SUNY Old Westbury President Timothy E. Sams was among those celebrated on June 12,  when the Long Island Association held its third annual Evening of Honors event.

Approximately 400 business community members were in attendance to honor the achievements of innovative companies, executives and their employees who have boosted Long Island’s economy and supported the region’s communities through philanthropic efforts.

President Sams was presented the “Key to the Island Award,” recognizing someone who may not have been born on Long Island but has now become the region’s adopted son or daughter.

Sams was raised by his paternal grandparents on the South Side of Syracuse and attended Union College in Schenectady, SUNY Albany, and Temple University in Philadelphia for his PhD in African American Studies.

He moved to Long Island in 2021 when he assumed the presidency of SUNY Old Westbury.

“It is an honor to be recognized with the Key to the Island and I thank the LIA Board of Directors and all of its members,” said Sams in accepting the award. “While my time here has been just three years, I’ve come to recognize the strength of our business and civic communities and am pleased to build here on the more than 50-year foundation that’s been created by SUNY Old Westbury as a leader on issues involving education, service and justice for our region.”

The LIA recognized him for his leadership of the campus since his arrival, including leading the institution to university status, expanding opportunities for students through a partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory, and contributing to Long Island’s efforts to train the next generation of employees and make sure they stay in our region.

“The Long Island Association is proud to recognize companies and individuals who have made a transformative impact on our region’s economy and contribute to Long Island’s unparalleled quality of life,” said Matt Cohen, LIA president & CEO, “They are all truly deserving of these honors, as they continue to lead the way to ensure Nassau and Suffolk Counties flourish now and in the future.”

Other honorees during the event included:

• Medal of Honor Award – Catholic Health: The Medal of Honor is the LIA’s most prestigious award. Catholic Health is the region’s second-largest private employer and — with approximately 16,000 employees, six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice, and a network of physician practices – serves hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders each year, providing care that extends from the beginning of life to helping people live their final years in comfort, grace, and dignity.
• The Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for Community Service – Optimum: Jen Chapin, Harry and Sandra Chapin’s daughter, joined the LIA in recognizing Optimum for their widespread community support and treated the audience to a musical performance. Optimum is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, headquartered on Long Island.
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Gene Bernstein: Gene Bernstein served on the LIA Board of Directors for many years in his capacity as Chairman of Northville Industries Corp. and also was a Co-Chair of the LIA Energy and Environment Committee. Together with his brother Jay, Gene helped lead Northville’s highly successful wholesale, storage, pipeline transportation, and refined products trading businesses. Gene has actively participated on numerous philanthropic and civic boards, chairing many, including the Alfred University Board of Trustees, the advisory board of The Energeia Program at Molloy University, and the First Tee of Metropolitan New York.