Vision Long Island presented St. Joseph’s University, New York with the 2023 Long Island Smart Growth Award for Community Leadership at the annual Smart Growth Awards on June 16.
The group honors individuals, organizations and projects that advance infrastructure growth in communities on Long Island. The University was recognized at a reception held at Crest Hollow Country Club for its long history of community involvement and contributions to the revitalization of Patchogue Village.
“On behalf of the St. Joseph’s community, I want to thank Vision Long Island for the honor of receiving the Community Leadership Award,” said Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., president of St. Joseph’s University. “This recognition is a testament to our longstanding partnerships in the communities we serve.”
St. Joseph’s has worked extensively with the Patchogue-Medford Library, Patchogue Theatre, and Plaza Cinema and Media Arts Center in sponsoring community programs in recent years. Other partnerships have been fostered with the Gateway Playhouse, the Long Island Ducks, the Suffolk County Marathon and the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood.
The construction of a new state-of-the-art Student Center – set to open at the Long Island Campus in Fall 2023 – utilized energy-efficient green development strategies and systems. Sustainable features of the structure include solar shading devices and low-flow plumbing fixtures.
“Our faculty, staff and students have actively participated in numerous programs and initiatives that have improved the quality of life for our local community organizations and residents,” said Gail Lamberta ’82, Ph.D., St. Joseph’s associate dean for community development.
St. Joseph’s Department of Biology conducts regular cleanups of Patchogue Lake and its neighboring trails. Moreover, students and faculty conduct water research to preserve the health of species inhabiting the lake.
