The Farmingdale State College (FSC) campus community gathered last week to honor the past and celebrate the future with the inauguration of its 10th president, Robert S. Prezant, PhD. This historic ceremony took place on Friday, April 11 at 11 a.m. in the Nold Athletic Complex following a week-long series of special events, each paying tribute to the rich heritage that has shaped the College’s history.  

Inaugural Tree Dedication 

The momentous week kicked off on Monday, April 7, with an Inaugural Tree Dedication ceremony held in front of Horton Hall, featuring a stunning, nine-foot star magnolia tree donated by Class of 1983 alumnus Steve Silvestri, owner of Silvestri Landscape Inc., a local family business. 

“A magnolia tree has special significance to me and [my wife] Fran,” said President Prezant, who shared that as a “native New Yorker” a magnolia tree’s fragrant bloom helped inspire his decision to move for his first faculty position at the University of Southern Mississippi. “Planting a magnolia tree here today takes us full circle,” he said. 

President Prezant added that the tree will also remain a symbol of the importance of sustainability and “ensuring our campus environment is a healthy one,” and highlighted FSC’s recent Tree Campus Higher Education recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. 

Leadership Roundtable 

On Tuesday, April 8, President Prezant hosted and moderated an inspiring roundtable discussion featuring an esteemed panel of local leaders:  

• Dr. Chris Rosa, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center  
• Kara Cannon, CEO of Enzo Biochem, Inc.  
• Hon. Laura Curran, journalist, political analyst, and former Nassau County executive  
• Dr. Patrick O'Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Catholic Health  
• Vanessa Baird-Streeter, president and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island  

The discussion opened with each sharing the varied stories of how they began in leadership. 

“I didn't wake up when I was a kid and say, ‘Someday, I’m going to be a CEO,’” said Cannon. “But I was always goal-oriented. I always wanted to be involved. I always wanted to be present. And I think somehow bringing that to the table when I started my career, and the passion I kept as I developed through my career, the perseverance I kept through the hard times of my career, brought me to where I am now.”  

The engaging conversation continued with an exploration of the dynamics of leadership and management styles in the real world, offered valuable perspectives on respect, empathy, integrity, resilience, persistence, compassion, and being a life learner, and provided unique advice for FSC students, faculty, and staff alike.

“I found that my passion was working with students, and it led to a career in progressively responsible leadership opportunities and higher education leadership,” said Rosa. “Now I get the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. And it validates that it all started with student leadership. And those of you who are student leaders, you never know where it will take you.” 

View more photos from FSC’s Inauguration Week Leadership Roundtable on our Flickr Gallery. 

Nourishing Community 

On Wednesday, April 9, members of FSC’s campus community gathered in the Giving Garden to join the Office of Sustainability, the Nexus Center for Applied Learning & Career Development, the FSC Food Pantry, and Island Harvest for Inauguration Week’s From Farm to Food Pantry: Nourishing Our Community event. Campus volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help raise awareness about food insecurity and prepare the 24 garden beds for planting season. 

“Giving gardens, just like this one, grow food for our communities and just as importantly educate people and provide them with the tools, and materials, and resources to be able to grow their own food,” said Cassidy Kirch, Island Harvest farm and garden supervisor. “Farmingdale had been an incredible partner, and the garden is bigger now than it ever was.”  

View more photos from FSC’s Inauguration Week Nourishing Community event on our Flickr Gallery. 

FSC’s Women’s Softball Game 

Inauguration Week’s Wednesday afternoon saw FSC's Women's Softball team take on Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) in a doubleheader that began with a First Pitch Face-Off between Ram-Bo and Western Connecticut’s mascot, the WestConn Wolves. 

FSC came out on top resulting in WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh sporting an FSC sweatshirt on social media-- the fun conclusion of a friendly presidential bet. 

View more photos from FSC’s Inauguration Week Women’s Softball Game on our Flickr Gallery. 

Talk’s on Tap—A President’s Lecture 

Wednesday evening, the FSC Alumni Association invited students, faculty, staff, and alumni to an exciting evening of learning and discovery as President Prezant showcased "Counting Lantern Shells and Harvesting Shipworms in Mangroves of Thailand.” The thoughtful presentation featured President Prezant’s extensive research in Kungkrabaen Bay, “a hotspot for biodiversity” located off Thailand’s eastern coastline, fringed with mangrove forest and surrounded by vastly developed rice and shrimp farmlands.  

“I enjoyed listening to Dr. Prezant’s passion,” said Chris Croken ’05, Alumni Board of Directors president. “You felt that coming alive, about something that a lot of people don’t know a lot about. I admire his commitment to go across the world to investigate and do a deep dive on something that he is passionate about in such an extreme environment.”  

Plaza Celebration  

Sponsored by the Student Government Association, FSC students were invited on Thursday, April 10, to enjoy Inauguration Week festivities in the beautiful new plaza located between Ward, Hale and Gleeson Halls.  

The event began with a Greek Life cornhole board painting contest, where President Prezant helped serve as judge, and was quickly followed by an exciting cornhole tournament and a variety of food trucks, music, games, and giveaways. The student activities also supported food donations for Island Harvest.  

“It’s a lot of fun, this is a big week for us,” said Gianna Macari, ’28, a liberal arts major, who was part of the winning cornhole board team. “It’s a great way to have a friendly competition for a good cause. In the end, we are all working together for the campus community.”  

Presidential Inauguration of Robert S. Prezant, PhD 

The exciting week of festivities culminated on Friday, April 11, when FSC held the inauguration of its 10th President, Robert S. Prezant, PhD, before a historic gathering that included John B. King, Jr., EdD, chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), SUNY and government officials, esteemed presidents and delegates from across academia, dedicated alumni and valued community leaders and business partners, College Council Members, supportive friends and family of the College, and FSC leadership and campus community members.

The morning celebration, which featured a full program of speakers, musical interludes from Farmingdale High School’s Vocal Jazz and Daler a Cappella ensembles, a special FSC video broadcast, and more than 600 attendees, marked a new chapter in FSC’s history with a focus on President Prezant’s collaboration, commitment to shared success, forward thinking, leadership, mentorship, and his passion for scientific research, marine biology, and of course, Asian clams. 

“Bob has for his entire career, and in addition to his excellence in research, fundraising, and publishing, had a contagious passion for his field,” said Chancellor King. “I'm not a scientist, but it seems to me that marine biology is about practices. It is a lot like the work that great educators and great leaders must do. We must see lessons, even major breakthroughs, where others see challenges. We see the potential, the promise of every student who comes through our campuses, no matter who they are, where they come from. No matter how hard their shell. 

“Bob's track record of increasing funding to support student success and new initiatives, and his ability to form new partnerships, gives me enormous confidence that he will take on challenges creatively and work collaboratively,” Chancellor King added. “More importantly, Bob's kindness, good nature, and enthusiasm for all he does--from shepherding multi-million-dollar initiatives to sharing the wonders of invasive species--it fills me with tremendous excitement for Farmingdale, for SUNY, and all the great work to come.” 

“When I first met Dr. Prezant, I knew he was perfect for the job,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Laura Joseph, EdD. “Dr. Prezant’s background as a biologist and his passion for research speaks to his analytical skill set and approach towards problem solving.  This mind-set will allow him to build upon the successes of our past presidents who have laid the foundation for him to make his mark on Farmingdale and propel us to even greater heights. Today begins a new chapter in the history of Farmingdale State College and reaffirms our commitment to fostering a welcoming environment where innovation and growth thrive,” she added. 

In his remarks, Dr. Chris Rosa, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center, shared perspectives on collaborations and highlighted President Prezant’s “remarkable efforts fostering inclusion, belonging, and empowerment,” as well as his “commitment to partnership here on Long Island and far beyond.”  

“From the moment my wheels first touched down here on campus, I felt deeply that I felt welcomed here--that I belong here,” said Rosa. “And an exponentially growing number of students from a variety of backgrounds feel exactly the same way because of its high-quality services and its commitment to access, opportunity, and full participation in all aspects of the campus life for everyone…This is what inclusion looks like, and I can't wait to see it flourish under President Prezant’s leadership.” 

President Prezant’s inauguration featured honorable remarks from New York State Senator Monica Martinez and New York State Assemblymembers Steve Stern and Kwani O'Pharrow. Assemblymember Michael Durso, Huntington Town Councilman Salvatore Ferro, and the offices of U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Andrew Garbarino, and Governor Kathy Hochul were also in attendance. 

A powerful testament to President Prezant’s influence, shared respect, and inspiration throughout his career, his inauguration also featured heartfelt remarks from three former academic colleagues: Dr. Jinan Jaber-Linsalata, a member of FSC Class of 1972 who served as associate dean for administrative affairs at Montclair State University; Joe Bertolino, EdD, president of Stockton University, who served as Southern Connecticut State University president; and Eric Chapman, senior director with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and a former student of President Prezant. 

“I'm grateful that we had an opportunity to be such a great team,” said Bertolino, who noted the exceptional pairing of his social work background with President Prezant’s scientific background. “And if there's one thing that we learned in our relationship, it’s a little something about leadership…Leadership is all about relationships, period. The relationships you have, the ones you build, the ones you navigate. And I think that the number of folks that are here today from Southern Connecticut State University and from Bob’s past institutions illustrates his success in building relationships and in his leadership.” 

In his inaugural address, President Prezant acknowledged the many folks and “shoulders” that have helped him move forward over his professional life, and shared about FSC’s remarkable history, his first eight months in office, and his vision for the years ahead.  

“Higher education represents the very best of the future,” he said. “And the best of the future will be built on a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. This has always been Farmingdale. And this will continue to be Farmingdale. This is one of our core values. And this is a moment when higher education can shine, as we help our students and our communities understand that we educate not for college life, but for the life that comes tomorrow.” 

View more photos from FSC’s Presidential Inauguration on our Flickr Gallery. 

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