Students spotted a rare cassowary鈥攖he world鈥檚 most dangerous bird鈥攊n the Daintree Rainforest. The cassowary, although normally shy, can stand up to six feet tall and attack with dagger-like claws.

Led by biology and environmental studies and sciences faculty Aaren Freeman, PhD, Matthias Foellmer, PhD, and Elizabeth Buccheri, PhD, the group embarked on a two-week, hands-on expedition across Australia鈥檚 wild ecosystems鈥攅arning 2 course credits while having the trip of a lifetime.

Marine Ecology, Biology Research and Snorkeling

The adventure started long before takeoff. During the spring semester, students prepped by learning about marine ecology, practicing their snorkeling skills (with two students even getting SCUBA certified), and drafting their own research plans.

Then came the real world.

鈥淪ome had cogent plans, but when they arrived and put their faces in the water, what we thought would be there just wasn鈥檛 there,鈥� Dr. Freeman recalled. 鈥淎dapting to the differences between planning a research project and the reality of conducting that research was an important field experience take-home academic lesson.鈥�

(From left) Adelphi students Chelsea Javier, Ryan Will and Audrey Cozine after a day of scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. Students spent up to two hours a day in the water, observing coral atolls and marine wildlife.

Sharks, Giant Spiders and 鈥淚ndiana Jones鈥� Moments

Base camp for the marine portion of the trip was the Heron Island Research Station, right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Students spent up to two hours a day in the water, swimming alongside sharks, stingrays and skates.

Adelphi student John DelCarpine enjoys a gondola high above a eucalyptus forest.

They also witnessed firsthand the harsh impact of climate change and coral bleaching on the 1,400-mile-long Great Barrier Reef鈥攁 sobering reminder of the planet鈥檚 fragility.

On this visit, Dr. Freeman, was pleasantly surprised at the corals鈥� resilience. 鈥淚 remain hopeful,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 not Pollyanna, the reefs aren鈥檛 really doing fine.鈥�

When the group explored the ancient Daintree Rainforest, things were even wilder:

• The Cassowary: Students spotted the notoriously elusive鈥攁nd notoriously powerful鈥攃assowary, officially ranked by the Library of Congress as the world鈥檚 most dangerous bird.
• The Spiders: Guided by Dr. Foellmer (a terrestrial biologist and insect expert), the team navigated terrain packed with massive arachnids. 鈥淚 had many interactions with big hairy spiders about the size of my hand,鈥� Dr. Freeman recalled. 鈥淥ne web ended up on my back 鈥攚ith a four-inch spider on it鈥攁nd made me feel like Indiana Jones. Yet, these spiders were harmless.鈥�
• Canopy Views: The crew even hit the hinterlands, riding a gondola high above the canopy of a eucalyptus forest.

Beyond the Lab: Deep Diving Into Culture

It wasn鈥檛 all data collection and dodging wildlife. The group spent half a day in Mossman Gorge led by an Aboriginal guide, learning about sacred forests, traditional medicines and ancient toolmaking. Stops in Cairns and Brisbane introduced students to Australia鈥檚 vibrant city life and its incredible, Asia-influenced food scene.

For Dr. Buccheri, this kind of trip is full circle. She actually went on Adelphi鈥檚 2017 Australia trip as an undergrad, which inspired her to move to Australia, earn her master鈥檚 and PhD in reef ecology, and eventually return to Adelphi to teach.

Dining alfresco in the Daintree Rainforest, the world鈥檚 oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest.

Expert Faculty as Australia Guides

Students benefitted not only from their professors鈥� individual scientific expertise, but also from their experience and knowledge of Australia and the climate change challenges facing its ecologically diverse reefs and rainforests, reflecting Adelphi鈥檚 commitment to sustainability.

鈥淓ach of us has our own area of expertise,鈥� explained Dr. Freeman, a marine ecologist and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences. In 2010, he and Dr. Foellmer, a terrestrial biologist and chair of the Department of Biology, took the first group of Adelphi students to Australia. This year鈥檚 was their sixth such trip.

According to Dr. Freeman, Dr. Buccheri’s experience as a student on Adelphi鈥檚 2017 Australian alternative break trip was life-changing, as it inspired her to gain expertise in reef ecology and reproductive biology by earning master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in Australia. She is now an adjunct professor in environmental studies and sciences . 鈥淪he鈥檚 a great success story,鈥� he said.

Front left: Professor Matthais Foellmer, PhD, one of three professors serving as a guide, photographs wildlife along the Daintree River.

Next Australian Trek: 2028

For these 13 biology students, the trip was a massive eye-opener. As one student put it: 鈥淚t will leave such an amazing impact on your life. You鈥檒l want to go back as soon as you get home.鈥�

Dr. Freeman and the department are already planning their next Australian trek for 2028. The Great Barrier Reef, the Milky Way in a clear night sky and a few friendly sharks are waiting.

Students and their Adelphi professors gather at sunset after a day of exploring coral atolls around Heron Island Research Station.

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Despite these impressive and lofty titles, Balboni has made himself accessible to the Adelphi community. And nowhere is this more evident than his TikTok series, Coffee With the Chair From a Chair. Although it was discontinued after Balboni鈥檚 ascension to president, this series offers a glimpse at a president who鈥檚 willing to listen to his students, hear their stories and share his own.

Creating a Series for TikTok

TikTok is currently one of the most popular platforms across social media. According to , approximately 63 to 68 percent of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 use TikTok, with one in five reporting that they use the app 鈥渁lmost constantly.鈥� 每日大赛 initially lacked a strong TikTok strategy, viewing it as just another hosting platform like YouTube. It was Adelphi鈥檚 board of trustees who recognized the missed opportunity of using this platform to engage with young people and prospective Adelphi students. Creating TikToks suddenly became a top priority for the University.

The board tasked the Office of University Communications and Marketing with producing TikTok content to share the Adelphi story with young people. In the end, the board chair himself, Michael A.L. Balboni, became directly involved in the project. He agreed to a refreshingly simple concept: unscripted, unrehearsed conversations with students over coffee. With near zero production costs and maximum authenticity, the series Coffee With the Chair From a Chair was born.

Each video featured Balboni chatting comfortably one-to-one with a different Adelphi student at the campus Starbucks. featured Adelphi ’26, a political science major who is now a business graduate student. She discussed her rigorous schedule and her favorite memories at Adelphi.

“Having the opportunity to sit down with then-chairman of the board Michael Balboni and be interviewed for the series was a really unique experience. It made University leadership feel much more connected to the student body, and when I learned he would become Adelphi鈥檚 next president, I genuinely felt like the University was heading in the right direction,” said Munayirji. The video quickly garnered more than 2,500 views.

featured finance major Jerry Iavarone, who talked about his Greek life friends at Adelphi and his family-owned gourmet Italian food market, . Iavarone’s is a favorite spot for many Adelphi students, including, as it turns out, Balboni himself鈥攚ho remembered going there as an Adelphi student.

鈥淚 was nervous at first because I didn鈥檛 know what to expect or if I needed to give specific answers to the questions. A few seconds in, I realized the interview was going to be a fun experience after Mr. Balboni brought up Iavarone Bros.”

This video amassed more than 10,000 views, making it Adelphi鈥檚 top-viewed TikTok at the time.

“I didn鈥檛 expect the video to take off like it did,鈥� said Iavarone.

Winning the Circle of Excellence Award

The execution and success of Coffee With the Chair From a Chair earned Balboni鈥檚 TikTok series an award nomination from the , a prestigious and global nonprofit association for educational institutions. Coffee With the Chair From a Chair wound up , bronze level, in the Communications/Digital Campaigns (Student-oriented) category. The CASE judges noted, 鈥淭he concept behind this campaign was great for student engagement, and we were impressed by what they accomplished without adding any extra resources and by getting their board chair to participate.鈥�

鈥淭his is a huge honor for our creative team, but it鈥檚 also a testament to how impressive our students are,鈥� said Balboni. 鈥淭he confidence and professionalism they have developed at Adelphi, as well as their natural charisma, truly shined in these videos. I had a great time discussing their favorite campus experiences, and I know their future is bright.鈥� Although , this particular victory highlights the University鈥檚 success with executing a TikTok strategy鈥攁nd it also marks a major win for Balboni as he begins his role as president of the University.

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It is a reflection of his own multicultural, multidenominational family鈥檚 passion for philanthropy and community鈥攁nd their deep, foundational belief that there is but one family of man.

A Multicultural Family Legacy

鈥淚 could tell you from being in healthcare my entire life, that we鈥檙e all the same. The more we could bring people together from different religions, cultures, and disciplines to show we are all exactly the same, the better the world will be,鈥� Achan insisted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 meaningful, peaceful, and it can heal a lot.”

Achan is proud that his wife, pediatric speech pathologist Kimberly Mayo-Achan and children Lenny III and Katherine, agreed to establish the Center. In fact, they collectively signed their generous donation letter.

He hopes that by representing his family鈥檚 own diverse cultural legacy, the Achan Family Interfaith Center 鈥渟peaks to the generations before me and hopefully to the generations after me.鈥�

A First Generation Student from the Inner City

For Achan, a son of immigrant parents and a self-described inner city youth from Queens, college was an aspiration, rather than an expectation. 鈥淥pening that acceptance letter from Adelphi was like a spark of light,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淚 never thought I might go to college鈥攁nd Adelphi became a beacon for me.鈥�

Enrolling in the College of Nursing and Public Health gave Achan his first glimpse of how he might achieve his dream of helping people in need.

After graduating, he continued his education by earning a master鈥檚 degree in advanced practice nursing and a business degree, as well.. His leadership in health care has been recognized with awards from Crain鈥檚 New York Business and Healthcare Leaders of New York.

Today, the 每日大赛 board of trustees鈥� secretary is president and CEO of , a nonprofit organ procurement organization, as well as the founding chairman of a digital health organization. He is also a generous benefactor to his alma mater.

An Interfaith Center for All

With their significant gift, Achan Family Interfaith Center shines as a beacon of light for the entire Adelphi community.

鈥淭his donation is going to allow students to have deeper, more meaningful experiences with one another,鈥� promised Michael Hoffner, coordinator of 每日大赛鈥檚 Mindfulness Center and Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center.

According to Hoffner, the Center will enable students to attend retreats, and bring programs to campus that will connect them with their spiritual, faith and religious traditions鈥攚hile fostering the sense of belonging and purpose that is at the heart of the college experience.

Gifts Honoring His Father, and His Grandmother, a Holocaust Survivor of Auschwitz

Supporting the campus Interfaith Center is not the Achan family鈥檚 first major gift. In 2017, the memory of Achan鈥檚 father, Leonard Achan, Sr., was honored by a .

In 2024, a second gift from Achan and his wife endowed a scholarship for future mental health counselors studying at the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology. The scholarship memorialize Kimberly Mayo-Achan鈥檚 grandmother, Zosia 鈥楪iGi鈥� Levine, a Jewish survivor of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, who went on to live a long, fulfilling life as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

When the family considered how they might address a deepening and challenging mental health crisis and shortage of mental health professionals, they were inspired by Gigi. Achan has described how 鈥淢y family exists because she survived. Helping others create a legacy was the thought behind how we could be supportive.

“Helping even one person makes a difference.鈥�

Fulfilling Dreams for Future Adelphi Students

According to Achan his role as an Adelphi trustee gives him a unique perspective. By remembering his own experience and dreams as a first-generation student, he recognizes how seemingly impossible student dreams will be fulfilled because of the foundation Adelphi provides. And he has committed himself to doing everything he can to help them realize their dreams.

鈥淚 feel blessed to give back to Adelphi and blessed to have a career in helping people,鈥� he admitted. 鈥淎delphi gave me a platform and opportunity that is the foundation of everything I do today in my community and with my family.鈥�

He uses this platform as a trustee, to champion the goals of Adelphi鈥檚 strategic plan. By establishing the Achan Family Interfaith Center, he has directly supported the university鈥檚 commitment to its inclusive community.

This is, for him鈥攁nd his family鈥攖he right time to create the Center. 鈥淲hen you look at our faculty and students and alumni, when you look at the contributions we are making to society and the world, it鈥檚 a moment to scale impact.鈥�

Achan believes that as a place for the Adelphi community to embrace differences, discover commonality, and celebrate and explore individual faith and purpose, the Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center is doing just that.

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Along with a wide range of e-posters, exhibits and oral presentations from students in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, this year鈥檚 Research Day will introduce new events with a particular emphasis on the arts and creative projects, including a 24-Hour Play Festival from theater majors and thesis presentations from art majors.

This year鈥檚 conference also offers another exciting first: a keynote address delivered by a Nobel laureate, William G. Kaelin, Jr., MD, the Sidney Farber Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, senior physician-scientist at Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. Dr. Kaelin received the . He also recently endowed a prize at Adelphi in honor of his mother, who graduated from Adelphi in 1954.

We spoke with Research Day co-chairs Karolina Lempert, PhD, assistant professor in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, and Wei Liu, PhD, associate professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health, to learn more about the exciting new developments to the conference and Adelphi鈥檚 commitment to showcasing student-led research.

What are some of the new additions to Research Day this year, particularly those focused on the arts?

Dr. Lempert: For the 24-Hour Play Festival, theater students will write, direct and act in 10-minute plays based on abstracts of research that will be presented at the conference. They鈥檒l receive the abstracts the day before the conference and will only have 24 hours to create and rehearse them before performing in the University Center (UC) ballroom from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This will be a different kind of presentation and it definitely involves more of the arts, which has generally been less represented at the conference.

Dr. Liu: Another new addition is the Senior Art Gallery Presentations. David Pierce, assistant professor of art and art history, will have seven students present their graduating theses in the UC art gallery from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. While we鈥檝e had students display their art in past conferences, this year, they鈥檙e going to be there so they can converse and discuss their work with attendees. We鈥檙e also going to have anthropology students from two different culture and society classes display photos from their midterm assignments.

Are these new events the result of an effort to incorporate more creative disciplines in Research Day?

Dr. Liu: Adelphi has always tried to promote interdisciplinary collaboration with the conference, but inevitably there are some departments that have less representation. We鈥檙e very lucky to have worked with Laura Mroz [associate director of executive communications], who played a critical role in conducting outreach to other departments.

Dr. Lempert: There鈥檚 a norm in the sciences of presenting posters at conferences, while arts students have other ways that they display their work. So I think changing that culture and showcasing arts and humanities may take some time, but this is the start of the effort. This year, we鈥檒l have the biggest representation from those fields so far.

How is Adelphi engaging local high school students as part of the conference?

Dr. Liu: For the first time, we鈥檒l be hosting a for a chance to win a full-tuition scholarship to Adelphi. The admissions office, which is sponsoring the competition, is encouraging high school juniors from research classes to submit their abstracts to be presented on conference day. We鈥檒l have judges at the conference who will review their work and select the winner.

How else will the Research Day conference be larger in scope this year?

Dr. Liu: We received approximately 350 abstract submissions鈥�100 more than we usually receive. This marks increased submissions in every single category, including e-posters, oral presentations and computer science exhibits. While we used to host computer science and gaming exhibitions in the charter room on the second floor of the UC, this year, we鈥檒l actually use a bigger space on the first floor to accommodate more participants.

Dr. Lempert: This is also the first year we expanded the event out to the entire UC鈥攏ot just the second floor鈥攁nd I think that it will only keep growing.

What are your plans for Research Day going forward?

Dr. Liu: If this year鈥檚 conference is a success and we receive positive feedback, we can do even more outreach and incorporate more disciplines next year. We鈥檙e also hoping to receive abstracts for new presentation types, such as humanities panel presentations and film presentations.

What do you hope students and attendees take away from Research Day?

Dr. Lempert: I hope the conference empowers students to do research of their own and to engage in their own creative work. I also hope it brings students closer together and helps them see that research is for everyone.

Dr. Liu: I really want students and faculty to take away the message that Adelphi promotes a strong community, and we encourage collaboration and inclusiveness. When we gather post-conference feedback from our presenters, we always hear that they appreciate people outside their own disciplines coming to see their posters or listen to their presentations. It鈥檚 just really encouraging, this knowledge-sharing among students and faculty across disciplines.

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No. 1-Ranked Men’s Lacrosse Reloads for Defense of Back-to-Back National Championships

The road to an NCAA Division II National Championship runs through Garden City.

Fresh off winning back-to-back national titles, the became the first NCAA Division II team since 2018 and 2019 to repeat, and the first Panther squad to accomplish the feat since 1998 and 1999, under Adelphi Athletic Hall of Famer . The ‘Cats enter the 2026 season as the unanimous No. 1 team in the country, according to the .

A new face will stand between the pipes following the graduation of National Goalie of the Year , who ranks second among the University’s career save leaders with 797 saves. A competitive 鈥済oalie room鈥� featuring four contenders is headlined by , a three-time USA Lacrosse All-American whose collegiate journey has included stops at Belmont Abbey College, Keiser University and The Ohio State University.

While the defense sorts out its next anchor, the offense returns its biggest star.

Kyle Lewis: Tewaaraton Watch List Standout Leads the Midfield

Few moments in Adelphi鈥檚 athletic history compare to overtime game winner in last spring鈥檚 . The strike secured the Panthers鈥� second consecutive national crown and etched Lewis鈥� name into program lore.

Now the All-American midfielder enters the 2026 season as the lone Division II player named to the , lacrosse鈥檚 equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He has also been cited as and headlines a group of .

Women’s Lacrosse Eyes Another Trip to the NCAA Finals

Under three-time national championship coach , has remained the gold standard in Division II. Though the 鈥楥ats finished as in each of the previous two seasons, falling to the University of Tampa in both instances, the program still boasts a national-best .

in 2026, Adelphi has all three of its All-Americans back from a year ago: , and . Now add and to that, and you have a team leading the country with five USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-America selections.

Lionetti was also tagged as the , after earning recognition last spring.

The foundation is in place for another deep postseason push.

Adelphi Baseball Begins New Era as Mike Gaffney Takes the Helm as Skipper

Spring also signals a fresh chapter for the .

The Panthers are turning the page following the retirement of , who dedicated 12 years to the program, including five as head coach. During that span, Ianniciello compiled more than 100 career victories, guiding Adelphi to an NE10 Championship final in his debut season as skipper and an NCAA Tournament bid just a year later, off the heels of a 30-15-2 finish in 2022.

Now steps into the Adelphi dugout with his own pedigree.

As a player, Gaffney was chosen in the 13th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2002 and spent five seasons in the organization, reaching the AA level. He built LIU Post into a perennial power during his managerial tenure from 2014 to 2019, guiding the Pioneers through the winningest five-year stretch in program history, capped by a single-season record of 38 victories in 2019 that earned him ECC and ABCA East Region Coach of the Year distinction.

鈥淢y family and I are so excited to be a part of Adelphi,鈥� Gaffney said. 鈥淔rom my father being a Hall of Famer here to my sons now donning Panther gear, this is truly a full-circle moment for all of us. Our coaching staff will work tirelessly to make this program a success, on and off the diamond.鈥�

His father, , is an Adelphi Athletic Hall of Famer who led the Panthers to a Knickerbocker Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 1977.

Postseason Aspirations: Tennis Hosts at USTA, Golf Builds on Historic Breakthrough

Championship opportunities extend beyond the diamond and turf.

enters the spring unbeaten at a perfect 6-0 against Division II opponents. Later this spring, the team will serve as hosts for the 2026 NE10 Championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, home of the US Open Tennis Championships.

After falling short in last fall鈥檚 conference final, the Panthers aim to reclaim both the regular season and tournament titles they captured in .

, meanwhile, continues to build on a historic fall season that saw the program capture its . Just a decade after its inception, the Panthers completed a remarkable rise under head coach , winning the conference crown by 23 strokes and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals this May in Findlay, Ohio.

With a roster that blends award winners and postseason-tested performers, Adelphi鈥檚 momentum shows no signs of slowing.

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As phones go dark and eyes close, Michael Hoffner, the founding coordinator of the center, guides them to be here and in the moment. For half an hour, on a campus and in a culture built on constant doing, the only task is to stop.

Stress Relief From the Pressures of Student Life

College students arrive on campus carrying heavy loads: classes, jobs and family responsibilities. Add pressure to perform well, along with the sense that your future hinges on your actions, and daily life can feel like a pressure cooker.

To address that, many colleges are simply designating “quiet rooms.” But Adelphi has gone a step further by creating a dedicated sanctuary for stress relief. Located within the renovated University Center, the Mindfulness Center鈥攚hich opened in 2022鈥攊s a true retreat featuring soaring ceilings, soft twinkling lights and the calming scent of essential oils. A licensed social worker ordained in the Thich Nhat Hanh鈥檚 Plum Village Buddhist tradition, Hoffner was a natural choice to shape the new center.

鈥淚ntegrating mindfulness into the college experience is something that is valuable on so many levels,鈥� Hoffner said. It can transform 鈥渢he energy of the campus as a whole鈥� when more people show up calmer and more grounded.

The center鈥檚 weekly rhythm is simple: drop鈥慽n mindfulness sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hoffner leads the meditations himself, inviting students to set down their to鈥慸o lists, notice their breathing and rest.

For many, that鈥檚 an unfamiliar experience.

At Adelphi, Achieving Mindfulness Isn鈥檛 a Solitary Pursuit

Paloma Jose-Day, a senior majoring in psychology, first tried mindfulness on her own. Like many people, she quickly ran into frustration. Sitting alone with her thoughts didn鈥檛 feel calming. It felt impossible, even overwhelming.

Coming to the Mindfulness Center changed that. Practicing in a room with others, supported by Hoffner鈥檚 quiet guidance, finally helped her 鈥済et it.鈥� The presence of other students made mindfulness feel less like a private test she was failing and more like a shared practice she could grow into over time.

Jose-Day has been going to weekly 30-minute guided sessions at the center since she transferred to Adelphi in Fall 2024. The experience has quietly reshaped her daily habits.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 go to the Mindfulness Center to quit my phone, but that鈥檚 what happened,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not reaching for it first thing in the morning anymore. I wake up, stretch, breathe and think about my day instead.鈥� She has stopped doomscrolling while she eats lunch, too, she said. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 eating now, I鈥檓 not looking at my phone. Instead, I鈥檓 actually enjoying my food.鈥�

Achieving mindfulness can even be part of career preparation. Ryan Mijumbi, MA 鈥�24, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Adelphi’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, says the techniques he鈥檚 learned at the center will help him in his career.

鈥淭he same mindfulness skills I practice here鈥攂eing aware of myself, the space and the other person鈥攁re exactly what I鈥檒l need in the therapy room with my clients,鈥� he said.

It has also made his life better. 鈥淔or me, the Mindfulness Center is a quiet place where I can step out of the chaos of grad school, breathe and remember that despite everything, it鈥檚 going to be okay,鈥� he explained. 鈥淢indfulness didn鈥檛 help me pass any tests, but it kept me going when grad school stress and burnout were at their worst.鈥�

Weekend 鈥淩etreats鈥濃�擱ight on Campus

Recently, the Mindfulness Center mission has grown.

A weekend mindfulness retreat on campus has drawn about 125 participants over the past two years. Students practice sustained silence, meditation and mindful activities.

An alternative spring break retreat offers an even deeper dive. Hoffner and his team take a small group of students to a Buddhist monastery in the Plum Village tradition. Past trips have gone to retreats in upstate New York and Mississippi. This year, 12 students will spend a week at a monastery in California.

There, they join the daily rhythm of monastic life. Practices that feel strange or uncomfortable to students on the first day often become cherished by the end of the week, Hoffner said. 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 time to leave, many students ask the same question: How do I bring this back with me?鈥� he explained.

Building a Mindfulness Community on Campus

Hoffner is now helping launch a mindfulness residential community at Adelphi, bringing together a handful of students to live together on campus. Next year, the program will expand into a full鈥慺ledged community.

鈥淥ur mindfulness practice is not intended for us to escape the world,鈥� Hoffner said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 actually here to help us encounter the world more deeply so that we鈥檙e not running away from the world, we鈥檙e actually leaning in and showing up more fully.鈥�

He hopes his students鈥� experiences will help build a new normal: a community where mindfulness isn鈥檛 an escape hatch, but a way of meeting the world with steadiness, courage and care.

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But what if you don’t earn a spot on Adelphi’s highly competitive varsity lacrosse or soccer teams?

This fall, there is a solution.

Beginning in Fall 2026, 每日大赛 will introduce premier club offerings in men鈥檚 soccer and men鈥檚 lacrosse, creating expanded opportunities for students who want to play in a competitive league, with full-time coaching and intercollegiate games.

The move reflects a broader vision for : To ensure participation in competitive sports remains a defining and accessible part of campus life.

has long played a central role in the identity of the University. With 19 national championships, Adelphi has built a tradition of excellence that resonates well beyond its Garden City campus. The and teams account for a remarkable 10 of those titles, making them two of the most storied programs in the University’s history.

Now that legacy is opening new doors.

Building on Adelphi’s Championship Lacrosse and Soccer Tradition

The has begun paving the way for a dynasty, entering the 2026 season as the in the land, after winning back-to-back and , the most recent of which was a 9-8 overtime thriller to stun The University of Tampa in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Interest in the program is at an all-time high, and lacrosse continues to be a hotbed as one of the most popular collegiate sports in the region.

The , which staked its only national championship in 1974 (the University鈥檚 first, in fact!), has remained nationally competitive in recent years. Under head coach , the Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times and earned a place in the rankings in five of Book’s eight seasons.

The launch of premier club soccer and lacrosse is not a replacement for that success. Instead, it is an extension of it.

鈥淭hese premier club sports programs are an extension of the strong campus life that Panther Athletics has always supported,鈥� said , Adelphi director of athletics and campus recreation. 鈥淭hey will complement our varsity, club and intramural offerings and give students another meaningful way to connect with the University through sport.鈥�

What Makes Premier Soccer and Lacrosse Clubs Different

Unlike traditional student-run club teams, Adelphi鈥檚 premier club programs will have full-time coaches, regular practices and competitive schedules against peer colleges offering similar high-level club experiences.

鈥淭hese premier club sports serve as an elevated experience,鈥� McCabe discussed. 鈥淭he professional coaching component is the key differentiator. Students will receive high-quality training and structured competition while still enjoying the flexibility that club sports provide.鈥�

For students who want to continue improving and competing at a high level, this pathway offers another avenue to catch the eye of Adelphi鈥檚 varsity squads.

鈥淐ertainly, for students who want to continually improve at their sport, this provides a unique opportunity to compete after high school and potentially try out for varsity teams.鈥�

Expanding Access and Opportunity in Athletics at Adelphi

At its core, this initiative is about widening access.

Competitive sports are often described as one of the most rewarding aspects of college life. Adelphi鈥檚 leadership believes that experience should not be limited to a select number competing only at the varsity level.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to know that we will offer athletic opportunities to every kind of athlete,鈥� McCabe noted. 鈥淔rom intramurals to club to varsity, our students will have options to stay active and be part of a vibrant campus community.鈥�

A Model for the Future of College Athletics

Men鈥檚 soccer and men鈥檚 lacrosse will be the first premier club sports at Adelphi, serving as the initial launch of a model designed to expand structured athletic opportunities across campus.

鈥淭here are a number of schools offering high-level club experiences like this,鈥� McCabe said. 鈥淲e look forward to competing with those institutions as schedules are developed and continuing to evaluate how this model may work with other sports.鈥�

The University鈥檚 long championship history remains a point of pride. Now, with the launch of premier club sports next fall, that tradition of excellence expands to include even more student-athletes.

At Adelphi, the message moving forward is clear: Competitive opportunity and campus engagement can go hand in hand.

And the foundation remains the same.

Athletics are for everyone.

Students interested in learning more can reach out by email or by filling out an interest form:

• or email clubmsoc@adelphi.edu
• or email clubmlax@adelphi.edu

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For Stafford, the 56th was an opportunity to expand her network and develop her professional skills. As vice president of chapter operations and a voting delegate, Stafford got an inside look at the legislative process. 鈥淚 was really excited to learn about the process of voting and to be in a parliamentary procedure-style election,鈥� she says. 鈥淭o be able to think about the operations of the organization and how changes could affect certain things was really valuable.鈥�

Sam Dotterman, an Adelphi Deltasig who attended the conference as an alternate delegate, also enjoyed learning about how organizations function. 鈥淭hat was the best part of the whole conference鈥攈earing what the other chapters across the country are like and how they operate,鈥� he says.

Connecting, Problem-Solving and Plenty of Networking

Talking with other Deltasigs helped Adelphi members brainstorm solutions for issues their chapter faced. 鈥淏eing able to connect with chapters that are the same size who had the same problem and hearing how they approached it was really valuable,鈥� Stafford says. Those conversations inspired them to build local partnerships for fundraising events and service hours.

Outside of legislative meetings, conference attendees could participate in education sessions led by alumni working in different companies. Sessions covered various business- and career-related topics, such as AI in the workplace, leadership development, how to land competitive internships and networking. Dotterman, who鈥檚 interested in a career in financial services, received practical career advice, from how to format his r茅sum茅 to the importance of applying for internships early.

He also appreciated the opportunity to build networking skills. 鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 had the experience where I鈥檇 fly across the country and have to talk to a bunch of new people,鈥� Dotterman says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a really good skill to develop.鈥�

His networking paid off: He met an alumna on the flight to California who鈥檚 helping him apply for an internship.

Founding Deltasig Alumna Sings the Fraternity鈥檚 Praises

Networking and professional development opportunities like this are exactly why Deborah Viola 鈥�84, PhD, a founding member of Adelphi鈥檚 Delta Sigma Pi chapter and current Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board member, supports events like the Grand Chapter Congress. 鈥淟earning how to network when you鈥檙e younger is so beneficial鈥攊t鈥檚 much harder to acquire these skills once you get older,鈥� she says. Many of the relationships she built as a Deltasig continue showing up today. 鈥淵ou may not keep in touch with the folks you aligned with when you were younger every day, but chances are they鈥檙e in your field,鈥� she notes.

Social events at the conference facilitated these connections. Stafford鈥檚 casual basketball conversation at arcade night with a group of entrepreneurs made it easy to connect with them the next day to learn about their startup. 鈥淚t made people more approachable,鈥� she says.

Beyond individual connections, the conference format itself helps students develop as business professionals. 鈥淧ersonal and professional growth really comes from attending these conferences and meetings,鈥� Dr. Viola says. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e in business, you really need to understand others鈥� perspectives, and as a student, you challenge yourself more and appreciate what you鈥檙e learning in class.鈥�

To maximize these benefits, Stafford recommends full participation. By attending as many sessions and social events as possible, she met professionals in fields she鈥檚 exploring, like forensic accounting. 鈥淚鈥檝e been interested in forensic accounting for a while, but it can be hard to find people who are in the field, as it鈥檚 a bit more up-and-coming,鈥� Stafford explains. Showing up to events gave her the opportunity to ask a forensic accountant about his experience working in the field. 鈥淭he things he didn鈥檛 like about it were things that really interested me about it, so that was kind of funny,鈥� she says.

Both Stafford and Dotterman returned to campus with strong connections and opportunities to pursue during their time at Adelphi. 鈥淭he experience has really continued to open the door,鈥� Stafford says.

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Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, takes a moment with Shadow, the beloved pet who greets visitors to the president’s office.

Adelphi Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, understands this well. His standard poodle, Shadow, joins him in the office most days鈥攁 presence he finds instantly makes the president’s office more warm and welcoming. And at Adelphi there is an academic component as well. Students in a First-Year Seminar class recently learned about human-canine relationships alongside Echo, a black labrador who works regularly in the Learning Resource Program classroom.

This profound human-canine connection is the reason why James Tullo, a junior in Adelphi’s accelerated exercise science program (BS/MS), founded the Collar Scholars Club. Tullo, drawing on his experience raising service dogs, has seen the powerful impact a dog can have on someone’s life and he has brought that dedication and passion to campus. The club, launched last May, began small but has grown quickly as more students have become interested in service dog work and animal-assisted service programs.

Tullo answered a few questions about Collar Scholars and why he believes so strongly in its central mission.

Q: What inspired you to form the Collar Scholars club?

A: I鈥檝e always been genuinely passionate about dogs and community service. I began raising service dogs before college, which showed me firsthand how profoundly those dogs could change someone鈥檚 life. I wanted to establish a space at Adelphi where students could merge that same love for animals with a meaningful cause.

Adelphi students love , and this club is helping them develop essential life skills like responsibility, leadership and empathy. Dogs possess a unique ability to bring those qualities out in people they interact with.

Q: Where do you source your service dogs? Are they pets, or are they specially vetted for this work?

A: Our dogs come from certified service dog organizations that partner with universities and community puppy raisers. These organizations conduct careful breeding to select puppies with the temperament needed for service work. That means they must demonstrate the ability to be calm in all environments, be friendly and social, and always remain patient with their human companions.

The official logo of Adelphi’s new Collar Scholars club.

Q: What is the main mission, or goal, of the Collar Scholars club? What are you trying to accomplish?

A: The main goal is to help raise and socialize service dogs so they are prepared for the next stage of their training. This is a critical role that every member of the club takes part in, as service dogs are essential today for many individuals with disabilities who need greater independence.

Q: What are the benefits for Adelphi students?

A: Beyond the primary mission, we also aim to educate our campus community about service animals, accessibility and disability awareness. The club provides students with hands-on experience in training, teamwork and leadership, and addresses mental health directly. It鈥檚 truly amazing to engage in this work while contributing to something bigger than ourselves.

Q: Can you tell us a little about the response from students?

A: The response has been incredibly positive.

Students love seeing the dogs around campus, and many have shared that meeting them instantly brightens their day. We鈥檝e had significant interest from people wanting to volunteer, become puppy raisers or simply learn more about service animals. It鈥檚 also helped initiate great conversations about inclusion and mental health. Overall, the initiative has brought a lot of positive energy and purpose to campus life.

Q: Any long-term goals?

A: My ultimate hope is that we can raise a puppy entirely on Adelphi’s campus to become a future service dog and help someone who needs a canine partner achieve more independence.

That would be life-changing for both the students and the eventual owner.

It may be a long way off鈥攂ut we are headed in the right direction.

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Just 10 years after the establishment of the , the Panthers completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NE10 history.

When head coach assumed leadership midway through the 2021鈥�2022 season, the program had never finished higher than fifth at the NE10 Championship. By the following fall, the team had surged to a then-program-best runner-up finish, fueled by 鈥檚 record-setting individual title.

Three years later, the Panthers reached the pinnacle.

For the Win: Women鈥檚 Golf Secures Victory

Adelphi clinched its first-ever this fall, posting an 88-over team score across two days to win by a commanding 23 strokes. The Panthers built a 14-stroke lead after the first round and never looked back, displaying consistency and composure throughout the 36-hole tournament.

, the 2023鈥�2024 NE10 Rookie of the Year, tied for second individually at 20-over, shaving four strokes off her total from Day 1 to Day 2. followed closely in fifth (+21), buoyed by an impressive second-round 78. and locked down sixth and eighth place, respectively, while added a top-12 finish to round out the scoring.

Men鈥檚 Golf Secures Second-Straight NE10 Runner-Up Result

The continued its resurgence under head coach , finishing as the NE10 runner-up for the second consecutive season鈥攖his time by a narrow four-stroke margin behind two-time defending champion Southern New Hampshire University.

The Panthers entered the championship as the top selection in the , and their strong play validated that confidence.

led Adelphi with a fourth-place finish at 4-over, firing rounds of 74, 71, and 72 while collecting 10 birdies, en route to NE10 All-Championship Team honors. placed seventh at 7-over, stamped by an opening-round 72, with rounding out the top-10 at 10-over.

added a steady 14th-place finish (12-over), and delivered one of the weekend鈥檚 most electric performances, subbing in after Round 1 and carding back-to-back rounds of 71 (E) and 70 (-1). Lanuza excelled at the par-5 10th hole, circling the scorecard twice there in what led to six total birdies across his two rounds.

National Champions Receive Their Rings 鈥� Again

A spotlight shined on Adelphi men鈥檚 lacrosse, as the team celebrated with a dazzling ring ceremony鈥攈onoring a run that ended a 23-year drought in 2024 and doubled down with another trophy in 2025.

The Panthers secured their latest title last May with a dramatic 9鈥�8 overtime victory against top-seeded University of Tampa at Gillette Stadium, where , after the Panthers won the opening face-off of sudden death, scored the game winner just 1:19 into extra time.

The ceremony unveiled a striking championship ring, trimmed in gold, crowned with a radiant AU lettermark, and adorned with two national championship trophies. Head Coach became only the third coach in program history to win multiple NCAA titles, joining legendary Adelphi men鈥檚 lacrosse coaches and 鈥攂oth of whom are Adelphi Athletic Hall of Famers in their own right.

The Panthers stand as the first program since 2019 to repeat as Division II men鈥檚 lacrosse national champions.

2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Class Announced

The 每日大赛 Department of Athletics proudly introduced its , honoring a distinguished group of student-athletes and coaches whose accomplishments continue to elevate the University鈥檚 legacy.

This year鈥檚 class features five individual inductees and a Legendary Team. Among them is Greg Nerko 鈥�70, MA 鈥�74, recipient of the Frank Cassell Memorial Award, recognized for decades of leadership, service and unwavering support for Adelphi Athletics. Joining him is Bill Eickelberg 鈥�75, the Woodruff Award honoree, celebrated for more than 40 years as a teacher, multi-sport coach and champion of inclusive physical education.

The class also includes standout performers whose athletic achievements left an indelible mark on their programs:

鈼� , a dynamic midfielder who played a pivotal role in three consecutive NCAA Division II women鈥檚 lacrosse national championships.

鈼� , a trailblazer in cross country and track and field as Adelphi鈥檚 first men鈥檚 individual national qualifier, and a two-time All-American.

鈼� Dan DeMilt 鈥�93, a centerpiece of the 1993 baseball team and an ABCA All-American whose postseason performance helped carry the Panthers to the NCAA Division II College World Series.

鈼� , one of the most decorated hitters in Adelphi softball history, a three-time All-American and a record-setting force at third base.

鈼� Frank Tashman 鈥�86, a two-time All-American, and one of the leading offensive players of Adelphi鈥檚 Division I men鈥檚 lacrosse era.

Rounding out the class is the 1993 每日大赛 baseball team, a legendary group whose unprecedented first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II College World Series secured their place among the University鈥檚 most iconic squads.

Together, the 2025 inductees represent excellence across generations, reinforcing Adelphi鈥檚 proud tradition of competitive achievement, leadership and community impact.

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