On Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., the Garden City Country Club will be the site of the Big Bang Ball, a soiree hosted by the Science Museum of Long Island (SMLI) where a quartet of honorees will be recognized for their work in community service and education. Dr. Gayle D. Insler (Adelphi), Dr. Rita Melikian (Garden City Public Schools), Frank Pelliccione (Flushing Bank) and Kenneth White (Brookhaven National Laboratory).
Dr. Gayle Insler will received the “Outstanding Leadership Award.” The Adelphi University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs since 2008, she helped launch the new Center for Health Innovation. It has led the way in facilitating symposia, panels and discussions regarding the region’s major health care issues. In addition, Dr. Insler has served as secretary on the NUB Health Foundation Board, which is the philanthropic board of Nassau University Medical Center.
Dr. Rita Melikian, Garden City Public School’s Director of Educational Technology will receive “Outstanding Educator of the Year.” Dr. Melikian received her doctorate from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and has worked in Garden City Public Schools for the past 17 years. “I have always had a keen interest in science,” said Dr. Melikian. “I am honored to be recognized by such a great museum.”
Flushing Bank Vice President of Business Development Frank Pelliccione will be given the “The Ronni Reaves Community Service Award.” Pelliccione has been active with not-for-profit organizations, in particular the American Kidney Fund, which he’s been involved with for more than 15 years. He has been recognized and awarded many times over for his civic and philanthropic work. Having also served several terms on the Garden City Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors, Pelliccione explains his philanthropic drive in the simplest terms, “Life has been good to me and I want to give back to others, help people, and really make a difference in their lives,” he explained,
Also being honored this evening is Kenneth White as a “Champion for Science” for his role as a recognized leader in science education on Long Island and within the U.S. Department of Energy. He is also founding director of the Portal to Discovery, manager of the office of educational programs at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) co-steward for the Long Island STEM Hub.
For ticket reservations at $200 each person, please call Tracey Gittere at 516-222-0550 or visit bigbangball.evenbrite.com
