Dear Colleagues,
After a devoted 36 years of service, James Hart (Jim), Senior Director of Infrastructure, has informed me of his decision to retire from Stony Brook University on November 1, 2024. On behalf of the Division of Information Technology (DoIT), Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jim for his immeasurable achievements at SBU and for his contributions to this institution for over three decades.
An Enduring Legacy
Jim began at Stony Brook in February of 1988 after working at TelPlus Communications. At the time, he joined a team at SBU that was helping the University install, maintain, and expand a new telephone system. After quickly becoming a crucial part of the DoIT and SBU community, Jim’s role expanded over time to ultimately become the Senior Director of Infrastructure Services. Today, he oversees networking, telecommunications, systems, and IT facilities.
Over the years, Jim has led major projects including rewiring the campus for high speed networking, the construction of hundreds of communication rooms, modernizing the Network Operations and Data Centers, installing two new VoIP systems, and even helping Stony Brook become the first campus in NY state to have 100Gb internet service! He’s also led the IT infrastructure installations in dozens of new buildings both academic and residential over the years.
Jim’s lasting impact reaches far beyond DoIT. He has always valued fostering relationships with people and departments across campus in an effort to help our fellow Seawolves use IT to make their work day better. During his tenure, Jim worked closely with Campus Residences, Stony Brook Medicine, Emergency Management, and CPDC, among many others. Jim has been a member, as well as Chair and Co-Chair of the President's Americans with Disabilities Act Committee for over 20 years. He has also served on UPD's Emergency Management Committee since its inception 10 years ago.
What We’ll Miss Most
When asked, Jim humbly stated that his fondest memories of his time at Stony Brook have been working with such great and dedicated people. He also enjoyed the years when his daughter was a Resident Hall Director at Stony Brook and their time on campus as a family over those four years.
Jim always embraced our Stony Brook spirit by wearing red on Fridays, and was a regular attendee of on-campus sporting events, the Roth Regatta, and Earthstock, among others. As he transitions to the next chapter in his life, Jim is eagerly anticipating spending quality time with his family and grandchildren, golfing, and going to the beach in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
What’s a Seawolf? Jim has, and will always be, a Seawolf. Please join me in wishing Jim the best in his retirement, congratulating him on an outstanding career and thanking him for his enduring commitment to the University. Please feel free to forward this message to your teams, and to contact me for any questions or concerns during this transition.
Sincerely,
Simeon Ananou, D.Ed.
Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer
Stony Brook University
