Dowling College hosts Suffolk Legislature's Presiding Officer Gregory during Diversity Summit

Strengthening an American society based on diversity, Dowling College was honored to host Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory during the college’s fifth annual College Diversity Summit, where the elected official served as keynoter.

The summit, titled “College? Yes, You Can!” presents minority high school and transfer students with college and career opportunities available to them, while underscoring the importance of continuing their education.

“Presiding Officer Gregory was asked to be the keynote speaker of this important event for a reason,” said D. Else-Sofia Morote, director of Dowling’s International and Diversity Institute. “We are all very proud of Mr. Gregory’s achievements, as it shows students that they all can achieve what they set their minds to. It is a matter of finding their way, and Presiding Officer Gregory is a perfect example of this.”

In 2014, Gregory became the first person of color to be elected as Presiding Officer on the County Legislature, continuing the landmark achievements that have marked his career in public service. Three years earlier, he became the first person of color in history to be elected Majority Leader of the Suffolk County Legislature.

A Dowling summit that allows all to achieve

Dowling’s Diversity Summit included panel discussions, guest speakers, financial aid and enrollment workshops as well as a tour of the rolling campus that once was a Vanderbilt summer estate. Over one hundred students from across Long Island were in attendance.

“I applaud the initiative of Dowling College, their International and Diversity Institute and all those whose efforts made today’s event possible,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “It was very important to me to be able to speak to this group of young people and highlight the importance of staying on the right track and preparing for obstacles and challenges they may face on the way to achieving their goals.”