Peter Ewald of Locust Valley to Receive Model of Faith Award from C.W. Post

March 29, 2005 — Peter K. Ewald of Locust Valleywill receive the Mary M. Lai Model of Faith Award at a mass and communion dinner at the Catholic Campus Parish of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University on Sunday, April 10, 2005.

The award, named for Mary M. Lai, the university’s vice president emerita for finance and treasurer, was created 10 years ago during the 50th anniversary of her service to the University. "We honor people in the professional world who live their lives with faith," said Father Ted Brown, Catholic Chaplain at the campus. "We want to put models of faith out there for our students."

Students play a big part in the ceremony. "It’s a celebration of the faith of young people really," said Father Ted. "Everything is done by them. They write the speeches, choose the music and provide the entertainment. It’s a celebration of the campus parish. People are often surprised to find so many faith-filled youngsters."

The $150 per person ceremony also serves as a fundraiser for campus ministry. The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. with a mass in the C.W. Post Interfaith Center Chapel and follows with a catered dinner. More than 100 people are expected to attend the event, both from the community and the student body. "Students sit at each table and benefit from mixing with community leaders," said Father Ted. Student admission is either reduced or free.

Peter K. Ewald graduated from New York University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree, a master’s degree and a Ph.D. In addition, he earned a doctoral degree in law from Philathea College in Ontario, Canada.

He has held several faculty positions including instructor of history and political science and assistant professor finance at New York University School of Business and professor of finance and chairman of the Finance Department at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Following his tenure at NYU, Ewald served as dean of the St. John’s University School of Business for three years, after which he was appointed provost of C.W. Post.

At C.W. Post, Ewald worked with Chancellor R. Gordon Hoxie to plan and finance the Interfaith Chapel because he believed it was important for the students to have a place of worship and spiritual center on campus. In addition, he founded the Real Estate Practitioners Institute at Long Island University in 1971 and served as its director through 1994.

Ewald has also worked with the Board of Trustees at NYU to help establish a Catholic Center at the university’s Washington Square campus. He is also deeply committed to community service. He is currently president of the Glen Cove Hospital Auxiliary and an associate trustee of the North Shore/Long Island Jewish Health Care Systems.           

Ewald is the author of two books on political science, and he continues to serve as a financial consultant the Alexander Hamilton Institute and other organizations. He lives in Locust Valley with his wife Mary Ann and has two sons, Peter and Robert, and four grandchildren: Christopher, Jessica, Sarah and Marissa.

For more information, call Father Ted Brown at 516-299-2229 or email ted.brown@liu.edu.