The Pearls and Rubies of Long Island University
Faculty members recognized for 30 and 40 years of service to C.W. Post at Commencement

Brookville, N.Y. -- Fifteen members of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University will be honored for their years of service at the 50th Commencement exercises on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, 2008.

The professors will serve as part of the platform party at Commencement, led by platform marshal Roger Goldstein, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science/International Studies, who will himself be honored for 40 years of service to the University. A celebratory brunch will follow the ceremony.

“We are proud of our honorees and extend our gratitude to them for all they have accomplished in their respective careers and for their ongoing dedication to the C.W. Post community,” said Dr. Joseph Shenker, provost of the C.W. Post Campus.

30-YEAR FACULTY 

ROBERT E. BERTUCELLI '70, '74 (M.S.), CPA

Robert Bertucelli is one of the region's most esteemed accounting professionals and educators. A managing partner of the Long Island accounting firm Bertucelli & Malaga, LLP, and a faculty member in the C.W. Post School of Professional Accountancy, Professor Bertucelli has shaped accountancy education through his involvement in the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Estate Planning Council of Suffolk County and the C.W. Post Tax and Accounting Institute, where he serves as director.

He is a certified public accountant, a certified financial planner and a chartered life underwriter. While earning his B.S. in accountancy at C.W. Post, he served as president of the Student Accounting Society and was awarded the Gus Ehrlich Memorial Award in Accounting, The Wall Street Journal Student Leadership Award and the Haskins Silver Medal for his performance on the CPA exam. Professor Bertucelli also earned his M.S. in taxation at C.W. Post.

Among his many professional accomplishments, he has been recognized with the Emmanuel Saxe Award as the Outstanding CPA in Education for 2001 and has been listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who in Finance and Industry. Professor Bertucelli teaches for the Foundation on Accounting Education and was twice honored with its Outstanding Discussion Leader Award. 

MARGARET F. BOORSTEIN, PH.D.

As chair of the Earth and Environmental Science Department, Dr. Margaret F. Boorstein has striven to foster a sense of camaraderie and cohesion among faculty members and students alike. She credits her mentors at C.W. Post, including Professor Robert Harrison and the late Professors Clemencia Gonzalez and Martin Orlins, with instilling within her an appreciation for the importance of department responsibility and loyalty.

A recipient of Long Island University 's David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching, she has taught more than 20 different geography and earth science courses. She teaches core courses by choice, and takes special care to ensure that her students appreciate the relationships between people and their environments.

Dr. Boorstein holds a B.A. in mathematics from Barnard College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in geography from Columbia University . Her research in geography encompasses two areas of concentration: analysis of urban environments and of national parks. She is an author and editor of the CD “Geography: An Interactive Approach,” which has been distributed in schools across the United States .

During her years at C.W. Post, Dr. Boorstein has garnered national exposure for the Campus through her scholarly research and her participation in academic conferences. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, she served as chair of the College Curriculum Committee, co-chair of the Outcomes Assessment Committee and the Campus Middle States Re-Accreditation Committee and chair of the community Science Expo. She has promoted the discipline of geography as president of the Middle States Division of the Association of the American Geographers and as judge of the National Geographic Geography Bee in New York State .

MARGARET HALLISSY, PH.D.

During her long and distinguished career as a Professor of English at C.W. Post, Dr. Margaret Hallissy has taught high school students earning college credits, undergraduate and graduate students, and adult personal enrichment learners for the Campus' Hutton House Lectures. She also has a longstanding teaching commitment with the Honors Program, for which she develops advanced English and literature-related electives and supervises tutorial and thesis writing.

Dr. Hallissy has published four books, two of them on Chaucer. While originally specializing in the literature of the Middle Ages, Dr. Hallissy has expanded her range of interests to include the works of such modern authors as William Golding, Mary Gordon and John Updike. Most recently, she has become interested in Irish and Irish-American literature, developing new courses on the subject for the English Department as well as for the American Studies Program.

Dr. Hallissy earned a bachelor's degree from St. John's University and master's and doctoral degrees from Fordham University. She has served in a variety of administrative roles and currently chairs the Campus Committee on Student Writing. She is a recipient of the Long Island University Trustees Award for Scholarly Achievement and the David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

MANJU PRASAD-RAO '79 (M.S.), '92 (M.S.)

Head of the Instructional Media Center in the B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Library, Professor Manju Prasad-Rao has helped to create a valuable high-tech department that offers production, media resources and preview facilities for C.W. Post faculty members and students across all disciplines, but particularly for those pursuing degrees in education and in library and information science.

As exhibits coordinator for the library, she has built its outstanding reputation as an innovator in the field that introduces and employs cutting-edge technologies to help educators teach and students learn. Her noteworthy exhibits have focused on such timely topics as “Non-Violence: The Global Choice!,” “Gender and Advertisement,” “Einstein Centennial Celebration: Annus Mirabilis” and “The Evolving Face of Publishing.” Professor Prasad-Rao has made many of these magnificent exhibits accessible by developing interactive versions that can be viewed anywhere in the world online.

Her 30-year career at C.W. Post extends beyond the Instructional Media Center and encompasses many disciplines. A professional storyteller and teacher of classical Indian dance forms, Professor Prasad-Rao delivers multimedia presentations that feature live music and dance. Venues have included the American Museum of Natural History, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art and several Long Island libraries.

“Indian Life in Indian Textiles,” “Ajanta and Ellora: Cave Temples of India,” “Environmental Consciousness and Eco Rituals in Hindu and Buddhist Cultures” and “East and West Encounters: British and Indian Art 1757-1947” are just some of the subjects explored.

Professor Prasad-Rao holds four master's degrees: an M.A. in English from Central College , Bangalore, India; an M.S. in educational technology from Indiana University ; and M.S. degrees in library science and in information science from C.W. Post. She often teaches for the Campus' Hutton House Lectures and recently has completed teaching an Honors Program course titled “The Performing and Visual Art Traditions of India.”  

WILLIAM ROBERSON '76 (M.L.S.)

William Roberson is a human repository of information. His years of teaching, researching and writing numerous articles and books, and serving as a reference librarian and then as head of references services at Southampton College of Long Island University for 28 years, have helped to greatly increase his knowledge of a broad range of subjects.

During his time at the University's East End campus, Professor Roberson served as the director of the renowned Southampton Writers Conference for eight years. In addition, he was a member of the Faculty Research Committee and the Faculty Personnel Committee, which he chaired for eight years. In 2005, when the University ceased to offer undergraduate programs at Southampton, Professor Roberson continued on as the head librarian for the Southampton Graduate Campus, later becoming head librarian for the Brentwood Campus of Long Island University, where he remains today.

Professor Roberson's scholarly works include articles in Critique, Great Lakes Review and the Bulletin of Bibliography. In addition, he has published six bibliographic works, including books on naturalist and author Peter Matthiessen, poet Robert Bly and science fiction writer Walter M. Miller Jr. Professor Roberson earned a B.A. in art and an M.A. in English from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, an M.L.S. from the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and a C.A.S. in Library and Information Science from St. John's University . 

MICHAEL SOUPIOS '76 (M.S.), PH.D.

The influence of a master teacher can be long-lasting and profound. Just ask the 20,000 students who have been privileged enough to experience Michael Soupios as a professor.

“He embodies the kind of intellectual dexterity that is the heart and soul of higher education, and his wisdom and guidance stays with you years after graduation,” said Christian Wozny, the 1996 president of the C.W. Post Student Government Association, who is now a chief financial officer with American International Group, Inc. “He has contributed to my professional success in so many ways.”

During his 30 years at the C.W. Post Campus, Dr. Soupios has served in many leadership roles, including assistant vice president of academic affairs, University dean for academic planning and evaluation, and University dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Upon relinquishing his administrative duties, he joined the Political Science/International Studies Department as a professor, teaching a variety of courses including those in his area of specialty, political theory. Due to his popularity, and in response to student demand, the University lifted the cap on the enrollment limits for Dr. Soupios' classes.

In addition to the astounding number of academic degrees he holds including four doctorates that span the fields of political science, history, education, philosophy and theology; four master's degrees and one bachelor's degree, he has garnered numerous awards and trophies for athletic prowess – Dr. Soupios is an ultra marathon runner. He also is the author of three books and numerous published articles and papers.

During the course of his career, Dr. Soupios has received many acknowledgements including the University's David Newton Award for Teaching Excellence. He also has had a lecture room in Lorber Hall dedicated in his honor; as well as an endowed lecture series. During Commencement 2007, he received the coveted Long Island University Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Service. In addition, he has been nominated for the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. Inside and outside the classroom, Dr. Soupios remains one of C.W. Post's most beloved professors.

LINDA WENZE, '76 (M.B.A.), '08 (M.S.), PH.D.

Although she has spent the majority of her career teaching in Brookville, Linda Wenze has the distinction of teaching at four other campuses of Long Island University – Brentwood, Rockland , Southampton and Westchester . She joined the C.W. Post faculty 30 years ago, bringing with her a comprehensive background in health planning and policy development, and a commitment to improving the health care delivery system in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Her professional experience included working with hospitals and government- and community-based organizations to identify underlying needs and gaps in service, and to rectify those disparities. Her expertise has greatly influenced local health care and public sector administrators, arming them and those who work in the field with the know-how to improve services provided.

Dr. Wenze has been involved in a wide range of activities in the community and helped to secure the first federal funding for treating people infected with HIV in the region. Currently, she is working with hospitals in Nassau and Suffolk , helping them to prepare for emergencies, including hurricanes, pandemic influenza outbreaks and other health crises. To better ground herself in this aspect of her career, she is completing her third master's degree, and will receive an M.S. in homeland security management from Long Island University at Riverhead during today's commencement ceremony.

An associate professor of health care and public administration, Dr. Wenze teaches courses in research methods and statistics, organizational behavior, epidemiology and public health, and managerial communications. She earned a B.A. in psychology from Hofstra University and an M.B.A. in management, with a concentration in organizational behavior from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. She also holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in applied research and evaluation, both earned at Hofstra University .

40-YEAR FACULTY

THOMAS F. BOWMAN, PH.D.

Thomas F. Bowman began his career as a middle school and high school teacher. By the age of 24, he became the youngest public school principal in the state of Washington. Since reaching that first milestone, Dr. Bowman has continued along a highly successful career path, combining his love of teaching with his interest in administrative development and professional advancement.

Armed with a doctorate in educational administration from Washington State University , he joined the faculty at C.W. Post as an assistant professor in the School of Education 40 years ago. He has served as chair of the Educational Leadership and Administration Department as well as dean of the Graduate School of Education.

A recipient of the Dean's Recognition Award, Dr. Bowman has published numerous articles in professional journals and has co-authored two books, one of which earned recognition as a national best seller. He has been interviewed on more than 400 radio and television programs, including segments on Larry King Live and CBS News. His writing has been reviewed in The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today.

Along with his colleagues Drs. George Giuliani and Ronald Minge, Dr. Bowman founded the Catholic Learning Center, which for a period of 33 years provided academic intervention initiatives for more than 30,000 children on Long Island and in New York City, as well as counseling services for 18,000 children and adults.

GENEVIEVE CHINN, PH.D.

A child prodigy, Genevieve Chinn began her piano studies at the age of 4, gave her first recital in Steinway Hall at 6 and performed with Leopold Stokowski and the NBC Symphony at the age of 8. Five years later, she won first prize in the New York Philharmonic composition contest, resulting in a performance at Carnegie Hall and subsequent publication of the winning composition by Carl Fischer, Inc.

Prior to entering Columbia University , she studied with Nadia Boulanger at The Fontainebleau Schools in France and won the French government prize in piano. Dr. Chinn holds bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University . Upon completion of her master's degree, she taught at Barnard College for eight years before being invited to teach at C.W. Post in the Music Department as a visiting professor.

She then was promoted to associate professor and later became a full professor.

Best known for her concert appearances and recordings with pianist Allen Brings as a member of the Chinn-Brings Duo, Dr. Chinn has performed in this country, in Europe and in Asia. She also has performed and toured with the C.W. Post choral groups. Dr. Chinn's CDs are available on the CRI, Centaur, Orion and Capstone labels and also on iTunes. She is on the board of directors of the Weston Music Center and School of the Performing Arts in Weston, Conn., and is president of Candlelight Concerts in Wilton, Conn. 

ROGER N. GOLDSTEIN, PH.D.

As chair of the Political Science/International Studies Department for the past 12 years, Roger Goldstein is at the helm of one of C.W. Post's most popular academic programs. He initially joined Long Island University when he was appointed a faculty member at Southampton College , where he taught in the Social Science Division, and ultimately becoming director of the program. He arrived at C.W. Post in 1972 and since then, has completely devoted his energies to innovating, strengthening and energizing the political science curriculum.

In cooperation with Leila Doss, former assistant under secretary general of the United Nations, Dr. Goldstein implemented an innovative internship program with the U.N. that affords C.W. Post students the opportunity to enhance their education by studying abroad. His commitment to promoting cross-cultural awareness and communication is reflected in the outstanding courses he develops for students.

Among Dr. Goldstein's most notable accomplishments is the establishment of a relationship between Long Island University and the Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China. His current scholarly projects focus on United Nations reform policies, and the relationship between non-government organizations and the U.N. to develop an international political culture. In recognition of his many years of service to C.W. Post and its students, Dr. Goldstein was named commencement platform marshal in 2008.

Dr. Goldstein earned a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.A. from Columbia University. His Ph.D. was awarded by Columbia University 's highly regarded Russian Institute.

WALTER I. HEIMER, PH.D.

Walter Heimer's career interests bridge the usual divide between experimental and clinical psychology. He has published in the areas of perception, learning and cognition while also holding a New York State Professional License in Psychology. At C.W. Post, Dr. Heimer was a principal in the development of the doctoral program in clinical psychology. He currently is collaborating with others in the planning of a religious studies program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Heimer has served as president of the Psychoanalytic Practitioners of Long Island and the North Nassau Mental Health Center. He has been associated with the Office of Naval Research and Grumman Aerospace Corporation as a human factors psychologist, working on training, display and simulation problems. He was a member of the American Psychological Association's Publication Manual Task Force during the development of its second and third editions, which resulted in more than 12 million circulation copies of The Publication Manual of the APA. These editions included “Guidelines for the Non-Sexist Language in APA Journals,” which was published in June 1977. These early principles have been adopted in the field of psychology as well as most of the other social sciences. Today, The Manual is widely recognized as the editorial style guide that many of the social and behavioral sciences utilize as publication policies.

Dr. Heimer's listings include Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in the East, and American Men and Women of Science: Social and Behavioral Sciences. He earned a B.A. in history at Allegheny College, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in psychology from the Graduate Faculty of the New School for Social Research. 

A. HOYT HOBBS, PH.D.

A professor of philosophy, Dr. A. Hoyt Hobbs is an expert in the field of epistemology, the study of how we attain knowledge and truth. His lessons impart a broad perspective of the world's great philosophers and investigate what is involved in knowing, believing, perceiving, meaning and truth.

His students benefit from his global travels and interactions with different cultures. He has co-authored four travel guides on Egypt , Spain and Portugal , including “Fielding's Paradors, Posadas and Charming Villages of Spain and Portugal .”

Throughout his University career, Dr. Hobbs has been remarkably successful in igniting his students' interest in philosophical issues. In recognition of his outstanding classroom skills, in 1997 he was awarded Long Island University 's prestigious David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching.

In addition to his primary academic focus on epistemology, Dr. Hobbs has conducted research in Egyptology and has published books and papers, including “A Complete Guide to Egypt and the Archeological Sites,” as well as a standard text in Egyptology titled “Daily Life of the Ancient Egyptians,” which he wrote with a colleague.

Dr. Hobbs earned a B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University , all in philosophy. He currently serves as the chairman of the C.W. Post Philosophy Department. 

STEWART KARP, PH.D.

Whether he is engaged in teaching the finer points of general chemistry, analytical chemistry or instrumentation, Dr. Stewart Karp genuinely enjoys spending time with his students and prefers to teach them the “old-fashioned way” — analog versus digital — so that they can appreciate the advances of modern science.

From compounds to synthesis, he adeptly imparts his knowledge, preparing them for careers in research and development, production, teaching and technical services to name a few. Dr. Karp has published 23 technical papers, authored nine articles on pedagogy and holds three patents. His research in analytical chemistry led to a one-step method for converting vitamin C into its oxidized form. He also invented a chromatography detector, based on the Schlieren Effect, which occurs when two dissimilar solutions meet. Dr. Karp is the co-author of a study that argued that the conventional teaching of an aspect of chemical equilibrium was in error.

During his tenure at C.W. Post, Dr. Karp has served as chair of the Chemistry Department for eight years and has lent his expertise to several University and department committees. A frequent consultant for local companies, Dr. Karp holds a B.S. from Queens College and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Polytechnic Institute of New York.

STANLEY B. KLEIN, PH.D.

Stanley Klein is one of New York 's most sought-after political commentators. Whether lecturing to students in his classroom or offering thought-provoking opinions on TV and radio, he is the pre-eminent source for in-depth analysis of local and national government.

Dr. Klein started his career at Long Island University in 1961, teaching world history to military personnel at the institution's Mitchel College, a former campus that was located in East Meadow on the Mitchel Field Air Force Base. Six years later, he joined the faculty at C.W. Post in Brookville where he has been teaching government and politics to mesmerized undergraduates during his legendary 8 a.m. classes.

A noted expert on political elections, Dr. Klein has written three books on American foreign policy, which have been published by the Council on Foreign Relations and Pearson. He recently co-authored a book with Professor Michael Soupios on American government. His speaking engagements have included the Plandome Women's Club, the North Riding Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the League of Women Voters and the Men's Club of the Manhasset Congregational Church, where he offers a yearly analysis of local and national elections.

Dr. Klein is deeply involved in the Campus community and has served as chair of the Faculty Council for five years and chair of the Campus Center and Tenure Board. He also has been a member of the Admissions Committee, the Athletics Committee, the Calendar Committee and the Student Affairs Committee and has been vice president of the University Senate. Off campus, Dr. Klein has served as president of the Strathmore at Huntington Civic Association, as president of the Half Hollow Hills Republican Club and as president of the Arturo Toscanini Lodge Order Sons of Italy in America. He also sat on the Planning Board of the Town of Huntington and wore the hat of Huntington town historian. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics, and a master's degree and a Ph.D. in history, all from New York University.

M. RONALD MINGE, PH.D.

M. Ronald Minge has made notable contributions to the field of special education and has served as a catalyst for change in assisting children with various developmental disabilities. His research demonstrating that children with severe mental retardation could be taught self-help skills was the first to be published.

As the first chairperson of the Curriculum and Instruction Department in C.W. Post's School of Education, Dr. Minge was instrumental in the establishment of several innovative programs, including the present Special Education and Literacy Department. His published research involves psychotherapeutic readiness, counseling issues, evaluation of teacher candidates and the value of homework.

Dr. Minge has co-directed the Catholic Learning Center, which provides diagnostic and remedial services to thousands of children throughout the greater metropolitan area. With C.W. Post professors, Drs. Thomas Bowman and George Giuliani, he researched matches between personality factors and geographical locations, the result of which became a best-selling book titled “Finding Your Best Place to Live in America.” The popular tome has sold more than 60,000 copies and is in its third edition. His research on mate selection led to another book collaboration with the same authors.

Dr. Minge earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Washington State University . Before joining the faculty at C.W. Post in 1967, he taught at Seattle University and earned the distinction of Outstanding Professor. 

Posted: May 1, 2008