Mildred (Mil) Clegg Ackerley was born in Floral Park, New York on June 21, 1933. She was Valedictorian of Richmond Hill High School in Queens and attended Adelphi University on a full academic scholarship. At Adelphi, she was a member of Delta Tau Alpha honor society, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Lantern Honor Society, Le Cercle Francais, the Math Club and the Judicial Board. She graduated in 1955 Magna Cum Laude with her undergraduate degree in Mathematics, married, and while raising five children, returned for her graduate degree in education in 1976.
Mil taught Mathematics at New Hyde Park Memorial High School for thirty years where she served as Advisor to the National Honor Society, Director of Student Activities, and Sewanhaka Central High School District Coordinator of Talented and Gifted Programs.
Prior to becoming a teacher, Mil served as a mathematician at the George C. Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama and with the American Bosch Arma Corp in Carle Place, New York.
Her devotion to alma mater was evident in her service as Director of the Adelphi University Alumni Association from 1966 through 1969 and then as Alumni Trustee on the University’s Board of Trustees from 1969 through 1971. She became a member of the Ruth S. Harley Planned Giving Society through which she established the Mildred Clegg Ackerley ’55 Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics; and continued her association with the University as a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. In 2002, she was honored by Delta Gamma Fraternity for fifty years of membership and service.
Mil served as Vice President of the Friends of the Floral Park Library; Membership Chairperson of the Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers, Retired; and Board Member of the Nassau North Retired Teachers Association.
After a lifetime of service and commitment to her family, her community and to Adelphi, in November 2015, Mil passed peacefully in her home in Floral Park surrounded by loved ones.
Adelphi is honored to count members of Mil’s family, including her five children (Mary, Bob, Lee, Anne and Margaret) as part of the Adelphi community.