Message from President Shirley Strum Kenny

A Stony Brook tradition of which I am especially proud is the way our campus community has come together time and again for service, outreach, recognition, and just plain fun.

Several years ago, when the Campus Community Initiative began, we celebrated our first “Year of Community” at a Fountain Festival that amply demonstrated the transformation of our campus into a gathering place for all its members. We expressed the theme for our second year, the “Year of Community Service,” in increased volunteer and community outreach efforts such as working with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for families in need on Long Island. Last year, our “Year of Community Leadership” culminated in the Ray of Light Awards honoring many of Long Island’s indigenous community leaders.

I am pleased to announce that the theme for the 2002-2003 academic year, our fourth in this tradition, is the “Year of Community: Ethics in Leadership.” The co-chairs for this year’s initiative are Gail Habicht, Vice President for Research; Miriam Rios, Graduate Student Representative; and Christina Geraci, Undergraduate Student Representative. The timely and compelling theme of leadership ethics will be reflected in a series of campus-wide programs and events.

In February, the Student Community Development Annual Leadership Symposium will focus on the topic of ethical dilemmas in learning communities. And once again in the spring we will honor outstanding local community leaders who have demonstrated ethics in leadership with the Ray of Light Awards. Other opportunities for each of us in the campus community to connect with and reflect this year’s theme will develop during the year.

As in past years, I encourage all departments and offices to integrate the “Year of Community: Ethics in Leadership” theme into your programs and events for 2002-2003. Let’s keep our campus community growing, giving, and celebrating together.

Shirley Strum Kenny, President