduate program and coordinator of the Center for Health Innovation, offered advice and expertise on how emergency managers can get their message across to reluctant evacuees.

In a recent front-page story, Newsday covered a hard-hitting report released by the Long Island Association (LIA), the region's largest business group, which details the region's shrinking middle class and the rise of income inequality. Newsday invited Michael Driscoll, M.B.A. '89, Ed.D., clinical assistant professor and senior executive-in-residence at Adelphi University's Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, to comment on the trend.