2025

Andrea Goldsmith was appointed Stony Brook University’s seventh president in February, marking the latest milestone in the career of a remarkable educator, engineer and entrepreneur. Goldsmith received unanimous approval from the State University of New York Board of Trustees. 

“For Stony Brook, the possibilities as the number one public university in the great state of New York are truly endless, and that’s one of the things that I found so appealing about this role,” Goldsmith said. “I can’t wait to be part of this amazing place.”

The former Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton, Goldsmith is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She founded and served as chief technical officer of Plume WiFi (formerly Accelera, Inc.) and of Quantenna, Inc., and she serves on the board of directors for Intel, Medtronic, Crown Castle Inc., and the Marconi Society.

In her first State of the University Address in September, Goldsmith, articulated her vision of the university’s future, captured by ABC: Articulate, Build and Catalyze.

“I want Stony Brook to signal excellence and impact across every discipline for everyone in the United States and around the world,” she said. “But to achieve our bold vision requires all of you to be all in. And we’re going to start right now.” 

In September, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $300 million state investment to establish a new Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook University, positioning it to continue to pave the way in next-generation science and technology.

Funding for the Quantum Hub represents one of the largest research commitments in SUNY history, and will encompass a new building with research laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, and offices, and a suite of transformative programs designed to accelerate breakthroughs in quantum research, data infrastructure and education.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for Stony Brook to be leading the country and the world in many areas of foundational technology, such as quantum information science, AI, semiconductors, energy efficiency, fintech, physics, and math,” said Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith.

Stony Brook is the only team in the country to receive the Phase 2 National Quantum Virtual Laboratory award from the National Science Foundation in the space of quantum networking, and operates the largest quantum network in the nation, extending from SBU to Brookhaven National Laboratory to New York City. Stony Brook is also leading the SCY-QNet initiative — a wide-area, 10-node quantum network connecting labs at Stony Brook, Columbia, Yale and BNL through quantum entanglement and repeaters.

Stony Brook University was sought out by more students as their collegiate choice in the university’s 68-year history.

Stony Brook received the largest number of applications ever with more than 64,000 first-year applications and over 71,000 total undergraduate applications. This represents a 15 percent total application growth in one year and a 64 percent growth since 2021. These applications also represent the largest number of out-of-state and international applications received as the university’s reputation domestically and internationally continues to grow.

The university received the highest number of total applications in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

In addition, with 27,200 students, Stony Brook has achieved its highest enrollment ever. For the first time, more than 53 percent of entering first-year students at Stony Brook earned a high school grade point average of 95 or above.

“The record-breaking number of first-year applications and highest overall enrollment is a testament to Stony Brook University’s growing reputation as a premier public research institution," said Senior Associate Provost for Enrollment Management Richard Beatty.

Chen-Ning Yang, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who founded Stony Brook University’s globally renowned Institute for Theoretical Physics, died on October 18 at the age of 103, and he was remembered by his colleagues and friends at Stony Brook as an innovator, pioneer and mentor.

During his 33 years on Stony Brook’s campus and for the many decades following as professor emeritus, Yang was a powerful force propelling the University’s rapid rise to global distinction. He joined Stony Brook in 1966 as one of its early faculty members, and his appointment was a beacon attracting other exceptional faculty and students. Moreover, his enduring influence includes substantial, lasting scholarly relationships between Stony Brook and China.

Yang’s work revolutionized the field of particle physics. In 1957, Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee received the Nobel Prize for their work on the weak interaction, which describes the radioactive decay of atoms. The Yang-Mills Theory reshaped the development of physics and modern geometry in the second half of the 20th century. 

“The world has lost one of the most influential physicists of the modern era, and Stony Brook has lost a revered friend, visionary and former faculty leader,” said President Andrea Goldsmith. “His legacy will continue through his transformational impact on the field of physics and through the many colleagues and students influenced by his teaching, scholarship and mentorship.”

A new, public-private partnership between Stony Brook University and onsemi, a global leader and the largest U.S.-based manufacturer of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors, was announced in July to construct a $20 million, state-of-the-art semiconductor research and development facility on the Stony Brook campus.

Research at the new center will unlock the full potential of silicon carbide chips, and the facility will drive the development of cutting-edge technology used in clean energy industries. Silicon carbide is a key component of next-generation semiconductors and is vital to building more powerful, cleaner, more efficient electric vehicles and energy infrastructure.

“The state-of-the-art research facility at Stony Brook University will be another step in our mission to reshore the chip industry, strengthen our national security, and cement New York’s status as the chips capital of the United States,” said Governor Kethy Hochul. “By investing in cutting-edge technology and world-class talent, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for Long Island, and New York.”

Through the partnership, onsemi will invest $8 million to support the center’s operations, while Stony Brook University will invest $10 million in renovations and equipment. Empire State Development will support the new facility through a capital grant of up to $2 million recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council.

The Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team continued its remarkable stretch of excellence by winning its third straight CAA Championship, defeating second-seeded Drexel, 12-10, on May 3 at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

The team, ranked No. 19 in the nation, has won 11 conference championships — three in the CAA and eight in America East — and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th straight year.

Stony Brook, the top seed and host of the conference playoffs, celebrated a conference championship for the 10th time on their home turf at LaValle Stadium, thanks to a game-high five points from Charlotte Wilmoth (three goals, two assists) and two goals apiece from Isabella Caporuscio, Alexandra Fusco and Kylie Budke. Riley McDonald, Casey Colbert and Courtney Maclay also scored for the Seawolves.

Four Seawolves earned All-Championship Team honors for their standout play in the CAA tournament — Budke, Caporuscio, Allie Masera and Molly LaForge — Budke named the Most Outstanding Performer.

Stony Brook Medicine marked a major milestone in November with the opening of a new Clinical Trials Unit at Commack. The 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art space provides an opportunity for patients to be enrolled in cutting-edge therapeutic research studies and a one-stop collaborative environment for physicians and researchers to conduct innovative clinical trials at the Advanced Specialty Care at Commack facility.

The space builds on Stony Brook’s capacity and research infrastructure to support ethical, high-quality clinical trials that bring together discovery and innovation to find new ways to cure diseases and improve patients’ lives. The unique environment accommodates participants in clinical trials across the lifespan, from children to older adults, as well as those with physical disabilities.

“This space represents the bridge between groundbreaking research in the laboratory and the patients and families we serve every day, right here in our communities,” said William Wertheim, MD, executive vice president of Stony Brook Medicine.

Stony Brook Medicine also opened the Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department in 2025, and once again received the highest level of achievement from Healthgrades, as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals, among other awards this year.

Stony Brook University’s seventh annual Giving Day in April had another record-breaking year with the most supporters ever.

For 24 hours, more than 3,800 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends seized the opportunity to support areas of campus that mattered most to them. Donors to this year’s Giving Day increased by more than 18 percent over last year’s record total.

More than $1 million was raised for 150 programs and funds. By providing the critical resources that allow Seawolves to ‘Be Unstoppable,’ the community unlocked opportunities for pivotal student experiences, research that reaches real people, healthier communities near and far, enrichment through arts and culture, and measurable climate progress.

This year, the Giving Day advocacy program allowed all Stony Brook community members to raise even more support by setting their own matches and challenges.

Stony Brook’s Alumni Association provided $10,000 for multiple challenges throughout the day, including $5,000 for the project with the highest donors during the 24 hours of Giving Day, which was the VIP Hockey Club with 277 donors. The worldwide effort included support from 14 countries and 47 states.

Stony Brook Southampton, in collaboration with The Jazz Loft, launched The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series this year, hosting two seasons of concerts featuring world-class jazz musicians.

Curated by Thomas Manuel — Jazz Loft founder and Stony Brook University Jazz Department Endowed Artist in Residence Fellow — the series brought the rich traditions and innovative spirit of jazz to the Southampton community. The Jazz Loft’s mission is one of jazz preservation, education and performance, and this partnership provided East End residents with the opportunity to experience and learn about great jazz first-hand.

The series began with a spring and summer series at the Avram Theater that was incredibly popular, and a fall-winter series soon followed. 

“We’re excited to once again showcase The Avram as a cultural venue and to partner with The Jazz Loft, whose mission aligns closely with ours in extending access to the arts, education, and engagement," said Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton. "Together, we’re bringing world-class performances to the East End and continuing the renewal of Stony Brook Southampton as a center for creativity, connection, and community.”

Supporting fellow Seawolves, opening doors and chasing dreams were the themes of the day as Stony Brook University celebrated the Class of 2025 and its many achievements at the 65th Commencement Ceremony May 23 at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

A combined 7,640 degrees and certificates were conferred as the graduates officially joined the ranks of more than 225,000 accomplished Stony Brook alumni. The Class of 2025 contained students from 65 countries and 46 states, and graduates ranged in age from 16 to 82 years of age.

Stony Brook alumnus and New York State Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie ’90 recalled that when he was a student, there was no LaValle Stadium, Student Activities Center, or even cell phones. He spoke of people who have helped him along his journey, and asked graduates to do the same.

“Wherever you go, whatever you do, be the best at it, and just make sure you open a door for somebody,” Heastie said. “It doesn’t have to be a friend. It could be a stranger. So can I get that commitment out of all of you? Congratulations to the Class of 2025. The world is yours.”

The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) collected donations from more than 625 seniors, totaling $11,800 as part of the Senior Class Legacy Gift.