Announcing the Winners of the 2023 Stony Awards
November 30, 2023
Dear Stony Brook Community,
Yesterday evening, Stony Brook University hosted its first-ever Stony Awards. An opportunity to formally recognize and honor this university’s outstanding staff, faculty, and healthcare workers, last night was truly a showcase of Stony Brook excellence. These finalists were selected by campus nominations from virtually every corner of our large community–letters, emails, messages of support and confidence–and ultimately there were over 120 fantastic submissions for these awards. Clearly, across campus, Seawolves are inspiring one another.
I’m proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Stony Awards:
Omar Badessi
President's Award for Nurturing a Welcoming, Inclusive Campus Culture
Sujatha Palat
President's Award for Excellence in Patient Service
Heather A. Montague
Excellence in Leadership Award
Urszula Zalewski
Community Award
Srinivas Pentyala
SB YOU Award (Wolfie's Positive Paw Award)
Srinivas Pentyala
President's Stony Brook Champion Award
It was also an honor during The Stony Awards ceremony to recognize additional faculty and staff achievements including Provost’s Awards, Distinguished Professors Awards and Chancellor's Awards for Excellence. To all of the evening’s honorees, congratulations and thank you for going above and beyond.
Since 1957, the inspired leadership of our staff and faculty has helped build this institution from a small college of 148 students and temporary buildings into one of the most prestigious universities in the country and a flagship for New York State. This transformation has taken hard work, resilience, ambition, and collaboration, even through times of incredible challenges.
This semester has been no different. And we want to thank each and every one of you
for the skill and dedication you have brought to Stony Brook University. Our sincere
congratulations to all the wonderful finalists for the inaugural Stony Awards. You
can read about the event and honorees, future nominations, and more about our finalists
on the program website. Thank you to all those who attended last night and to all of you: our excellent
staff, faculty, and healthcare workers at Stony Brook University.
Sincerely,
Maurie McInnis
President