October 17, 2001 -- Sometimes persistence does pay off.

Adam D'Antonio, president of the Student Honors Program Association at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, learned that recently while spearheading efforts to renovate the campus' Honors Lounge. Short of club cash, D'Antonio approached the Hicksville-based furniture giant IKEA for a donation. After spending part of his summer sending faxes and making phone calls, the student got what he asked for: all new furniture.

D'Antonio got the idea to approach IKEA during a conversation with Dr. Joan Digby, director of the C.W. Post Honors Program. The Honors Lounge needed a more modern look. To update, they would need donations. "The first store that came to mind was IKEA," said D'Antonio, a resident of Locust Valley. "I have always liked the youthful and trendy style of their furnishings and I know that IKEA is a popular choice among many college students."

So D'Antonio visited the IKEA in Hicksville and spoke with a customer service representative about how the student-faculty meeting room needed new furnishings, but did not have the budget. After several faxes and phone calls to the store manager, Mark Cipollini, D'Antonio eventually received an entire room full of IKEA furniture, which he selected with the help of Randi Horne, an IKEA home furnishings consultant.

"We are grateful to IKEA for their generosity," said Dr. Digby. "The Honors Lounge is an important meeting and reception space for our students and faculty and we are thrilled that the IKEA donation has given us the opportunity to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment."

The new furniture consists of two sofas, two armchairs with canvas slipcovers, a coffee table, two side tables, a conference table, four computer workstations and 15 conference chairs. D'Antonio and others will express their appreciation to IKEA by installing a plaque of acknowledgement in the room.

"We were delighted to help play a role in reinvigorating the Honors Lounge with furnishings that will help students feel comfortable and inspired," said Mark Cipollini, store manager, IKEA Long Island. "It's important that college students have a place on campus they can call their own, and IKEA is extremely proud to be a part of this concept at C.W. Post."

"The Honors Lounge looks completely different now," said D'Antonio. "The reactions from students have been overwhelming. Since this took place over the summer, most students weren't aware of the new furniture until they came back to the lounge. Most of the students are stunned and can't believe that it is the same room."

Established in 1963, the C.W. Post Honors Program is one of the oldest in the country, attracting bright, creative undergraduates from many states and countries as well as the region. There are currently 487 students in the program.

The C.W. Post Campus in Brookville, New York is part of Long Island University, the eighth largest private university in America. The campus is located on 307-acres on Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, New York. For information about the Honors Program call 516-299-2840 or email joan.digby@liu.edu

Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. Currently, IKEA has 163 stores in 30 countries, including 15 stores in the United States and seven stores in Canada. To visit the IKEA web site, please go to www.ikea-usa.com