Meet Your 50th Reunion Committee Members

Barbara Weisz ’66

“The 1960’s were a time of great change and new ideas and there was a sense of excitement in the air. It was a wonderful time to be involved in activities on campus at that time,’” Barbara Desposito- Weisz ’66 said, who along with fellow 50th Reunion Committee member, Phil Heller ’66, served as co-chair of the student body association. “At Adelphi a real community formed. It was an incredible way to spend our formative years. Being at Adelphi during that time instilled values in us.” After graduating Adelphi, with a degree in history from the College of Arts and Sciences, Barbara began her career as a social studies teacher at South Side High School in Rockville Centre. After moving to Manhattan, Barbara left South Side High School for a position at Citibank, first in corporate personnel and then as a Private Banker. Barbara left Citibank in 2000 to return to teaching social studies part-time at Saint Vincent Ferrer High School. In 2005 Barbara established the John A Weisz Scholarship in the New York Archdiocese to honor her late husband’s memory. This scholarship provides tuition for students whose families are at or below the federal poverty level. This scholarship has annually provided tuition for 22 students. In addition in 2005 Barbara established the John A. Weisz Scholarship at Adelphi University to provide financial support for students in need, pursuing any field of study at Adelphi. Barbara also provided her time, talent and expertise to her alma mater as a member of the University’s Board of Trustee as well as serving as Trustee at her children’s schools. Barbara is involved in other charity efforts including the Westhampton Arts Performing Center where she serves as Chair of the advisory council. When asked why she decided to be a member of the 50th Reunion Committee, Barbara said, “Adelphi was a great experience. Our experience at Adelphi University stayed with us in ways we probably do not even think about. I look forward to reconnecting with my former classmates. The reunion is going to be a fantastic event!”

Michael Krolick ’66

“Our diploma is worth no more than the success of the University’s graduates,” said Michael Krolick ’66, “If Adelphi succeeds, we succeed.” As a student at Adelphi, Mr. Krolick was a co-founder of the football club, was president of the Men’s Athletic Association and was the manager of the men’s varsity basketball team that was the first ever in Adelphi history to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Mr. Krolick graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and continued his education at Adelphi receiving his MBA in 1968. He worked for KPMG for several years but was always interested in teaching. He earned his teacher’s certification and his certificate of advanced study in Educational Administration from Hofstra in 1973. Mr. Krolick spent the next 30 plus years as an educator for the Sewanhaka Central High School District before retiring in 2004. He now teaches part time and is a mentor in business, management and economics at SUNY Empire State College in Old Westbury. Mr. Krolick is a member of Levermore Society and Panther Club and in addition to serving on Adelphi’s 50th Reunion Committee, he is also chairman of his high school reunion committee. “50 years is a milestone.” Mr. Krolick said about why he decided to be a member of the 50th Reunion Committee, “I’m very proud of the education I received at Adelphi and I want to give back. It will be nice for our class to return to campus and see all the wonderful changes. The class of 1966 worked very hard to make the University what it is today.”

Philip Heller ’66

“Adelphi was very good to us. The University laid the foundation for our education” said Philip Heller ’66 who met his wife of 46 years, Anita ’67, M.A. ’69, at Adelphi. Several other family members including his brother also met their spouses while attending the University. As a student at Adelphi, Mr. Heller, along with Barbara Weisz ’66, served as co-chair of the student body association. He was also co-president of the junior class and was a member of Flambeau and Pi Lambda Phi. After graduating with a degree in political science, Mr. Heller attended Suffolk University Law School and graduated in 1971 with his Juris Doctor. That same year, he founded Heller & Robbins, Attorneys at Law, a law firm in Lenox, Massachusetts that provides legal services in all areas of practice, with a specific focus on real estate, zoning, land use, corporate and business law, estate planning and administration. Mr. Heller has served as an assistant district attorney, supervisor of all district court prosecutors, and as a part-time assistant public defender for the Massachusetts Defenders Committee. He currently serves on the Stockbridge Parks and Recreation Commission, a position he has held since 1997. He is on the board of directors of Legacy Banks, is the chairman of the Legacy Portfolio Management Trust Committee, and serves on its Governance Committee. “I can’t believe it’s been 50 years,” Heller said, “My hope is to see people I went to school with and find out about how they fared over the years. I think it will be really interesting.”

Lee Cleary ’66

Lee Cleary ’66 was a cheerleader during her time at Adelphi. Today, she still indulges her enthusiasm for sports by attending her grandchildren’s games and events. She also spends time indulging her creative side, “I took design courses through Adelphi’s Art Department and have continued with my artistic endeavors. I’m preparing for a gallery show now.” Ms. Cleary recently sold some of her artwork to a NYC fashion designer and in April she came in first place for mixed media at a juried art show. After graduating from Adelphi with her bachelor’s degree in biology, Cleary was hired as the second woman ever to be an investigator with the FDA. She later entered the teaching profession and taught in several schools while she raised her two sons. She eventually found a permanent position teaching high school biology in San Mateo, California.  One of her fondest memories from her time at Adelphi is when she went to Dean Harley to request a grant to pay for her senior year and Dean Harley told her not to worry. “I always found the administration and professors so caring and concerned,” said Cleary. For that reason, Cleary decided to create an endowed fund, which will provide annual grant assistance to students in perpetuity at Adelphi. “I was the recipient of a grant from Adelphi when I needed it most; I wanted my investment to have the same impact on future students,” she said. Cleary went on to say that she decided to help out with the 50th reunion because hopes to help spark alumni enthusiasm, “They should be proud to share that they attended Adelphi and received the education they needed to succeed in life. Alumni should come back for this reunion to help celebrate.  We graduated in turbulent times – the 60’s, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and we survived.”

Bill Greenhut ’66

“The 50th reunion represents a landmark as it is probably the first reunion dedicated to the class when almost all of the returning graduates will have completed their working lives” said Bill Greenhut ’66. Mr. Greenhut played both freshman basketball and baseball at Adelphi. “The first time I put on a uniform as a member of the freshman basketball team was a very special moment” he said. Mr. Greenhut was also vice president of Omicron Pi fraternity. After graduating from Adelphi, Mr. Greenhut earned his certificate in ultrasound from New York University Medical Center. Since 1982, Mr. Greenhut has been a diagnostic medical sonographer. Over the years he has performed ultrasound exams, supervised ultrasound staffs, presented ultrasound lectures, represented a manufacturer of ultrasound equipment and taught at an ultrasound school. Currently, he is a site visitor for the Joint Review Committee for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. “I feel it is important to help out with my 50th reunion because I spent some of the best years of my life at Adelphi and this is one of the ways I can contribute and express my appreciation.” Mr. Greenhut said, “If you have as many warm memories as I do, you want as many of your classmates as possible to attend.”