Overview
The Emergence of Stony Brook
"Standing with the finest in the country ..." In 1960, Governor Nelson Rockefeller and the State Board of Regents challenged the leaders of Stony Brook to build a university that would "stand with the finest in the country." In less than 50 years and on land donated, in part, by local philanthropist Ward Melville, what has emerged is a university that has become one of America's greatest educational success stories. Every day, the Stony Brook story is revitalized through its ambitious and talented students, superb faculty, and bold teaching and research programs.
By several measures, Stony Brook has met and exceeded Governor Rockefeller's challenge. But we have only just begun. With the launching of our first comprehensive capital campaign, we celebrate The Emergence of Stony Brook, and our $300 million goal demonstrates our commitment to invest in our faculty and students and in our research, teaching, public service, and clinical endeavors.
Sustaining Stony Brook's remarkable trajectory requires the active participation and philanthropic investment of our alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations who share Rockefeller's and Melville's passion, vision, and spirit of generosity towards the future of this great institution.
We invite you to learn more about our bold plans for the next 50 years and how you can participate and personally support The Emergence of Stony Brook.
Be a part of what happens next…
After a year-long celebration of the University’s 50th Anniversary, President Shirley Strum Kenny is focusing the campus community on the University’s next 50 years of growth, achievement, and leadership.
The President’s priorities for Stony Brook through 2013 are to:
- Develop Stony Brook as a multi-campus institution.
- Expand, strengthen and diversify the faculty.
- Build research with a special focus on interdisciplinary, translational and applied research and the study of contemporary issues.
- Increase the student body to 27,000 excellent students.
- Provide leadership for regional challenges and opportunities as Long Island’s research university.
- Advance health care programs and services as an integral part of Stony Brook.
- Raise the arts to national prominence.
- Strengthen graduate education.
- Implement an undergraduate curriculum for the 21st century and promote student success.
- Create an increasingly vibrant and inclusive campus community.
- Support sustainability through a green-campus initiative.
- Extend international curricula and connections.
Many of these priorities will only be achieved through private gift support — over and above state appropriations. Whether it is growing the University’s scholarship endowment, establishing new endowed faculty positions, or creating new centers of excellence in research or clinical services, there are many ways for alumni and friends to support Stony Brook’s future as a flagship campus of the SUNY System.
The full text of the University’s Five Year Plan is available online.
If you would like additional information about making a gift to support these efforts, please contact the University Advancement Office
Giving to Stony Brook
Every gift matters. Regardless of the amount, each and every contribution the Stony Brook Foundation (SBF) is important to the future of Stony Brook University and its critical mission of teaching, research, and service to society.
Whether your passion is student scholarships, theoretical physics, cancer research, or enhancing library collections, a gift to Stony Brook is a meaningful investment in creating a better future. Your gift may be designated for current use or placed into an endowed fund. Either way, you can trust that your gift will be used most effectively and in a manner consistent with your wishes. That is our promise to you.
The Stony Brook Foundation, a separately governed, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, exists to accept and manage private contributions for the benefit of Stony Brook University, including the Stony Brook University Medical Center , the Long Island State Veterans Home, and Stony Brook Southampton.
Gifts may be made through an outright contribution of cash, securities, real estate or other real or personal property, as well as through estate gifts such as bequests and trusts and life income gifts such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts. We also welcome your pledge. Pledges of more than $5,000 may be fulfilled over a multi-year period (up to five years). We invite you to fully explore this site to learn more about the many ways you can support the University and our capital campaign, The Emergence of Stony Brook.