Ambar Arancibia Named Salutatorian for the Class of 2008 at C.W. Post

Brookville, N.Y. -- Ambar Arancibia, 21, a resident of Westbury, N.Y. and an honors student majoring in fine arts and design with a minor in philosophy, has been named a Salutatorian for the Class of 2008 at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, campus officials announced today, March 27.

For the first time in the history of C.W. Post, two students will receive the distinct honor of Salutatorian for C.W. Post’s 50th graduating class. Also serving as a Salutatorian is Bailey Stark, 21, a resident of Salamanca, N.Y. Students are judged on their G.P.A., number of credits taken in residence, a personal essay, recommendations and an interview with the selection committee. “Both Ambar and Bailey are dynamic, extraordinary students,” said Joseph Shenker, provost of the C.W. Post Campus. “After much debate, the committee came to the realization that the only wise choice was to grant them both the honor.”

Arancibia, who will be awarded the Bachelor of Fine Arts, was born in Chile. At the age of 9, she and her family moved to the United States where she was enrolled in an English as a Second Language program in the Westbury School District. With much hard work and dedication she went on to become the valedictorian of Westbury High School Class of 2004 and was awarded a full, four-year scholarship to C.W. Post.

Arancibia has maintained a full extracurricular schedule. She is a member of the Phi Sigma Tau – the National Philosophy Honor Society and a regular contributor to Loomings, C.W. Post’s literary art magazine. As a member of the Student Art League she has exhibited at both the Hillwood Student Art League Gallery and the Tilles Center Patron’s Lounge. She was a participant in the 2007 Long Island College Art Competition at SUNY Stony Brook, the Inter-Culturalism group exhibit at the Queens Korea Village Open Center and was recently awarded the School of Visual and Performing Arts Printmaking Award. A tutor to her fellow students at C.W. Post, Arancibia wishes to become a professor of fine arts and art history.

The salutatorian is selected by a committee comprised of faculty and administrators. The C.W. Post Campus’ 50th Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2008.

Posted: March 27, 2008