SJC President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., recently sat with Victoria Schneps, publisher of Schneps Media and QNS.com, for a podcast interview.
During the in-depth discussion, Dr. Boomgaarden shared a firsthand account of his childhood, his family and upbringing, as well as how his interests have led him to where he is now.
“All of us are the product of our environment,” he said. “I was very lucky. Both of my parents were delightful people.”
Dr. Boomgaarden also discussed the College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for a brand new student center at SJC Long Island in Patchogue, and how he shifted from faculty to administrator over the course of his impressive career in higher education.
To close out the interview, Dr. Boomgaarden told Schneps about SJC’s diverse campuses and offered his advice for young people today.
“We have a fantastic college,” he said. “Each campus has its own personality, but each one brings together students, faculty and staff who are really remarkable.”