Did Dowling College intend to snub Hofstra University in a news release Thursday about a new appointment?
No one’s saying that Dowling did. But what the announcement didn’t say raises questions.
Dowling said that Irwin Kellner, one of Long Island’s most widely quoted economists, has been named “distinguished scholar of economics” at the Oakdale-based school. The extensive announcement listed Kellner’s many accomplishments, but didn’t mention the economist’s more than 10-year association with Hofstra.
Just last year, he retired as the Weller Distinguished Chair of Economics at the Hempstead school. He has taught in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Zarb School of Business. He has written Hofstra’s widely read Economic Report. And he’s still an adjunct professor in the executive MBA program.
The Dowling release mentioned that Kellner received a doctorate from Hofstra but included nothing else about the university.
Kellner, 69, is also the chief economist for Capital One Bank and MarketWatch.com., which Dowling noted. He said he won’t teach at Dowling but will help to “strengthen offerings.”
When asked why the school overlooked his longtime Hofstra connection, Kellner referred the question to Dowling.
Dowling’s director of communications said the college wanted to focus on Kellner’s economic experience. “We had really just wanted to focus more on his experience with Capital One Bank and MarketWatch.com.,” Kelly Kazemier said. “It wasn’t a deliberate attempt to leave out information about Hofstra.”
Hofstra declined to comment.
--Carrie Mason-Draffen