2016-2017 Student Life Awards Winners

Student Life Awards

Advocacy Leadership Award Honors a student who has demonstrated strong leadership in generating campus wide awareness about existing social issues and advocated for change in the community.

2017 Winner: Lyl Tomlinson

The Advocacy Program Award Honors  a unique program that makes the campus community aware of a major social issue and implements an action-based response.

2017 Winners: CHILL Peer Health Educators for “20 Too Many.” and USG, GSO and the Interfaith Center for “Seawolves Solidarity Rally”

Best New Organization Award Honors a student organization that newly registered within the past 12 months and is dedicated to student life. This organization takes the initiative to make the organization visible on campus, has grown in membership since its recognition, and shows potential for continued growth and success on our campus.

2017 Winner: The SBU Consulting Club

Community Impact Award Honors a club that has made a positive contribution to the Suffolk County community.

2017 Winner: Music and Medicine

Community Service Program Award Honors a community service program or project that has helped others in the community and provided enrichment through active service and service learning.

2017 Winner: The Muslim Student Association for “Operation Gratitude”

Collaboration Award Honors a student organization that has consistently collaborated with a variety of student groups and/or University departments throughout the academic year to produce quality activities and/or services.

2017 Winner: The Graduate Career Association

Distinguished Service Award Honors an organization that has made a continuous effort to service the student body and the University community. This organization's efforts are exceptional, meaningful, and make a lasting impact on campus.

2017 Winner: Circle K International

Educational Program Award Honors a creative program that promotes greater awareness of an existing academic, political, or social issue through educational efforts that enhance student learning and provide a meaningful exchange of ideas.

2017 Winner: Kappa Phi Lambda for “Out of the Darkness”

Emerging Leader Award Honors a freshman or sophomore student who has taken on leadership roles and has demonstrated significant progress towards achieving their leadership potential through campus and community involvement.

2017 Winner: Christina Dorf

Media Service AwardHonors the next generation of Stony Brook journalists seeking truth on campus and beyond.

2017 Winners:  Stony Brook Press, The Statesman, and WUSB

Membership Development Award Honors clubs that go beyond serving the needs of their members through speakers, workshops, retreats and other initiatives.

2017 Winner: Women in Computer Science

Most Outstanding Program of the Year Honors a program that has had a positive impact on the overall Stony Brook community. This award recognizes a program that embodied the SBU spirit of inclusiveness and school pride, and promoted a community of awesome.

2017 Winner: Chinese Association at Stony Brook For Cultural Carnival

Multicultural Leadership Award Honors a student leader who has displayed strong leadership and advocacy on diversity issues and has devoted time and effort to the improvement of the University community.

2017 Winner: Raul Toloza

Multicultural Program Award Honors an innovative program that promotes cross-cultural learning and interaction, educates the campus community, and appeals to a diverse audience.

2017 Winner: The Korean Student Association for PO-JANG-MACH-A Festival

Outstanding Advisor Award Honors a faculty or staff member who has served as an advisor to a student club or organization. This advisor is involved with the student leaders offers knowledge and experience to the organization, and provides assistance and support on an ongoing basis.

2017 Winner: Dr. Noah Machtay

Recreational & Leadership Activities Leadership Award Honors a student for their outstanding leadership in sports, recreational, or leisure activities.

2017 Winner: Nicholas Vollano

Recreational & Leisure Activities Program Award Honors an outstanding sports, recreational, or leisure program whose outcome had a significant impact on the University community.

2017 Winner: LGBTQ* Services for QUEERAOKE

Student Organization Leadership Award Honors an outstanding executive board member who has worked to advance the mission of their organization, while challenging and encouraging the membership to advance new initiatives, acquire new skills, and prepare the group for success.

2017 Winner: Joseph Verardo of GSO

Student Organization of the Year Award Honors an organization that has made a significant effort to further its purpose through its contribution to Stony Brook and/or the community at large. This award recognizes the student organization that has demonstrated consistent flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance through their activities and programs.

2017 Winner:  CentriSeed Innovations - formerly the Global Innovations Team

The Elizabeth D. Couey Award This award was established in 1974 in memory of the first Director of the Stony Brook Union and is awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding contributions towards the improvement and growth of student life at Stony Brook. Nominees must exemplify Elizabeth Couey’s unique qualities of exemplary service, visionary leadership, and an unceasing dedication to enhancing campus life. 

2017 Winner: James Vassallo

The Theresa Montenaro 200% Student Leadership Award Throughout her 20 years as a custodian in the Stony Brook Union, Theresa Monetanaro was committed to providing a caring and safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff. This award honors a junior or senior student leader who goes beyond the call of duty, regularly gives 200%, and exemplifies Theresa Montenaro’s unique qualities, which include the ability to listen with understanding, guide without boundaries, give and take with love, and grow with each passing day. 

2017 Winners: Sonia Joshi, Elizabeth Osei, and Brody Hooper

The Shirley Strum Kenny Steel Magnolia Award This award is presented annually to a staff or faculty member who has demonstrated compassion and strength in support of enhancing the overall student experience. The award is named in honor of former President Kenny who was presented the first "Steel Magnolia" award by a group of students in 2009.

2017 Winner: Al de Vries

The Sister Margaret Ann Landry, RSHM Lifetime Achievement Advising Award This award is presented annually to a staff or faculty member with 10 or more years of service, who has provided extraordinary commitment mentoring and advising individuals and/or student groups on campus. The award is named in honor of its first recipient, who received the honor in 2003.

2017 Winner: Mary Beth Powers

Graduate Student Organization Awards

Distinguished Advisor Award - Dean Taber

Distinguished Advocate Award - Dean Ecklund

Distinguished Service Award - Serena Zachariah

Emerging Leader Award - David Purificato

Exceptional Service Award - Mark Michalewicz

Most Dedicated Service Award - Qiming Xie

Outstanding Administrator Award - Lauren Brookmeyer

Outstanding Advocate Award - Dr. Peter Baigent

Oustanding Leadership Award - Lyl Tomlinson

Undergraduate Student Government Awards

Agency of the Year Award - Linda Lee

Oustanding Service Award - Jonathan Rodriguez

Most Dedicated Advocate Award - Amanda Tam

Unsung Hero Award - Hikari Oshiro

Commitment to Community Award - James Macdonald, Justas Klimavicius, Taqrim Sayed, Vinetta Cherian, Elizabeth Osei, and Sophia Riccio

Extraordinary Emerging Leader Award - Zachary Shaps

Devotion Award - Jaliel Amador

Spirit of Leadership & Community Award - Lydia Senatus

Health Sciences Association Student Leadership Awards

School of Health Technology and Management Leadership Awards

Clinical Caregiver Award - Corinna Kennedy and Elizabeth Piraino

Health Care Ally Award - Luigi Pesce Ibarra and Philip Massaro, Jr.

Medical Practitioner Award - Carolyn Birbiglia and Danielle Gladstone

Health Sciences Community Impact Award - Raul Toloza