Two Renowned Alumni Join Adelphi's Board of Trustees

Left: Charles Fuschillo ’83
Right: Joseph Westphal ’70, PhD

The Adelphi University Board of Trustees elected two new members at its October 7, 2019, meeting: Charles Fuschillo ’83, president and chief executive officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), and Joseph Westphal ’70, PhD, former United States ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

“These two individuals bring a wealth of experience to our board and to Adelphi—from diplomatic service and academia to public service and not-for-profit leadership,” said board Chair Ronald B. Lee ’67. “Our new trustees are strong additions to the pool of talent that guides our University with good counsel and strong oversight. We thank them for their enthusiasm and willingness to serve.”

Dr. Westphal returns to Adelphi’s board after serving from 2001 to 2009, stepping away to become under secretary and chief management officer of the United States Army from 2009 to 2014, then assuming the post of U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2014 to 2017. His extensive experience in government also includes working for the administrations of presidents Carter, Reagan, Clinton, (George W.) Bush and Obama, as well as 12 years working in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. In academia, he was the chancellor of the University of Maine System and provost and director of the Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School, in addition to academic positions at Georgetown University and Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Westphal is currently a senior global fellow at The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, a senior fellow at the Leadership Center at Penn’s Wharton School, and a fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration. This fall, The Lauder Institute appointed him the inaugural Chang Sun Term Professor where he will help expand the institute’s Senior Global Fellows Program by mentoring students and contributing to the Lauder curriculum.

After earning a bachelor of arts in political science from Adelphi University, Dr. Westphal received an MA from Oklahoma State University and a PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia. A native of Santiago, Chile, he immigrated with his family to the United States in 1957.

Since 2014, Fuschillo has led the growth of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s programs, services and presence across the country, including a national multiyear “Educating America Tour,” the creation of AFA’s Education and Resource Center, and the nation’s first Respite Care Relief Park, a dementia-friendly place where individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers can go to enjoy the outdoors.

From 1998 to 2013, Fuschillo served as a member of the New York State Senate, where he authored more than 200 state laws and served as chairman of the Transportation and Consumer Protection Committees. He had also been chief operating officer of a nonprofit family service agency that served Long Island and New York City.

Among the many laws and initiatives Fuschillo has authored and supported, his focus has been on safer roadways, stricter penalties for drunk drivers and protections for people affected by identity theft. He helped create the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park at Farmingdale State College, and supported efforts to ensure health insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Fuschillo, who earned a BBA in management with a concentration in finance from Adelphi, has been honored with the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award from Long Island Cares, Inc., the Pendl Badge of Courage Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York State Grand Lodge Foundation, and the Man of the Year Award from the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Farmingdale State College.

“I am very proud that two of our outstanding alumni are joining our board of trustees to serve Adelphi University and to advance our mission,” said Adelphi President Christine M. Riordan, PhD. “Adelphi is fortunate to have remarkable leaders who are committed to the success of all our students, past and present, and our 124-year-old institution.”

Dr. Westphal and Fuschillo join an Adelphi board of trustees now totaling 26 individuals dedicated to guiding and serving Adelphi, including ex officio member President Riordan.