Fox & Friends co-host, leading nationally syndicated radio host, and New York Times bestselling author Brian Kilmeade (BFA in Broadcasting, ’86) hosted a unique evening of conversation at The Space in Long Island. Kilmeade discussed his fifth and newest book, Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers: The Texas Victory That Changed American History. Alumni enjoyed a meet and greet with Kilmeade, including individual photo-ops and a book signing.

Assistant United States Attorney John M. Gallagher (B.A. in Political Science, ’89) was confirmed to a federal judgeship in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Gallagher previously served as chief of the Allentown branch of the U.S. attorney’s office. He has been a federal prosecutor for nearly 15 years.

Camille Watson, freshman on the LIU women’s track & field team, was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week. Watson ran the 60-meter dash in 7.78 seconds, which helped her take third place in the conference at the Great Dane Classic. The time marked a personal best and a season-leading time for the Sharks.

The First of Long Island Corporation promoted Jay P. McConie (BS in Accounting, ’90) to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The First of Long Island Corporation and The First National Bank of Long Island. McConie has been employed as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Bank since 2015.

Dr. Jonathan Haynes, Professor of English, spoke at an international symposium focused on global storytelling in Hong Kong. Other featured speakers included scholars from University of California, Berkeley, Columbia University, University of Hong Kong, Ohio State University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California and University of Zurich.

The LIU Cheerleading team landed a Top 10 finish at the Universal Cheerleaders Association College Nationals, the most prestigious college cheerleading championship in the country. The event is held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to over 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year.

John P. Kiernan (BS in Accounting, ’84) was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Veeco Instruments, a leading manufacturer of technologies. Kiernan previously served as Senior Vice President of Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer. He will now have responsibility for all finance, tax, treasury and investor relations functions at the company.

For the sixth consecutive year, LIU occupational and physical therapy students are spending their spring break helping children with special needs in Belize. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Foundation awarded a grant to Dr. Nia Mensah, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, to help fund the upcoming trip. Belize has a population of nearly 400,000 people and currently has no occupational therapists and only one physical therapist.

Dr. Glen D. Lawrence, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, debunks the common advice to consume less fat in his new book The Low-Fat Lie: Rise of Obesity, Diabetes, and Inflammation. Lawrence describes how the false condemnation of saturated fat arose from a misunderstanding of how the human body regulates cholesterol. He argues that the misinformation has had a profound, adverse impact on public health.

Long Island University offers exceptional programs for middle school students as part of the LIU Young Visionaries Academy. The Academy offers classes in Animal Medicine for Future Veterinarians, Little Medical School and the Center for Gifted Youth. Classes are taught by practicing doctors, nurses and scientists.