Rutgers University—Newark

⚽🇧🇷 For Professor Isadora Grevan, soccer in Brazil is more than a game. It is history. Identity. Spirituality. Community. A reflection of the country's ongoing conversations about race and culture.

In her Rutgers–Newark course, "Soccer, Samba, and Spiritualism: Performing Brazil," Grevan explores how the world's most popular sport became woven into Brazil's national imagination.

“People are attracted by the fun part of it and the light part, but it ends up being very deep,” she said.

As the 2026 World Cup brings the world together, discover how the beautiful game continues to shape lives far beyond the pitch.

🔗 Read the full story here: https://f.mtr.cool/cumllrisze

🤝 Meet Kreshnik Berisha, a Rutgers–Newark alumnus turning his vision for community into a global celebration.

The Class of 2024 Global Affairs graduate is the creator of the Newark Fan Village in the Ironbound, bringing together soccer, culture, food, and community during the FIFA World Cup ⚽

As founder of Sihana Hospitality Group, Berisha owns several Newark favorites, including Five Corners Ristorante, Sihana Café, and Sihana Bistro. Through the Fan Village, he's showcasing the city's multicultural spirit while creating opportunities for local businesses, artists, and residents.

“It’s the world’s sport,” said Berisha. “That’s why it’s called the beautiful game.”

Berisha credits Rutgers–Newark with helping him build the partnerships and navigate the complexities of organizing an international event.

“These relationships were built on the strength of having attended Rutgers,” he said. “The skills I developed are instrumental when you’re putting together a festival like this.”

🔗 Click here to read more: https://f.mtr.cool/cqtheolzvr

Some moments are just picture perfect 📸❤️

❤️ Today, we recognize four extraordinary women who retired after dedicating a combined 142 years of service to Rutgers University–Newark and the generations of students and families who have called this place home.

💐 Sherlene Robinson, Cashiering/Payment Center — 45 years

💐 Linda Holman-Rutherford, Cashiering/Payment Center — 44 years

💐 Maria Correia, Office of Financial Aid — 36 years

💐 Sylvia Hall, Office of Financial Aid — 17 years

For decades, these women have been among the first faces students and families turned to for help, guidance, and reassurance. They have witnessed our campus evolve year after year and generation after generation, and through it all, they remained steadfast in their commitment to serving others with care, patience, and compassion.

Some have devoted more than half their lives to our institution and their impact can be seen in the thousands of students whose journeys were made a little easier because they were here.

💌 To Sherlene, Linda, Maria, and Sylvia, thank you endlessly. On behalf of the countless students, families, and colleagues you have supported over the years, thank you for your service, your kindness, and the legacy you leave behind.

❤️⚖️ Honoring a trailblazer, preserving a legacy.

This week, Rutgers Law School dedicated Elizabeth Blume-Silverstein Plaza in honor of one of New Jersey's pioneering attorneys. A member of the Class of 1911, Blume-Silverstein built a legal career that spanned nearly six decades and broke barriers for generations of women in law.

Her legacy continues today thanks to the generosity of her son, Nathan Silverstein, RLaw '64, who has devoted recent years to honoring his parents through philanthropy. His transformative gift established the Elizabeth Blume-Silverstein Endowment, supporting Rutgers Law students through clinical education, public interest work, and other pioneering initiatives, while also helping create a lasting tribute to his mother on the Rutgers–Newark campus.

🎙️ “Naming a central thoroughfare on the Rutgers-Newark campus for a graduate of the class of 1911 is historically appropriate," said Provost Jeffrey Robinson. "That the graduate is a woman, who was the first female lawyer in Essex County to practice law on the same basis as male attorneys by opening a law office, employing staff, and trying cases, even death penalty cases before juries, is even more appropriate.”

🔗 Read more about the legacy of Blume-Silverstein here: https://law.rutgers.edu/news/plaza-and-portrait-dedication

🎉🎓 Congratulations to the 241 graduates of Rutgers Law School–Newark!

Your hard work has brought you to this milestone, but your impact is only beginning. May you carry your knowledge forward with purpose, humility, compassion, and integrity ❤️🤍

🎓 A first for Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson. A milestone for Rutgers–Newark.

This year, Chancellor Smith-Jackson presided over her first Commencement ceremony, celebrating 2,849 graduates during our 80th Commencement and the graduation of our 80th class of 🦊❤️

“I have been looking forward to this moment since the day I arrived,” she told graduates. “Because nothing tells the story of a university better than the faces of its graduating class.”

🎉 As Rutgers–Newark continues its year-long 80th anniversary celebration, Chancellor Smith-Jackson reflected on the deep connection between Rutgers–Newark and the city it calls home.

“The City of Newark is not just a location on a map. It is the living context of everything we do," she said. "As an anchor institution, we continuously listen to, learn from and partner with the city and its residents on the issues that matter most.”

Here's to 80 years of access, opportunity, impact and community, and to the Class of 2026, who now become part of that legacy.

🔗 Read more about our 80th commencement ceremony here: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-newark-graduates-receive-life-lessons-ms-nows-jonathan-capehart