Mother, Daughter to Share Honors and Diplomas on Mother's
Day
It's not unusual for a mother to help her daughter with her homework.
But in the case of mother-daughter team Mary Cusumano and Valerie Stallone,
support and guidance worked in both directions. Both women are students
at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and both will be graduating
on Mother's Day, May 10, 1998.
Miss Stallone, a Registered Dietitian working in acute care at South
Nassau Communities Hospital, will receive a master of science degree in
nutrition/health science, and her mother, Mrs. Cusumano, will receive a
bachelor of arts degree in psychology.
The Syosset women say their mother/daughter relationship is a good one.
Although their goal was not to graduate together, they're thrilled they
will be receiving their degrees on the same day.
"If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gone this far," said
Miss Stallone, who credits her mother with the encouragement and support
she needed to complete her coursework.
Mrs. Cusumano will receive her diploma after attending college part-time
for nine years. The youngest of 12 children, she went to work at a very
young age and later found her work and family obligations kept her busy.
Concerned about returning to the classroom after more than 30 years, Mrs.
Cusumano said her professors were "wonderful" and her younger
classmates never made her feel out of place, or "like a third wheel."
But, she laughs, "My daughter wasn't allowed to call me mom on campus.
It would ruin my image!"
Both women boast special honors on graduation day. Mrs. Cusumano will
be wearing an honor's sash having made the honors list. She was elected
by the C.W. Post faculty to the Phi Eta honor society, which recognizes
outstanding liberal arts students based on their scholarship, character
and conduct.
Miss Stallone is serving as commencement marshal. Both will join more
than 1,100 graduating students when ceremonies begin at 9:40 a.m. on C.W.
Post's Great Lawn.
For more information call the C.W. Post Public
Relations Office at (516) 299-2333 or e-mail cwpostpr@aurora.liunet.edu
or send mail to: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, 720 Northern
Blvd., Brookville, New York 11548-1300.
