Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler, stars of the Emmy-winning HBO series The Sopranos, discussed Sigler’s new memoir And So It Is… as part of the Centennial Author Series presented by the Gold Coast Forum.
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Internationally Renowned Conductor Teaches Masterclass
Acclaimed Philharmonic Director David Bernard taught LIU students during two seminar masterclasses hosted on campus. Bernard’s work has earned him international recognition as Conductor of the Year and Platinum Prize winner of the European Classical Music Awards Grand Prix 2025, winner of the Master Prize of the UK International Conducting Competition, and a multiple First Prize winner of the Orchestral Conducting Competition of The American Prize.
Forbes ‘A’ Rating Scores LIU in Top 16%
Forbes scored Long Island University among the nation’s strongest private colleges in its 2026 Financial Report Card, granting the university its top ‘A’ rating. The distinction places LIU within the top 16% of institutions. In addition to Forbes, the university’s strong financial position has earned ‘A’ ratings from Moody’s and the S&P Global Ratings, a division of Standard & Poor.
National Medal Winner Discusses Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy
Award-winning historian and chairman of The Lincoln Forum Harold Holzer appeared on Talks with Tweed, a podcast on the American presidency hosted by Tweed Roosevelt—great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt and Chairman of the Roosevelt School. President George W. Bush awarded Holzer the National Humanities Medal in 2008.
Women’s Volleyball Takes Down Duke, Virginia Tech
LIU women’s volleyball claimed consecutive victories over Power 4 opponents, defeating Virginia Tech 3-1 and Duke 3-2. The Sharks win over the Hokies was the first over a Power 4 team in program history. LIU followed up the impressive back-to-back wins with a sweep at the Butler University Bulldogs at the Butler Invitational.
Long Island University’s Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment Earns Third Consecutive Recognition on Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools List
Recognition highlights the School’s industry-driven curriculum, career opportunities, and connections to leading music and entertainment professionals
New York, NY (October 6, 2026) – Today, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU) has been recognized by Billboard as part of its 2026 Top Music Business Schools List, marking the third consecutive year the Brooklyn-based School has earned the distinction.
The annual list recognizes colleges and universities preparing the next generation of music business leaders. This year, Billboard highlighted the Roc Nation School’s industry-focused curriculum, access to professional resources and continued connections to leading music and entertainment executives.
Since beginning enrollment in 2021, the School has continued to expand opportunities for students pursuing careers across the music business, including artist management, marketing, publishing, touring, entrepreneurship and more. Billboard highlighted how students have access to industry professionals and events and industry-standard resources, including the School’s 2,400-square-foot Dolby Atmos studio.
Billboard also acknowledged how the School’s curriculum continues to evolve alongside the industry, including coursework through its continued relationship with JPMorgan Chase, assisting aspiring music executives with money management.
Recent alumni have launched careers with organizations including Roc Nation, 508 Productions and Vevo, while other students have secured competitive opportunities with Universal Music Publishing Group, Interscope Records, iHeartMedia, Live Nation, SiriusXM and Sugar Mountain Records, among others.
The latest recognition comes as select students from the School were invited to attend the world premiere of HBO’s JAŸ-Z In 8 documentary at The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. The costs of the students’ gowns and tuxedos were covered by the Shawn Carter Foundation and other organizations, allowing the students to experience a historic night in music in culture alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Additionally, the School recently announced a four-year, full-tuition scholarship for a first-time freshman, established by Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer Young Guru, who also serves as Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production program at the Roc Nation School.
About The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment
The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU) is a globally renowned destination for world-class education, exceptional career development, cultural initiatives and philanthropic endeavors. The school prepares students for careers spanning entrepreneurship, music, sports business, management, performance and more through an esteemed faculty of university professors, adjunct industry leaders and special guest lecturers.
The Roc Nation School began enrolling students at LIU in Fall 2021 and combines academic instruction with immersive opportunities designed to help students build practical experience and professional networks. Located in Shawn “JAŸ-Z” Carter’s hometown of Brooklyn, the school also provides Roc Nation Hope Scholarships to 25 percent of enrolled students, enabling recipients to graduate with a four-year full-tuition scholarship. Hope Scholars are selected from a pool of academically competitive, New York-based, first-time freshmen with the highest financial need.
Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky Takes Center Stage at LIU
New York Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky visited Long Island University for a conversation on business, finance, leadership and the realities of owning a National Hockey League franchise. Ledecky discussed disciplined investment, long-term decision-making and the responsibility that comes with building and sustaining a major professional sports organization.
Ledecky also spoke about the importance of investing in the communities that support the franchise. That commitment is reflected in LIU’s five-year partnership with the New York Islanders and UBS Arena, creating new opportunities for students, elevating LIU Hockey and deepening the University’s connection to the professional sports industry.
The event concluded with LIU Hockey naming Ledecky Honorary Captain for the 2026–27 season and presenting him with a personalized LIU jersey.
Long Island University’s five-year partnership with the New York Islanders and UBS Arena creates new opportunities for students, elevates LIU Hockey and strengthens the University’s connection to the professional sports industry. The partnership brings together higher education and professional sports through student engagement, hockey initiatives and experiences connected to one of the region’s premier sports organizations and venues.
LIU men’s and women’s hockey begin the 2026–27 season with nationally ranked opponents and an LIU-hosted tournament at UBS Arena.
Men’s hockey opens with two games at No. 6 Minnesota Duluth, then travels to No. 4 Western Michigan later in October. The schedule also includes Northeastern, RPI, the USA National Team Development Program and Providence. LIU will host the Empire State Holiday Invitational at UBS Arena on December 28–29, facing Army in the opening round.
Women’s hockey opens its season Saturday against Boston University, followed by a two-game series against New Hampshire on October 2–3 at Northwell Health Ice Center. The Sharks travel to Harvard in January and compete through a full NEWHA schedule as they look to return to the NCAA Tournament.
LIU Explores the Leadership and Legacy of President Garfield
LIU’s Roosevelt School welcomed Sarah Berry, great-great-granddaughter of President James A. Garfield, for Talks with Tweed Roosevelt. The conversation traced Garfield’s rise from poverty to the White House, including his work as a college professor and lawyer. It also explored his commitment to education, civil rights and public service. Berry shared a personal perspective on being a descendant of the nation’s 20th president and carrying forward his family’s legacy.
World Renowned Cancer Expert Leads International Research Platform
Dr. Nabil Hajji, a research scientist at the Dassault Systèmes Center of Excellence at LIU, is directing directing the Translational Systems Medicine Platform for Brain Tumors, a multidisciplinary initiative to develop new biomarkers, therapies, and personalized medicine for patients with brain tumors. Hajji is a world-renowned expert in the field of oncology, recognized for establishing the mechanism underlying the resistance of classical antitumor treatments in several types of cancer.
Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky Joins Centennial CEO Speaker Series
New York Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky will share insights on leadership and the business of professional sports at LIU’s Centennial CEO Speaker Series on September 22. LIU alumnus and ESPN personality Alan Hahn ’93 will lead the conversation, which builds on the University’s five-year partnership with the Islanders and UBS Arena.