Alumnus Ray Dalio ’71, founder of Bridgewater Associates, was named to Forbes’ list of 250 Greatest Living Optimists, recognizing leaders turning ambitious ideas into action. Dalio built Bridgewater into an investment powerhouse managing more than $100 billion in assets. In May, he served as the speaker for LIU’s Centennial Commencement Ceremony.

For the third consecutive year, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment has been named to Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools List for 2026. Billboard praised the school for its industry-focused curriculum, access to top entertainment executives, and state-of-the-art facilities like the Dolby Atmos studio.

Alumnus Morris Goldfarb ’72, chairman and CEO of G-III Apparel Group, was honored with the Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) Creative Leadership Honor in recognition of his leadership in the fashion industry. Under his leadership, G-III has grown into a multibillion-dollar global fashion company with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld, Donna Karan, and Nautica.

Organizations across the United States celebrated National Civics Day on October 27. Founded in 2021 by LIU’s Roosevelt School and the Society of Presidential Descendants, the annual observance promotes civic education as a foundation for democracy. This year’s event featured FOX News host Brian Kilmeade ’86, Tweed Roosevelt, great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt and chairman of LIU’s Roosevelt School, and Mimosa Jones Tunney, founder of The School House.

Dr. Joe Machnik ’64, longtime FIFA match commissioner and member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, addressed the men’s and women’s soccer teams about the history of LIU soccer programs going back to the late 1950s. Nicknamed “Dr. Joe,” Machnik served as the Soccer Rules Analyst for FOX Sports international soccer broadcasting.

Athletics has earned six consecutive Best College Sports Program honors and is nominated for a seventh in the 2027 Best of Long Island competition. LIU has won more awards than any other university in the contest’s history. Men’s hockey head coach Brendan Riley is nominated for Best College Sports Coach. Finley is nominated for Best Mascot.

Football holds first place in the NEC with an undefeated 3-0 conference record following a 14-9 win over Wagner. The Sharks return to Shark Stadium on Saturday seeking their fourth consecutive conference win as they host Stonehill.

Women’s volleyball leads the NEC with a perfect 6-0 record and 10 straight wins. Back-to-back sweeps of New Haven extended the Sharks’ run to eight consecutive matches without dropping a set. That streak includes all six conference wins.

Men’s basketball enters the 2026–27 season as the NEC preseason favorite. The reigning champions earned seven of nine first-place votes following an NCAA Tournament appearance. A league-high three players earned Preseason All-NEC honors: Vasean Allette, Daquan Davis and Jahki Howard.

Travis Demers ’03 will call Portland Trail Blazers games on television to open the 2026–27 NBA season. The assignment follows seven seasons as the franchise’s lead radio voice. Demers will handle television play-by-play on a game-by-game basis.