As in the past eight years, this October’s Spirit Weekend brought the Adelphi community together, reuniting old friends and introducing new traditions.
How long does it take to create a beloved tradition? Less than a decade, at least in the case of Adelphi’s annual Spirit Weekend. The equivalent of homecoming, it’s a celebration that unites every corner of the Adelphi community—from current students and families to alumni from across generations.
The ninth annual Spirit Weekend, held October 3–5, brought together more than 3,000 attendees—including 1,000 alumni, hundreds of students and their families, faculty and staff, administrators, and friends of the University—for three days of connection, community and Panther pride.
“One of the things I love most about Spirit Weekend is hearing the stories and examples of how Adelphi affected previous students,” said Interim President Chris Storm, PhD, in his opening remarks. “You often hear legendary stories of faculty in the classroom, of roommates and of campus organizations.”
A Spirited Weekend
Spirit Weekend 2025 brought thousands to campus for reunions, a celebration of the WBAU radio station, Spirit Award ceremonies and good times. Launch Gallery
A Spirited Weekend
Spirit Weekend 2025 brought thousands to campus for reunions, a celebration of the WBAU radio station, Spirit Award ceremonies and good times. 5 Photos-
The Campus Kick-Off jump-started Spirit Weekend on Wednesday with a block party-style celebration with food, live music, games and giveaways.
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James Tullo ’27 was one of the two winners of the Spirit Spot Showdown. His design won him a semester-long reserved parking space on campus.
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The Spirit Carnival attracted a crowd of more than 1,100 fun seekers.
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Alumni of Adelphi’s legendary radio station, WBAU, got together for a Spirit Weekend reunion.
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Interim President Chris Storm, PhD, and Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations, presented Diane Abbey ’59 with the Ruth S. Harley Service Award at the annual Spirit Awards ceremony.
Embracing New Traditions While Honoring Classics
The 2025 festivities began with the Spirit Weekend Campus Kick-Off on Wednesday—a lively, block party-style celebration that brought together students, faculty and staff with food, live music, games and giveaways.
The Kick-Off also introduced an event that should become an enduring staple of Spirit Weekend: the Spirit Spot Showdown, an art competition challenging members of the campus community to paint campus parking spots with designs that promote school spirit, community engagement, positive representation and inclusion. Contestants entered to win the prize that amounts to a commuting student’s fondest dream: a reserved campus parking spot for a semester.
More than 1,500 Adelphi community members voted over the course of Spirit Weekend to choose the two winners. When votes were tallied, Frank Genna Jr. ’25, whose “Endless Summer” design reflects his love of surfing, and junior James Tullo, who was inspired by his feeling that Adelphi is his second home, were announced the winners.
From alumni milestones to student celebration, the weekend reflected the spirit of the entire campus community. Friday evening kicked off with the induction ceremony for the 2025 10 Under 10 class—honoring successful young alumni—followed by the always popular Casino Night, hosted by the Center for Student and Community Engagement.
The Spirit Carnival on Saturday drew more than 1,100 guests to campus for rides, games, live music, food and an Oktoberfest beer garden for adults. Families also gathered that morning for the annual Parent and Family Association Brunch, where this year’s board was elected: President Esther Reich and General Board Members Kallyn Rodriguez and Tanya Poyser. Later that day, community members attended an event recognizing the Spirit Court and announcing this year’s Prestigious Panthers—students chosen for their academic achievements and campus and community involvement: seniors Elizabeth Nemirovsky, Tonantzin Martinez and Salvatore Carollo.
The weekend concluded on Sunday with the traditional 5K, 1K and Fun Run and the introduction of a new event offering a new way to enjoy an ancient practice—goat yoga.
WBAU Alums Highlight Weekend Reunions
One of the event’s most notable reunions revolved around WBAU, Adelphi’s student radio station from 1972 to 1995 that’s legendary for the role it played in popularizing hip-hop. Reaching most of Long Island and parts of New York City at 90.3 on the FM dial, WBAU was one of the first stations to play the rap records that were beginning to hit stores in 1979. It not only played the music, it made a huge contribution to rap by launching the careers of Carlton Douglas Ridenhour ’84, ’13 (Hon.), the WBAU disc jockey who went on to stardom as Chuck D of Public Enemy, and Bill Stephney ’82, the first president of Def Jam Records. WBAU itself achieved lasting fame as the only college station mentioned at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
WBAU’s impact went beyond hip-hop. Sportscaster Al Trautwig ’78, ’17 (Hon.), who passed away earlier this year, started his career at the station. So did media entrepreneur Al Cattabiani ’80, as did Jeff Filippi ’82, executive producer at MSG Networks, and Gary Dell’Abate ’83, better known as Baba Booey and executive producer of The Howard Stern Show.
WBAU and its alumni community were honored and celebrated during 2025’s Spirit Weekend. Thirty-three alumni of the station were reunited, including Stephney, Filippi and Dell’Abate. Stephney and Filippi also appeared in an on-stage celebration of WBAU at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, featuring Katherine Rye Jewell, author of Live From the Underground: A History of College Radio, and Scott Litroff, PhD, senior adjunct faculty in the music department.
2025 was also a significant anniversary for Adelphi’s Class of 1975, which celebrated its 50th reunion over Spirit Weekend. Thirty-two alumni and spouses attended the event, which included an all alumni brunch and 50th reunion dinner on Saturday, October 4. Congressman Gregory Meeks ’75 addressed his fellow alums at the dinner.
There were other memorable reunions, too. Honors College alums celebrated the College’s 30th anniversary, Bridges to Adelphi graduates gathered for the program’s 10th anniversary, and alumni of Adelphi baseball, softball and swim teams met for friendly competitions.
The 2025 Spirit Award Recipients
Each year, Spirit Weekend honors distinguished alumni with Spirit Awards. Presented at the Alumni Brunch, the awards honor alumni who have made a lasting impact on society and on the University through outstanding professional, philanthropic or volunteer accomplishments. The 2025 recipients are:
- Philanthropist of the Year—Richard Garner, PhD, for his work as founding dean of Adelphi’s Honors College and for his exceptional generosity in promoting and supporting the University
- Ruth S. Harley Service Award—Diane Abbey ’59, a longtime donor, for her outstanding volunteer service to Adelphi University
- Alumnus of the Year—Marc S. Strachan ’81, former chair of the University’s board of trustees and current trustee, for his leadership, mentorship and philanthropy
- Panther Family Award—WBAU, for creating a culture of community for Adelphi students
- Legacy Family Award—The Eickelberg Family, for representing Panther Pride for three generations starting in 1951, when Warren Eickelberg joined the biology faculty, and continuing with the graduations of his four children and three of his grandchildren
From alumni reunions and student showcases to family brunches and new traditions, Spirit Weekend 2025 captured the full heartbeat of Adelphi—its students, families, alumni, faculty and staff. It was a powerful reminder of the shared pride and connection that define our community—and that will shine even brighter during the 10th anniversary celebration, October 16–18, 2026.
“It has been a joy to see Spirit Weekend grow over the years, and we’re especially excited to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026,” said Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. “The success of Spirit Weekend reflects the goals of The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact—to bring our community together in connection and celebration.”