BE CONNECTED UPDATE: January 15, 2026
As always, we welcome your input and feedback at
BeConnected@stonybrook.edu
Spotlight Story
Stony Brook University Hospital Named Among “Great Hospitals in America” by Becker’s
Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) Named Among “Great Hospitals in America”
Read all about how SBUH joined Becker's list of 100 standout healthcare institutions!

Choral Ensembles Concert – December 1, 2025. I Am Power, by composer Mark Burrows.
The Power of Peace, Purpose and Love through Music and Singing
Read all about the 2025 Stony Brook Chorale Concert with perspectives from SBU Chorale Director Shoshana Hershkowitz

Meet Your New Colleague: Elyse Jay
A self-described "Long Island girl, born and raised," Elyse Jay’s professional life has been one of continuous public service. See how Jay's extensive experience prepared her for her current role in the Dean's office of SoMAS. 

Meet more new colleagues and/or nominate someone, or yourself!

New Podcast Drop: The Difference You Make
Season 02 Episode 01: Carl Lejuez
The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to introduce its newest podcast in The Difference You Make series: host David Wrobel's discussion with Carl Lejuez, world-renowned psychologist, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The two discuss Lejuez's research approach; the benefits of risk-taking behavior, particularly as it relates to students; and how Lejuez has helped people learn to recognize their strengths to live a more meaningful life. He also shares his perspective on the significance of mentorship. 

Listen on Spotify and YouTube.

Be Involved
Big Week of Stony Brook Basketball! Join us at Stony Brook Arena as men’s and women’s basketball hosts three games this week, including the Battle of Long Island when our men’s team takes on Hofstra TONIGHT (Thursday, January 15) at 7 pm. Men’s basketball will return this Saturday, January 17, at 4 pm to face Charleston for Superhero Day and women’s basketball takes on Towson  Sunday, January 18, at 12 pm for Family Fun Day. Get your tickets today!
Winterfest Winterfest offers a wide variety of opportunities for SBU faculty, staff, students and OLLI members to learn a new hobby or teach a talent. This winter you can lead a small class or learn anything from baking, to changing a tire, to methods of studying! Meet new people and explore new ideas without the stress of academics. 
Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) and Postdoc Spotlight Say it in three! Graduate students and post docs: Sign up for our annual 3MT speaker competition happening Friday, March 13; speaker sign up deadline Thursday, January 29. This is your opportunity to captivate a general audience with your research findings and hone your research communication skills. Top talks with also receive cash prizes, generously sponsored by the SBU Alumni Association.
Port Jefferson Ice Festival Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine are proud to sponsor the 7th Annual Ice Festival in the Village of Port Jefferson. This free event, on Saturday, January 31 from 12 - 5 pm, will feature live ice carvings by Guinness World Record holder Rich Daly and unique photo opportunities throughout the village. Don't miss an opportunity to explore Port Jefferson Village — Seawolves Country!
Provost’s Lecture Series This spring’s series features Dr. Patricia Coyle, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Neurology, and Joe Mitchell, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. The talks begin at 3:30 pm Tuesday, February 10, in the Wang Center Theatre. Attend the lecture series.

January is National Blood Donor Month! You Can Help Save a Life!
The Stony Brook University Hospital Blood Donor Center is having its Annual Blood Challenge this month, with a goal of reaching 250 donors. Right now, there is a critical need for blood due to seasonal illness, canceled blood drives and more. Book an appointment to donate blood today. Alternatively, you can support New York Blood Centers by donating at its facilitaties — make an appointment with NY Blood Centers.

Exciting New Courses
Pre-College Summer is Back!
Know a rising high school junior or senior? Help them gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive as a college student! Stony Brook’s Pre-College Summer Program offers a wide range of hands-on courses taught by SBU faculty — from Robotics Engineering to Cancer Biology, and from Personal Branding to Sustainability in Action. The week-long experience includes college-readiness workshops, social events and residential/commuter options. Learn more and explore the Pre-College Summer Program course catalog. 
Students: Sign Up for 1-Credit Pop Up Classes
Sign up for asynchronous 1-credit classes to gain an interdisciplinary understanding of two hot topics: climate change and artificial intelligence. Both courses will run in the second half of the semester. Sign up for one or both pop-up classes in SOLAR by Friday, February 6.

New Para-Transit Shuttle Service and Service for R&D Park

Mobility and Parking Services (MAPS) is proud to announce Howl-A-Ride, a new on-demand transportation service launching in partnership with Via. Riders will be able to request on-demand trips from anywhere on campus to destinations in R&D Park and back again, providing a convenient door-to-door experience and eliminating the need to travel to the SAC Bus Loop.

The service will officially launch campus-wide on January 26, 2026, to coincide with the start of the Spring semester. At that time, Howl-A-Ride will fully replace the existing R&D Park fixed-route shuttle.

Be In The Know
Mentors and Mentees
Mentors and mentees.
Stony Brook Alumni Guide Students Through Mentor Connect
Mental Health First Aid Grants Will Support Student Mental Health and Well-Being
President Goldsmith Advances Key Federal Partnerships in Washington
Art M. Lee Appointed SBU Chief Campus Counsel
SBU Researchers Sorting New York’s Trash for a More Sustainable Future
December 2025 WolfieONE Newsletter
AI Helps Create Workforce Blueprint for a Climate Resilient Future
Stony Brook Panel Ponders Preservation and Survival of Indigenous Culture
Study: Increased Levels of Protein Linked to Alzheimer’s Found in Some with Long COVID

Be Excited About Being Our Best
Startups CEO
Chroma Labs CEO Jenitta Jolly said two SBU interns helped her achieve important business goals for her startup at LIHTI.
Students Gain Experience While Helping Startups Thrive
Collaborative for the Earth Debuts Nat'l Broadcast Special on Nuclear Energy

SBU Eats Earns 2nd Place People’s Choice Award at SUNY Battle of the Chefs
Assembly member Schiavoni Secures Capital Funding to Restore Stony Brook Southampton Windmill
Most recent Stony Brook Researcher U.S Patents
Simon Birrer Receives Dept. of Energy Early Career Research Program Award
Distinguished Professor George Sterman Awarded Honorary Doctorate at ETH Zurich
Stony Brook Honors Rich Gelfond ’76 With Campus Street Naming

News and happenings for and about the Stony Brook University community,
compliments of the Office of Marketing & Communications.

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