Honoree-
Stan Barshay

Stanley Barshay began his association with Long Island University when he enrolled as a freshman at the C.W. Post Campus in 1956. Here, he earned his B.S. in public accounting, laying the foundation for a highly successful career in home and health care products.

Upon graduation, he affiliated with an accounting firm where Charles Zwicker (page 45), chairman of C.W. Post’s accounting department, was a partner. After four years in accounting, Mr. Barshay joined American Home Products Corporation; Boyle-Midway household products division as an assistant budget manager, rising through the ranks to become president in just eight years. He played an integral role in successfully marketing many popular home products including Pam, Woolite, Easy-Off Cleaner and Wizard Room Deodorizer.

In 1975, Mr. Barshay became vice president of American Home Products Corporation, and assumed responsibility for Whitehall Laboratories, Whitehall International, Ekco Housewares, Prestige and Franklin Laboratories. From 1978-1986, he served as president of Whitehall Laboratories, increasing sales from $264 million to $610 million and operating profit from $65 million to $132 million. In addition, he introduced Advil to the consumer market, overseeing its switch from a prescription drug to an over-the-counter drug. In 1987, Mr. Barshay became senior vice president of American Home Products Corporation, assuming responsibility for Whitehall-Robins Healthcare and American Home Foods. During his tenure, sales grew to $1.5 billion and profits exceeded $300 million. He led the acquisition of A.H. Robins and American Cynamid, in addition to managing the integration of Ayerst into Wyeth, creating industry giant Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories. He retired in 1997.

Mr. Barshay joined the Long Island University board of trustees in 1987 and received the C.W. Post Distinguished Alumnus Award that same year. He remains an active member of the University’s executive board, serving as co-chair of the University relations committee.

In recent years, Mr. Barshay has made a generous commitment of $250,000 to support the University’s campaign for the C.W. Post Campus. He resides in Old Westbury with his wife, Ilene, an attorney and C.W. Post graduate. The couple has three children and four grandchildren.

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