SJC Student Honored for Military Service

April 10, 2014

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. APRIL 11, 2014 St. Josephs College (SJC) is pleased to announce that for the third year in a row, an SJC student will receive the Long Island Recreational Trails Conservancys (LIRTC) annual scholarship. This year, Marcelle Leis 13 was chosen by the organization for her military service and commitment to education. The annual ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 18.

After 24 years of service to the New York Air National Guard, Leis retired as a chief master sergeant and went back to school. She earned a B.S. in Community Health and Human Services on SJCs Long Island Campus and is currently working toward an M.S. in Human Services Leadership. In addition, Leis is a peer facilitator with the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, a veteran PTSD support group run by veterans for veterans. She lives in Patchogue with her husband and two children.

"As a retired master sergeant, Marcelle [Leis] has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the SJC community, said Shannon ONeill, assistant dean and military adviser on SJCs Long Island Campus. "She is devoted to her education and helping others in the veteran community, and we can't think of a better candidate for this scholarship.

A military-friendly school, SJC offers online, on- and off-site class schedules for its military and veteran students, including class offerings at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, N.Y. In addition, SJC is an active participant in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, offering veteran students financial support, a monthly housing allowance and an annual stipend for books and school supplies. For more information about military offerings at SJC, visit www.sjny.edu/military.  

LIRTC is a not-for-profit organization that supports local causes and awards scholarships and grants to those in need. They serve as an educational facility to teach safe and responsible ATV use, with a goal of expanding open space rehabilitation to provide long-term active recreational and educational opportunities to members of the public not served by traditional municipal land use policies. For more information, visit www.lirtc.org.

SJC Student Honored for Military Service

June 03, 2012

PATCHOGUE, NY – JUNE 4, 2012 – St. Joseph’s College (SJC) is pleased to announce that Peter LaPiana, a history major on SJC’s Long Island Campus, was recently honored by the Long Island Recreational Trails Conservancy (LIRTC), an organization that teaches safe and responsible ATV use. In addition, Mr. LaPiana was awarded a $500 scholarship from LIRTC co-founders, Denise and Tom Riker.

Mr. LaPiana was selected to receive the scholarship for his military service. He has been an active member of the 106th Rescue Wing National Guard for the past four years and graduated with honors from basic military training in 2009.

“I am so thankful to Denise and Tom Riker [founders of LIRTC] and everyone at LIRTC for this wonderful honor,” said Mr. LaPiana. “The support they have given me will help me continue furthering my education and reaching my goal of becoming a history teacher.”

As a member of the United States Air Force Air Transportation Unit, Mr. LaPiana is responsible for the safe movement of passengers and mission essential materials. He has just completed his junior year at SJC as a history major with a concentration in secondary education.

“After Peter’s first semester at SJC, he had to put his educational goals on hold in order to complete boot camp with the U.S. Air Force,” said Shannon O’Neill, assistant dean for SJC’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies. “Since returning, he has been successful in balancing his military obligations, along with being a full time student. He has proven his ability to achieve his goals whether on campus, as a member of the SJC golf team, or in the military. We are proud of Peter and his achievements and congratulate him on receiving this award.”

LIRTC is a not-for-profit organization that supports local causes and awards scholarships and grants to those in need. They serve as an educational facility to teach safe and responsible ATV use, with a goal of expanding open space rehabilitation to provide long-term active recreational and educational opportunities to members of the public not served by traditional municipal land use policies.