Five Towns Grads Named 2023 Touro Valedictorians

Daniel Sokel of Cedarhurst and Dovi Teigman of Bayswater were named 2023 Touro valedictorians. Both will serve as student speakers at the 49th annual commencement, to be held at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center on June 4. Sokel, who attended Touro’s Lander College for Men, is headed for a career as a clinical psychologist, and Teigman, who attended Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences, is looking forward to entering the dental profession. Additional valedictorians include software engineer Aliza Peikes of Lander College of Arts & Sciences and future patent attorney Chana Rosenbluth of Lander College for Women who will attend Columbia Law School this fall.

Daniel Sokel’s deep-rooted curiosity about people and human nature has been a constant throughout his life, propelling his exploration into the intricacies of psychology.

“When I was young, I’d think about why some people seemed more outgoing and talkative than others, or why some things make us feel really excited or upset and other things do not,” he said. Now he hopes to parlay his interest into a career in clinical psychology. “I really just want to help people become the best possible versions of themselves.”

After returning from his gap year in Israel and enrolling in Touro’s Lander College for Men (LCM), Sokel worked tirelessly toward that goal. He graduates with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average, and made Dean’s List every semester. The future psychologist is currently working in a residential setting at Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services as a direct care professional, helping individuals with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities. He’s also conducting research with Touro faculty on individual differences in cognitive and affective empathy.

Sokel studied and worked closely with Touro psychology professor Dr. Cheryl Miodownik, and she invited him to serve as a guest lecturer for some of her classes,

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including teaching about Internal Family Systems (IFS), a relatively new therapeutic modality which he enjoys.

“IFS is much more than a method of providing therapy,” Daniel says, “it presents a comprehensive approach for gaining a deeper understanding of human experiences, relationship dynamics and our own inner selves.”

Beyond his obvious passion for psychology, during his 22 years Daniel has compiled a lengthy list of interests and hobbies, including cooking, baking, playing sports, and photography. But stay on his good side: He’s been training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai since he was 14.

“I’m not terrible,” joked the mild-mannered Daniel. “And I’m always up for a good challenge.”

“Daniel Sokel is a young man with presence. He is not only an outstanding student, but has the charisma and talent to make a real difference in the world,” said Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of Lander College for Men.

Sokel attended the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway before learning in Aderes Hatorah, serving as the dorm counselor during the last of his three years in Israel.

Early Life Experience Sparks a Passion for Dentistry

Dovi Teigman, a biology major and pre-dental student has always had a strong desire to pursue dentistry as his career path, as his interest and passion for the field go back to an early childhood experience. While playing with his cousins in shul when he was eight years old, he fell and had a traumatic mouth injury. He needed to get braces early on in order to allow the teeth to grow in properly. For good measure, he also broke two front teeth a few years ago while playing basketball.

Instead of scaring him away from the dental profession, these experiences showed him the transformative power of dentistry and he would like to be able to help his future patients in the same way.

Teigman made the Dean’s List ev- ery semester, and received a prestigious Landers Honors Scholarship straight out of high school. He also published a research paper in the Touro Science Journal and volunteered at the Margaret Tietz Nursing Home. Teigman has plans to become an EMT, join Hatzalah and work for the Chevra Kadisha as well.

“Dovi Teigman has compiled an outstanding record, earning a 3.97 Grade Point Average in pursuing a rigorous biology-predental program, and concurrently continuing his intensive Talmudic studies,” said Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, executive dean at Touro University’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences. “He will become a respected healthcare professional who will create a Kiddush Hashem.”

Teigman graduated from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens and then spent three years learning in Yeshiva Toras Chaim in Miami before coming to Touro. Since then, he has continued his learning at Chofetz Chaim during the day and commuting to Touro in Brooklyn for classes at night.

In preparing for a career in dentistry, Teigman wanted to earn a quality undergraduate degree and also spend his days learning in yeshiva, so he was particularly appreciative of the opportunity provided to him by Touro in Flatbush.

“Where else can I get a degree and, at the same time, stay in yeshiva and still receive an excellent education and preparation for professional school?” he asked. “Touro makes it possible for a yeshiva guy who is learning three sedarim a day to pursue a degree leading to high level careers without having to give up too much.”