LIU dedicated the Manuel & Claire Barron Veterinary Learning Center, made possible by a transformative gift of nearly $8 million from the Barron family. Manuel Barron ’68, H’12, founder of Barron Educational Series—a nationally recognized organization in standardized test preparation, including the SAT, ACT, and Regents Exams—built a lasting legacy in education.

Author, historian, and scholar James H. Read 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. Read discussed his book, Sovereign of a Free People: Abraham Lincoln, Majority Rule, and Slavery, a finalist for the 2025 Biennial Presidential Leadership Book Award.

Rolling Stone featured the insights of Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton, Grammy Award-winning producer and Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production program at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entrepreneurship at Long Island University. Keaton discussed the current and future impact artificial intelligence has on the music industry, highlighting how emerging technologies are reshaping production, creativity, and the broader business landscape.

LIU softball improved to 10–0 in NEC play, marking the best conference start in the Sharks history. Reigning NEC Player of the Week Lily Hinkle led the way with two home runs and five hits in a three-game sweep over FDU. Earlier this season, Nyae’ Villalta earned NEC Player of the Week honors twice. The Sharks hold first place in the conference and are 6–1 at home.

Education Professor Shaireen Rasheed has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar for the 2026–2027 academic year in Amman, Jordan. She will focus on developing curricular modules for educators working in contexts shaped by crisis, war, and climate displacement. This marks the third time Rasheed has received a Fulbright appointment.

Sophomore Camila Tabora has been selected to the 27th Class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows, a highly competitive three-year fellowship supporting top student leaders across 12 New York City colleges. A member of the Honors College, Tabora is double-majoring in Media Arts and Computer Science. The Watson Fellowship provides funding for internships, mentorship, and global experiences, with alumni going on to earn prestigious honors including Fulbright and Truman scholarships.

Playbill spotlighted LIU’s premiere of Feels Like the First Time: The Foreigner Musical, a major new production developed in collaboration with Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and LIU’s Post Theatre Company. Directed by Adam Pascal, the Tony-nominated Broadway star best known for Rent, the show brings the iconic music of Foreigner to the stage for an 11-performance run at LIU’s Little Theatre this April. The production features a cast of 26 performers, primarily LIU students alongside professional actors.

Alumnus James Flanagan ’82, former Chief Operating Officer of PwC, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Integer Holdings Corporation, a leading global medical device contract development and manufacturing organization. Flanagan earned his B.S. in Accounting from LIU and previously served as PwC’s U.S. Financial Services Practice Leader from 2006 to 2014.

Joshua Loeschorn ’22 made his MLB Spring Training debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking a major milestone in his professional baseball career. The former Shark—who helped lead LIU to the 2022 NCAA Tournament—pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers in Grapefruit League play. The New Jersey native was drafted by the Pirates in 2022.

Fashion Merchandising and Management students worked behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week, supporting the debut of new collections from top designers including Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and Christian Siriano. In collaboration with Runway 7—an award-winning fashion production company—students assisted emerging and global designers in bringing their collections from concept to catwalk. Runway 7, featured on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, also celebrated its 10th year at NYFW.