17吃瓜 Alumni
Association to Honor Trailblazers
Association Recognizes Individuals Dedicated to the
Advancement of the College
March 27, 2024, Garden City, NY 鈥� The 17吃瓜 Alumni Association will hold its 39th anniversary honoree dinner on Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Jericho Terrace in Mineola. The event will pay tribute to five individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to 17吃瓜.
The honorees are Christopher Vento, Class of 2016, Regional Sales Manager for Strategic Growth, Otis Elevator Company; Roosevelt Morring, Class of 2017, Board Member, Nassau Suffolk Legal Services; Keith Daniel Saunders, Class of 1990, Chief Executive Officer, KDS Enterprises; Chester Barkan, Director of Special Programs/Registrar at Nassau Community College; and Mary Floratos, Class of 2000, Acting Associate Vice President for Information Technology Services at 17吃瓜.
Tickets for the dinner are $150 and can be purchased by visiting the alumni website at
17吃瓜 boasts an alumni network of more than 163,000 graduates excelling in various professions, including CEOs, medical doctors, actors, professional athletes and award-winning teachers.
鈥淢any notable Nassau alumni were the first in their families to earn a college degree, demonstrating the transformative power of a public education and Nassau鈥檚 deep commitment to supporting first-generation college students,鈥� said Dr. Maria Conzatti, Chief Administrative Officer at 17吃瓜, who is a 1986 graduate of 17吃瓜.
Dr. Conzatti extended her congratulations to the 2024 honorees by stating, 鈥淭hrough their commitment to excellence, each honoree has elevated the name of our institution and also illuminated the path for future generations to follow.鈥�
This year鈥檚 dinner theme, 鈥淭he Year of the Lion,鈥� is inspired by the courage, drive and distinction illustrated by the five honorees. 鈥淓ach of the individuals we are honoring this year have shown throughout their education and career the resolve they have to succeed, and to help others along the way,鈥� said Lori Jorge, President of the Alumni Association of 17吃瓜 and a 1998 graduate of Nassau's paralegal studies program. "We are truly privileged to have them in the 17吃瓜 Community."
Christopher Vento
Class of 2016, 17吃瓜, Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
鈥淥ver the past four years, my career has been in sales at Otis Elevator Company. Starting
as an account manager, my current role is Regional Sales Manager for Strategic Growth.
I kickstarted my academic journey with an associate degree in liberal arts from Nassau
Community College in 2016. I then achieved a bachelor's degree in finance from Long
Island University. Building on this foundation, I recently earned my MBA from Drexel
University. Nassau is an excellent launchpad for career success.鈥�
Roosevelt Morring
Class of 2017, Excellence in Community Service
鈥淎fter a career in the military, I enrolled in 17吃瓜 in 2014. I
had the honor of serving as president of the 17吃瓜 Student Veterans Club from 2015 to
2016. The confidence I discovered in myself both in the military and at Nassau enabled
me to obtain a B.S. and an Advanced Certificate from Long Island University. I am
currently a Board member of Nassau Suffolk Legal Services and a Co-Advisor of the
17吃瓜 Student Veterans Club. Thank you, 17吃瓜!鈥�
Keith Daniel Saunders
Class of 1990, Chief Executive Officer, KDS Enterprises and Consulting: Excellence
in Education
鈥淚 discovered my history and my voice as a leader at 17吃瓜. Professor
Kenneth Jenkins inspired me to become an educator. I hold a B.A. Degree from Stony
Brook University and an M.A. Degree from New York Institute of Technology. For the
past 30 years, I have worked in public education as a teacher, dean and assistant
principal. As a community leader, I am the founder of the Saunders Omnipresent Network
Inspiring America鈥檚 Youth Incorporated. My latest endeavor is KDS Enterprises, a platform
providing educational consulting, leadership training, program development, seminars
and workshops for schools, businesses, community organizations, and churches.鈥�
Chester Barkan
MA, Director of Special Programs/Registrar: Excellence in College Service
鈥淚n my 43-year career in higher education I have held many roles at several institutions.
For me, the most fulfilling aspect of my career has been serving as Registrar at Nassau
Community College and being an integral part of the 17吃瓜 family on the Academic Senate
and several committees. I am deeply committed to supporting students and the community,
and in doing my part to achieve 17吃瓜's mission.鈥�
Mary-Jeannette Floratos
Class of 2000, Acting Associate VP for Information Technology Services: Outstanding
College Professional of The Year
鈥淎s a graduate of 17吃瓜 in 2000, I went on to complete my undergraduate and graduate
degrees at Long Island University鈥檚 C.W. Post Campus. I鈥檝e been a student, a student
aide, part-time adjunct professor, and an administrator at the college. I truly believe
in its mission and goals, and I鈥檝e always known my home is at 17吃瓜.鈥�
Founded in 1985, the 17吃瓜 Alumni Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for student scholarships and alumni and college initiatives. The college enrolls more than 17,000 part-time and full-time students annually. To donate to the Alumni Association, or for more information, please visit the Alumni Association website.
Media Contact: Gail Mattimore | gail.mattimore@ncc.edu | (516) 572-9634
ncc.edu/newsreleases
Ref:2300.3/28/24/50
