This year, more than 2,100 Adelphi graduates received degrees at the Commencement ceremonies. Most graduates were from the University鈥檚 College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work.

Adelphi鈥檚 Class of 2026 represented 60 countries and 29 states, with 1,803 hailing from the State of New York. This year, the graduates ranged from 18 to 73 years old.

On Wednesday, May 19, 54 doctorate degrees were conferred at the Doctoral Hooding ceremony at the 每日大赛 Performing Arts Center (PAC).

Adelphi Leaders Impart Words of Wisdom for Class of 2026

Adelphi’s Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, addressing the Class of 2026 at the 130th commencement ceremonies.

Christopher Storm, PhD, who has served as Adelphi鈥檚 interim president for the past academic year, addressed the Class of 2026, reminding them that their Adelphi education has prepared them to meet the challenges of the future:

鈥淓arning a college degree is no small feat鈥攊t requires perseverance, resilience and dedication. Each of our graduates here today has shown that and more on their Adelphi journey, and I hope you leave feeling empowered by what you鈥檙e capable of achieving.”

Representatives from the Class of 2026 also shared personal stories and inspiration with fellow graduates from the podium.

Undergraduate Student Government Association President Hussein Ali Rifath walking to the commencement stage.

鈥淥ur story has been one of hard work, grit and determination each and every step of the way,鈥� said undergraduate Hussein Ali Rifath, Adelphi Student Government Association president. 鈥淏ut ultimately, those experiences have touched our lives. My friends, the road that lies ahead is one of hope. It鈥檚 shaped by dreams that lie deep within each and every one of us.鈥�

Emily Ledesma 鈥�25, president of the Graduate Student Council, spoke about how Adelphi鈥檚 inclusivity helped her feel seen and supported.

鈥淚 wish that I could tell first-year Emily that things would be different for a change, and that Adelphi would become more than a university; it would become a place where I felt seen, supported and accepted just as I was, and become a place that I consider a second home, one that is so hard to say goodbye to.鈥�

Joseph W. Westphal 鈥�70, PhD, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receiving an honorary degree at Adelphi’s 130th undergraduate ceremony.

During this year鈥檚 Commencement ceremonies, four honorary degrees were awarded to accomplished, inspiring alumni whose work is closely tied to Adelphi鈥檚 mission. Honorees included: Joseph W. Westphal 鈥�70, PhD, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Serena Martin 鈥�05, founder and executive director of ; Christopher Pappas 鈥�81, a first-generation student who became founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ; and Z. Paul Akian 鈥�64, a technologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed to NASA鈥檚 Apollo Program.

Ambassador Westphal shared, 鈥淭he world does not need more spectators. It needs participants, people willing to engage and work hard and lead and stand for something meaningful. May you have the courage to begin, the strength to continue and the wisdom to enjoy the journey.鈥�

In Pappas鈥� address to the Class of 2026, he encouraged the graduates to strive for excellence. 鈥淲hatever path you choose, do not settle for ordinary. When a door closest, look for the next door, and when it opens, run through it. Today, you mastered your courses. Now go master life.鈥�

President-Elect Michael Balboni ’81, JD, speaking to Adelphi’s Class of 2026 at the 130th commencement ceremonies.

President-Elect Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, Adelphi鈥檚 first alumni president, addressed fellow Panthers at the ceremonies, asking them to stay the course and embrace challenges.

鈥淵ou have to embrace what you鈥檝e been given. Recognize it鈥檚 not always going to be a straight line to where you want to go or where you鈥檙e going to wind up. This University will be here for you. Go get 鈥檈m!鈥�

Learn more about 每日大赛鈥檚 130th Commencement.

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As the first Adelphi alumnus and parent鈥攁nd the first Long Island native鈥攖o serve as president of the University, Balboni is intimately familiar with the transformative power of an Adelphi education. He graduated cum laude from the University in 1981 with a degree in biology and is the proud parent of an Adelphi alumna. Throughout his career, he has continually served his alma mater, including as an adjunct faculty member and, most recently, as a distinguished member and chair of the board of trustees.

Balboni emerged from a national search as the leader best positioned to secure public-private partnerships, champion the University regionally and nationally, and drive institutional growth. A defining hallmark of Balboni’s career鈥攆rom his roles in government to corporate boardrooms鈥攈as been his ability to build relationships, work with experts and forge consensus. He steps into the presidency fiercely committed to shared governance, protecting academic freedom and ensuring that the Adelphi campus remains a vibrant, inclusive environment for all students and faculty to thrive in.

In tandem with this announcement, Adelphi鈥檚 board named Christopher K. Storm Jr., PhD, who has served as Adelphi鈥檚 interim president since last June, to the newly created role of senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. This complementary leadership structure allows the provost to focus internally on teaching, research and student outcomes, while President Balboni manages the complex operational and external facets of the University.

鈥淭he landscape of higher education is undergoing rapid and profound changes,鈥� said William Fuessler 鈥�79, acting chair of the board of trustees and chair of the University鈥檚 Presidential Search Committee. 鈥淭o thrive, Adelphi requires a president who is a relentless external advocate and a proven executive. Michael possesses the exact blend of operational strength and external advocacy we need.鈥�

“I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater to lead a community that means so much to me. It truly is a full-circle moment,” said president-elect Balboni. “I have watched how the University has progressed, and I look forward to working with Dr. Storm and the entire community to take Adelphi to new heights as the premier institution of higher learning on Long Island.鈥�

鈥淚t has been a tremendous honor to serve as interim president of Adelphi, where I have spent my entire 20-year career,鈥� shared Dr. Storm. 鈥淭he past year provided me with new opportunities to deepen my connections across campus while maintaining the University鈥檚 strong, stable footing before taking our next leap forward. I very much look forward to working with Michael Balboni as we embark on a bold new direction for Adelphi.鈥�

Balboni assumes leadership at a time of remarkable advancement and financial strength for Adelphi. The University boasts a balanced budget, a $282 million endowment and a highly successful $100 million fundraising campaign that is nearing its goal. Underscoring this position of strength, Adelphi has achieved record enrollment in two of the past three years and is launching an ambitious infrastructure initiative to further support student and faculty success.

Adelphi continues to elevate its academic profile. Recognized by Forbes as the premier private university on Long Island, the institution pairs this academic prestige with its reputation as one of the safest campuses in America and an NCAA Division II athletics powerhouse. Looking ahead, the University is actively expanding its regional impact through the new Manhattan Center on Fifth Avenue in New York City, delivering high-demand graduate programs in artificial intelligence, business, nursing, social work, psychology, literature and education to meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce.

Learn more about President-Elect Balboni鈥檚 appointment.

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As we open our doors for Spring 2026, I hope you are feeling rejuvenated and ready for a great semester ahead. Whether you are returning to campus, joining us for the first time or logging in online, welcome to Adelphi!

Over the next few months, I encourage you to take advantage of everything Adelphi has to offer and maximize your time here. Be exceptional in your studies and your work. Be supportive of your classmates and colleagues. Be involved in community service, clubs and activities. And above all, be open to new perspectives and opportunities.

The spring includes some of Adelphi鈥檚 signature events, from the Women鈥檚 Leadership Conference in March to the Writers & Readers Festival and the Scholarship and Creative Works Conference in April. The Performing Arts Center has a full slate of fantastic student and guest performances, the SPARK Center is expanding student research projects, and the Innovation Center is your hub for exploring new ideas and technology. Our also need our enthusiastic support as they strive for more championships and a third straight NE10 Presidents Cup.

The more you engage in the Adelphi community, the more you will see its true impact. Remember the critical role that higher education plays in our society, and that we are cultivating the future right here on our campus through inquiry and dialogue. I can鈥檛 wait to see what we will accomplish together to make our world brighter.

Have a successful semester, and don鈥檛 hesitate to contact my office with any questions or say hello when you see me.

Onwards and upwards,

Chris Storm, PhD
Interim President

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Nearly 400 Adelphi students currently rely on federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to meet their basic food needs. With reports that these benefits could be halted as soon as November 1 due to the , many in our community may soon face serious food insecurity.

We also know of 25 students whose homes have been affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and Haiti. Our Division of Student Affairs is reaching out directly to offer assistance, and these students will likewise benefit from our support resources.

At Adelphi, we believe food insecurity should never stand in the way of student success or Adelphi鈥檚 mission to transform lives. To prepare and respond, we are taking proactive steps by:

Our community may also support the expanded operations of our Panther Pantry in a few ways:

• Make a .
• Donate nonperishable food, personal care and household items. Donations can be brought to the Center for Student and Community Engagement office in the University Center, Room 123, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Volunteer to assist with pantry operations, food distribution or outreach. To volunteer, email divisionofstudentaffairs@adelphi.edu.
• Help spread the word to ensure every Panther knows this resource is here for them.

Even if SNAP is preserved through last-minute emergency funding by government entities, we see this as a call to action to do all we can to reduce food insecurity, which should never stand in the way of student success or Adelphi鈥檚 mission to transform lives. Together, our caring, connected community acts with compassion and purpose when they are needed the most. This is the heart of Adelphi.

With gratitude,

Chris Storm, PhD, Interim President, with Executive Leadership:

Susan Dinan, PhD, Interim Provost
R. Sentwali Bakari, PhD, Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Carol Ann Boyle, MBA 鈥�17, Vice President of Infrastructure, Technology and Safety
Thomas Kline, EdD, Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations
Michael Rhattigan, Vice President of Finance

How You Can Help

• Give to the
• Volunteer at the pantry: email divisionofstudentaffairs@adelphi.edu
• Donate nonperishable items to the pantry at the Center for Student and Community Engagement, University Center, Room 123, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

How You Can Get Help

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According to , Adelphi鈥檚 next president will be asked 鈥渢o lead with strategic vision, passion, and optimism and serve as a tireless advocate for the University鈥檚 mission and its students, staff, and faculty.鈥� Adelphi’s mission is to transform lives through intellectual rigor, creativity, research, and deep community engagement across the arts and humanities, STEM and social sciences, and health and wellness. Rooted in tradition and boldly focused on the future, Adelphi is poised for its next era of innovation, growth, and success.

, posted nationally by higher education search firm DSG/Storbeck, highlights Adelphi鈥檚 six core values:

1. Academic excellence
2. Community and collaboration
3. Creativity and Innovation
4. Global awareness and diversity
5. Respect for the individual
6. Truth and integrity

The document also emphasizes Adelphi鈥檚 commitment to student success, noting 鈥渟mall classes, first-class faculty, and an award-winning commitment to student success and mobility.鈥� This approach allows Adelphi to successfully blend the experiences, resources, and opportunities of a major university with the personalized feel of a small college.

Adelphi is committed to full transparency throughout the presidential search process, and updates will be shared on the Presidential Search website.

Review of applications will begin in Fall 2025. , and all outreach will be kept confidential. The expected start date for the next president is Summer 2026.

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鈥淥ur faculty engage in self-development, strategic planning and scholarship to prepare students for their future roles,鈥� said Deborah Hunt, PhD’12, dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. 鈥淲e also attribute these rankings to our students who are steadfast in their pursuit of knowledge and development of their skills while providing humanistic care grounded in the evidence to all patients across the lifespan.鈥�

Adelphi earned national recognition in several other categories in the :

• National Universities: ranked among the top 45 percent of universities in the United States
• Top Performers in Social Mobility (National Universities): tied at 117, this ranking recognizes Adelphi鈥檚 success in supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and helping them achieve strong outcomes
• Undergraduate Psychology: Programs in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, the country鈥檚 first university-based professional school of psychology, made the list of top programs for the third year in a row.

鈥淭his recognition underscores the strength of Adelphi鈥檚 academic programs, especially in nursing, where we are meeting one of the country鈥檚 most pressing workforce needs,鈥� said 每日大赛 Interim President Chris Storm, PhD. 鈥淲e are proud that our commitment to personalized learning and student success continues to gain national recognition.鈥�

鈥淭hese rankings are more than numbers,鈥� Dr. Storm added. 鈥淭hey represent the impact Adelphi has on students鈥� lives and the confidence employers and graduate schools have in our graduates.鈥�

For more than four decades, the U.S. News & World Report have guided millions of students and families in their college search. The 2026 edition evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.

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