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Former C.W. Post Provost Joe Shenker Honored by LaGuardia Community College
Joseph Shenker, Ed.D., the popular provost of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University who retired in July, was recently honored by LaGuardia Community College, the institution of higher education he founded in 1970. The “M” building at LaGuardia was renamed Joseph Shenker Hall at a dedication ceremony on August 14, 2008 in honor of the man who, from 1970 to 1989, led the youngest CUNY community college to national prominence for its innovative teaching approaches and cooperative education program. With his wife, Susan, and four children present, Dr. Joseph Shenker watched as the new Joseph Shenker Hall sign was unveiled before a crowd of college officials, students, faculty, administrator and friends. Dr. Gail O. Mellow, LaGuardia’s third president, presided over the celebration attended by family, local politicians and current LaGuardia faculty and those who served with him. Dr. Mellow praised Dr. Shenker as a man of vision and focus. “His ability to envision groundbreaking programs and put them into place is what made LaGuardia the gold standard for community colleges it is today.” Senator Serphin R. Maltese, a stalwart advocate of LaGuardia, said that the founding president put his distinctive stamp on the College. “As a result of his and President Mellow’s leadership,” he added, “LaGuardia plays an invaluable role in Queens County, New York City and New York State.” The Senator’s wife Constance, who is a portraitist, painted a portrait of Dr. Shenker that now hangs in the renamed building. Speaking on behalf of the Shenker family, Karen Shenker Gould, daughter of Dr. Shenker, defined the role LaGuardia played in his life. “LaGuardia Community College, its students and all of my father’s colleagues have meant so much to him. For many years it served as his second family. That is why the dedication of this building is so incredibly special to him and our family.” During his administration, LaGuardia became the first community college in the nation to require its full-time students to participate in cooperative education internships. Believing that community colleges should play an important role in continuing education, he established the college’s Division of Adult and Continuing Education which offers among its many programs one of the nation’s first college-level programs for deaf adults. “Joe was the driving force, the heart and soul of LaGuardia,” said Professor John Bihn in his tribute to the man he had served under during the College’s formative years. “He allowed others to play a part in the molding of LaGuardia, so it is most fitting that we celebrate his vision here today.” Dr. Shenker left LaGuardia in 1988 to serve as President of Bank Street College of Education. After leading the highly respected college for seven years, he accepted the position of Provost of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. He retired from C.W. Post this past summer. “My dream for LaGuardia has been accomplished and is being continued by the hard work, vision and dedication of the faculty and staff at LaGuardia,” Dr. Shenker said as he stood before his portrait in the lobby of the newly christened building. He quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson in praising the trailblazing work that has been done at the College. “ ‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ That is what all of us have done here at LaGuardia,” he said. Posted: September 2, 2008
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| Long Island University | C.W. Post Campus |