Converting Adversity to Success… for Himself and Others
C.W. Post Grad Overcomes Learning Difficulties, Excels in Science and Math,
Now Tutors Others and Aspires to a Career in Medicine and Teaching

Brookville, NY — When Justin McKinney’s twin brother went on to the fifth grade, Justin went back to the third. Learning disabilities had him struggling with the elementary school material.

By the time McKinney reached high school, he had harnessed his natural abilities and overcome the learning difficulties to the extent that he was placed in accelerated courses in science and college level courses in criminal justice and English. He graduated from Newfield High School in Selden in the top fifteen percent of his class.

In college, McKinney achieved the highest grade point average among biology majors, tutored other students in science and math, and was nominated for the honor of Valedictorian. In addition, he has been inducted into the Honor Societies for Math (where he served as vice president), Biology, and Cooperative Education as well as the National Honor Society.

On May 9, Justin McKinney will graduate from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University with a bachelor of science in biology with a minor in math. "Justin was truly relentless in his pursuits in college," says C.W. Post Biology Department chairman Dr. Matthew Draud. "Not just the pursuit of good grades, however, but the pursuit of knowledge."

McKinney attributes his success to "dedication, hard work, and the continuous love and support of my parents."

After graduation, McKinney will continue to study — this time for the MCATs — as he prepares to apply to medical schools at Columbia University, George Washington and others. McKinney plans to specialize in orthopedics with the goal of practicing sports medicine, perhaps thanks to years of playing in the hockey rink.

Thanks to the satisfaction that McKinney experienced as a tutor, he hopes to eventually teach in a higher education setting as well.

"I enjoy helping people," McKinney says, "seeing the looks on their faces when they finally understand a concept. I struggled with academic subjects early on," McKinney remembers, "and this has enabled me to develop patience and understanding of why certain concepts are hard to grasp, so I can better help the students."

In the meantime, McKinney has been serendipitously inducted into the world of acting — a possible fallback career for him.

McKinney’s twin brother Ryan graduated from the C.W. Post Campus with a bachelor of fine arts digital arts and design in May 2003. After being inspired by an acting class he took, Ryan began a career in acting. And since twins are a hot commodity in the entertainment industry, Ryan invited Justin to join him in auditions which have landed the pair in appearances in commercials for the MTV Music Awards and an episode of HBO’s "Sex and the City."

McKinney will be one of more than 2,500 students who will don their caps and gowns on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2004 for the 46^th annual commencement exercises of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The campus has awarded more than 86,000 degrees in its 50-year history, through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. For additional information, call the Office of Public Relations at (516) 299-2333.