Archival Outlook magazine recently featured the Robert Moses Archival Project, an ambitious venture overseen by the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at LIU to create widespread access to historical records produced during the era when Robert Moses served as president of the Long Island State Park Commission. The project is supported by a $695,000 grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, and it aims to digitize historical documents to provide important insight into the social, political, economic and cultural influences behind Moses’ work.
Pharmacy Professor Awarded Grant to Study Groundbreaking Treatments
Dr. Bhaskar Das, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, received a grant from the National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to study the biology of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Alzheimer’s Disease, aiming to develop a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s. The $416,877 grant is the second major NIH grant awarded to Dr. Das in 2020 to continue his groundbreaking research on significant health conditions including cancer, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Women’s Bowling Coach Inducted into College Hall of Fame
Kutztown University inducted LIU women’s bowling Head Coach Kayla Jones into its Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021. During her standout career at Kutztown, Jones was named the 2012 Division II National Player of the Year, she was a three-time All-American, and she led the team to its first-ever NCAA Championships appearance. In her nine seasons as coach at LIU, she led the women’s bowling team to its first-ever Northeast Conference Championship final, the best winning record in school history, and Northeast Conference Coach of the Year honors.
Alumna Appointed Partner of Long Island Accounting Firm
Sheehan & Company, a Long Island-based certified public accounting firm, announced that Maria Sanjurjo, ’95, is joining the firm as a partner. Sanjurjo is a certified public accountant with over 20 years’ experience, dedicated to helping clients mitigate risk, drive transformational growth, and achieve peace of mind. In 2011, Long Island Business News recognized Sanjurjo for her achievements with a “40 under 40” award and named her as a “Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business.”
MLS Features Portland Timbers Head Coach, LIU Soccer Legend
Portland Timbers head coach and LIU soccer legend Giovanni Savarese, ’98, discussed his journey to the U.S. in an episode of the Major League Soccer podcast “The Call Up.” Savarese scored 50 goals during his career at LIU and earned All-American honors in his senior season. He went on to play professionally for 18 years, won three championships as the head coach of the New York Cosmos, and led the Portland Timbers to the MLS championship game during his first season as head coach in 2018.
Long Island University Announces Annual Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest
Junior and Senior High School Students Can Earn Prizes and Scholarships for Winning Presentations on “Why President Theodore Roosevelt Matters in the 21st Century”
Brookville, N.Y. Jan. 11, 2021: The Theodore Roosevelt Institute at Long Island University, in partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Association, announced today the launch of its annual Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest. High school juniors and seniors from around the country are invited to compete in the national contest designed to enhance their critical thinking, leadership and independent research skills.
Student contestants are asked to submit a recorded video speech of approximately four minutes in length on the topic of “Why Theodore Roosevelt Matters in the 21st Century.” The submission deadline is Monday, March 1, and 10 finalists will be selected on Friday, March 12. Students selected to compete in the finals will deliver their speeches live during a virtual event on Saturday, April 24 in front of a panel of seven judges comprised of LIU faculty/administrators and leaders of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. For complete submission guidelines and contest details, please visit https://liu.edu/roosevelt/contest.
The contest winner will receive a $2,500 award, the second-place contestant will receive a $1,000 award, and the third-place contestant will receive a $500 award. The winner will also receive a $25,000 scholarship to Long Island University, and the nine other finalists will receive a $10,000 scholarship to Long Island University.
According to Tweed Roosevelt, who is chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute, professor at LIU, and great-grandson of the former president, “Theodore Roosevelt embodied the principles of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to accomplish one’s goals. TR also believed that by challenging young people to strive for greatness, they would have the tools to lead successful lives. We look forward to the contest submissions from future leaders that will illuminate the life and legacy of America’s 26th president and his relevancy to the challenges we face today.”
“The Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest is designed to challenge students to develop their critical thinking and research skills on a national stage,” said Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline. “LIU is committed to giving deserving students the opportunity to take the next step in their academic journey and make college more accessible by awarding millions of dollars in scholarships each year. The winners of this contest will be given the opportunity to study with like-minded students in our vibrant campus community.”
About the Theodore Roosevelt Institute (TRI)
The Theodore Roosevelt Institute serves as a home for research, public seminars, workshops, educational programs, and conferences about Roosevelt, his times, and contemporaries. As a hands-on learning space, the TRI showcases many of the 26th president’s writings and collections. As a forum for academic assessment and discussion of his legacy, conferences and events led by preeminent scholars offer public access to local history and an ability to connect with that history in a very real way.
About Long Island University
Long Island University, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high-quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its “value added” to student outcomes, LIU offers over 250 degree programs, with a network of 270,000 alumni that includes industry leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information.
Graduate Student Awarded for Excellence in Health Care
The American College of Health Care Executives New York chapter, the Health Leaders of New York, awarded a scholarship of $1,500 to student Mariam Janneh in the LIU Master of Health Administration program. Janneh was awarded the scholarship after demonstrating academic excellence, community service and a strong desire to become a future health care leader. Each year, HLNY awards up to eight scholarships to students to bring awareness to health equity and the need for guiding future leaders committed to changing the health care landscape in New York.
New York Post Profiles First-Year Political Science Major
A first-year political science major at LIU Post is turning heads by hoping to become the youngest ever member of the New York City Council. In a profile by the New York Post, Seth Breland said he has been working in city politics since the eighth grade and is hoping to be elected to represent the 23rd Council District at the end of next year, when he will be just 19 years old. If he is able to get on the ballot in November 2021, Breland will face eight other challengers who will be running for the vacant seat.
Former Educator Publishes Debut Children’s Book
C.P. Wilson, ’86, who earned a master’s degree in TESOL and served many years as an educator, is now teaching children through literature with the release of her debut children’s book Miss Centipede: A Bug’s Tale of Tolerance. The book, published by Dorrance Publishing Co., explores social tolerance and acceptance for all ethnic groups by following Miss Centipede as she navigates the challenges of being a new teacher at a city school with overcrowded and diverse classrooms.
LIU President Named to “Power Women of Long Island” List
Schneps Media, publisher of dozens of newspapers in New York City and Long Island, named Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, president of Long Island University, to its “Power Women of Long Island” list. The annual honor highlighted by an award ceremony and networking event is designed to celebrate women who are leaders in their chosen fields, who foster innovation and use their voice to influence positive change for future generations.