Alexander Rose, a Guggenheim Fellow and member of the Royal Historical Society, and Alexis Coe, New York Times Book Review columnist and bestselling author, were the first speakers in the University’s America 250 Presidential Speaker Series at the LIU Roosevelt House, bringing fresh perspective to Washington’s life, leadership, and legacy.

Students from the School of Business marked LIU’s 100th year at Nasdaq’s Closing Bell ceremony. The experience extended to the New York Stock Exchange, where they met traders, toured the floor, and engaged firsthand with the global financial markets.

Arjun Singh Bhatia captured the 2026 NEC Championship, becoming the program’s fifth individual titleholder. The reigning Golfer of the Year now advances to the NCAA Championship in California.

Felicia Alston, Vice President at Roc Nation, mentored students on building partnerships at the intersection of culture and strategy, sharing career insights and offering a candid look at breaking into the industry.

Fashion Merchandising & Management students took their studies abroad, spending a week in Paris immersed in leading cultural institutions and fashion houses. The experience culminated in consulting presentations to Adore Me, part of Fortune 500 retailer Victoria’s Secret & Co.

Long Island University held the world premiere of Feels Like the First Time: The Foreigner Musical, developed through the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts’ New Works Initiative in collaboration with LIU’s Post Theatre Company. Directed by Tony-nominated Adam Pascal, the production features the catalog of Foreigner and opened to a sold-out 12-performance run with a cast of 26 performers, primarily LIU students alongside professional actors. Foreigner founding keyboardist Al Greenwood attended the premiere, which was previewed in Playbill, BroadwayWorld, and Newsday.

Rebecca Lynn Goldfarb ’23 appears in Roommates, which reached the No. 1 film spot on Netflix, produced by Happy Madison Productions. She portrays “Bella” alongside Sadie Sandler, Nick Kroll, and Natasha Lyonne, and appears in the independent feature Tox. Her recent work includes a limited run of Impact, a semifinalist selection by the Jewish Plays Project, and a role in Crash the System Season 3 across Tubi, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.

Three men’s ice hockey student-athletes signed professional contracts in the ECHL: Trevor Griebel with the Jacksonville Icemen, Blake Dangos with the Greensboro Gargoyles, and Casey McDonald with the South Carolina Stingrays. The trio join nearly 40 former LIU players who have advanced to the professional level, including AHL talent and NHL Draft selections, reflecting continued growth in the program’s development pipeline.

Ahmet Olmustur ’05 was appointed CEO of Turkish Airlines. Olmustur joined Turkish Airlines in 2000 and previously served as chief commercial officer and chief marketing and sales officer. Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines offers flights to more countries than any other airline.

Lucas Hornung ’25 was awarded the 2026 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship to support his research on the complex processes that drive cloud and rain formation. As a member of the men’s tennis team, he was named NEC 2024-25 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.