Join Me for a Celebration of Stony Brook: Inauguration Week April 11-19
March 30, 2026
Dear Stony Brook Community,
As our campus regains its full vibrancy and Seawolf spirit following Spring Break, I am thrilled to be less than one month away from a celebration I have been looking forward to since I was named Stony Brook’s seventh president: my investiture. Each day in this role has been deeply meaningful, filled with joy for the many rewards that come with serving as your president.
One of the greatest privileges of leading this special university is meeting our students, faculty, healthcare workers, staff and alumni wherever they are: at athletic events, in classrooms, at our clinical sites, in labs, at artistic performances or simply out and about across Long Island, our great state of New York and beyond. Every interaction reinforces how exceptional this university community is and how deeply connected we truly are.
This sense of connection and Stony Brook pride are exactly why I am so excited for the schedule planned during Inauguration Week, April 11–19. There is something for everyone. It’s a moment for us as a university community to join together across disciplines, roles and campuses, and for our guests - in person or joining via livestream - to experience the breadth and impact of Stony Brook in real time. I am deeply grateful for the thoughtful creativity and dedication that have gone into planning for Inauguration Week showcasing the very best of Stony Brook.
Fulfilling the vision I shared at my State of the University address to accelerate Stony Brook’s excellence and impact from Manhattan to Montauk, the week will feature programs across Long Island. The week begins with activities at our Southampton campus, including a fireside chat with SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. During the week, I am delighted to moderate two panels with some of the most dynamic and inspiring leaders I know, one focused on engineering and one on leadership. There will also be panel discussions with leaders in innovation, entrepreneurship, quantum and AI.
I am looking forward to a celebration with students, a curated exhibit, programs highlighting the health sciences and I am honored to share my research and journey in wireless communications. I’m pleased that distinguished Stony Brook alumnus, and my mentor and friend, John Hennessy, will return to campus for a book signing and discussion on leadership and the transformational power of universities.
On Saturday, during my Investiture, the ceremony during which I am formally conferred as president, we will celebrate what makes this university extraordinary. I will share what has emerged from a year of planning and conversations with members of the university and broader community about our bold future. While the Investiture marks an important milestone in my presidency, this day and Inauguration Week are not about me. They are about all of us, the infinite possibilities for Stony Brook’s future, and how we will build that future together.
I hope you will register to attend the events and encourage your colleagues and friends to join as together we create a week that reflects the full spirit and potential of our university. Your presence will make this celebration truly meaningful. Thank you for your support and the commitment you bring to Stony Brook every day. I am honored to lead this extraordinary university, and I look forward to celebrating with you throughout Inauguration Week.
Sincerely,
Andrea Goldsmith
President