Michell Wright Jumpp ’08, ’18 was named the New York Library Association’s Librarian of the Year. Jumpp is the library media specialist at Horizons-On-the-Hudson Magnet School in Newburgh. She is celebrated for her focus on diversifying the school’s book collection, including a section of books in 13 different languages so that every student can see themselves in the literature.

Associate Dean of Research Dr. Thomas J. Inzana won the 2021 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research, and Professor of Clinical Pathology Dr. Tara Piech won the 2021 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award. The annual awards recognize veterinary educators and researchers around the country for their leadership qualities, teaching skills, and innovative studies that have advanced the world of veterinary medicine.

Mayor Eric Adams nominated Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix ’78 as New York City’s Corporation Counsel, making her the first Caribbean-born woman to serve in the position. She will lead the City’s Law Department, which is primarily responsible for providing legal representation to the City, the Mayor, other elected officials, and City agencies in all affirmative and defensive civil litigation.

Men’s basketball senior Ty Flowers was named the Northeast Conference Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 36 points against Sacred Heart to begin conference play. Flowers currently ranks in the top five in scoring and blocks, and top ten in rebounding and steals in the NEC while leading the Sharks to an undefeated record at home this season.

Orisanmi Burton ’09, a renowned scholar of social anthropology, Black studies, and prisons and policing, was named a 2021 Freedom Scholar by the Marguerite Casey Foundation and Group Health Foundation. The annual award provides support to emerging leaders in academia whose research encourages social justice reforms in our democracy, economy and society.

Long Island University won five top honors in the Bethpage Best of Long Island Contest, including Best College or University, Best College President, and Best College Sports Program for the second straight year. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts was also recognized as the Best Theatre Arts Center for the second year in a row, and women’s hockey Head Coach Rob Morgan won Best College or University Sports Coach.

Coach Ron Cooper joins Shark Nation directly from #1 ranked University of Alabama. Cooper previously served as head coach at Eastern Michigan University, University of Louisville and Alabama A&M. He was also on staff at Texas A&M, LSU, University of Arkansas, University of Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Mississippi State.

Michael Baez ’88, ’91 was selected as the vice president of professional services and customer strategy for Leasepath, a cloud-based intelligent workplace finance organization and customer engagement platform. Baez brings unmatched financial services experience having previously worked as a vice president for CitiGroup and a director of banking at Capgemini.

Jill Guzzardo ’04 was appointed to the administration at Nassau BOCES Children’s Readiness Center. Her wealth of experience includes roles as a special education teacher, unit coordinator, administrator of New York State Alternative Assessments, and specialized training in the treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children.