C.W. Post Grad Makes Public Service a Priority

May 5, 2003 - It’s not easy being a college student. There’s coursework, internship requirements, homework and, for some students, a job and community service. There are those students though, that make the most of the experience and do it all well. Such is the case of Biagio Lepre, a transfer student from Nassau Community College who will graduate with a bachelor of science in radiologic technology from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville on May 11, 2003. Lepre has maintained an exceptional 3.86 grade point average during his time at C.W. Post, even while working 30 hours a week at a King Kullen supermarket and participating in a host of community service activities.

In addition to all of these activities, Lepre was required to complete a rigorous 2,200-hour student clinical internship at Franklin Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center. "This was my first time doing hands-on work in the medical field," said Lepre. "I worked with traumas and went into the operating room."

"He’s well respected at the hospital where he has been working," said Kathi L. Yanatos clinical coordinator of the C.W. Post Radiologic Technology Program. "He’s a very hardworking and enterprising guy. He doesn’t sit back and wait for you to give instructions."

Last spring, he was the recipient of Yanatos Family Memorial Scholarship. Winners must be actively involved in the campus and in the community and have a commitment to public service and academic accomplishments. This year he is being awarded the Mallinckrodt Award of Excellence, which is sponsored by the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical Corporation. The recipient must demonstrate academic excellence, outstanding clinical performance and professionalism while pursuing studies in the medical imaging sciences.

Lepre, who resides in Franklin Square, has a strong history of participating in campus and community service programs as part of the Medical Imaging Society. He has worked with faculty, staff and students in the campus blood drive and raised money to benefit the Bowery Mission and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Currently, he and the Medical Imaging Society are collecting food for Island Harvest. "He’s very concerned about the plight of others," said Yanatos. "It’s very refreshing to see."

As for his future, Lepre will work as a radiological technologist and eventually continue his education, either in the teaching field or in hospital or business administration. He’s also looking forward to November when he’ll marry his longtime girlfriend, Helen.

"I think he’ll do very well in the future," said Yanatos.

Lepre will be one of more than 1,600 students who will don their caps and gowns on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, 2003 for 45th annual commencement exercises of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The campus has awarded more than 85,000 degrees in its 49-year history, through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. For additional information, call the Office of Public Relations at (516) 299-2333.