Dear Adelphi Community,

As the holiday season arrives, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year weā€™ve shared and express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for what you bring to the Adelphi family.

Our story is filled with countless examples of what makes our community special. Together, weā€™ve overcome challenges and seen incredible successes, thanks to our collective dedication to our mission. Weā€™ve become more diverse and inclusive, showing profound respect and understanding for one another. And weā€™ve pursued innovation with a passion for learning and research that positively impacts the world around us.

As we look ahead to our next chapter in the new year, let us carry forward these values and common goals that unite us. Iā€™m thankful to be part of such an extraordinary community, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

During the holiday break, I encourage you to cherish your time with friends and loved ones, set exciting new goals for yourself, and find new experiences that inspire you. I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

All the best,
Christine M. Riordan, PhD
President

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Iā€™m saddened to inform you that former Ā鶹ֱ²„ Board of Trustees MemberĢżThomas J. Donohue, MBA ā€˜65, ā€˜98 (Hon.), passed away on October 14, 2024, at the age of 86.

Tom is remembered as a dedicated family man, friend and mentor who built a widely respected presence in the business and political worlds. After earning his MBA from Adelphi in 1965, Tom went on to serve as vice president of development at Fairfield University in Connecticut before becoming the U.S. deputy assistant postmaster general, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, and president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

While leading the Chamber, Tom transformed it intoĢżĢżand a powerful advocate for the American business community. Although he retired formally in 2021, he remained highly engaged as a member of the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors, driven by his passion for helping others and his country. He also served on the boards of the Hudson Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise and Marymount University.

Tom gave his time and service to the Ā鶹ֱ²„ Board of Trustees from April 1999 to June 2000 and was a generous donor throughout many decades. He graciously assisted Adelphi students with internships and hosted alumni events in the past as part of our Momentum tour. I had the pleasure of meeting with him in recent years as he lent his wealth of expertise to our Momentum Campaign Steering Committee. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The Ā鶹ֱ²„ Board of Trustees and I send our deepest condolences to Tomā€™s sons, John, Thomas and Keith, and all his loved ones during this time of sorrow.

All the best,
Chris

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Excitement.

This yearā€™s Presidentā€™s Gala provided plenty of it, along with inspiring addresses, entertainment provided by a Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and heartfelt tributes to some of Adelphiā€™s most generous donors.

ā€œWe wanted The Momentum Campaign announcement to have extraordinary impact, and I believe it did,ā€ said Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. ā€œWe want our entire community to get excited about the campaign, get involved in it and take pride in it.ā€

More than 270 alumni, friends, faculty members, students and their families attended the celebration, which was held at The Garden City Hotel on Saturday evening, September 21. The event raised more than $330,000 for the University.

This yearā€™s honorees were the members of Million Dollar Roundtable, benefactors who have given or committed $1 million or more to the University. Earlier in the day, Adelphi also unveiled a wall of plaques in the Nexus Building honoring each of the members of the Roundtable. Eight of the 26 donors attended the ceremony as well as the Gala: Diane Abbey ā€™59; Carol Ammon, MBA ā€™79, ā€™10 (Hon.); Frank Angello ā€™77 and Phyllis Angello; Bharat BhisĆ©, MBA ā€™78, and Swati BhisĆ©; LeeAnn Black ā€™83 and Jeffrey Black; Loretta Cangialosi ā€™80; Angela Jaggar ā€™62, MA ā€™65; and Christine Motamed, who represented her husband, Thomas F. Motamed ā€™71.

The Momentum Campaign has already secured $75 million of its goal of $100 million. The University expects to raise the remaining amount by the end of the campaign in 2027.

Welcoming the guests at the Gala, President Christine M. Riordan explained the significance of the moment and the importance of the task ahead.

ā€œThis campaign is large in ambition, but it is equally large in purpose,ā€ she said. ā€œIt is about ensuring Adelphi remains a premier institution of higher education for years to come and continues to be an engine for social mobility and student success.

ā€œBy joining us tonight,ā€ she continued, ā€œyou are a part of this influential moment in our history and a contributor to our vision. Working together, we can make an extraordinary impact on the lives of our students, our communities and society for generations to come.ā€

See highlights from the 24th annual Presidentā€™s Gala.Ģż

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Under the leadership of Ā鶹ֱ²„ President Christine M. Riordan, PhD, the campaign focuses on six strategic funding priorities to support student success:

• Scholarships and access to an Adelphi education
• Academic excellence to prepare students for a changing world
• Life-changing student experiences and opportunities
• A modern and beautiful campus to call home
• A diverse community where all students flourish
• The Adelphi Fund: one fund for everyone and everything at Adelphi

ā€œT³ó±š Momentum Campaign will transform our University by increasing affordability, enhancing academic offerings, strengthening studentsā€™ career outcomes and expanding campus renovations,ā€ said President Riordan. ā€œAdelphi students will feel the campaignā€™s impact immediately, and its legacy will be the bold future we create as an engine for social mobility and student success.ā€

Adelphi, the top private university on Long Island according to The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, is launching The Momentum Campaign to capitalize on its growing stature and to achieve multiple objectives outlined in the Momentum (2015ā€“2021) and Momentum 2 (2022ā€“2027) strategic plans.

Since 2015, the University has achieved remarkable increases in retention and graduation rates, outstanding career outcomes for its graduates, welcomed several of the largest and most diverse classes in Adelphi history, introduced more than 50 new academic programs, earned a dramatic rise in national rankings, and experienced increasing success in attracting donor support. The campaign aims to inspire confidence in Adelphiā€™s vision and future by encouraging deep investment in the Universityā€™s students, programs and infrastructure.

ā€œBuilding on a solid foundation and responsible stewardship, the campaign reflects Adelphiā€™s commitment to transformation and long-term impact,ā€ said Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations, who is spearheading the campaign. ā€œT³ó±š campaign will strengthen our communityā€™s connectedness and ensure a future where Adelphi continues to make an extraordinary impact on our students and community.ā€

was officially launched during the 24th Annual President’s Gala at The Garden City Hotel. The event celebrated the visionary benefactors of Adelphiā€™s Million Dollar Roundtable, recognizing individuals who have generously given or committed $1 million or more to the University.

To further support the goals of The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, the Universityā€™s Endowment Matching Campaign will match all gifts and pledges of $25,000 or more for new or existing endowed fundsā€”including student, faculty or program funds. This opportunity means that gifts, to be paid within five years or less, will have twice the impact on Adelphiā€™s future.

Prior to the public launch, the Momentum Campaign recently secured several major gifts, including:

• Loretta Cangialosi ā€™80, vice chair of the Ā鶹ֱ²„ Board of Trustees, committed more than $5 million to support Ā鶹ֱ²„ā€™s students and innovative programs. Her contributions will enhance professional development opportunities, provide critical support for womenā€™s leadership initiatives and address the Universityā€™s most pressing needs through the Adelphi Fund.
• Trustee Kevin Mahony ā€™83, a longtime supporter of Adelphi, committed $1.55 million, which will impact various areas across Adelphi, from student scholarships and academic competitions to essential campus services and student support programs.

The Adelphi community will be engaged throughout the campaign via social media, on-campus events and alumni gatherings. To learn more about how you can make an extraordinary impact, visit , follow and on social media, and use #MomentumCampaign.

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Welcome to Fall 2024 at Adelphi! There is nothing quite like the energy and joy you bring to our campuses at the start of a new academic year. I hope youā€™re enjoying the opportunity to connect with old friends, meet new people, share stories of summer and get comfortable in your new routine.

Iā€™m entering my tenth year as Adelphiā€™s president, and itā€™s remarkable to think about how much has changed at our University and in the world around us during that time. Weā€™ve overcome unique challenges, enjoyed incredible successes and grown more connected along this journey. Iā€™m so proud of how far weā€™ve come, and even more excited about where weā€™re headed.

This year is particularly special for Adelphi as we prepare to publicly launch TheĢżMomentumĢżCampaign: Extraordinary Impact in a few weeks. This historic comprehensive fundraising campaign is designed to create more scholarships, enhance academics, strengthen career outcomes, expand campus renovations and transform our University. It will make an immediate difference for our students while also ensuring our long-term success. Weā€™re holding a special kick-off celebration for the campaign on Thursday, September 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. outside the Swirbul Library and Nexus for students, faculty and staff, and I hope to see you there.

The excitement of the campaign launch will carry us into Spirit Weekend, where everyone in our community, including alumni, families and friends, can bond through the sense of belonging and pride we strive to create. There are many more opportunities throughout the year to get involved on campus, build meaningful relationships and make lasting memories.

Ultimately, college life is about far more than earning a degreeā€”itā€™s about challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone and find your passion and purpose. To our new and returning students, take advantage of every opportunity ahead of you, embrace your curiosity and believe in yourselves. You have the power to create change and become leaders.

To our faculty and staff, take pride in knowing that your talents and expertise are helping our students thrive. I know many of you have been at Adelphi for the duration of my tenure, and some for multiple decades. Iā€™m so grateful for all the work youā€™ve done and continue to do to support our students and our vision for the future.

I look forward to seeing you around campus soon. Go forward with confidence and have a terrific fall semester!

All the best,
Chris

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These were just a few of the inspiring lessons delivered to about 350 attendees by 24 industry leaders, including noted alumni and members of theĢżĀ鶹ֱ²„ Board of Trustees. In the audience were women at varying stages of their careers and students from Adelphi as well as from 15 area high schools.

According to President Christine M. Riordan, the goal of the popular conference was to ā€œdiscuss how women can use education to break down barriers, inspire each other to strive for greatness and maximize our value in every career field. Higher education is uniquely positioned to develop solutions to today’s workforce trends, from the rise of AI to remote work and a stronger emphasis on diversity initiatives.”

The day opened with keynote speakerĢż, founder and CEO of BrainTrust and author ofĢżĢż(Wiley, 2024). She spoke about the importance of cultivating relationships and urged the audience to develop what she calls a brain trust: a group of people who advise a leader.

Adapting to variations in the business world was the theme during the panels that followed, focusing on building diverse workplaces, philanthropy, success stories of women of color, flexibility in career choices, and building allies and mentors.

Artificial Intelligence, Inclusivity

One of the breakout sessions that drew a crowd was ā€œTech Trailblazers: Leading in the AI Age.” It was moderated by Anita D’Amico, PhD ’84, founder and CEO of Code Dx, and the panelists included Linda Chan, vice president of information technology at Amphenol Corporation; Kees Leune, PhD, Adelphi associate professor and chair of theĢżmathematicsĢżand computer scienceĢżdepartment; and Kevin Goodman ’00, MBA ’03, an Adelphi trustee and global director of Go To Market at LinkedIn. They addressed how AI will change the workplace and the importance of learning not only the technology, but also its limitations.

Dr. Leune emphasized that AI is only as smart as the information it’s fed, saying, ā€œAI makes mistakes. AI does not make decisions. It’s the job of the human operator to know what they’re doing to catch those mistakes.”

The ā€œLeading Inclusively: Building Diverse and Equitable Workplaces” panel addressed best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).

ā€œA 2023 article by McKinsey & Company cites that the global market investment in workplace DEIB-related efforts was estimated to be $7.5 million in 2020,”

Cassandra Alvarez ’09, chief of staff and chief diversity officer for the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, said in her opening. ā€œAnd as Kendra [Bracken-Ferguson] said earlier, each of us has unique value that we bring to the table, so that is why DEIB is so incredibly importantā€”because of the unique perspectives and values that we all bring to the organizational settings where we find ourselves.”

There were opportunities throughout the day to network or get a professional headshot taken. New this year were the Career Support Hub, where career counselors reviewed attendees’ rĆ©sumĆ©s or LinkedIn profiles and provided general career guidance, and theĢżCareer ClosetĢżpop-up collection site, which offers donated professional business attire to students free of charge. More than 160 items were collected at the conference.

Relentless Resistance

Trends and women’s value in the workplace were key messages during the onstage conversation between Anna Zinko, assistant vice president for student affairs at Adelphi, and keynote speaker Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO ofĢż, a service that allows customers to rent designer clothing and accessories for a fraction of the retail price.

ā€œSo much about the journey is about failing, learning, putting one step in front of the other and trying again,” Hyman said. ā€œI think the only reason why I’m up here today is that I have the resilience to just keep on moving, [and] that your positivity and your forward momentum [are what keep] you in the game.”

[Pull quote] ā€œYour positivity and your forward momentum [are what keep] you in the game.” ā€”Jennifer Hyman, Co-Founder and CEO of Rent the Runway

The Women’s Giving Circle and Women’s Leadership Conference Endowed Fund Support Future Leaders

TheĢżWomen’s Giving CircleĢżis a powerhouse group of women philanthropists who recognize Adelphi students, alumnae and friends, and enhance the community through collective giving. Victoria Rodriguez received the third annual Women’s Giving Circle Endowed Scholarship, and Alyssa Rashid ’24 and Jonay Jackson ’23 were the recipients of the respective 11th Annual Women’s Giving Circle ā€œCourage to Inspire, Strength to Empower” undergraduate and graduate essay contests.

TheĢżĢżwas created in 2022 to support programming, leadership activities and other opportunities to empower Adelphi women. Thomas A. Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations, said, ā€œI am extremely excited to share that, due to the generous support of our donors, steering committee members, and with leadership gifts from LeeAnn Black and Loretta Cangialosi, we have raised more than $100,000 to support women’s leadership this year, and the endowed fund will soon surpass $500,000! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this cause.”

Save the DateĢżfor the 2025 Women’s Leadership Conference on March 29.

This story was featured in the 2024 Issue of theĢżĀ鶹ֱ²„ Magazine.

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The visit included meetings with University officials to discuss creating unique learning experiences and opportunities for students and faculty at Adelphi and PUCMM, expanding academic programming and finding new ways to create synergies between academic and private enterprise.

ā€œOur main goal as a University is to produce graduates who are in high demand by companies and to help fulfill a companyā€™s needs in terms of their employment,ā€ Dr. Riordan said.

During her visit, Dr. Riordan participated in a public conversation held at PUCMM with Cesar Dargam, executive vice president of the National Council of Private Enterprise in the Dominican Republic, about the many benefits of partnerships between academic and private institutions. She also signed a memorandum of understanding with PUCMM, agreeing to explore student exchange opportunities, research collaborations, joint conferences or workshops, and other joint efforts between the two universities.

President Riordan was accompanied by Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations Thomas Kline, EdD, on the trip, which was coordinated by Adelphi board of trustees member JosĆ© Singer Weisinger ’73, ’20 (Hon.), who is the honorary adviser to the Dominican Republic president on foreign policy.

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