Father and Son Share Spotlight at Mother’s Day Graduation  
Dad marches in commencement exercises 27 years after receiving degree

Brookville, NY – Twenty-seven years ago, Nick Bubolo earned an M.P.S. in health care administration from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Like some graduates, he was unable to attend the commencement ceremonies due to scheduling conflicts. Now, 27 years later, Nick, a Northport resident, will walk the walk he missed, this time with his son Michael who will be earning a Master of Fine Arts when the campus celebrates its commencement exercises on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 2007.

The date is particularly significant for Nick, as two years ago on that day he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, a disease he has since beaten. He has been cancer-free since November, 2005.

“I thought it would be really nice if the two of us could share this day,” Nick says. “Not because I wasn’t able to attend my own graduation, but because my family looks at celebrations and landmarks much differently now. His graduating is a focal point – something we can share together. We can share his accomplishment and that gives it special meaning.”

The youngest of three children, Michael is an accomplished photographer who works at Canon U.S.A. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from C.W. Post. The pair is looking forward to their joint graduation day.

“It’s important to me as a father to have him with me and me with him,” Nick said.

When Nick, 60, was diagnosed he said his family rallied around him, and even now although he is cancer-free, continues to support him as he works to raise money and awareness of the disease. He is currently training for a “Goofy Marathon” to be held next year to benefit children who have leukemia and lymphoma. Over the course of a weekend, he’ll run a half-marathon on a Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday. His two grandchildren, 5 and 3, will participate in a “diaper marathon.”

A project coordinator for United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Suffolk, Nick says acting as an advocate is a role he takes seriously. “I think it’s really important to show that people with cancer can do things – if you can’t run marathon, you can walk! My family and I are out in forefront, trying to be productive members of the community all year round. Cancer shouldn’t define who an individual is and what he can do.”

C.W. Post’s commencement exercises will take place on the Great Lawn beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Class of 2007 includes 957 baccalaureate degree candidates, 1,784 master's degree candidates, 14 graduates receiving the Psy.D. in clinical psychology and 4 receiving the Ph.D. in information studies. C.W. Post’s commencement ceremonies also include graduates from Southampton College and the Southampton Graduate Campus of Long Island University.

For more information, visit the commencement Web site at www.liu.edu/cwpcommencement.

Posted: May 11, 2007