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 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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

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.

Yong Hwa Ha ’89 and his daughter, Christine Ha ’20, have supported the launch of the LIU Innovation & Venture Challenge to help aspiring LIU student entrepreneurs turn their ideas into real business ventures. Yong Hwa Ha is founder and president of Solomon Group, the largest Korean-American insurance company in the U.S., and former president of the World Korean International Trade Association.