Emil Jaaskelainen, a senior on the men’s soccer team, participated in the Major League Soccer College Showcase ahead of the MLS SuperDraft 2024. The exclusive invite is offered to only 44 college soccer players. Jaaskelainen, a 6-foot-3 striker from Bolton, England, is the two-time reigning NEC Player of the Year and a four-time first-team All-NEC selection. He ranks second in Division I in career goals among active student-athletes with 43.
Top 10 Moments of 2023
NOTABLE ALUMNUS RETURNS TO LIU TO SPEAK WITH STUDENTS
Ray Dalio—billionaire investor, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund Bridgewater, and New York Times best-selling author of Principles—had a personal homecoming in September 2023 for his first-ever return to campus since graduating in 1971. Students packed into the Krasnoff Theatre to welcome Ray home and witnessed an inspirational conversation with President Cline about his principles for success.
LIU SHARKS WON 9 CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Sharks expanded their successes in 2023 with Women’s sports securing five conference championship titles in Ice Hockey, Softball, Tennis, Gymnastics, and Water Polo. Men’s Soccer, Golf, and Volleyball were also victorious in their conference championship matches. And Cheerleading and Dance became first-time national champions.
DIGITAL ENGINEERING DEGREE BECOMES FIRST IN THE NATION
Long Island University was approved for the nation’s first Bachelor of Engineering in Digital Engineering beginning in fall 2024. The innovative program equips students with the skills needed to design, fabricate, assemble, integrate hardware and software, and produce intelligent system solutions to address real-world problems and challenges in various domains.
NEW PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED FOR HOSPITALITY AND FASHION
Long Island University announced its new School of Hospitality Management at the Brooklyn campus which includes new undergraduate programs in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts. A Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Management is also coming to the Brooklyn campus—the first cohort for all programs begins in fall 2024.
NYS AWARDED LIU $10 MILLION TO BUILD COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Long Island University will receive a $10 million grant from the Empire State Development Corporation to help fund the construction of a state-of-the-art research and training center for the University’s College of Science. The College of Science will house the Center of Excellence in Life Science and Research in collaboration with Dassault Systèmes, a Fortune Future 50 company and a global leader in digital engineering
SHARKS FOOTBALL WENT VIRAL
The 2023 LIU Football season was filled with viral moments. First, Reese Dykstra earned a full scholarship from Head Coach Ron Cooper. The emotional moment involving Dykstra’s mother was captured in a viral video shared on ESPN’s social channels and later broadcast on the NBC Nightly News. Then, the Sharks showed no fear in their first Big 12 game against juggernaut Baylor University. QB Chris Howell made headlines in The Athletic, New York Daily News, and other media outlets for his unconventional throwing style. And the new uniforms caught the attention of ESPN SportsCenter’s GEAR UP!
ROC NATION SPEAKERS SHOWCASE INDUSTRY-LEADING VOICES
The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment Speaker Series continued its tradition of bringing industry-leading voices to engage with LIU students each month. A highlight from 2023 included Victor Cruz, Super Bowl Champion and New York Giants legend. Cruz joins a growing roster which, since launch, has included the CEO of Sony Music Publishing Jon Platt, the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the Senior Vice President of Coca-Cola Bea Perez, and GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Fat Joe.
JOHN LEGEND PERFORMED AT THE TILLES CENTER
John Legend—the twelve-time GRAMMY-winning artist—capped the 2023 season with a special solo performance at the Tilles Center for Performing Arts. This season also included performances by singer Brandi Carlile, comedians Bassem Youssef and Colin Quinn, magicians Penn and Teller, dancer Derek Hough, the Broadway show Chicago the Musical, and a sold-out conversation with Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda.
PHARMACY BROKE GROUND ON A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING
RXR, a leading real estate developer, recently broke ground on a new all-electric residential development project at 89 Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The building will provide 55,000 square feet of academic and office space to be used by LIU faculty and students in the College of Pharmacy. And, in partnership with Omnicell, Long Island University opened the Center for Innovative Medication Management (CIMM). This state-of-the-art laboratory provides an immersive experience for College of Pharmacy students.
MUSEUM OF DEMOCRACY AND WHITE HOUSE EXPERIENCE EXHIBITED AT LIU
The exhibit, titled “Hail to the Chief! Electing the American President”, opened at the Roosevelt House in spring 2023 in partnership with LIU’s Roosevelt School and the Museum of Democracy. “Hail to the Chief!” is a unique feature of LIU’s White House Experience, one of only four White House replicas in the nation. And, the Center for the Study of the Presidency at the Roosevelt School, which complements research at LIU and provides a cross-section of leading voices, held its inaugural run in 2023.
Dr. Michael Pantalon Joins LIU from Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Michael Pantalon was named Dean of the School of Health Professions. An esteemed clinical psychologist, researcher, and academic leader, Dr. Pantalon joins LIU from the Yale School of Medicine. During his distinguished 26-year tenure at Yale, Dr. Pantalon made significant contributions to the fields of psychology and medicine in his roles as Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Director of Yale’s Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral Treatment (SBIRT) program.
Hollywood Screenwriter Joins White House Panel
Ken LaZebnik, director of the Writing and Producing for Television program, represented LIU at a mental health roundtable at the White House. The event brought together mental health experts and leaders from the entertainment industry for a discussion on elevating mental health awareness through film and TV production. LaZebnik is an accomplished screenwriter best known for Star Trek: Enterprise and Touched by an Angel.
National Media Features Pharmacy Professor’s Flu Insights
Dr. Elaena Quattrocchi, associate professor of Pharmacy Practice, shared her expert insight with Fox News on cold and flu treatments, focusing on the difference between prescription versus over-the-counter medications for treating the seasonal illnesses. Read here.
Emmy-Winning Pianist Performs at Historic Jazz Venue
Emmy-winning composer and jazz pianist D.D. Jackson performed two special concerts at Washington D.C.’s historic Blues Alley with
Grammy-winning saxophonist David Murray. Jackson is an adjunct professor at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entrepreneurship.
LIU Hockey Alum Plays in NHL Rookie Faceoff
LIU men’s hockey alum Anthony Vincent, ’23 earned an invite to the NHL’s prestigious 2023 Rookie Faceoff exhibition series. Vincent played for the
San Jose Jose Sharks and faced off against other top NHL prospects from the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Giving Rescued Animals a Home for the Holidays
The College of Veterinary Medicine participated in the annual adoption and animal welfare event at London Jewelers in Manhasset. Over 20 animals found new homes and event attendees learned about animal welfare and wellness in the community.
CNBC Highlights Pharmacy Professor’s AI Study
CNBC featured new research from LIU Pharmacy faculty members Dr. Sara Grossman, Joseph P. Nathan and Dr. Tina Zerilli. The team of researchers posed 39 medications-related questions to the free artificial intelligence tool “ChatGPT” and found that the chatbot only delivered 10 satisfactory responses. The study authors recommend users verify any drug-related responses from ChatGPT with trusted sources. Read the article here.
NBA Superstar Taps Roc Nation Professor to Lead Global Portfolio
Taso Pardalis, a sports law professor at the Roc Nation School, was named Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Ante, Inc., the global portfolio of Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pardalis has been a partner at Pardalis and Nohavicka LLC in New York City for the past 15 years, where he managed the firm’s robust commercial and corporate practice, intellectual property practice and criminal defense practice.