Two from Rockville Centre honored
Honored for her ‘significant impact’
Dr. Lenore Sandel is among a select group of individuals inducted into the William and Kate Hofstra Honor Roll, recognized for her “significant impact” on the school. The induction took place at the Diamond Reception, one of the highlights of the university’s 75th anniversary celebration, held earlier this fall.
Sandel was both a student and professor at Hofstra, joining the faculty in 1964 as a professor of reading, after receiving a master’s degree in the subject in 1963 and working toward the doctorate she received in 1970. During her tenure at Hofstra, among other things, she directed the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s Network on Language, Literacy and Literature. She also edited the Network’s newsletter, which reached more than 1,500 member schools and professional educators. After a long and illustrious career, she retired but continued to work as an adjunct professor. In 1994 she was named “professor emerita,” a tribute to her “long and meaningful service as an accomplished member of the faculty.”
Sandel served as a supervisor of student teachers and a doctoral candidate advisor. She was a frequent contributor to professional journals and a familiar speaker at professional conferences. She was recognized for her service in reviewing applications for the Javitz Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. Since retirement, Dr. Sandel has also written and edited several books, “Personal Qualities of a Language Arts Teacher,” “Teaching With Care” and a Historic Research Monograph,” Development of Language.”
A longtime resident of the village, Lenore Sandel lives with her husband Leonard, a former mayor of Rockville Centre. Their daughter, Susan, is a recognized dance therapist in Connecticut.
A lifetime achievement
Dr. Louise Skolnick, a long time resident of Rockville Centre, recently received the prestigious title of “Social Work Pioneer” from the National Association of Social Workers. The recognition represents a lifetime achievement award for her accomplishments and outstanding contributions to the social work profession and her “exemplary leadership.”
Skolnick has pursued a varied and highly successful career in social work. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she received her doctorate from Adelphi University, then joined its faculty, remaining at the university for 26 years. A highly skilled and dedicated teacher, Skolnick instructed a generation of students, many of whom currently practice or teach on Long Island. While at Adelphi, she served as director of its Social Services Center and as associate dean. Her creative energies produced a wide array of groundbreaking programs — among them a refugee assistance network and support services for victims of rape and other crimes. She was also a founder of the Breast Cancer Support program, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Skolnick has lectured to audiences across the country and has written several books, texts and professional articles focusing on social welfare programs and social work education.
In 2000, Skolnick was appointed by former County Executive Tom Suozzi to serve as deputy commissioner of social services and afterwards, as director of the department. She remained in the Suozzi administration during his two terms in office and assumed a wide range of responsibilities, most notably the “no wrong door” initiative to coordinate the efforts of the various government agencies assisting Nassau’s residents. She also served as co-chair of the Task Force on Family Violence, Scholars for Nassau, Common Sense for Common Good and the Task Force on Homelessness.
In 2002, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy named her “citizen of the month” for March. In 2005 she was honored with the Liberty Bell Award from the Nassau County Bar Association and was chosen by the National Association of Social Workers as Nassau’s 2007 Social Worker of the Year.
