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LIU Post Alum and University Trustee Helps Fulbright Scholar by ‘Giving Back’ So She Can Move Ahead

Empire National Bank President and COO Thomas M. Buonaiuto, an LIU Post alumnus and University Trustee, enabled Tunisia native Asma Khadraoui, a Fulbright Scholar, to obtain an important internship after she'd gotten her master's degree in accounting at LIU Post. They're holding a copy of the bank's annual report. (Photo courtesy Empire National Bank)

Thanks to LIU Post alumnus and University Trustee Thomas M. Buonaiuto, president and Chief Operating Officer of Empire National Bank, Asma Khadhraoui, who came from Tunisia on a Fulbright scholarship to earn her master’s degree in accounting at LIU Post, got a coveted internship at the community bank so she could put what she’d learned here to good use after her graduation.

She had always wanted to attend LIU because of its high ranking in accounting.

“LIU Post was my first choice,” said Khadhraoui. She credited Dr. Robert Valli, Dean of the College of Management, with helping her connect with Buonaiuto (Post ’87).

“It’s not easy for Fulbright Scholars to get internships after graduation,” she explained. “If the organization feels it is not the right fit or will not provide a good educational experience, they won’t approve the position.” She was very grateful that the Fulbright Program, which is run by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, approved her internship so she could remain on Long Island.

“I felt right at home when I first met the bank’s president, Tom Buonaiuto,” Khadhraoui said. “The entire staff also welcomed me with open arms. Coming from a different part of the world and from a very different culture, it was very comforting.”

Serving as a University Trustee as well as on the College of Management’s Executive Board of Advisors, Buonaiuto welcomed the opportunity to “give back” to the LIU community by creating a position for her.

“As a LIU Post alum, I can speak to the educational foundation I received at the school,” he said. “It has been a mainstay throughout my professional career.”

During her internship, Khadhraoui worked with the senior vice president and director of marketing and investor relations to help create a 10th anniversary product brochure for the bank. Under the guidance of Senior Vice President and Co-Chief Credit Officer Raffaella Palazzo, she also handled background checks, loan renewals, credit reports and compliance with new banking regulations.

“She joined us in a particularly busy season and was a quick learner and always eager to help,” said Palazzo. “She demonstrated excellent prioritization skills in managing projects and daily work assigned.”

“Working in a community bank provided me a great opportunity to learn many aspects of the industry,” Khadhraoui said. “I would not have gotten such a well-rounded education in a larger financial institution.”

Buonaiuto was glad he could help support this LIU alumna in this early stage of her career.
“It is my hope that the collaboration I set in motion between LIU and Empire National Bank will pave the way for other successful graduates to embrace the culture of ‘giving back’ to their alma mater,” he said.

After volunteering at the United Nations in New York, Khadhraoui was offered a job as a finance assistant at a UN agency based in Tunisia. Having started in October, she’s glad she has the chance to help her native land.

“Being part of the positive change in my country and all around the world gives me a sense of accomplishment,” she said, “and pushes me to be the best version of myself personally and professionally.”

 

Undefeated LIU Post Pioneers Play for Northeast 10 Conference Football Title This Weekend

LIU Post Pioneer linebacker Connor Farrell has reason to applaud his team's accomplishment but he knows the hardest challenge is still to come.

The LIU Post Pioneers football team are one win away from going undefeated in 2018. But their last game of the season won’t be a walk in the park. This Saturday they play at home for the Northeast-10 Conference title against the University of New Haven—and both teams are 8-0 as they prepare for their final showdown.

As LIU Post Coach Chris Collins told Newsday, “I think the kids are happy with where we’re at right now. We’re hitting our goals with one game left in the season.”

On Nov. 3, the Pioneers beat Northeast-10 rival Southern Connecticut State University 24-13 on the road. The win at Jess Dow Field gives the Pioneers a new program record: 14 consecutive victories.

Post quarterback Chris Laviano completed 17 of 28 passes, including two touchdowns and one interception. Receiver Michael Richardson made both touchdown catches. Running back Jonathan DeBique rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries. His teammate, primary back Malik Pierre, had 18 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown.

As Newsday reported, the Pioneers’ two running backs bring different styles to the gridiron, in no small part, Collins explained, because DeBique has a bigger physique than Pierre.

“Malik is a shifty, move-people-around type of back,” Collins said. “Jonathan is more of a slashing type of running back that gets down to pad level very well and is powerful.”

All told, the Pioneers are 9-0 overall, and 8-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference.

One key to their winning record is the skillful performance of their talented quarterback, Chris Laviano.

“We’ve had two weeks in a row where it’s become very challenging to put the ball in the air,” said Collins, adding that the QB had to combat wind gusts of up to 45 miles an hour. “Chris has such a good arm and tight spiral that he’s able to throw a little bit better than other quarterbacks when they have wind conditions like this. It was hard to play but I thought he was great.”

The forecast for Saturday’s game is partly sunny, windy and turning colder as the day goes on, with some gusts of wind up to 45 mph. The kickoff is slated for noon at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium. The NCAA Division II playoffs begin Nov. 17. According to Newsday, the Pioneers were ranked third in Super Region 1.

 

First Home Run Ball Is a Big Hit at LIU Post’s Archives and Special Collections

April and Bill Rozea, who first met on the Brookville campus in 1956, recently came to the radio studios of WCWP and donated the first home-run baseball ever hit here to LIU's Jarron Jewell, so she can preserve it for posterity.

The field is long gone but the game ball lives on because it’s the first home run ever hit by a varsity baseball player at C.W. Post.

That memento, which has been sitting on a shelf for decades at the home of Bill and April Rozea, will get a new place of honor in the University’s Archives and Special Collections.

This iconic baseball also pays tribute to this couple who first met on the Brookville campus in 1956 and plan to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next year. And neither one had planned to attend college here.

The team’s first home game took place in the spring of 1957 against Adelphi. With April watching (there were no stands to sit in), Bill Rozea got a pitch that came in high over the outside corner of the plate. He drove it deep and took off. “I didn’t realize until I got almost to first base that it was headed over the fence,” Bill recalled. “Growing up, I never hit it that far.”

The ball had to be retrieved so the game could resume, Bill continued, “because we only had two balls to play with!”

Subsequently, Coach Jim Davey suggested that Bill, who played third base, have his teammates sign the ball. “So, sure enough, I went around to everybody and they all signed it,” he said. “It didn’t mean anything at the time—but it means a lot now!”

Adding their names that day were Don Ungarelli, Joe Stone, Dom Anile, Dick Stieg, Bob Barrett, Ron Herman, John Begley, George White, Steve Offerman, Bud Simmons, Lou Dellavechio, Charlie Horton, Art Tailey, Bill Rozea and Jim Davey.

“We actually lost 3-to-1,” Bill said, prompting April to add: “You can leave that part out!”

The Manhasset couple had come to the studios of WCWP to share their reminiscences for a program hosted by Art Beltrone and engineered by Jeff Kroll, as part of a long-running alumni history radio project. Bill and April were donating the ball to Jarron Jewell, who handles Archives and Special Collections at the B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Library.

“I am so thrilled to have this baseball,” said Jarron. “You can be sure that under my watchful eye it will be treasured and accessible for viewing by all our patrons!”

The couple recounted how their campus romance began in the autumn of 1956.

“I was sitting in the cafeteria one day,” said April. “Bill was rather on the shy side, so one of his fraternity brothers came over and said, ‘Bill wants to ask you out to the prom.’ So I said, ‘Yes.’…As they say, the rest is history.”

Bill, who was from Queens Village, had been in the Naval Reserve and never intended to go to college. But he saw a newspaper story about the opening of C.W. Post. So, he got a ride to the campus and decided to sign up for his first semester, paying $700 (“A bargain,” he said with a laugh). Ultimately, he ended up receiving a full football scholarship. April, from Floral Park, wanted to go away to school. “Post was not at the top of my list,” she said. “But I got a full academic scholarship so my parents said, ‘Well, that’s where you’re going.’”

They didn’t get married until after Bill graduated in 1959 (B.S. in Business Administration); April graduated cum laude with a B.A. in psychology in 1960. Bill was part of the first class to graduate from Post. Their memories of their early years spent together in Brookville will now be preserved for posterity.

Hornstein Center Poll Shows How American Parents Differ Over School Choice Issue

The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis at Long Island University has recently released a new poll revealing Americans’ attitudes about the school choice system.

The survey showed that 63 percent of the respondents favored a school choice system that allowed parents to place their children in either private or parochial schools. But their views were far more mixed on which choice they favored.

“A clear majority of Americans believe that parents should be able to send their children to the school system of their choice,” said Dr. Stanley B. Klein, LIU Political Science Professor and Director of the Hornstein Center. “It was the preferred choice that varied quite dramatically, particularly based on the age bracket that was surveyed.

Examining the survey findings, the Generations Institute at Long Island University, an academic center geared towards understanding and improving the lives of younger generations, noted that individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 were just 34.34 percent likely to send their children to public schools, whereas those respondents between the ages of 45 and 60 were 60.58 percent likely to opt for public schools.

Of the 1,045 Americans who participated in the Hornstein survey conducted Sept. 7, 2018, 32.45 percent (340 people) supported increasing the number of charter schools, compared to 19.23 percent (201 people) who wanted fewer charter schools and 17.89 percent (187) who thought there were enough charter schools already. Some 30.33 percent (317 people) had no opinion on this topic. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percent.

Another issue the poll addressed was school safety. According to the results, most parents believe that their children are learning in a protected environment, as 68.36 percent indicated that they believed their children were safe attending school, whereas 31.64 percent did not think their children were safe at their schools.

“The recent rash of school shootings has clearly had an impact on parents,” observed Dr. Klein. “About a third of parents do not believe their children are safe while attending school. That is a rather disconcerting number, and it seems to be something governments and school systems must work to remedy.”

Endowed by prominent LIU alumnus Steven S. Hornstein (Post, ’80), the Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis at Long Island University is a non-partisan center that conducts independent polling, empirical research and analysis on a wide range of public issues.

 

The Hornstein Center at LIU Post Addresses the School Choice Issue Affecting U.S. Education Policy

Shown here at the recent Hornstein Conversation on Education Policy held in the Atrium of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts are LIU President Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, New York State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Long Island's Board of Regents Member Roger Tilles and Rockville Centre School District Superintendent Dr. William Johnson.

The Steven S. Hornstein Center sponsored a panel discussion on education policy at the Tilles Atrium on Oct. 29, which drew upon a poll the Center had conducted in September regarding Americans’ attitudes about the controversial issue of school choice.

The survey showed that 63 percent of the respondents favored a school choice system that allowed parents to place their children in either private or parochial schools. But their views were far more mixed on which choice they favored.

“A clear majority of Americans believe that parents should be able to send their children to the school system of their choice,” said Dr. Stanley B. Klein, director of the Hornstein Center. “It was the preferred choice that varied quite dramatically, particularly based on the age bracket that was surveyed.”

The goal of the Hornstein Conversation on Education Policy series is to bring practitioners and policy makers together to discuss the critical issues they’re currently facing, highlighted by the most recent polling data.

Moderating the morning’s conversation at the campus of LIU Post was LIU President Dr. Kimberly R. Cline. Sharing their views were Roger Tilles, a member of the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department; Dr. William Johnson, superintendent of the Rockville Centre School District; Assemb. Charles “Chuck” D. Lavine (D-Glen Cove); and Dr. Albert Inserra, Dean of the College of Education and Information Technology at LIU Post.

Examining the survey findings, the Generations Institute at Long Island University, an academic center geared towards understanding and improving the lives of younger generations, noted that individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 were just 34.34 percent likely to send their children to public schools, whereas those respondents between the ages of 45 and 60 were 60.58 percent likely to opt for public schools.

Of the 1,045 Americans who participated in the Hornstein survey conducted Sept. 7, 2018, 32.45 percent (340 people) supported increasing the number of charter schools, compared to 19.23 percent (201 people) who wanted fewer charter schools and 17.89 percent (187) who thought there were enough charter schools already. Some 30.33 percent (317 people) had no opinion on this topic. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percent.

Endowed by prominent LIU alumnus Steven S. Hornstein (Post, ’80), the Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis at Long Island University is a non-partisan center that conducts independent polling, empirical research and analysis on a wide range of public issues.

 

President George W. Bush Packs Tilles Center for a Memorable Evening at LIU Post

The 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, shared his recollections with former Congressman Steve Israel, chairman of the LIU Global Instiute, who hosted the evening discussion at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.

Former President George W. Bush, who left office a decade ago, spoke to a nearly full house at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post on Oct. 25th.

His appearance in Brookville was presented by Tilles Center and the LIU Global Institute, whose chairman, former Long Island Congressman Steve Israel, joined Bush on stage for an evening of enlightening conversation in front of a very appreciative audience.

As people streamed through the crowded Tilles lobby before the 7 p.m. event began, a few shared their expectations for the evening.

“I think George W. is an icon,” said Allan Kaplan from Roslyn. “He should be heard so we can remember it for posterity.”

“I’m here to support the Republicans,” said his wife, Ellen. “I’m interested in hearing what they have to say.”

The last person the Kaplans saw at Tilles Center was the comedian Jackie Mason. They didn’t expect the president to be quite as funny but they said they appreciated his sense of humor. They were not proved wrong that evening as the former president made the audience burst out loud in laughter many times at his own expense.

John and Kim Dooney from Massapequa Park came to see the president under different circumstances.

“My husband didn’t know I was taking him here—this was a surprise!” exclaimed Kim Dooney from Massapequa Park.

“A pleasant surprise,” said her husband John with a big grin. “We are interested in hearing the insights of the 43rd president. He was president for eight years so he went through a lot. I’m sure a lot of it will focus on 9/11.”

“I would like to hear what he thinks about the current climate now in the political arena with all the hostility going on between the two parties,” added Kim, “and if he has any words of wisdom since ‘he’s been there, done that.’ ”

The Dooneys said they frequently attend Tilles Center events.

“I knew he would enjoy it,” Kim continued, “because he’s very knowledgeable about politics and the history of all the presidents.” Her husband smiled as they took their seats inside.

“I’m here because I’m a desperate Democrat and I would give anything to have George W. Bush back!” exclaimed Eileen Morgo of Bayport.

“I understand that sentiment, considering who’s in the White House now,” said her husband, Jim Morgo, a former Suffolk County chief deputy county executive. “Most former presidents are seen with a kind of affection and nostalgia, but the current president makes this president look so much better.”

“I think there is genuine affection for W,” said Eileen, referring to the president. “I always thought he was a fine man. I didn’t always agree with him, but he did do some great things.”

Seated in their sofa chairs on stage, Congressman Israel in a blue suit and President Bush in a brown suit conversed with each other like two old friends. When both politicians were in office, Rep. Israel had been to the White House to meet with the president upon occasion. Their amiable hour-long conversation ranged from the political to the personal—each of their daughters had recently gotten married in fact.

When the time was up, the former president was given a standing ovation.

On the way out of Tilles Center, a middle-aged man in a dark blue windbreaker was overheard telling his wife, “We needed that!”

Long Island University Announces the Establishment of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute

Tweed Roosevelt talks about the importance of preserving his great-grandfather's legacy. Also on hand for the announcement are Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Superintendent Kelly Fuhrmann, Assemb. Charles Lavine, LIU President Dr. Kimberly R. Cline and former Congressman Steve Israel, who chairs the LIU Global Institute.

Sagamore Hill, once the home of President Theodore Roosevelt, set the stage last week for a major announcement on Oct. 26 by Long Island University: the formation of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute, which will contain many of his writings and archived material. Starting next fall, the new institute will serve as a dedicated resource for research, public seminars, lectures, international scholars, educational programs and conferences focused on the enduring legacy the 26th president.

Standing on the porch where TR once addressed the nation when the Oyster Bay mansion served as his “summer” White House were LIU President Dr. Kimberly R. Cline; Assemb. Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine (D-Glen Cove); former Congressman Steve Israel, chairman of the Global Institute at LIU; Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Superintendent Kelly Fuhrmann; and Tweed Roosevelt, the president’s great-grandson, who is chief executive officer of the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) and will head the new institute.

Assemb. Lavine helped secure $250,000 in state funds to renovate and expand Lorber Hall at LIU Post so it can house both the institute and the association. Israel is a member of the board of the TRA.

Interestingly, the Friday announcement came a day before TR’s 160th birthday: Oct. 27, 1858. Though TR was born in Manhattan, he died at Sagamore Hill, now run by the National Park Service, on Jan. 6, 1919. He was president from 1901 until 1909.

“Long Island University is committed to working with its partners to preserve and grow the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt through the Institute’s programming, sponsored research and other events that highlight President Roosevelt’s extraordinary life and the ideals to which he was committed,” said Dr. Cline. “We are sincerely grateful to Assemblyman Charles Lavine for his hard work in obtaining significant funding to assist in renovating Lorber Hall, the Institute’s new home.”

Tweed Roosevelt, who remembers spending his childhood at Sagamore Hill with his grandparents, explained that one of the new institute’s goals is to show how TR’s ideas can play a vital role in teaching young people how to wrestle with this country’s present problems.

“TR was far-sighted enough that much of what he had to say then is just as relevant today,” said Roosevelt. “This country is in very difficult times. It’s going to be these young people who are going to take us, I hope, to greatness.”

As his great-grandson put it, “TR essentially created the modern presidency—the active president, who believes that if the Constitution didn’t say he couldn’t do it, he could do it. The old presidents said, ‘Well, did they say I could do it?’ They asked for permission. TR asked for forgiveness afterwards.”

“President Theodore Roosevelt’s history on Long Island is a critical piece of our region’s identity,” said Israel. “As a passionate student of history, and especially as a fan of Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy, I am proud to have facilitated a linkage between the TRA, LIU, and Sagamore Hill that allowed for the formation of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute. TRI’s ability to offer critical institutional and cultural supports will ensure that this period can continue to inspire future generations.”

Sagamore Hill’s Superintendent Kelly Fuhrmann noted that Roosevelt was a prolific writer, producing more than 35 books and 150,000 pieces of correspondence. “He could read a book a day,” said Fuhrmann.

“The existing collection of Theodore Roosevelt archival material curated at LIU will complement the collections held by the National Park Service at his former home,” Fuhrmann added. “The creation of the TRI will further advance the legacy of this legendary figure in American history.”

The announcement was also covered by Fox 5 News, CBS Channel 2 News, and local cable outlet Fios1.

In Partnership with LIU, National University System’s Sanford Education Collaborative Rewards Brooklyn Kindergarten Teacher with a $10,000 Check

Smiling PS 282 kindergarten teacher Nicole Lopez is flanked by her principal Rashan Hoke and Z, the Sanford Harmony mascot.

In recognition of her inspiring approach in the classroom, New York City kindergarten teacher Nicole Lopez has won one of five inaugural Sanford Teacher Awards. Long Island University is a proud founding member of Sanford Education Collaborative, a network of universities committed to advancing the Sanford Education Programs, Harmony and Inspire. Long Island University is currently impacting the way more than 300,000 students learn in classrooms across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“Today, I am honored to take part in recognizing one of the outstanding educators we work with in New York City schools, Ms. Lopez, who inspires her students to strive for greatness,” said Dr. Kimberly Cline, President of Long Island University, who attended the Oct. 23rd ceremony held at PS 282 in Brooklyn. “I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the way Ms. Lopez engages with her students, and it is amazing to see an inclusive classroom where children work together and truly support one another.”

The Sanford Teacher Award is a half-million dollar campaign to honor the nation’s most inspiring Pre-K through 12th grade teachers.

When Lopez entered her Park Slope school, she was surprised to learn that she was the recipient of a $10,000 cash award in recognition of her meeting the key criteria that define the Sanford Teacher Award because she has showed her commitment to creating an inspirational and harmonious classroom with students of diverse backgrounds.

“It feels really, really special to be honored as a teacher,” said Lopez. She said she plans to donate her prize money to her elementary school’s programs.

“Inspiring teachers are critical for student success, shaping students’ in their formative years and guiding them to become the best versions of themselves,” said Dr. Cline. “LIU is proud to partner with change agents like Principal Hoke and Ms. Lopez to truly revolutionize the way children learn and thrive.”

On hand for the award ceremony on Oct. 23 was also Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System, which is working in partnership with LIU  to promote the Sanford Education Programs, as well as a very proud PS 282 Principal Rashan Hoke. PS 282 has been integrally involved in this endeavor with LIU since January 2017.

As one of the inaugural winners, Ms. Lopez is now eligible for the full national competition which will award a $50,000 prize to a teacher from one state.

To nominate an inspirational teacher in your life, visit bit.ly/InspireLIU.

High School Virtual Business Entrepreneurs Come Away Winners at LIU Post Competition

The winning team of virtual business entrepreneurs from Calhoun High School in Merrick, N.Y., won a $1,000 check for coming in first place in the Elevator Pitch Contest held at LIU Post.

More than 1,500 students from over 60 high schools on Long Island came to the Brookville campus on Oct. 19 to see who’d win the Elevator Pitch Contest sponsored by LIU Post and Virtual Enterprises International at the Business and Entrepreneurship Leadership Conference.

For making a successful pitch in a New York minute, the top three winners would receive generous cash prizes for their schools’ enterprises. The products being promoted ranged from a brand-new mix of pretzels to a date-rape drug detector. It’s the third time LIU Post has hosted this event.

The first rounds of the contest took place at the Gold Coast Cinema and the Krasnoff Theater in Hillwood Commons, the Main Stage at Tilles Center, and the College of Management Incubator in the Library.

Following the morning sessions that featured panel discussions on key business issues, the students eagerly filled Tilles Center’s auditorium for the final pitch contest on the Main Stage and then the awards presentation. The place was rocking with anticipation as if it were a sporting event, and not a virtual business competition. While the contestants waited for the judges to make up their minds, they were treated to a pitch for attending LIU made by Dean Scholars Matthew Betz, Angeline Carlo, Teji Vega and Samantha Piccolo.

The 13 finalists were “Coffee Cubed” from Wantagh High School, “DefenseLine” from Calhoun High School, “OronEats” from Southold High School, “Glow Games” from Mattituck High School, “Munchkins” from Clarke High School, “Poppy” from Huntington High School, “Sweet Obsession” from Elmont High School, “Stealth” from Bethpage High School, “The Party Project” from Herricks High School, “Tota Vita” from Syosset High School, “What’s in the Box?” from Centereach High School, “WorldWide Water” from Longwood High School and “Outlast Outerwear” from Carle Place High School.

Choosing the winners was no easy task, as Iris Blanc, executive director of Virtual Enterprises International, made clear. The judges and panelists included Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, president of LIU; Dr. Edward Weis, vice president for academic affairs, LIU Post; Dr. Robert Valli, dean of the College of Management, LIU Post; Graziela Fusaro, assistant dean, College of Management, LIU Post; Ray Pullaro, interim dean, School of Business, Public Administration and Information Sciences, LIU Brooklyn; Chuck Garcia, assistant dean, School of Business, Public Administration and Information Sciences, LIU Brooklyn; Chris Bates, adjunct professor, College of Management, LIU Post; Stacey Denoyior, vice president, national sales, Broadridge Financial Solutions; Kimberly Branch, vice president of marketing, American Portfolios Financial Services; Lisa DiBella, vice president of human resources, American Portfolios Financial Services; Melissa Grappone, vice president of marketing and corporate communications, American Portfolios Financial Services; Tim Howe, COO, Spectrum Designs Foundation; Michael Katz, co-chief executive officer, Sterling Equities; Jay Lewis, co-founder, president and CEO, Nathan & Lewis Securities; Marie Moody, founder and CEO of Stella & Chewey’s; Mary Pisarkiewicz, founder and chief creative officer, MSI Media Group; Edward P. Nallan, Jr., SVP, loan supervisor, middle market banking-metro New York, Wells Fargo & Company; and Adrian Kerrigan, president, Xavier Society for the Blind.

Announcing the final results produced cheers, shouts and hugs in the aisles as the exuberant winners made their way to the stage. Calhoun High School’s project team led by Brenden Rosario, who came up with the concept for “DefenseLine,” won a $1,000 check for first place. Herricks High School’s “The Party Project,” led by Yashi Ladhani, came in second, and received a $500 check. In third place and getting a $250 check was Syosset High School’s “Tota Vita,” led by Ethan Feder.

Asked who was involved in his firm’s winning entry, Calhoun High School senior Brenden Rosario beamed, “Everyone!” He credited sophomore Christie McBride for coming up with the concept for DefenseLine, which would market a line of products like key chains and nail polish that would turn different colors in the presence of a date-rape drug.

“I saw the idea of nail polish that changes colors,” she explained. “With college coming around the corner, parties will be part of our life style and safety will be our No. 1 priority.”

Rosario said the prize money would be invested in the company.

“I thought it was the best idea because it was not only original, but it was also realistic,” said Dean Valli afterwards. “A lot of times you can get a great idea, but how realistic is it to implement?”

Located in Merrick, N.Y., Calhoun High School can claim to at least one very noteworthy entrepreneur: Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream fame.

Hornstein Center Poll Shows National Majority Disapprove of House, Senate, Trump but Remain Optimistic About the Economy

Respondents believe Democrats will take House and Republicans will keep Senate

Brookville, NY (October 22, 2018) – A new Long Island University Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis poll shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of the House, Senate, and President Trump.

The national poll showed President Trump’s job performance approval rating at 29.21 percent with 70.50percent believing his performance will have an impact on this year’s congressional races. Additionally, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives fared even worse, receiving approval ratings of just 14.31 and 13.54 percent, respectively.

“The results say more about the polarization of the country than anything else.” according to Dr. Stan Klein Director of the Hornstein Center, “Despite low approval ratings for the Senate, most respondents believe that the Republicans will keep control of the chamber. This is in contrast to the House, where respondents felt that the Democrats would take the House and where recent court decisions continue to strike down partisan, gerrymandered districts throughout key, vote-rich swing states such as Pennsylvania and North Carolina.”

While respondents were decisively negative on elected officials, there was significant optimism concerning the financial market. Out of those surveyed who provided an opinion, 52.61 percent felt the stock market indexes would continue to remain high, and only 13.15 percent indicated that they felt the state of the U.S. economy was poor.

“The strength of the economy is often one of the most important items that voters consider,” offers Michael Morrisey, Assistant Director of the Hornstein Center. “It will be interesting to see if this optimism ultimately translates not just this November, but in 2019 and 2020 when the next general election includes the race for the White House.”

All of these findings are based on a published public opinion poll that was conducted from October 10-20, 2018 of 1,034 Americans.

Dr. Klein, a political science professor at LIU for over 50 years, is the Director of the Hornstein Center. He brings extensive experience in politics, government, and academia to the work done here at the Steven S. Hornstein Center. His classes cover a wide range of issues including the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Presidency, and U.S. Foreign Policy. A staple of the LIU community, he has long fostered a creative political dialogue both inside and outside the classroom. He obtained his PhD from New York University.

 

 

 

Long Island University Hornstein Center Poll on National Politics
Q1. Do you approve of the job performance of the

United States House of Representatives?
Answer Choices Responses
I approve of the U.S. House of Representatives’ job performance; 13.54% 140
I disapprove of the U.S. House of Representatives’ job performance; 55.22% 571
Unsure; 19.05% 197
No Opinion; 12.19% 126
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q2. Which party do you think will hold a majority in the United States House of

Representatives following November’s elections?
Answer Choices Responses
The Democratic party; 34.72% 359
The Republican party; 33.46% 346
Unsure; 23.60% 244
No Opinion; 8.22% 85
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q3. Do you approve of the job performance of the United States Senate?
Answer Choices Responses
I approve of the U.S. Senate’s job performance; 14.31% 148
I disapprove of the U.S. Senate’s job performance; 58.22% 602
Unsure; 15.67% 162
No Opinion; 11.80% 122
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q4. Which party do you think will retain a majority in the United States Senate

following November’s election?
Answer Choices Responses
The Democratic party; 24.37% 252
The Republican party; 39.46% 408
Unsure; 27.27% 282
No Opinion; 8.90% 92
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
 

 
Q5. Do you approve of President Trump’s job performance?
Answer Choices Responses
I approve of President Trump’s job performance; 29.21% 302
I disapprove of President Trump’s job performance; 57.93% 599
Unsure; 6.38% 66
No Opinion; 6.48% 67
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q6. Do you approve of the job performance of the Supreme Court of the

United States?
Answer Choices Responses
I approve of the Supreme Court’s job performance; 33.66% 348
I disapprove of the Supreme Court’s job performance; 30.27% 313
Unsure; 22.34% 231
No Opinion; 13.73% 142
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q7. Do you think that public opinion of President Trump will impact

congressional races?
Answer Choices Responses
Yes; 70.50% 729
No; 10.15% 105
Unsure; 13.15% 136
No Opinion; 6.19% 64
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q8. What do you think is the state of the U.S. economy?
Answer Choices Responses
Very strong; 13.64% 141
Strong; 29.88% 309
Fair; 35.20% 364
Poor; 13.15% 136
No Opinion; 8.12% 84
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
 

 

 
Q9. Do you anticipate that the stock market indexes will remain high?
Answer Choices Responses
Yes, they will continue to remain at very high levels; 9.77% 101
Yes, they may come down some, but will remain high; 42.84% 443
No, they will fall to much lower levels; 26.02% 269
No Opinion; 21.37% 221
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q10. Are you registered to vote?
Answer Choices Responses
Yes; 86.17% 891
No, but I plan to register before the next election; 4.93% 51
No, and I do not plan to register; 5.90% 61
Unsure; 3.00% 31
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q11. With which political party do you primarily identify?
Answer Choices Responses
I primarily identify as an Independent; 18.96% 196
I primarily identify as a Democrat; 32.98% 341
I primarily identify as a Republican; 21.37% 221
I primarily identify with another political party; 3.29% 34
I do not primarily identify with one political party; 14.60% 151
Unsure; 1.64% 17
No Opinion; 7.16% 74
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q12. Age
Answer Choices Responses
< 18 0.00% 0
18-29 20.79% 215
30-44 25.15% 260
45-60 23.21% 240
> 60 30.85% 319
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
 

 
Q13. Gender
Answer Choices Responses
Male 46.91% 485
Female 53.09% 549
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q14. Household Income
Answer Choices Responses
$0-$9,999 7.45% 77
$10,000-$24,999 8.99% 93
$25,000-$49,999 12.57% 130
$50,000-$74,999 12.48% 129
$75,000-$99,999 9.96% 103
$100,000-$124,999 10.74% 111
$125,000-$149,999 6.38% 66
$150,000-$174,999 3.97% 41
$175,000-$199,999 2.42% 25
$200,000+ 5.71% 59
Prefer not to answer 19.34% 200
Answered 1034
Skipped 0
Q15. Region
Answer Choices Responses
New England 5.97% 61
Middle Atlantic 13.99% 143
East North Central 14.19% 145
West North Central 7.63% 78
South Atlantic 15.95% 163
East South Central 5.38% 55
West South Central 8.02% 82
Mountain 9.69% 99
Pacific 19.18% 196
Answered 1022
Skipped 12

 

 

 

 

Polling Methodology
This Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling & Analysis poll was conducted from October 10-20 with 1,034 responses representative of U.S. Census Data with a margin of error of ±3 percent.

The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis at LIU Post conducts independent, fair, and balanced polling, empirical research, and analysis on a wide range of public issues including lifestyle preferences. The Center’s goals include informing the community, public and policy makers about critical issues.

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