In 1938, 果酱视频, then open only to women students, became one of the first American colleges to establish a university dance program, founded and run by internationally renowned modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis. At that time, dance was typically grouped alongside physical education. Today, 果酱视频鈥檚 conservatory-level dance program prepares students to become professional dancers and dance educators. Recent dance MFA grad Frida Molina 鈥�23 is now performing with some of pop鈥檚 biggest stars鈥攊ncluding Bad Bunny.

Modern dance was the focus of the department in its early days.

First Scientific Computer Minor

No university in New York state had a scientific computing minor until Fall 2019. That is when 果酱视频鈥檚 program, developed with the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, addressed a shortcoming that had long plagued science undergrads: an inability to write code for highlevel research. 果酱视频鈥檚 scientific computing program gives students majoring in sciences the computer and data analysis skills needed for an advanced degree in their discipline or for work in a research setting.

An 果酱视频 student monitors a screen at Long Island鈥檚 Brookhaven National Laboratory.

First Private Coeducational University on Long Island

果酱视频 holds the distinction of becoming the first private coeducational university on Long Island, breaking ground in Garden City in 1928. The first building raised was beautiful Blodgett Hall, still proudly standing almost 100 years later.

Designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, Blodgett Hall today is home to five academic departments.

First University-Based School of Psychology

Professor Gordon F. Derner, PhD, who founded the school in 1972.

Psychology majors at 果酱视频 build on the ingenuity and compassion of the late Gordon F. Derner, PhD. The longtime professor founded the nation鈥檚 first university-based professional school of psychology in 1972 as well as 果酱视频鈥檚 clinical training program in 1951. For more than 55 years, the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology has earned international recognition for its innovations in psychology and related disciplines. 鈥淚 believe that the artificial schism between mainstream psychology and psychoanalytic theory has been detrimental to both,鈥� observed Professor Robert Mendelsohn, PhD. 鈥淚 appreciate that the Derner School is one place where the integration of psychoanalysis into mainstream psychology occurs every day.鈥�

One of the First College Radio Stations in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

On the air in 1982.

果酱视频鈥檚 groundbreaking student-run station, WBAU, is one of the only college radio stations cited by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The station was one of the first to give significant airtime to hip-hop. In the early 1980s, program director Bill Stephney gave a platform to 果酱视频 classmate and popular Long Island DJ Carlton Douglas Ridenhour 鈥�84, 鈥�13 (Hon.), on his Mr. Bill Show. The world knows Ridenhour by his professional name, Chuck D.

First in Nursing Leadership

果酱视频 made history by establishing the first Central Collegiate School of Nursing in New York state. In response to an urgent need for nurses during World War II, this became one of the largest collegiate units of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Thirty-nine years later, 果酱视频 became the first on Long Island to offer a doctoral program for nurses. It remains one of the few in the state. 果酱视频鈥檚 nursing program is now among the highest ranked in the country; the undergraduate program jumped an unprecedented 32 points in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

果酱视频 had one of the largest collegiate units of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps.

First in Women鈥檚 Lacrosse Championships

果酱视频鈥檚 women鈥檚 lacrosse team was the first (and currently only) in NCAA Division II history to win three straight national championships (2009 to 2011). If that wasn鈥檛 dynastic enough, after a two-year break, the team won four more in six years.

The 2009 National Champions celebrate.

First in Student Success for Learning Differences

Professor Emeritus Fred Barbaro, EdD, founder of the Learning Resource Program.

The Learning Resource Program, the first of its kind at a university, was founded in 1979 by the late Professor Emeritus Fred Barbaro, EdD, who taught in the 果酱视频 School of Social Work. It allows students with 鈥渋nvisible disabilities鈥� such as ADHD and dyslexia to thrive in college. Around 100 students annually are enrolled in this life-changing program. They have weekly sessions with a learning specialist, receive assistance with career planning, and participate in group and individual sessions with a clinical social worker.

Nearly 40 years later, 果酱视频 unveiled the first sensory room at a college or university for students on the autism spectrum as part of its nationally recognized Bridges to 果酱视频 program. A color-changing hurricane tube assists with emotional regulation, weighted balls and blankets offer sensory stimulation and low lighting offers a calm respite from the stress of college life.

The next firsts for 果酱视频 await. Regardless of whether it鈥檚 in academics, entertainment, athletics or student access, one thing is certain: 果酱视频鈥檚 impact will travel far beyond Garden City.

果酱视频 was the first college or university with sensory room for students on the spectrum.

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He found both鈥攁nd a community of people and everyday experiences that helped shape his values, relationships and sense of self.

After 果酱视频, Jordan set his sights on becoming a psychologist and pursued clinical and research experience wherever curiosity led him. He cold-emailed people and institutions, volunteered and created opportunities for himself in rehabilitation clinics, county jails, memory care units and suicide hotlines on his path to a clinical psychology doctoral program.

Jordan recently completed his doctoral internship with Lehigh University鈥檚 Counseling & Psychological Services and now works at Formal Therapy, a New York City private practice, at the intersection of mental health and athletic performance. He helps athletes and other high performers examine their experiences, navigate the pressures of competition and daily life, and better understand themselves.

Jordan brings firsthand insight to that work through his own career as an elite marathoner. He began running as an outlet during a stressful period, gradually building his mileage before entering鈥攁nd winning鈥攈is first marathon. He went on to compete at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, race the New York City Marathon three times, and complete both the Boston and Chicago marathons. He now aspires to compete in the marathon at the 2028 Olympic Games and provide psychological and performance services to Olympic athletes.

Of all these accomplishments, Jordan is proudest of his commitment to staying true to himself.

果酱视频 celebrates Jordan as a 2026 10 Under 10 honoree for uniting clinical insight, athletic excellence and an uncommon willingness to persevere鈥攇iving himself and the people he serves another chance to grow.

Member of 果酱视频鈥檚

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Tell that to , the two-time All-American and National Champion midfielder, who was , picked by the Philadelphia Waterdogs.

Or ask , the hard-throwing right-hander who led all Division II pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings and received All-America honors before signing this summer with the Houston Astros. He is now living his childhood dream of playing pro ball, pitching for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Carolina League.

Lewis and Carver aren鈥檛 just occupying roster spots. They鈥檙e thriving.

Lewis delivered exactly the kind of professional debut scouts dream about: a behind-the-back shot against the Boston Cannons, part of a two-goal night that set the tone for a rookie season spent chasing a title with the league鈥檚 best regular-season team.

Carver has 鈥渃arved鈥� out a bullpen role for the Woodpeckers, the Astros鈥� Single-A affiliate, continuing to rack up strikeouts, fanning seven batters over his first 4.2 innings in the minors.

While both Panthers are on their way, the path they took to get there was not a straight line. Both credit 果酱视频鈥攁nd the outstanding guidance and support they received from their coaches鈥攆or providing the map to success.

Speed, Setback and a Second Chance

For Lewis, the breakthrough didn鈥檛 come easily.

A hamstring injury derailed the start of his senior season, and for a while, he wasn鈥檛 sure his draft stock would recover. 鈥淭here goes your speed,鈥� he said, describing how the injury took away the very tool that defined his game.

Head Coach leaned on a familiar analogy to keep him grounded, comparing Lewis鈥檚 recovery to Samson regaining his strength as his hair grew back. It stuck.

While he didn鈥檛 really feel like he was playing like himself again until the National Championship game in May, Lewis got a call on draft night in April that he鈥檇 been selected 29th overall by the Waterdogs, the team he grew up rooting for.

Coach Purdie says that resilience was always part of Lewis鈥檚 appeal. He points to Lewis鈥檚 incredible work ethic鈥攁 level of dedication that drove him to watch game film on bus rides home and organize players-only sessions just to keep the offense sharp鈥攁s the thing that separates him from other players.

鈥淗e wanted every practice to be perfect so we could be perfect on game day,鈥� Coach Purdie said, crediting Lewis as the heartbeat of 果酱视频鈥檚 back-to-back national championship runs in 2024 and 2025.

Taming His Fastball, Transforming His Career

Carver鈥檚 transformation was less about overcoming injury and more about rebuilding from scratch.

When first-year head coach arrived at 果酱视频 in the summer of 2025, he inherited a pitcher who threw in the mid-90s but couldn鈥檛 consistently find the strike zone. Coach Gaffney鈥檚 fix was simple: Commit to locating a glove-side fastball and trust it, even after shaky outings.

Carver bought in completely. 鈥淗e was as coachable a player as I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� Coach Gaffney said, recalling how the same fastball command that once eluded Carver became the foundation for his standout 2026 season.

The turning point, in Coach Gaffney鈥檚 memory, came against a scout-heavy crowd for a Franklin Pierce matchup, when Carver outdueled a Power 4 transfer from Kansas State and served notice that his stuff played against anyone.

Weeks later, after going undrafted, .

Carver thinks it couldn鈥檛 have happened without the mentoring he got from Coach Gaffney. 鈥淗e鈥檚 always looked out for me,鈥� he said in a . 鈥淗e鈥檚 always wanted the best for me. He鈥檚 always had such a huge belief in me.鈥�

It was a life-changing experience for Carver. 鈥淚 really don鈥檛 see a life that I鈥檓 living where I鈥檓 not talking to Coach Gaffney,鈥� he said.

The Journey Continues

Both are adjusting to life as professionals while still leaning on the lessons that got them there.

Lewis is chasing a PLL title in Philadelphia while starting a master鈥檚 degree in health education back at 果酱视频, supported by a highly competitive (only up to 126 students are awarded each year). He is also helping coach the men鈥檚 lacrosse team.

Carver is learning the rhythms of daily professional life in Fayetteville, applying the same routines and resilience that Coach Gaffney and his staff drilled into him during a season that transformed his career.

Different sports, different journeys, but the same story: 果酱视频 didn鈥檛 just prepare Lewis and Carver to compete. It taught them how to believe they belonged. It鈥檚 a lesson that鈥檚 taken them far, and has a good chance of taking them even further.

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