Hofstra professor emerita Lenore Sandel

Lenore Sandel, professor emerita in the Hofstra University School of Education, Health and Human Services and one of three people to receive the university's first doctoral degrees in 1970, died Wednesday at South Nassau Communities Hospital. She was 89.

Sandel was a longtime resident of Rockville Centre, where she lived with her husband, Leonard, according to their daughter, Susan Sandel, of Connecticut. Leonard Sandel served as mayor of Rockville Centre in the 1970s.

Provost Herman A. Berliner, who worked with Lenore Sandel when they both served in the Hofstra University Advisement Office, noted her commitment to her students, saying she "was a person who always cared very deeply."

Born in Manhattan, Sandel received her bachelor's degree in English from Hunter College. She and her husband moved to Long Island after World War II and settled in Rockville Centre where she became active in civic groups and with the Central Synagogue of Nassau County.

She served as the first woman president of Central Synagogue, from 1974 to 1976, her daughter said.

Sandel's love of education began with student teaching, more than 65 years ago, and included years of substitute teaching in all grades and subjects, and almost 30 years at Hofstra University. She first joined the Hofstra faculty in 1964 after earning a master's degree in reading in 1963 and retired in 1992 but continued to work as an adjunct professor.

In 1994 she was named professor emerita, a tribute to her "long and meaningful service as an accomplished member of the faculty," school officials said.

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Her daughter said many students kept in touch with her long after graduation.

"One of the things that her students said was that she gave everyone very individual personalized attention," Susan Sandel said.

In 2000 Lenore Sandel donated her collection of children's books to the Special Collections Department of the Hofstra Library. She continued to contribute to the Reading/Writing Learning Clinic for many years as a reviewer of children's and professional books.

A memorial service was held at Gutterman's in Rockville Centre on Friday. The family will receive visitors Sunday and Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. at their home at 33 Sherman Ave. in Rockville Centre.

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Sandel was predeceased by a sister, Jean Gelernter, of Hempstead.