Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society to induct two new members at ceremony

The School of Business at the State University of New York at New Paltz will recognize L. David Rooney, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Shelly Wright, Chief of Staff, for their untiring and invaluable contributions to the School of Business by inducting them as honorary members into the SUNY New Paltz Chapter of Sigma Beta Delta, an international honor society in business, management and administration.

The induction ceremony will take place during the School of Business Annual Award Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 7, in the Coykendall Science Building auditorium.

Dr. L. David Rooney

Dr. L. David Rooney has served as Vice President of Student Affairs at SUNY New Paltz since 2002. As Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Rooney oversees approximately 150 employees covering a comprehensive array of student services and programs. He also serves in an advisory capacity to the Student Association.

“One of the most important elements of the missions of our school is the internship program which requires significant attention,” said Hadi Salavitabar, Dean of the School of Business. “Dr. Rooney has assigned a staff member to the School of Business as our Senior Career Counselor and has made the other members of the Career Resource Center available for supporting our internship and career related activities for business students. As a result, there has been significant improvement in our internship program and we are on our way to make this program a success. In addition, under Dr. Rooney’s excellent leadership and untiring efforts, the Career Resource Center has moved to Humanities, where it is much more accessible to students.”

“Dr. Rooney’s vision and determination has resulted in much better services and environment for our students’ activities,” continued Salavitabar. “The construction of the beautiful Wellness & Recreation Center, the renovation of the Health Center, and the major renovation of, and addition to, the Student Union Building, which is in progress, are a few examples of his accomplishments.

“Dr. Rooney exemplifies a standard of excellence. He is an outstanding leader and strong advocate for the educational experiences of our students and the quality of our programs. He is an excellent, dedicated and effective member of our college community. The School of Business and our students have significantly benefited from Dr. Rooney’s leadership and commitment to our educational programs,” said Salavitabar.

Shelly Wright

As Chief of Staff to President Steven G. Poskanzer, Shelly Wright oversees the daily operations of the President’s Office and facilitates communication and interaction between the President’s Office and the College’s multiple internal and external constituencies. One of Wright’s chief responsibilities is to serve as the College’s Government Relations Officer, working with local, state and federal officials and advocating for the needs of the College. In addition, she oversees the College’s internal and external communication strategies.

“Shelly did an excellent job in working with practically every office on campus to gather appropriate data for the College’s Economic Impact study,” said Salavitabar. “At the conclusion of the study, she coordinated all the preparations for presenting the report to the campus community and a large number of regional business community organizations and constituents, as well as creating printed materials and display of the report on the College Web site. Due to Shelly’s outstanding leadership in that process, the project was very successful and benefited our college significantly.

“Wright is genuinely committed to the education of our students, the quality of our programs, the well-being of our college, and the quality of life of our regional community,” added Salavitabar. “She has a broad understanding of our educational programs and activities and is able to articulate a vision that would be acceptable to all parties involved.”

About Sigma Beta Delta
Sigma Beta Delta Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta Chapter. The purpose of Sigma Beta Delta is to recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration. In addition, it also encourages professional development and a life distinguished by honorable service.

The purposes of Sigma Beta Delta are to encourage and recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration, and to encourage and promote personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.