David S. Mack - Alumnus of the Year

David S. Mack has a message for Hofstra grads: come back and see for yourself.

"Hofstra has come a long way," said David, a 1967 Hofstra graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. "All alumni should be proud and happy about the progress that Hofstra has made over the years in becoming a nationally known institution of higher learning, and they should come back to the campus to see the changes for themselves."

David is senior partner of The Mack Company developers, vice chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He is a longtime member of the Hofstra Board of Trustees and a generous donor to the University.

For all of his time, effort and contributions to the University, Mr. Mack has been named the 2006 Alumnus of the Year.

"I am honored to be selected for this award by Hofstra," he said. "As an alumnus who was able to use his education to become a successful businessman, I can't think of a better way to thank the University than by helping current and future students to excel in their fields."

David's generosity is evident as you walk around the Hofstra campus, from the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, named for him and his wife, to Mack Hall, which houses the University Club. David recently pledged $5 million to be used for scholarships and other purposes. In the very near future, the Hofstra University Arena will also be named in his honor, which is particularly gratifying to him since, as the chair of Hofstra's Physical Plant Committee, he had a strong hand in guiding the Hofstra Arena from conception to completion.

In addition to the Board of Trustees, he also serves on the Capital Campaign Executive Committee. Hofstra in May launched a $100 million capital campaign to strengthen the University's already strong academic infrastructure, increase scholarships and attract nationally known scholars to the Hofstra campus.

Mr. Mack stresses the importance of giving back to the University that gave him the tools he needed to become a successful businessman. "The quality education that graduates receive at Hofstra prepares them to become successes in the world," he said. "The University has made great strides over the years and I'm proud to have played a part in that progress."