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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Rory Lustberg

Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor

Rory Lustberg is a first-year from St. Louis, and she is thrilled at the change of pace in New York City (though she has gripes with all sidewalk slowpokes). You can find her singing and playing piano, training for her upcoming 10K or making conversation with anyone in her general proximity. Literally anyone. She can be chatted with on instagram @rorylustberg or emailed at [email protected].

All content by Rory Lustberg
NYU Goddard Hall

Sociology and Environmental Studies deps. to relocate to the former Goddard Hall

The departments will move into the former residence building 79 Washington Square East in late January and early February.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor December 10, 2024

NYU’s departments of Sociology and Environmental Studies will relocate to 79 Washington Square East during the spring 2025 semester after a yearslong renovation of the former...

A woman smiling against a black background with the words “N.Y.U. BEYOND” written to the left.

Beyond NYU: Opening doors to STEM for students of color nationwide

Inspired by her experiences as an NYU graduate student, Jaycee Holmes hopes to welcome more people of color and women into the computer science industry.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor December 5, 2024

When Tisch alum Jaycee Holmes was an undergraduate student at Spelman College — a historically Black, women’s university — the maker space lab for students consisted of one...

A close-up shot of a man wearing a blue-striped shirt and brown pants sitting in a floral-decorated staircase with big white words that say “BEYOND N.Y.U.”

Beyond NYU: From 8th-grade star to Broadway regular

Adi Roy scored his first professional role as an NYU sophomore. Now, he’s playing the iconic Disney prince that we all know and love.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 21, 2024

Former Tisch and Courant student Adi Roy first played Aladdin on stage in his middle school’s production of “Aladdin Jr.” At that time, he hadn’t even seen the popular...

The number 6 train arrives at the Union Square station. People stand on the platform and walk on an overpass above the tracks.

NYU Langone calls on Gov. Hochul to reduce travel tolls for patients

A letter on behalf of the medical center’s staff said the impending $9 fare to enter central and lower Manhattan will deter patients from accessing medical services.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 20, 2024

Faculty and administrators at NYU Langone Health urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to lower fares for patients and health care workers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street in a letter...

A girl standing next to a lifesized cardboard cutout of herself, with the words “BEYOND N.Y.U.” written to her left.

Beyond NYU: Turning a creative outlet into a personal brand

Just like many of us, Stern junior Gracie Palumbo-Alkire used to wind down by watching TikTok videos before bed. Now, millions of people are tuning in to watch hers.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 14, 2024

In high school, Stern junior Gracie Palumbo-Alkire would go about her daily life of rigorous classes and sports practices, and get ready for bed — pausing her nightly routine...

A man standing in a suit holding a trophy, with “STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS” written on the wall behind him and “BEYOND NYU” written to the right.

Beyond NYU: Documenting human rights abuses on camera

NYU journalism alum Rishabh Jain hopes to make a difference through creating documentaries highlighting peoples’ stories.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 7, 2024

As NYU alum Rishabh Jain created his thesis documentary while studying graduate journalism in the News & Documentary program, he never could have predicted that it would win...

A sign that reads “VOTE HERE” and “VOTE AQUI” with a black arrow pointing towards a door.

NYU hosts 6 voting sites this election

New York residents are assigned to their nearest polling location — and for some students, it might be their dorm building.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor November 5, 2024

Six NYU buildings, including three student residence halls, will serve as sites for New Yorkers to vote in today’s presidential election .  The polling places — located...

A man with a gray sweater and blue shirt stands with his back to a wall, facing away from a smiling blonde woman with her back to the other side of the wall.

Review: ‘We Live in Time’ is defined by love, not loss

The romance offers a refreshingly realistic portrayal of choosing joy during tragedy — a choice I watched my own family make.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 30, 2024

I have never audibly sobbed in a movie theater before, but there’s a first time for everything.  I haven’t seen my mom since she died from cancer almost 10 years ago —...

A man posing in front of a white backdrop with the words “Beyond N.Y.U.” illustrated next to him.

Beyond NYU: From high school debate to the Broadway stage

Nihar Duvvuri attended the Tisch School of the Arts for over a year before deciding to redirect and pursue acting full-time. Now, he’s performing in “Romeo and Juliet” on Broadway.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 24, 2024

Former NYU Tisch student Nihar Duvvuri did not have a theater program in his high school — his only acting at that time were 10-minute performances for the speech and debate...

A group of people stand on the sidewalk. They hold flyers, posters and a large sign stating “FLIP YOUR BALLOT OVER VOTE YES ON PROP #1.”

Students rally to expand anti-discrimination laws in New York

NYU student groups advocated to amend state law around civil rights protections and include language on “reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 22, 2024

Around a dozen NYU students rallied to broaden protections under state anti-discrimination laws at Father Demo Square Sunday afternoon. The NYU College Democrats and the Feminist...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch, surrounded by green bushes in front of several pastel-colored buildings. On top of one building is a purple flag reading N.Y.U., and on top of another is a red flag reading W.S.N. The sky is colored with a pastel-pink gradient.

What to do this week: A Halloween dog parade, a Timothée Chalamet look alike competition and more

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: Oct. 21-27.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 20, 2024

A black and white image of a woman with the words “BEYOND N.Y.U.” illustrated next to her.

Beyond NYU: How a Tony Award-winning director took a passion for performance

Rachel Chavkin, director of the Broadway show “Hadestown,” jump-started her career with five of her Tisch classmates by her side.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 17, 2024

The most important course of Tisch alum Rachel Chavkin’s life took place from 7-10 p.m. every Sunday night. In that experimental theater class at NYU, titled “Creating Original...

A police officer holds onto a metal barricade, blocking protesters holding Israeli flags from a space. A person in the foreground watches and the back of his jacket reads: “N.Y.P.D. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.”

Zionist group accused of vandalism demands expulsion of NYU SJP

The group, Betar USA, sent a letter to President Linda Mills criticizing the university’s condemnation of its “violence and vandalism.”
Rory Lustberg and Gigi Liman October 16, 2024

The right-wing Zionist movement, Betar USA, sent a letter to NYU President Linda Mills on Friday, demanding that the university terminate its chapter of Students for Justice in...

Protesters on one side of a street raise Palestinian flags and signs while protestors on the other side raise Israeli flags.

FSJP, NYU condemn ‘violence and vandalism’ from right-wing Zionist group

The group, Betar USA, denied the allegations and called on “all Jewish Americans to boycott NYU.”
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 15, 2024

NYU’s chapter of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine criticized Zionist movement, Betar USA, for allegedly vandalizing a university building and threatening pro-Palestinian...

A man wearing an all black outfit and a bright orange beanie watches a monitor. Behind him are crew members wearing black, one of whom is holding a camera.

Beyond NYU: From moviegoer to festival screener

ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby spoke with WSN about his journey as an Indigenous filmmaker, his creative influences and how his identity has been shaped by the cinematic art.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor October 10, 2024

Tisch Graduate Film alum ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby began his filmmaking journey in a high school class in Michigan. Now, McSauby’s films depicting modern Native stories — inspired...

People gathering around a garden on blankets listening to a woman speak with a microphone.

Elizabeth Street Garden to be evicted after an 11-year fight for the space

Community members and advocates have spent years calling for an alternative to the eviction, now set for Oct. 16.
Danny Arensberg and Rory Lustberg October 9, 2024

Three decades ago, Allan Reiver cleared an abandoned lot of junk and debris to install a front lawn and two pear trees. As Reiver, who was leasing the space, continued to embellish...

A large group of protestors marching with flags, signs, drums and banners. The large banners in the front left reads “STOP COP CITY”, “FREE PALESTINE” and a phrase in Arabic characters. The large banner on the right reads “GLOBALIZE THE INTIFADA” and “WITHIN OUR LIFETIME”

Students join hundreds to protest Netanyahu’s UN address

Protesters began chanting at Grand Central Station before marching to camp outside the hotel Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staying at.
Rory Lustberg and Sophia Chen September 27, 2024

NYU students joined hundreds in a citywide protest on Thursday against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the United Nations General Assembly.   Demonstrators...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch, surrounded by green bushes in front of several pastel-colored buildings. On top of one building is a purple flag reading N.Y.U., and on top of another is a red flag reading W.S.N. The sky is colored with a pastel-pink gradient.

What to do this week: Climate Week, a Brooklyn street festival and more

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: Sept. 23-29.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 22, 2024

A man with his arms crossed smiles at the camera. To his left, “BEYOND N.Y.U.” is written in bold white text.

Beyond NYU: Taking mind control past ‘science fiction’ and into the world

CAS alum Aryan Govil first developed a mind-controlled wheelchair as a junior at NYU. Now, he hopes to gain FDA approval and bring his revolutionary invention to aid people worldwide.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 19, 2024

CAS alum Aryan Govil came up with a life-changing idea while bored in a biochemistry class at NYU: a way to make mind control a reality. In the summer after his junior year, Govil...

A group of faculty hold hands at a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Faculty group’s service strike hits 2-week mark

An NYU spokesperson said that the university has not experienced “any negative impact” since the strike began on Labor Day.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 16, 2024

Four months ago, a cohort of faculty threatened to halt all administrative work if NYU leadership did not remove police from campus, pardon students facing disciplinary action...

The outside N.Y.U Langone Health’s main campus.

NYU Langone opens 2 walk-in primary care locations

The new sites aim to provide easily accessible medical services to adults without routine physicians.
Mariapaula Gonzalez and Rory Lustberg September 12, 2024

NYU Langone Health launched its first non-emergent walk-in care program last month with the opening of two primary care facilities. The Care on Demand sites, located in the...

A photograph of a lobby with a black-and-white tile floor, dark wood columns, N.Y.U. security guards and new security entrance gates with the N.Y.U. torch on them.

Rubin Hall reopens after 15-month renovation

The renovation, which came with an over $2,000 uptick in housing cost, included the addition of air conditioning, noise-mitigating windows and new furniture.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 10, 2024

NYU reopened Rubin Hall ahead of the fall semester following a 15-month renovation period, equipping the first-year residence hall with air conditioning, new windows and updated...

A girl sitting at a piano looks back while playing. “BEYOND” is drawn behind her and “N.Y.U.” is illustrated over a T.V. in light purple.

Beyond NYU: Writing songs for TikTok and the stage

Steinhardt alum Grace Yurchuk uses her virality on social media to propel her music career forward. Now, she aspires to write for the Broadway stage.
Rory Lustberg, Deputy News Editor September 5, 2024

Growing up, Steinhardt alum Grace Yurchuk always wrote songs in her childhood bedroom — that is, until she produced and released her first single from her Third Avenue North...

A group of people wearing purple and pink shirts hold signs with the letters “N,” “Y” and “U” under the Washington Square Arch.

Summer recap: What you missed on campus since May

A student sues roommate for stealing over $50,000 in luxury items, a $6 million donation for artificial intelligence research and more news around campus you missed over the last few months.

As you prepare for the new academic year, here is some news around NYU that you may have missed over summer break.  Student sues roommate for stealing over $50,000 in luxury...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

Mills greets the class of 2028 at Presidential Welcome

NYU president Linda Mills addressed thousands of first-years with a speech followed by a student-led musical performance at this semester’s Presidential Welcome Reality Show.
Krish Dev and Rory Lustberg August 27, 2024

NYU president Linda Mills welcomed thousands of first-year students at two showings of the Presidential Welcome Reality Show at Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday.  The show,...