Commencement 2008

C.W. Post Campus * Southampton College
Brentwood Campus * Southampton Graduate Campus
Long Island University at Riverhead

Commencement: Sunday, May 11, 2008

Commencement Speaker
Jorge M. Pérez ’72
Founder, Chairman and CEO, The Related Group

Jorge M. Pérez - Audio Version

President’s Remarks
David J. Steinberg, President, Long Island University

Valedictorian
Maria Lynn Michta – Valedictorian - Class of 2008
C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University

The valedictorian of the Class of 2008 is Maria Michta from Nesconset, N.Y. A biology
major, Ms. Michta graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average and highest honors.
One of the top racewalkers in the world, Ms. Michta was unable to deliver her commencement
address as she was competing in the World Race Cup in Russia on May 11, 2008. (For information, click here)
Prior to leaving for Russia, Ms. Michta recorded her valedictory address and a greeting to the graduates:

Valedictory Greeting - May 11, 2008 - Video (QuickTime format)

Valedictory Address - May 11, 2008 - Video (full speech) (QuickTime format)

Valedictory Address - May 11, 2008 - Text (Click here)

Jorge M. Pérez, Class of 1972, and founder, chairman and CEO of The Related Group, delivered the 2008 main commencement address. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Chancellor Tess Mullarkey presents the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Service to C.W. Post Professor Emeritus of Music Alexander “Lex” Dashnaw.

Lori Cohen, an English teacher at J.W. Dodd Middle School in Freeport, receives the 2008 Nassau County Teacher of the Year award from Robert Manheimer, Dean of the School of Education, and Jeffrey Kane, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Long Island University.

Peter Gibson, co-president and co-founder of BusinessEdge Solutions Inc. and a 1982 graduate of C.W. Post receives the Distinguished Alumni Award from Chancellor Theresa Mall Mullarkey, right, and Professor Cara Gargano, Commencement Grand Marshall.

New York Times Foreign Correspondent John F. Burns, recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, is “hooded” by University President Dr. David Steinberg.

Joseph Shenker, provost of the C.W. Post Campus, receives an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Bailey R. Stark (left) and Ámbar E. Arancibia Dieterich are the Class of 2008 Salutatorians. This is the first year in C.W. Post history that this honor has been awarded to two students. At left is Platform Marshal Professor Roger N. Goldstein.

Kevin Wilson was honored as the 100,000th graduate of C.W. Post during the Campus’ 50th commencement exercises.