Derek Petti Named Valedictorian of C.W. Post Class of 2007

Derek R. Petti, 21, of Lockport, N.Y. is the 2007 Valedictorian of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, campus officials announced today, March 7. Petti represents a class of 949 undergraduate students and will be the main student speaker at graduation on Sunday, May 13, 2007.

A student in C.W. Post’s prestigious Honors Program, Petti will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology. In addition to his impressive academic record and nearly flawless G.PA., he is a stand-out athlete on the track and field team, an accomplished saxophone player and a member of the Symphonic Band. He also is a contributing writer for the C.W. Post Pioneer student newspaper and a member of the student chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

Petti also has served as a campus tour guide for prospective students and has been involved with the New York State Band Director’s Association reading session for the past two years.  Last summer Petti spent time at the Long Island Jewish Speech and Hearing Center observing newborn screenings and volunteering to enter screening data for the hospital.

In his Valedictorian application essay he wrote, “A college education teaches you knowledge, yes, but perhaps more importantly, it teaches you how to think.”

After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in audiology and conduct research in cochlear implants.

The valedictorian is selected by a committee comprised of faculty and administrators. The C.W. Post Campus’ 49th Commencement will be Sunday, May 13, 2007.

Posted: March 7, 2007