2022

In her first State of the State Address on January 5, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the formal designation of Stony Brook University as a New York State’s flagship university as part of her plan for “A New Era for New York.”

The official recognition of Stony Brook and the University at Buffalo reflects the preeminent role that they play statewide, nationally and internationally as models of research and academic excellence. 

“This recognition by the State of New York will strengthen our mission to deliver the benefits of our research, clinical care and education locally, regionally, nationally and globally," said Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis. We thank Governor Hochul for her decision to designate our campus as one of two SUNY flagships.”

The designation will enhance Stony Brook's ability to continue to recruit the world’s most accomplished faculty and attract outstanding students — regardless of their income or socio-economic background — and attract even more highly competitive federal research funding.

Dennis Parnell Sullivan, distinguished professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Mathematics, and the Albert Einstein Chair in Science (Mathematics) at the CUNY Graduate Center, was awarded the 2022 Abel Prize for Mathematics. His Majesty King Harald officially presented Sullivan the prize at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway, on May 24.

Awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters for "groundbreaking contributions to topology in its broadest sense, and in particular its algebraic, geometric and dynamical aspects,” the prize included an award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (nearly US $860,000), funded by the Norwegian government.

“This prize honors brilliant mathematicians who inspire curiosity and drive imagination. Who better to receive this tremendous recognition than distinguished professor Dennis Sullivan,” said President Maurie McInnis. “Professor Sullivan has made outstanding scientific contributions to the field of mathematics, and we are very proud of the impact he has made throughout his illustrious career, especially on those he has mentored.”

Stony Brook University achieved its highest-ever rankings from U.S. News & World Report in its 2023 Best Colleges publication, which was released in the Fall.

Stony Brook was ranked #77 among national universities — a significant jump of 16 places from a year ago — and moved up seven spots to #31 among public universities. It is also the first time Stony Brook was the top-ranked public university in New York State without tying with another university.

Stony Brook’s ranking among 443 national universities places it in a six-way tie with Baylor University, Clemson University, Loyola Marymount University, Michigan State University and Penn State University. U.S. News & World Report’s rankings are considered to be one of the premier rankings of U.S. higher education institutions. 

Dawn Smallwood, who joined Stony Brook University in November 2020 as assistant chief of patrol and community relations, became Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Chief of Police — the first female chief in the university’s 65-year history. Smallwood also has the distinction of being the first woman of color to rise to that position in the 74-year history of the State University of New York (SUNY).

“Having Dawn Smallwood as our new Chief of Police is a huge win,” said Vice President for Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Security Officer Lawrence Zacarese. "She has been a fantastic and key member of my Enterprise Risk Management senior leadership team for the past year-and-a-half. And she represents all we stand for at SBU in terms of diversity, inclusion, representation and equality, at all levels.”

Smallwood entered law enforcement more than three decades ago, moving from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to the City University of New York (CUNY) public school system, to Stony Brook.

After two decades of excellence on and off the field in the America East Conference, Stony Brook University joined the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as a full-time member, elevating the university’s profile and enhancing the student-athlete experience. 

Stony Brook President Maurie McInnis and Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron made the announcement on Jan. 25. All 18 Stony Brook athletic programs joined the CAA, marking the first time in the university’s Division I era that every sport is a member of the same conference.

“The decision to move to the CAA is synchronous with the aspirational nature of our university as well as our department’s vision to positively transform the life of each student-athlete," said Heilbron. 

The Seawolves' inaugural year in the CAA saw plenty of success, including a CAA championship for the men's cross country team.

Nearly 60 makeshift boats created from equal parts cardboard, duct tape, inspiration and perspiration took to the waters of Roth Pond for the long-anticipated running of the 33rd annual Roth Regatta on April 29.

Sailing under the theme of “Time Travel,” boats representing everything from Noah’s Ark to the Titanic to multiple Magic School Buses traversed the 200-yard pond surrounded by hundreds of students and members of the Stony Brook University community. Sunny skies and a cool breeze provided optimal sea conditions for the various clubs, organizations and friends who competed in the Speedster (two-person) and Yacht (four-person) divisions.

The regatta, a beloved and uniquely Stony Brook campus tradition presented by the Undergraduate Student Government, was held in person for the first time since 2019, and the celebratory vibe was evident from the start. The regatta featured music, food and prizes along with the intense competition on the pond, and was live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook by the School of Communication and Journalism and the Stony Brook Media Group.

The Stony Brook University community responded to the war in Ukraine with multiple relief efforts, along with informative and powerful campus events that featured university experts as well as those with close ties to the embattled nation.

“My grandparents said if I went there right now, it would be unrecognizable,” said student Maksim Narodnitskiy, who helped organize one of several relief drives for Ukrainian citizens. “Everything is destroyed.”

The School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ) gathered a group of international correspondents and Ukrainian and Russian experts for a teach-in about the war in March. In April the Department of English and the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting hosted a webinar on "Ukraine’s Refugee Crisis," and in September the Colvin Center hosted a conversation about Vladimir Putin's possible endgame.

Four-year-old Charlie DeFraia of East Moriches started kindergarten on September 7 and celebrated his fifth birthday the following week, thanks to the work of Stony Brook Medicine doctors and a response team that saved his life after a freak accident involving a metal straw.

Charlie was sipping a yogurt drink on June 20 on his family’s porch, using a metal straw, when he lost his balance and fell. The fall forced the straw through his tongue and throat, where it pierced the right carotid artery and jugular vein. 

Paramedics from Stony Brook Medicine EMS responded and with police help transported Charlie to Stony Brook University Hospital in just 13 minutes. That quick response and the work of Stony Brook doctors — including Richard Scriven, chief of pediatric trauma at Stony Brook Trauma Center; David Chesler, director of pediatric neurosurgery at the hospital; and David Fiorella, director of the Stony Brook Cerebrovascular Center — helped save Charlie’s life. The remarkable story has been reported by media outlets across the country and the world.

In May, Stony Brook University announced a major new initiative funded by the Simons Foundation and its sister foundation, Simons Foundation International, that will vastly bolster and improve the pathway to STEM careers for underrepresented students at the university.

With a $56.6 million gift from the Simons Foundation, the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program will help train the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics leaders, providing scholarships, housing and stipends to 50 new students each year.

“The Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program will allow young people to reach their potential as they bring new, much-needed diversity of perspective to science and innovation,” said Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis.

Launching in Fall 2023, the Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program will welcome 50 students each year.

In recognition of National Coming Out Day on October 11, which raises awareness of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) released key findings from its 2021 LGBTQ+ health needs survey.

The study revealed critical health insights about Long Island’s LGBTQ+ adults (18 years and older), including:

The survey represents the collaborative efforts of Stony Brook Medicine, in partnership with more than 30 Long Island-based organizations and community leaders who reach Long Island’s diverse LGBTQ+ community through advocacy and providing programs and services.

“This study provides vital data that can shape the future of LGBTQ+ healthcare in Nassau and Suffolk counties," said said Harold Paz, executive vice president of Health Sciences and CEO, Stony Brook University Medicine.