Timothy J. Russo ’08 was named assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment for the Commack Union Free school District. Russo previously served as principal at Harborfields High School and works extensively with committees concerning social and emotional learning, diversity, equity and inclusion, counseling, strategic planning, and the NYS Seal of Biliteracy.

Dr. Bhaskar Das, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, earned two recent grants from the National Institutes of Health totaling $4.5 million to continue his development of life-changing treatments for brain cancer and kidney disease. His studies concentrate on glioblastoma, the most aggressive primary brain tumor, and diabetic kidney disease.

Jordan Levine brings his impressive résumé to campus as a former Major League Lacrosse All-Star and champion with the Toronto Nationals. Levine led the Mercy College men’s lacrosse team to the Division II national championship game in 2022 and produced a 110-39 overall record in 10 seasons. He earned three straight East Coast Conference Coach of the Year awards, and five overall.

Donna McGregor ’13 was appointed as the president St. Lawrence Health, which includes three hospitals and multiple facilities in Northern New York. McGregor has served nearly 25 years in the New York State health care industry as an executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of various hospitals and health systems.

Louis Onyango Otieno ’97 was chosen as board chairman of Airtel Networks Kenya, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in Africa. Otieno previously led Microsoft’s operations in Africa in different capacities for 21 years, and he also serves as chairman of the board for Sera Afrika and Absa Asset Management.

Lester Owens ’79, senior executive vice president and head of operations for Wells Fargo & Company, was appointed as chair of the RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees. Owens is a founding member of the board who previously served as vice chair and a member of its Audit, Compliance, Compensation, Nominating and Governance, as well as Racism and Social Justice Committees.

Despina Dalton ’83 was appointed by Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp as a member of the newly created Healthcare Workforce Commission tasked with addressing the challenges of hiring and retaining health care workers. Dalton serves as the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Wellstar Douglas Hospital in Douglasville, Georgia.

Seven LIU athletic teams and four student-athletes earned top academic recognition from the Northeast Conference during the 2021-22 season. Baseball, men’s cross country, football, men’s tennis, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving earned the NEC Team GPA Award. Men’s soccer goalkeeper Demetri Skoumbakis, track and field sprinter Laurie Hauet, women’s basketball guard Shyla Sanford and epée fencer Grace Scura earned the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

Students at the Palmer School of Library and Information Science digitized a treasure trove of historical documents from the era when Robert Moses developed Long Island’s state parks and parkways. The Robert Moses Collection was featured in Newsday and is now available to the public for the first time by visiting the New York State Archives website.

The University is recognized as a 2022-2023 College of Distinction for the seventh consecutive year for its focus on engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. LIU is further recognized as a New York College of Distinction, a Best Business College, a Best Education College, and a Best Nursing College.