Mary and Buck Lai Fountain Dedicated at C.W. Post

From left: Edward Travaglianti, chairman, Long Island University Board of Trustees; Ed Shorin, trustee of Long Island University; Father Ted Brown, director, Religious Life, C.W. Post Campus; Mary Lai, treasurer emerita, Long Island University; Dr. David J. Steinberg, president, Long Island University; Dr. Paul Forestell, provost, C.W. Post Campus

Mary Lai, treasurer emerita of Long Island University, and a resident of Brookville for 44 years, at the fountain she donated to the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University

Brookville, N.Y. – A stunning granite semi-circular fountain, featuring seven jets extending water into the air, was unveiled at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University at a ceremony on June 19. The fountain is a gift from Mary M. Lai, who, for more than six decades, has served the University as a finance officer.

The aqueous ornament is located in front of Humanities Hall, one of the Campus’ main academic buildings, and contains an attractive seating area and additional benches in the plaza. The fountain will be christened the “Mary and Buck Lai Fountain,” and inscribed with the University motto: “Access to the American Dream Through Excellence in Higher Education.”

Mrs. Lai graduated from Long Island University in 1942. She was hired by the University in April 1946 as chief financial officer, a position she held until 2003. Today, she holds the position of treasurer emeritus. She has resided in Brookville for 44 years.

Her late husband, William T. “Buck” Lai, held numerous positions at the University, including former athletic director of the C.W. Post Campus and provost of the University’s Brooklyn Campus.

University President David J. Steinberg hailed Mrs. Lai’s generosity and her stewardship of Long Island University’s finances throughout the decades.

“Mary Lai’s financial acumen has enabled this institution to prosper, and thereby to benefit many thousands of students over the years,” he said. “It is fitting that the fountain will be inscribed with the words, ‘Access to the American Dream Through Excellence in Higher Education.’ Mrs. Lai has made precisely that access possible over the course of her remarkable career.”

“I love what I do. I love it with a passion,” Mary Lai said. “There’s nothing better than helping students to earn an education and seeing the difference it makes in their lives.”

Mrs. Lai has made more than 50 accreditation visits to other college campuses as a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. A visit to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh made her think a fountain would add to the atmosphere back home at C.W. Post.

“I was so impressed with what fountains did for that campus,” she said. “They made it warmer and more inviting and greatly improved the appearance of the buildings and the campus.”

The fountain to be dedicated June 19 is the second at C.W. Post resulting from Mrs. Lai’s generosity. In 2007, she funded the refurbishing of a smaller fountain on the patio of Winnick House, the Campus administrative center. She also funded a fountain at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus.

In 1978, Mrs. Lai received the Distinguished Alumna Award from the Brooklyn Campus. She also received the Trustee Award in 1981 and an honorary doctorate from the University in 1986, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Fordham University, where she earned her master’s degree.

Posted: July 6, 2009