Louis E. Valvo ’81 joins Hall Booth Smith P.C. as partner with more than 35 years of experience in criminal and civil litigation. Valvo has previously served as assistant district attorney of New York, chief assistant district attorney of Rockland County, and partner at Koster Brady & Nagler, LLP, with many of his high-profile cases being featured on Court TV and Hollywood Justice.

David P. Grzan ’85 was promoted as executive chairman and CEO of PreIPO Corporation, a financial technology company specializing in private market securities transactions. Grzan has held executive leadership positions for the past 25 years across several companies in the investment banking, private equity, commercial banking, and real estate industries.

The Northeast Conference selected first-year women’s volleyball star Amaris Smith as its Rookie of the Week after she led the Sharks in kills during the season-opening three matches at the Arizona Cactus Classic in Tucson. The second match of the season involved a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Alabama State, in which Smith recorded 24 kills including the winning point.

More than 20 community-based organizations join the Center for Healthy Living at LIU Post for its Mental Wellness Resource Fair on September 14, from 12 to 2 p.m. in Hillwood Commons. The fair supports students in need of additional mental health resources and connects students pursuing health professions with educational and job opportunities.

Dr. Colleen O’Hara ’98 was selected to serve as the assistant principal of Riverhead Middle School. Her 28-year tenure in education includes experience at all levels, beginning her career as a middle school English teacher and most recently serving as a principal and assistant principal in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District.

The Psychological Services Center celebrated its reopening inside a newly renovated space on the LIU Post campus. The Center provides a wide range of psychological services to children, adults, and families on campus and in the surrounding community, with clinical psychology doctoral students providing care and gaining professional development.

Paul Adler ’83 was chosen by Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to receive the Access to Justice Award at its annual Equal Access to Justice Gala. Adler is the chief strategy officer of Rand Commercial and is known for his service to his local community, having founded the Paul and Mary Adler Charitable Fund For Good to support non-profits and civic organizations.

Carter Ward ’86 was selected as the chief financial officer of Mirror Biologistics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company. Ward’s 30-year career in finance involves a particular focus on healthcare, previously serving as CFO of both Enveric Biosciences and Elite Pharmaceuticals after beginning his career at KPMG.

Vita Kurland, a student in the Palmer School of Library and Information Science, was chosen to participate in the 2022-2024 Association of Research Libraries Kaleidoscope Program. With a particular focus on diversity and inclusion, the Kaleidoscope Program offers students financial support, leadership development, a formal mentoring program, career placement assistance, and a visit to an ARL member library.

Men’s soccer forward Emil Jaaskelainen joins the top college soccer players in the nation on the watch list for the 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to the national player of the year. Jaaskelainen led the Sharks with 15 goals during their Northeast Conference Championship season in 2021, finishing first in the conference and second in NCAA Division I in goals scored.