Greetings,

It’s that time of year and we are excited to celebrate Hofstra University’s 2026 commencement ceremonies. This is a time when we honor the graduates’ achievements and recognize the support of the community who help make their success possible.

The distinguished speakers for the 2026 commencement ceremonies are:

Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell ceremony on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 2 p.m.:

Kelley Skeff, George DeForest Barnett Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Stanford University and co-director of the Stanford Faculty Development Center for Medical Teachers.

Undergraduate and Graduate ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, 2026:

At 9 a.m.: Janet Echelman, American fiber artist and author

At 1 p.m.:Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and chief executive officer of TIAA

At 5 p.m.: Sethuraman Panchanathan, University Professor of Technology and Innovation and Foundation Chair in Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University, and former director of the U.S. National Science Foundation

Maurice A. Deane School of Law ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.:

The Honorable Vanita Gupta, distinguished scholar in residence and Director of the Center for Law and Public Trust at New York University, and former Associate Attorney General of the United States

For more information about the commencement speakers, go here.

Thank you for your continued support of Hofstra.

Sincerely,

Chanda Washington

Associate to the President for Government and Community Affairs

Local leaders who have dedicated their lives to enriching the Hempstead community, including the Chief of Police and a Team USA athlete, were honored with the Unispan Award at the 51st Annual Hempstead for Hofstra/Hofstra for Hempstead Scholarship Dinner at Hofstra University. The annual event raises scholarship funds for students from the Village of Hempstead to attend Hofstra University, while strengthening the bond between both communities. Read more here.

Hofstra University students took the stage to pitch bold business ideas at the 14th annual Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge. Hosted by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the competition featured eight student teams, each given five minutes to present their ventures to a panel of judges before fielding questions on execution, scalability, and market potential. Read more here.

Nearly 300 Hofstra students participated in the University’s annual “Pride and Plant” event on April 11, doing yard work and planting flowers in surrounding neighborhoods. The event, which began in 2017, is organized by Hofstra’s Office of Commuting Student Services and Community Outreach. This year, a record number of students registered to volunteer, with crews assigned to plant flowers at 81 homes. They also worked on the gardens at the John J. Byrne Community Center in Uniondale and at the welcome sign for Ingraham Estates in Hempstead. Read more here.

Hofstra University ROTC cadets and military science faculty welcomed a very special guest to their morning training at Hofstra’s Indoor Practice Facility on Friday, April 24. Hempstead-born, Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Method Man joined the group for a grueling two-hour workout involving weights, cardio, and endurance training. Read more here.

Over spring break 2027, a cohort of students and alumni from Hofstra’s School of Education and School of Health Sciences will travel to Finland to study why the country is regarded as a one of the top education systems in the world. The inaugural Reflective International Studies in Education (RISE), open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Hofstra alumni, was introduced by Assistant Professor Marilyn DePietto from the Department of Learning, Teaching and Technology. Read more here.

Hofstra Sports:  

Men’s Baseball

Monmouth

May 8, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Monmouth

May 9, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Get Tickets Here 

For a list of upcoming sports events, please visit gohofstra.com. 

Attend an event:

Our Unfinished Revolution(s)

Through July 24, 2026

Emily Lowe Gallery, Behind Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus

Our Unfinished Revolution(s) is an exhibition presented during the U.S. Semi-quincentennial commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition is presented in conjunction with Untold Stories of Revolution: A Hofstra University Initiative for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. The Hofstra University Museum of Art will offer visitors an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s history and consider its future by engaging with art that poses questions about the founding document’s historical legacy.

Attend an event:

Window of Opportunity: Supplier Diversity & Business Growth

May 5, 2026, 6-8 p.m.

Leo A. Guthart Hall, 103 ideaHUB, Hofstra University

Learn how to access corporate and government contracting opportunities through supplier diversity programs. Discover where to find opportunities, how to approach contracts, and steps toward certification for long-term business growth. This event is open to the public, please register using the link below.

Registration: https://bit.ly/WindowofOppurtunity

Konfident Kids – Socialization Group for Kids, Ages 6-12

May 9, 2026, 1-2:30 p.m.

May 16, 2026, 1-2:30 p.m.

Saltzman Community Services Center

Offered by the Counseling & Mental Health Professions Clinic at the Saltzman Community Service Center.

Saturdays, 1-2:30 p.m., $15 per session.

Call 516-463-5234 for more information.

Improve self esteem

Learn coping skills

Build confidence

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