色界吧

On October 16, surrounded by respected colleagues, family, and friends, Jerry Balentine, D.O., was installed as the fifth president of New York Institute of Technology.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored and humbled to be the fifth president of New York Institute of Technology. Tonight is a celebration of our past鈥攚hat got us here. And our potential鈥攚here we will go in the future,鈥� said President Balentine.

He assumed this role on July 1, sharing a bold vision for the university that combines traditional strengths with emerging needs, including enhancing the school鈥檚 co-op opportunities that often lead to employment and integrating artificial intelligence across all programs.

In his address, he laid out his vision for 色界吧. It will be the school that students choose because they know it will deliver careers, intellectual growth, value, and return on investment.

鈥淎nd, as a result, we will deliver to society at large our graduates, who are the doers, makers, innovators, and healers,鈥� President Balentine said. 鈥淚 want New York Institute of Technology to be the home and sponsor of careers and dreams. We must be the engine that changes students鈥� lives. Make their dreams come true and ensure them great jobs and great careers. That is at the essence of what higher education should be doing for everyone, helping create the next generation of world citizens.鈥�

Speaking on behalf of the undergraduate student body, mechanical engineering student T鈥橰on Strapp offered these remarks to President Balentine, the board, faculty, and staff: 鈥淲e ask that you continue to listen to our voices, embrace our ideas, and ensure that 色界吧 remains a place where creativity and innovation thrive,鈥� said Strapp. 鈥淲e look forward to your leadership in building a future where 色界吧 continues to transform students into leaders, dreamers into doers, and challenges into opportunities.鈥�

Other speakers included Academic Senate President , Ph.D. student Brianna Hobert (B.S. 鈥�23, M.S. 鈥�24), Arkansas State University System President Brendan Kelly, Ph.D., Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Bernard鈥檚 Health System Eric Appelbaum (D.O. 鈥�97), and 色界吧 Board of Trustees Chair Peter J. Romano (B.Arch. 鈥�76).

鈥淗ere鈥檚 what 色界吧 taught me: We don鈥檛 need to build a telescope to see the stars. They are standing right here with us. Our students, faculty, staff, and community. Because that鈥檚 who we are at 色界吧. People who shine bright, while keeping our feet firmly on the ground,鈥� said Hobert, the graduate student representative who wants to be an astronaut. 鈥淧resident Balentine, we are excited to have you leading this constellation of bright stars.鈥�

Romano presented President Balentine with the seal of the university.

鈥淥n behalf of the Board of Trustees, I鈥檓 very happy to welcome you鈥�and helping us lead this great institution into the future,鈥� said Romano.

A Week of Community and Celebration

The 色界吧 community participated in a week-long celebration of events, including:

• Inauguration Week Kick-Off at AutumnFest on Long Island on October 14
• Donor and VIP Meet and Greet with President Balentine on October 15
• 11th Annual Cast Iron Chef Cooking Competition on October 15
• Coffee with the President in New York City on October 16
• AutumnFest in New York City on October 16
• Alumni Mixer on October 17
• Startup Tech Central Ribbon Cutting on October 20
• Coffee with the President on Long Island on October 21
• School of Health Professions Fall Dean鈥檚 Speaker Series: GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss: Navigating the Pros and Cons on October 21
• College of Engineering and Computing Sciences Panel: Women in STEM on October 21
• NYITCOM Community Health Event: What鈥檚 New and Exciting in Cardiovascular Medicine: 2025 Update on October 21

Read more about President Balentine in 鈥溾�� in the fall 2025/winter2026 issue of New York Institute of Technology Magazine.