C.W. Post Valedictorian Emphasizes Service to Others

Dr. Joseph Shenker, Provost, C.W. Post Campus with Class of 2004 Valedictorian Adam D'Antonio

Although Adam D’Antonio is a two-term president of the school’s prestigious Honors Program and is graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, when asked about his college experience, the Locust Valley native speaks first about service to others.

"I feel the need to help others," said D’Antonio, "similar to how the campus community and other people in my life have helped me."

As a member of the Senior Peer Mentor program at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, D’Antonio helps young incoming freshmen in their transition into college life. In addition, he tutors learning-challenged elementary and high school students during the evening and on weekends.

Through extensive negotiations with IKEA, D’Antonio brought the C.W. Post Honors Lounge to life by convincing the global furniture giant to donate a suite of furniture that has created a comfortable area for student meetings, study, discussions and relaxation.

D’Antonio volunteers his time to fundraising efforts for the Honors Program and to program development for the Public Relations Club and the C.W. Post chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). He participates in on-campus alcohol awareness initiatives and was a co-founder and organizer of the first annual C.W. Post A&E Challenge (Access and Excellence) — a competitive, semester-long series of events designed to encourage students to participate in constructive activities rather than turning to drugs and/or alcohol. D’Antonio also was responsible for reviving Athena, the Honors Program newsletter on campus, and he serves as an executive member of the elite National Collegiate Honors Council — a position held by only six students nationwide.

"I feel a responsibility to contribute to the development of the campus and society as a whole," said D’Antonio. "Today, more than ever, our world continues to be faced with social injustice, corporate misconduct and the deterioration of respect for others. In a time when people are often judged by their outward appearances and how they ultimately contribute to the ‘bottom line,’ it is my honor to represent a class with the potential to make the world a more compassionate and ethical place."

D’Antonio, 22, is graduating summa cum laude on May 9 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in public relations.

"One of the more important things that I have learned is that at C.W. Post, education goes beyond the classroom," he said. "What I learned here will help me in all aspects of my life. Things like problem solving, discipline and honesty. I think it is important to use the education I have received to help the lives of others."

D’Antonio’s extra-curricular achievements include serving as president of Kappa Theta Epsilon (the Co-op honor society), treasurer of the Public Relations Student Society of America, a representative of the Student Affairs Student Advisory Committee and a representative of the Student Affairs Appeals Committee.

After interning in a law office and penning a senior Honors Thesis on crisis management and the impact of public relations on business, D’Antonio has set his sights on a career in media law. In the fall, D’Antonio will begin studying law at Touro Law School in Huntington.

D'Antonio will be one of more than 2,500 students who will don their caps and gowns on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, 2004 for 46th annual commencement exercises of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The campus has awarded more than 86,000 degrees in its 50-year history, through a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. For additional information, call the Office of Public Relations at (516) 299-2333.