Joshua Saavedra, a midfielder on the men’s soccer team, was named one of the top freshmen in Division I college soccer by Top Drawer Soccer, the leading publication for the sport. The outlet included Saavedra on its Freshman Best XI first team, after the midfielder was named NEC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-NEC selection.
Pharmacy Professor Presents Research at International Conference
Dr. Islam M. Ghazi, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, presented his study on bacterial infections at Epidemics 9, International Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics, in Bologna, Italy. Dr. Ghazi and his colleagues observed “a deficient cellular response in the patient group that clinicians should consider immunocompromised based on severity of the disease.”
Broadway Star Showcased at National Theater Festival
LIU theater professor Eric Jordan Young presented three songs from his new production Vanishing Girl at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Young has performed in Broadway productions of Chicago, Ragtime, The Book of Love and Seussical.
Philosophy Professor Awarded Salzburg Global Fellowship
LIU philosophy professor Shaireen Rasheed is the recipient of the Salzburg Global Seminar’s Reckmeyer Family Fellowship. Dr. Rasheed joins a prestigious list of Salzburg Global fellows, including Nobel laureate Saul Bellow, former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, World Bank president Jim Yong Kim, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Global College Student Presents Research at UN Conference
Abigail Kerensky, a senior in LIU’s Global College, shared her research community engagement activities at an invitation only conference at the UN organized by the UN Academic Impact. Kerensky highlighted the 70 million people around the world who face challenges of Deafness and Blindness and the global need for their human rights.
Soccer Star Earns Invite to MLS Pre-Draft Event
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.