06/13/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/13/2025 15:17
Stony Brook University reached new heights at the 2025 State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD) Awards for Excellence, bringing home a total of 21 awards - nearly one-fifth of all awards distributed.
The SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence program rewards the best efforts of creative professionals, recognizing exceptional achievement in marketing and communications, strategy, creativity and event management across the 64 SUNY institutions. The awards were presented at the annual SUNYCUAD Educational Conference, held June 4-6 in Rochester to a record-breaking 304 attendees.
Stony Brook was the top performing institution, winning eight Best of Category awards and 13 Judges Citations. Advancement, Alumni Relations, Marketing and Communications, Medicine and Student Affairs were the proud recipients of these awards.
SUNYCUAD represents all professionals employed in a cross-section of institutional advancement areas at every SUNY campus, and includes advancement professionals responsible for a wide range of specialties, from publications and web page maintenance to alumni relations, government relations, communications, marketing and development.
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. spoke before the awards ceremony at the SUNYCUAD Educational Conference.Juries with professional experience in the specific categories determine the winners, and judging is hosted and coordinated by colleagues from SUNY institutions.
The 'Dare to Be' brand marketing campaign, a recipient of the Best of Category award for SUNYCUAD Excellence in Marketing, has also achieved national recognition as a Distinction Award winner at the 2025 Communicator Awards and a finalist for the 2025 SABRE Awards.
View the full list of SUNYCUAD winners on the awards website.
BEST OF CATEGORY:
Alumni Giving (4-6 staff size)
Office of Annual Giving
Seawolves Surge: Student Org Fundraising Pilot Program
Danyte Reisinger, Julianne Merz, Katrina Culhane, Brooke Carroll
Donor Relationships and Stewardship Programs (4-6 staff size)
Stony Brook Donor Experience Team
Special Thanks: Transforming the Acknowledgement Process
Danyte Reisinger Tampellini, Debbie Meyers, Emmi Lu, Jessie McHeffey
Brand Marketing (7+ staff size)
Office of Marketing and Communications
Stony Brook University: 'Dare to Be'
Social Media (4-6 staff size)
Office of Marketing and Communications
SBU Climate Solutions
J.D. Allen, Dennis Murray, Tori Zito-Graham, Allison Seal, Lynne Roth
Design - Magazine or Periodical (4-6 staff size)
Office of Marketing and Communications
Stony Brook University Magazine, Issue 12
Karen Leibowitz, Allison Schwartz, Shelley Catalano
Photography - Photo Series
Office of Marketing and Communications
'2024: Every Picture Tells a Story'
John Griffin
Writing - News
Office of Marketing and Communications
Stories They Could Tell: Human Library Makes Diversity the Protagonist
Robert Emproto
Writing - Research
Office of Marketing and Communications
Cross-Disciplinary Breakthroughs in Tissue Regeneration Project
Beth Squire
JUDGES CITATION:
Alumni Relations
Alumni Relations Constituent Experience
Stony Brook University Festive New York City Holiday Social Strengthening Alumni Connections Through Celebration
Jennifer Filasky, Alasdair Lambert, Janet Masini, Anjanette Schildhorn, Nicole Tennant, Kelly Wanser
Communications (4-6 staff size)
Division of Student Affairs - CRAFT
The Voice of the Voter: A Cutting-Edge Communication Strategy for the 2024 Presidential Election
Gabriella Czerw, Rachael Eyler, Sonia Garrido, Seth Vessa
Communications (7+ staff size)
Stony Brook Medicine Marketing and Communications
HEALTH Yeah! And Healthcast
Social Media (1-3 staff size)
Office of Marketing and Communications
POV: Your School Has?
Tori Zito-Graham, Casey M. Borchick, Lynne Roth
Social Media (7+ staff size)
Office of Advancement
Tyler's Top Pics Campaign
Tyler Mooney, Mitch Trinka, Rob DeVita, Christine McGrath
Special Events (1-3 staff size)
Office of Advancement
Unstoppable Momentum
Jennifer Filasky, Anjanette Schildhorn, Nicole Tennant, Kelly Wanser
Special Events (4-6 staff size)
Division of Student Affairs
Celebrating Stony Brook Spirit and Pride: Wolfie Statue Unveiling
Amy Vitale, Samantha Lodato, Hedieh Yazdanseta, Michael Ingenito, Sonia Garrido
Design - Logo
Office of Marketing and Communications
The Stony Awards
Karen Leibowitz
Design - Logo
Office of Annual Giving
Generosity Pawgram
Nicole Morris, Seawolf Philanthropy Council
Photography - Individual Photograph
Office of Marketing and Communications
'Yarnification'
John Griffin
Single Page Publication
Office of Marketing and Communications
Wolfstock Postcard
Allison Schwartz
Website
Office of Marketing and Communications
University Admissions Landing Page
Nicholas Raia, Loren Moss Meyer, Lynn Zawie
Writing - News
Office of Marketing and Communications
Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit Inspires the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
Beth Squire