Convocation 2025: Educate, Discover, Serve
President Prezant Delivers Annual Academic Year Kickoff Address
On August 20, 2025, 51³Ō¹Ļ (FSC) President Robert S. Prezant, PhD, hosted the Collegeās 2025 Convocation in the Campus Center Ballroom. The academic opening ceremony offered a positive look at the 2025-2026 year ahead while highlighting FSCās initiatives and successes over the past 12 months.
Attended by more than 350 faculty and staff members from across campus, the morning event began by acknowledging 45 faculty and staff promotions, 27 new faculty members, and 67 new staff members. The annual fall celebration also marked one year since President Prezantās appointment as the 10th president of the College.
āThis past Thursday was my one-year anniversary here at Farmingdale,ā President Prezant said receiving applause. āAnd now that Iāve had a yearās worth of learning, gaining insight, meeting all of you, hearing about your aspirations, and hopes, and goals, I am more excited, more optimistic, than ever. Our future is really bright.
āThere are still challenges,ā he added. āBut we are going to face those challenges. And we are going to emerge victorious because we do something right--we put our students first.ā
During the presentation, President Prezant announced the appointment of three new advisory boards geared at expanding internal communications as well as FSCās external community and corporate relationships. Academic and curriculum updates included the School of Businessā prestigious AACSB accreditation, FSCās new Master of Science degree program in nursing administration, the addition of an exercise professions track to the Health Promotion and Wellness Program, and an expanded, faculty-led Study Abroad Program.
āWe brought our students to Taiwan, Italy, Edinburgh, and the Dominican Republic,ā said President Prezant. āAnd this coming year, added to those four will be Nepal, Finland, Malta, and Greeceā¦I plan to accompany each of these, and youāre all invited to comeā he added to lighthearted appreciation around the room.
The presentation offered updates from multiple campus offices and departments, including Development and Alumni Engagement, Athletics, Marketing and Communications, and Facilities Operations. Other highlights included the announcement of several new academic programs āin the pipeline,ā a surprise appearance by FSC's beloved mascot, Ram-Bo, and a standing ovation for Special Advisor to the Provost Charles Adair, PhD, who recently announced his retirement after 50 years of distinguished service at FSC.
President Prezant noted FSCās overall growth in enrollment and retention, commencement exercises, student support programs, external relationships and partnerships, scholarships and research, and philanthropic support and commended FSCās campus community members for their outstanding hard work and dedication.
āLet me wrap up by congratulating all of you,ā President Prezant said. āYou have kept our institution thriving. You have kept it alive. You have kept it meaningful. And you have kept it focused on our students, and that is why we're here. I wish you all a tremendous academic year and a wonderful fall semester.ā
Honors and Awards
President Prezant concluded the event by recognizing multiple campus community accolades,
including several faculty awards, athletics conference championships, marketing and
communications industry awards; and development and alumni engagement recognitions,
two University Police Department awards; and the newly announced President DEI (Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion) Award recipients: Associate Director of Digital Content Tevin
Foster, ā19, and Student Government President Michelle Torres, ā26, a bioscience major.
In addition, eight State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor Awards for Excellence winners were introduced along with FSCās inaugural SUNY Chancellorās Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship recipient Assistant Professor of Psychology Kathryn Hauschild, PhD.
2025 SUNY Chancellor Awards for Excellence Winners:
- Amanda Lavery, Pre-Health Professions, Excellence in Professional Service
- Dr. Michael Figuccio, Psychology, Excellence in Teaching
- Dr. Shannon Olivieri, Nursing, Excellence in Faculty Services
- Dr. Tracy Callender, Biology, Excellence in Teaching
- Dr. Worku Bitew, Mathematics, Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
- Dr. Yue āJeffā Hung, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Excellence in Teaching
- Karen Gelles, Library, Excellence in Professional Service
- Kate Calabrese, Administration & Finance, Excellence in Professional Service
- Natalie Barton, Library, Excellence in Classified Service
President Prezant also invited to the stage this yearās CARES (Commendation & Recognition for Excellence in Service) Award winners, āwhose efforts and achievements demonstrate an exemplary commitment to the college community, service beyond what would be considered a normal part of one's job description, and an attitude of caring and selflessness,ā he said.
2025 CARES Award Winners:
- Chantal Etrasco, Development & Alumni Engagement, Classified Service
- Anne Marie Armstrong, Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, Professional Service
- Loretta Mariano, Dental Hygiene, Faculty Service
āAll of the work that you have all done over the past year has led to these outstanding achievements,ā said President Prezant. āTodayās individuals are doing an outstanding job in a variety of ways, and we are thrilled to recognize them for their remarkable contributions. Congratulations to all of you.ā
View more photos from Convocation 2025 on our .
