By Thomas Gillen
Staff Writer
Plans are being finalized for the celebration of LIU Post’s 60th anniversary this fall.
Special events are planned throughout homecoming weekend, from October 8 to 11, according to Kelly Walles, LIU’s Associate Director of Public Relations and Social Media. She added that smaller events will be planned to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year, although she did not provide specifics.
Photo: Bruce Bennett
Michael Berthel, Director of Campus Life, stated that apart from Homecoming, Campus Life has no knowledge of any other plans to celebrate the 60th anniversary.
LIU Post, which was named for breakfast cereal manufacturer Charles William Post due to his innovation and courageous attitude that set the standard for all students and faculty at Post, was established in 1954 with its first class entering the next year. The property was purchased by LIU Post from Charles’ daughter, Majorie Merriweather Post in 1951.
In the first few years of the university’s history, students attended class in other buildings present on campus, due to limited funds at the time.
The Homecoming anniversary celebration will include a performance by Kristin Chenoweth at the Tilles Center on Oct. 10, a lecture by Political Science Professor Michael Soupios on Oct. 9, and a Pep Rally on Oct. 9, just to name a few.
At the Pep Rally, Joe Gatto, who is a member of the comedy troupe “The Tenderloins” and one of the hosts of the reality show, “Impactical Jokers,” will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Director of Alumni Relations, Ryan Reilly, stated that the Distinguished Alumni Award “recognizes a highly distinguished alumnus of alumna who, over the course of a decade or more, has exemplified outstanding, significant professional achievement.”
Walles stated that at the Pep Rally, a fireworks show will also be held. This show is the first one of its kind at Post and will be hosted by the company Fireworks by Grucci.
Literacy Grad student Nicole Cunningham is pleased about the preparations to celebrate the university’s anniversary. “There’s a lot of tradition and history on our campus and the 60th Anniversary is a great time to celebrate it,” Cunningham said.
“I think it’s great that Post wants to recognize the 60th anniversary and create a buzz about it around campus and the community. I think it excites the current students and also allows alumni to reconnect,” said Post alumnus Matt Soldano, class of 2010, who hosted a sports radio show for WCWP while at Post and now works for NeuLion.
“It’s an honor to be celebrating the 60th anniversary of LIU Post as its President,” Dr. Cline, LIU Post’s president, said. “We have an entire weekend planned filled with a full array of events and exciting appearances making this the largest Homecoming celebration in the University’s history. Students, alumni, and the community will get to connect and interact with one another while showing their Pioneer pride. It’s an opportunity to be a part of LIU history.”
Ryan Attard Reilly, LIU Post’s Director of Alumni Relations, Abagail Van Vlerah, the Dean of Students, and Rita Langdon, the Director of Admissions, did not respond to the Pioneer’s inquiries about the celebration of the 60th anniversary.
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