Patch Chat with Dr. Robert Scott

Garden City's Adelphi University has experienced a revival under the tutelage of its current president, Dr. Robert Scott. As Adelphi's ninth president, he's proven he has the "Midas Touch."

The university has thrived under his leadership. The backdrop of this success was a scandalous past that forced the Board of Regents in 1996 to dismiss Adelphi's former president.

Adelphi in 2010 bears little resemblance to that institution. Enrollment has increased significantly, faculty has grown and there have been major additions to the campus, including the Adele and Herbert J. Klapper Center for Fine Arts, Centers for Performing Arts and Recreation and Sports and the Alice Brown Early Learning Center.

Millions of dollars have been invested to upgrade facilities, improve libraries and technology. A residence hall was added in 2003 and another one will follow in  2011. It's no surprise that Adelphi has been ranked, for the fifth consecutive year, a "best buy" college by the 2011 Fiske Guide to Colleges.  

One of Dr. Scott's goals for Adelphi is to serve as an "engaged" university.  Adelphi has brought a mecca of cultural arts to Garden City's doorstep. The Performing Arts Center is host to some of the most notable performances and events in the world that attract alumni and members of the community.

"We strive to be a good neighbor," said Dr. Scott when asked about Adelphi's role in the Village of Garden City. Undoubtedly, Adelphi is the type of neighbor every community covets, bringing vitality, culture and hospitality to the village.

Dr. Scott practices what he preaches. He is an "engaged" member of Garden City and the broader Long Island community. A gifted communicator, he utilizes many forms of media to address important local and educational issues. He is an award-winning writer and television host and serves on boards of organizations such as Sustainable Long Island.

He has been recognized by the community as a leader and has received numerous accolades, namely the "100 Most Influential Long Islanders" by Long Island Business News; "Telly Awards" for his cable television show Exploring Critical Issues; the "David Award" for community service and excelling in one's profession from Networking Magazine; and a 2010 Award for weekly editorial writing from the Press Club of Long Island.

The issues that he chooses to explore on his television show and his writings are topics that affect all of us on Long Island such as immigration, politics, green initiatives and ethics in sports. He strives to provoke insight and thought. His efforts in the community have not gone unnoticed.

"Dr. Scott has demonstrated consistently that he believes in the value of engaging the community," said Dr. Robert Feirsen, superintendent of Garden City Schools.  "Adelphi University has been more than willing to help the district in everything from recognizing student achievement to using its facilities for athletics and other special events.  He is clearly an asset to the Garden City Public School community."

Althea Robinson, executive director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce adds: "Dr. Scott has turned Adelphi around. Not only has he opened the campus to the community, but this past spring Dr. Scott and his administration began working on an internship partnership designed to benefit both the village and Adelphi students. A friend and supporter of the business community, the Chamber honored Dr. Scott with the 'Community Achievement Award' in 2004 for his outstanding service to the entire Village of Garden City."

As an educational pundit, he is concerned about the status of education in our country and why our students are lagging. When asked if it's all about economics, he agreed money does play a large role.

"There are innumerable factors that affect learning such as nutrition, rest and families," said Dr. Scott. "Is it about money? Unfortunately, you can't have it both ways, you can't cut taxes and buy superior education."

Dr. Scott is a staunch supporter of a liberal arts education. He agrees that many students entering college today need to improve their writing skills. He scoffs at educators who say, "They don't know how to teach writing."

"It is because you don't teach writing," observed Scott. "You teach thinking. It's a process whereby teachers need to foster student expression. They need to evaluate how clear, comprehensive, graceful and persuasive are students' thoughts - then the process of writing can begin."

When asked how he feels about his position Dr. Scott laughs and quips: "It doesn't feel like a job and so the best thing about my role is that I never have to go to work."