Oslo, Norway
Major: Finance

“I’m looking forward to developing my interests within finance and exploring where that may take me professionally, while continuing to develop as a tennis player. I’m proud of the results I’ve achieved in tennis over the years, including winning the Norwegian U19 National Championship in mixed doubles, but especially of the consistency and hard work behind them. I chose Adelphi because it was important to me to find a university where I could get a great education while also being a part of a strong tennis team. I also really liked the welcoming atmosphere at Adelphi, and it felt like the right fit for me both academically and athletically.”

Jackson Clark

Matthews, North Carolina
Major: Business, Three-Year Track
Honors College

“I hope to become a lawyer, but I chose my major because of my interest in business and the opportunity to earn that degree in the accelerated three-year track. I came to Adelphi because of its amazing location, strong faculty and opportunities like the Alternative Summer Break, which I was able to attend in August. I wanted to go to a school in or near a big city like New York, and the three-year program and other grants made that financially possible for me.”

Rebecca Golin

Brooklyn, New York
Major: Biochemistry with a minor in mathematics

“I am planning on a medical career, so I chose Adelphi for its supportive community, strong scientific opportunities and Early Assurance pathway to medical school that will allow me to grow as both a researcher and future physician. I have already conducted cancer research, where I discovered how mathematics and genomic data can help answer complex questions about disease and ultimately improve patient care.”

Zion Hines

Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Major: Dance

“I want to be able to dance professionally, and my ultimate goal is to own a dance studio so that I can teach choreography, inspiring dancers of all ages. I am grateful to have accomplished as much as I have so far in my dance career. I received a 2025 New Jersey Governor’s Award for Arts Education, an honor given to high school students, and I have had the opportunity to choreograph and perform a solo titled Inner Thoughts along with five other talented recipients. I am excited to be at Adelphi. When I auditioned for the dance program last winter, it felt like such a genuine and supportive community. I like the small classes, too, which will allow me to get to know my professors and be able to get any help or advice whenever I need it.”

Ashlyn Ho

La Crescenta, California
Major: Biology

“I want to become a dentist, and I chose Adelphi because of its Early Assurance 4+4 program, which gives me a direct path to the LECOM School of Dental Medicine. Adelphi also gives me the chance to work closely with my professors. I really enjoy playing the piano, too, and performed at Carnegie Hall as a first-prize winner in the Elite International Music Competition.”

Arina Kamenetska

Kharkiv, Ukraine
Major: Theatre
Honors College/Levermore Global Scholars Program

“My goal is to build a career as an actress in both theater and film. I also hope to create international theater projects that bring together actors and artists from different countries and cultures. I am especially proud to have received a Jonathan Larson Scholarship from Adelphi. I chose Adelphi because of the people. During my audition with Professor Margaret Lally and Professor Thomas Schrider, I immediately felt that I had found my community and my people. They made me feel that Adelphi was a place where I would truly belong, and I could see how much the professors genuinely care about their students and want to help them grow.”

Karina Kumar

South Richmond Hills, Queens, New York
Major: English, Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP) – Adolescent Education
Levermore Global Scholars Program

“My goal is to become a teacher who can truly make an impact in students’ lives. I will strive to shape young minds in the lens of today’s society and always fight against injustices in education, making my classroom truly accessible to all students. I am particularly interested in finding ways to reach students beyond the textbooks. Adelphi’s commitment to diversity, equity and global learning reflects the educator I aspire to become.”

Mia Leggio

Seaford, New York
Major: Sport Management
Honors College/

“Sports are really important to me, and I am proud to be following in the footsteps of my sister, Alexandra, who played lacrosse for Adelphi. I chose Adelphi because of its strong academics, women’s soccer program and close-knit community. I am also proud to be a certified EMT because that allows me to make a difference by helping others during very tough times.”

Anya Patel

New Hyde Park, New York
Major: Biology
Levermore Global Scholars Program

“My goal is to pursue a career in orthodontics and provide compassionate, culturally aware care to diverse communities. Majoring in biology and participating in the Levermore Global Scholars program will help me reach that goal, allowing me to combine my passion for science with my interest in people, cultures and global perspectives. As someone with both Indian and Kenyan heritage, I believe that understanding and respecting different backgrounds is essential to connecting with others and providing compassionate healthcare. I chose Adelphi because of its close-knit community and the opportunity to pursue my goals in the healthcare field in an environment where I feel supported and encouraged to grow.”

Michael Secko

Centerport, New York
Majors: Environmental Science and History with Certificate in Museum Studies
Honors College

“By majoring in two fields while earning a certificate in another, I am hoping to build a career that brings all of those worlds together. Whether it is working at a museum, a national park or an environmental agency, my goal is to find ways to connect our natural environment with human history. I have always been fascinated by how the past and the environment shape each other. I want to find innovative ways to preserve both our history and our planet. Choosing Adelphi was an easy decision for me. From the moment I stepped on campus, it just felt right. It is also extra special because my grandparents earned both their undergraduate and master’s degrees here, so it feels like home in more ways than one.”

Justin Smiley-Carter

Jamaica, Queens, New York
Major: Ethics and Public Policy
Honors College/Levermore Global Scholars Program

“I served as secretary-general at a Model UN conference that created a welcoming outlet for students across South Queens and Long Island to explore diplomacy. I plan to attend law school, with the goal of eventually using my experience to create opportunities for younger students in marginalized communities and inspire them to pursue a career in law. I chose Adelphi because it’s where I can really challenge myself academically, and because the Honors College and Levermore Global Scholars program allow me to explore my interests beyond the classroom while preparing me to reach my goals.”

Louis Spillane

Auckland, New Zealand
Major: Finance

“My goal is to build a career in finance while continuing to pursue my passion for football. Football has been a huge part of my life. I was honored to represent New Zealand as a member of the U17 National Team that qualified for the U17 World Cup. Wearing the New Zealand fern, singing the national anthem and seeing my family in the stands made it an experience I’ll never forget. It was a moment where years of hard work and sacrifice came together. I look forward to competing at Adelphi while building a strong foundation for my future in finance. I hope to combine the discipline, leadership and competitive mindset I have developed through football with my passion for finance and create a successful career that allows me to pursue both interests.”

Wyatt Yim

Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York
Major: Nursing

“I want to be working as a traveling nurse to explore the world more, then later on become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. I would like to visit all 50 states and, as a proud Eagle Scout, all the national parks. I chose Adelphi for its small and beautiful campus, and I began my Adelphi experience by joining the First-Year Community Action Program (FCAP). It gave me the opportunity to do some volunteer work before the start of classes while meeting new people and helping the community.”

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When arts patron and friend of the University Lee Steinberg made her generous bequest to Adelphi, it not only strengthened the future of the ������Ƶ Performing Arts Center—it shone a spotlight on the vibrancy of the arts at Adelphi.

“Lee Steinberg’s legacy gift reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts,” said Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. “Her generosity strengthens not only our facilities, but the student experiences and creative opportunities that define Adelphi’s performing arts community.”

The $1.77 million gift supports immediate physical improvements at the Center as well as permanent, flexible funding for its ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. In recognition of her extraordinary generosity, the University has named the center’s Recital Hall in her honor—the Lee Steinberg Recital Hall.

The hall is one of the five state-of-the-art venues at the Center, along with the 500-seat Westermann Stage at the Concert Hall, the Olmsted Theatre, the Dance Theatre and the Black Box Theatre.

Adelphi’s Rich History in Theatre

Adelphi’s theatre, dance and music programs have produced generations of artists, none more illustrious than Jonathan Larson ’82, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and composer of the iconic Broadway musical Rent. Larson majored in acting at Adelphi and began composing music for small student productions and cabarets, often writing about topics like AIDS, addiction and homophobia, which would later inform his renowned works.

“He came in like a spark plug,” said Nicholas Petron, MA ’70, retired professor and chair of the Department of Theatre. “My first impression was: ’Who is this guy?’ He was a firecracker.”

Larson’s legacy lives on at Adelphi through the $2 million Jonathan Larson Scholarship endowment, established by a bequest from the Larson Family Trust and a matching grant from the University. The endowment supports four annual scholarships for theatre students.

In 2015, Adelphi also launched the annual Larson Legacy Concert Series at Center to celebrate the next generation of musical theatre creators. It has featured performances by recipients of Jonathan Larson Grants from the American Theatre Wing and artists who’ve gone on to Broadway stardom, like Michael R. Jackson, who won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2021 for A Strange Loop.

Adelphi also hosts The Poole Family Broadway Series, generously sponsored by Mary Jane ’62 and Thomas Poole, which brings Broadway legends, cabaret stars and musical theater revues to the center.

Empowering the Next Generation of Excellence in Music and Dance

Theater isn’t alone at Adelphi as a pacesetter for university arts departments. The University’s dance department became one of the first established at a college in the United States when it was founded in 1938 by one of the leading lights of modern dance, Ruth St. Denis. Since then, it has been home to many prominent faculty members, including , Paul Taylor, Norman Walker, Carmen de Lavallade, Jack Cole and Hanya Holm.

In the music department, Pulitzer Prize-winning and Grammy-nominated composer , has been a professor since the early 2000s, nurturing new generations of musical talent while continuing to produce critically acclaimed oratorios. He was honored as one of only five University Professors at Adelphi in 2004.

“One of the great things about Adelphi is that it supports its faculty in its research—in my case, its creativity,” Dr. Moravec said. “I’m eternally indebted to Adelphi for facilitating all of the work that I’ve done in the 25 years that I’ve been here at Adelphi.”

A Donor’s Lifelong Commitment to the Arts in New York

Lee Steinberg’s gift, which was received from her estate in July 2025, reflected her wish to support arts programming and performance centers on Long Island as well as her lifetime commitment to cultural institutions throughout the greater New York region. Steinberg, who briefly served on Adelphi’s Performing Arts Council, died in 2021 at the age of 106 and was posthumously added as a member of Adelphi’s Million Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes our most generous donors, whose cumulative giving exceeds $1 million.

In accordance with Steinberg’s intent, the University has established two funds to support the ������Ƶ Performing Arts Center—the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Capital Fund, for immediate physical improvements, and the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Excellence Endowed Fund, to provide permanent, flexible support for the center’s ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. This generous gift reinforces Adelphi’s reputation as a preeminent leader in arts education and performance in our region.

Enhancements to Center will elevate the experience of student performers, faculty directors, guest artists and audience members. Several capital improvements have already been funded through an initial $500,000 allocation, including:

• A comprehensive refresh of the Olmsted Theatre, featuring new lighting, audience seating, carpeting, acoustic panels and painting, as well as the installation of a new digital sound mixing console
• Brighter lighting in the Center’s second-floor dance studios
• New house lights and work lights in the Concert Hall

Beginning in 2027, annual distributions from the endowment will ensure that the spotlight never fades—empowering generations of future artists to push creative boundaries and inspire the world from Adelphi’s stages.

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In recognition of her extraordinary generosity, the University has named the Center’s recital hall in her honor—the Lee Steinberg Recital Hall.

“Lee Steinberg’s legacy gift reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts,” said Tom Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. “Her generosity strengthens not only our facilities, but the student experiences and creative opportunities that define Adelphi’s performing arts community.”

“The Lee Steinberg Recital Hall honors Lee’s commitment to a legacy of inspiring student performers and audiences for generations,” said Blyth Daylong, executive director of ������Ƶ’s Performing Arts Center.

A Lifelong Commitment to the Arts in New York

The gift, received in July 2025 from Ms. Steinberg’s estate, places her among the members of Adelphi’s Million Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes our most generous donors with cumulative giving exceeding $1 million. Steinberg died in 2021 at the age of 106. Through her bequest, she expressed her wish to support arts programming and performance centers on Long Island, continuing a lifetime commitment to cultural institutions throughout the greater New York region.

Planned giving has flourished at Adelphi in recent years. In Fiscal Year 2024–2025, the University’s pipeline of documented future support exceeded $40 million. All levels of leadership giving at Adelphi are shaping the long-term strength of academic programs, student opportunities and institutional excellence.

In accordance with Steinberg’s intent, the University has established two funds to support the Performing Arts Center—the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Capital Fund for immediate physical improvements and the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Excellence Endowed Fund to provide permanent, flexible support for the Center’s ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. This generous gift reinforces Adelphi’s reputation as a preeminent leader in arts education and performance in our region.

Applause for Improved Lighting, Seating, Flooring and Acoustics at Adelphi’s Performing Arts Center

Enhancements to the Center will elevate the experience of student performers, faculty directors, guest artists and audience members. Several capital improvements have already been funded through an initial $500,000 allocation, including:

• A comprehensive refresh of the Olmsted Theatre, featuring new lighting, audience seating, carpeting, acoustic panels and painting, as well as the installation of a new digital sound mixing console
• Brighter lighting in the Center’s second-floor dance studios
• New house lights and work lights in the Concert Hall

Beginning in 2027, annual distributions from the endowment will provide sustained support for artistic programming and facility excellence.

Steinberg briefly served on Adelphi’s Performing Arts Council and remained committed to supporting the arts throughout her life. Her bequest ensures that generations of Adelphi students will continue to learn, perform and thrive in spaces designed for excellence in the arts.

Advancing The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact

This seven-figure investment advances Adelphi’s Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, demonstrating how philanthropic leadership translates into visible improvements, strengthened programs and lasting institutional growth. Through leadership gifts like Steinberg’s, Adelphi continues its mission to transform students’ lives and reinforces its role as a cultural anchor on Long Island.

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Directed by Maggie Lally, associate professor of theatre, Love and Information is a fast-moving theatrical kaleidoscope exploring the characters as they try to make sense of what they know and what they find out, tackling what it means to be human in a modern world between the concepts of love and information. The play takes an unfamiliar approach: The fragmented narrative and lack of a central plot encourages the audience to actively piece together what they’re seeing on stage.

Since the numerous characters have only limited time in the story, this can be challenging for the audience and the actors—but it makes the play all the more exciting for both.

Theatre Students Take On Technology and Its Role in the Search for Love

“The casting is very flexible and it gave all acting students equal opportunity to participate, and it offered wonderful opportunities for students in terms of design. I believe the themes of the play are particularly relevant to us today,” Lally noted. “Love and Information is about technology, but also about people without technology and our search for love and meaning in our lives in this current moment. Caryl Churchill wrote the play in 2012 but the students found many connections to the material in their lives today.”

The production was presented by arrangement with on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. A review of the show was featured in a , Adelphi’s student newspaper.

“The challenge of the show is what made it,” the review reads. “The work of the actors to portray what they wanted with the words they were given, as well as the crew to uphold this through sets, props, set pieces and keeping backstage as calm and clean as possible. With the excellent guidance and direction of director Lally, the show was as perfect as a show of this caliber could be.”

Kennedy Center Honors for Acting, Projection Design and Sound Design

At the in the last week of January, both Alyssa Infranco and Katie Goz made it to the semifinal round of the acting scholarship competition (two of just 36 actors selected from 170). Both were nominated for Love and Information.

On the behind-the-scenes front, Jamie Knafel brought home the First Place Projections Design Award in the Design, Technology, and Management category for his work on the show. He’ll be attending the annual this spring.

Riley Oberting also earned a Regional Honorable Mention in Sound Design for his design of Love and Information. Cat Farrell presented their costume design for the show and shared the Don Childs DTM Cross-Discipline Collaboration Award with Oberting and Knafel for their work on the fall production.

The stellar cast also included Sarah Baleigh, Jordan Boyatt, Nikki Colaitis, Allison Covone, NayaJoy Dean-Colbert, Justin Koczko, Sierra McDaniel and Serina Wold.

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As the , “Justin Vivian Bond (Viv) is an artist and performer working in the cabaret tradition weaving history, cultural critique and an ethic of care into performances and artworks animated by wit, whimsy and calls to action. Bond uses cabaret to explore the political and cultural ethos of the moment and tie it back to history to address contemporary challenges, in particular those facing queer communities.”

The is designed to recognize individuals who have shown exceptional creativity in their work and the potential for even more significant contributions in the future. Each recipient, or “MacArthur Fellow,” receives a no-strings-attached grant of $800,000 (as of 2024), disbursed over five years. The fellowship is unique in that there are no specific requirements or obligations for how the money must be used, and recipients are selected from various fields, including arts, sciences, humanities and social activism. The MacArthur Foundation nominates individuals anonymously, and there is no application process.

Bond posted about this honor on , stating, “I joyfully accept the title “Genius” on behalf of all of the people who have held me steady on my path, come to my shows, formed friend groups, fallen in love, gotten loaded, cried or laughed” and “Being ‘seen’ is something we all aspire to, I think, to have others acknowledge our truth and embrace it. So thank you for seeing me through it all, and for believing in me from the very beginning until I was able to believe in myself. This award is an acknowledgement of our symbiosis and how beautifully it has worked. I’m filled with so much love … As I grow older I hope we can keep growing together through the time that lies ahead.”

Bond is not the first Adelphi alum to receive this award:

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The programs are in conjunction with the Center for International Education, which offers a wide range of study abroad programs that students can explore.

Adelphi is once again offering students a trip to London, in which professors will provide a general overview of British theater to those taking part.

Experiencing London Theatre

One of the spots visited by students on a previous study abroad trip was the Olivier Theatre, the main auditorium at London’s National Theatre.

Students in this fall’s Experiencing London Theatre class will once again travel to the city that is the origin of so much great theater. The class provides a general overview of British theater, from Shakespeare to the present, and culminates with during winter break, from January 4 to January 14, 2025.

The trip will be led by Sean Sullivan, associate professor and chair, and Maggie Lally ’82, associate professor, both faculty members in the Department of Theatre.

“It’s really an experiential learning class,” said Sullivan. “It allows students to get a different perspective on how theater is produced in a different country.”

While the trip is primarily in London, the group will do a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, the location of Shakespeare’s birth, and see a performance by the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. On the other end of the theatrical spectrum, they’ll also walk through a warehouse and interact with the cast of an immersive performance.

After these and other performances, they’ll meet informally to discuss. They’ll even take some tours backstage.

Students will also have the option to study independently on their own time and visit nearby cultural sites.

“I hope many students sign up for this course, not just theater students,” said Sullivan. “International study abroad is so great for broadening the students’ experience.”

Exploring Gothic Cities

Students visited many of the picturesque landscapes in London.

Students who love Gothic literature will get to experience the sites that inspired books like Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Over spring break, from March 15 to March 22, students in the Spring 2025 semester English course Literary Landscapes: Gothic Cities will embark on a . This visit will be led by Kelly Swartz, PhD, and Katherine Hill, both associate professors of English.

“York is a cool city with a really rich history,” said Dr. Swartz. “It has Viking ruins, Roman ruins, medieval ruins. And its architecture inspired the design of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.”

Students will visit historical literary landmarks, such as Whitby Abbey (the ruins where Dracula by Bram Stoker is set), Shibden Hall (the ancestral home of “the first modern lesbian” and writer, Anne Lister) and the Brontë house, and connect the places to the literary works. Other activities include doing hikes on the countryside, visiting the Jorvik Viking Museum and seeing the medieval Clifford’s Tower. There are even plans to go on a ghost tour, exploring York’s haunted history. Students will have free time to explore more of York themselves at night.

“Many of these students have never traveled abroad before,” said Dr. Swartz. “The great thing about these Adelphi trips is that they offer a safe, comfortable group for first-time international travelers.”

The English department has arranged faculty-led trips to several iconic international cities, including Dublin, Reykjavik and Copenhagen, exploring different genres of literature. As for future trips, Dr. Swartz already has some ideas. She’d love a Paris trip, where the class studies English authors who have worked and lived in Paris, or a trip to Glasgow, which holds a rich tradition of English history and literature.

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Theater Tech With the Pros

Riley Oberting

Riley Oberting, now a senior double majoring in theatre technology and design and graphic design, got the opportunity to learn about sound design and lighting from professionals at the , the O’Neill is the country’s preeminent organization dedicated to the development of new works and new voices for the stage. He attended workshops and master classes and job shadowed sound designers.

The opportunity came about as a result of his work for Adelphi’s Department of Theatre. For 2023 and 2024, Oberting was awarded first place for his sound design at the . His win this year for his sound design for the Adelphi production of Men on Boats earned him a fellowship at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

Oberting said his experience at the O’Neill “has allowed me to expand my knowledge past what is taught at Adelphi [as well as] my professional network before I’ve even graduated … [and] has truly changed my perspective on theatrical and live sound and made me love it even more.”

Getting Political in D.C.

Vanessa Desrosiers

Vanessa Desrosiers, now an Adelphi senior, is majoring in political science and minoring in cybersecurity. She is on the pre-law studies track and is planning to take the LSAT and apply to law schools. This summer, she got an inside look at the workings of a public relations defense lobbying firm, , in Arlington, Virginia.

Her day as a research analyst intern at The Potomac Advocates consisted of calling and drafting emails to congressional offices, collecting National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and appropriations forms for clients, cyber reports, going to congressional hearings and drafting reports, working on the federal defense budget, and attending networking events, where she met a lot of people in the defense industry.

She said she had always hoped for an opportunity such as this one to come around. “This was a period of growth that I never expected but [was] so happy I got to experience,” Desrosiers said. Her long-term goal is to become a lawyer and then start her own nonprofit for immigrant kids.

Houston, We Have a Competition

Christopher Sciortino

Christopher Sciortino is an Adelphi senior studying computer science with a minor in mathematics. He has a passion for game development and a love of programming. When Kevin Liang, PhD, assistant professor of physics, put forth the idea of competing in a NASA competition presented to university students in the United States, Sciortino and six other students accepted the challenge. The students were asked to take one of NASA’s IPs (intellectual property) and come up with some type of invention with it. Not only does this require a business and marketing plan, but also writing skills, technical skills and teamwork. After presenting in front of NASA-appointed judges, they would determine a winning team and runner-up to be sent to California to the AMES Research Center to further continue their business.

Sciortino’s team came up with a mobile carbon capture device to reduce emissions from trucks. They were accepted and invited to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to present their idea.

“When I said success stems from a good team, I meant it,” Sciortino said. “Not only did I work with amazing friends, but Dr. Liang was a crucial part of our success.” Although they didn’t win, Sciortino says he and his team learned a lot and made many great connections.

To Poland and Back

Faria Rahman Oyshi

Faria Rahman Oyshi is an international student and senior majoring in biochemistry Her love for cooking and baking led her into the field, where she now works in the stockroom and as a laboratory teaching assistant in the chemistry department. Recently, she had the opportunity to go abroad to Poland for her second consecutive summer, thanks to professor of chemistry Justyna Widera-Kalinoska, PhD’s and support from the College of Arts and Sciences Student Excellence Fund. During this trip, Oyshi conducted research at the University of Warsaw. This program allowed her not only to learn and execute research projects, but to learn about the scientific heritage of Poland. “For me, research has always been fun whilst also allowing me to contribute to the wellness of society and the environment,” Oyshi said.

The research project she joined focused on developing semiconductor electrode materials for photo-electrochemical water splitting, a field promising groundbreaking advancements in hydrogen fuel production. She had the opportunity to collaborate and strengthen her skills, allowing her to flourish and think outside the box.

“Conducting research in Poland for two consecutive summers not only allowed me to have hands-on experiences with advanced instrumentations and techniques, but also to shape and strengthen my research skills, building me as a competitive candidate for PhD programs and future research positions as a scientist.”

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Larson, who majored in acting at Adelphi, passed away in 1996 on the day of RENT’s off-Broadway premiere, 10 days shy of his 36th birthday. He would never know the acclaim he ultimately achieved, but his family remained dedicated to preserving his legacy.

An enduring Adelphi legacy

“He came in like a spark plug,” said Nicholas Petron, MA ’70, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre. Petron met Larson when he auditioned for a spot in the performing arts department. “He went right to the piano—and this was an acting audition,” Petron said.

Following Larson’s death, his parents, Allan and Nanette Larson, maintained their connection to Adelphi and friendships with their son’s professors. Nanette died in 2018 and Allan in December 2021. In August 2022, Julie Larson McCollum, Jonathan’s sister and trustee of the Larson Family Trust, finalized the family’s commitment to establishing the endowed Jonathan Larson Scholarship.

Along with gifted students earning Larson scholarships, his legacy here continues in many ways. Since 2015, the next generation of musical theater creators is celebrated each year during the Larson Legacy Concert Series at the ������Ƶ Performing Arts Center. It features performances by recipients of Jonathan Larson Grants from the American Theatre Wing. Many have gone on to Broadway stardom, like Michael R. Jackson, who won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2021 for A Strange Loop.

Today, students who walk the halls of the ������Ƶ Performing Arts Center pass by the bench from the Lower East Side restaurant where Larson often wrote. And in Petron’s office is Larson’s director’s chair, used while he wrote RENT. Eventually, it will move to the Smithsonian with other objects and manuscripts from Larson’s life—for now, it reminds Adelphi’s aspiring performing artists and creators of their great potential for success.

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