Brian Thornton

Interim Vice President for Advancement
Brian Thornton was named interim vice president for advancement at Stony Brook University in June 2026. 

Thornton joined the Stony Brook Advancement team in January 2025 as associate vice president for marketing and constituent experience. In that role, he leads a team of 33 professionals spanning alumni relations, events, annual giving, donor experience, and communications and marketing. Under his leadership, the team has grown the number of alumni supporters for two consecutive years, launched the cutting-edge Stony Brook Engagement Center, implemented innovative new strategies to engage alumni and other constituents, and broken records for two annual Giving Days.

Prior to joining Stony Brook, Thornton was the assistant vice president of advancement communications and marketing at Carnegie Mellon University. As chief strategist for the digital and direct marketing, content/creative, annual giving and donor relations teams, he led the integrated marketing for the university’s successful $2.5 billion “Make Possible” campaign and championed numerous efforts to elevate key initiatives during his eight years in role. He also served as interim assistant vice president, university communications, at a critical transitional period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thornton previously served in advancement and communications and marketing leadership roles at Kent State University and Case Western Reserve University.

Thornton earned a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Case Western Reserve.

CONTACT:

Kathryn Bloch
Executive Assistant
Phone: 631.632.8626
230 Administration Bldg.
Stony Brook, NY 11794-1601