Adelphi University President Named One of Long Island's 100 Most Influential

Adelphi University President Dr. Robert A. Scott has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Long Islanders by Long Island Business News. He joins a select group of successful politicians, business executives, and leaders in the not-for-profit and civic arenas in receiving this honor.

“After taking over a university in administrative tatters,” reads Long Island Business News, “Scott has engineered a stunning turn around at Adelphi, which is now solvent, growing in enrollment, climbing in academic standard and increasingly considered by smart young people from other places.”

“I believe in helping students develop the knowledge and skills-as well as strength of character-to succeed as much in careers and commerce as in citizenship,” said President Robert A. Scott. “I feel privileged to be recognized for my work in providing Adelphi students with a first-rate education while ensuring that our University serves the needs of the community.”

Since his appointment as Adelphi’s ninth president in July 2000, he has built on the University’s rich traditions in undergraduate and graduate education and continues to link the liberal arts and sciences with professional programs. Under his leadership, enrollment (full-time equivalent) has grown by 40 percent since September 2000, and more than 100 new faculty have been hired over the past three years to support this increase. Alumni giving has risen by nearly 400 percent, and the University recently completed its first new residence hall in 36 years to accommodate growing student demand.

In 2003, the University was elected as a non-governmental organization (NGO) affiliate of the United Nations, and since joining Adelphi Dr. Scott has personally received a number of prestigious awards honoring his dedication to the community, including the Garden City Chamber of Commerce Award for Community Service, Huntington Chamber of Commerce-Regional Business Partnership Award for Excellence in Higher Education, and The Association for Commerce Industry and Technology Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Higher Education.

Dr. Scott is one of the few people ever to hold all three top positions in American higher education: head of an independent university, a public institution, and a state higher education coordinating board.