Thomas J. Ward, Jr. '93 Receives Honor from Massapequa Federation of Teachers

Online, July 6, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Executive Director of Adelphi University's Center for Career Development Thomas J. Ward, Jr. '93 received the Massapequa Federation of Teachers' Friend of Education Award. Mr. Ward was chosen based on the recommendation of M.F.T. members due to his love of learning and commitment to improving education and increasing its relevance for students.

The Massapequa Federation of Teachers, a union comprised of teachers and secretaries, hosts an annual awards ceremony in which the organization recognizes students benefiting from M.F.T. scholarships, retiring colleagues, and those teachers who have recently been granted tenure. During the ceremony, M.F.T. also honors parents, community members, and organizations who work to enhance students' learning experience.

At Adelphi, Mr. Ward plays a crucial role in promoting lifelong career management skills for students to help them achieve their career goals and prepare for the job market. As Executive Director, Mr. Ward creates sustained partnerships with students, faculty, alumni and employers to provide students with experiential learning experiences. He has implemented various programs through the Center for Career Development to increase students' access to resources and employment opportunities, including the Adelphi Community Fellows Program, Mock Interview Nights, the online job-search service PantherZone, the Annual Alumni and Employer Appreciation Breakfast and the Leadership Certificate Program in collaboration with the Center for Student Involvement and the Office of Alumni Relations.

Mr. Ward, in addition to his impressive work history at Adelphi, has served three years on the Business Advisory Board of the Massapequa Partnership for Career Development. The advisory board collaborates with the Long Island Works Organization and many other local businesses, organizations, schools and colleges, and seeks to close the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the outside knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in a contemporary working environment. He is also a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and the Metropolitan New York College Career Planning Officer's Association.

Thomas J. Ward, Jr. holds a Master's in Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, and a Bachelor's of Arts and Honors in Liberal Studies from Adelphi University. He lives in Massapequa with his wife, Janet Ward '92, and two children, Emma and Tommy.