Stony Brook University

04/06/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/06/2026 12:44

Inauguration Week Honors President Goldsmith with Events Celebrating Stony Brook

President Andrea Goldsmith and Wolfie at the 2025 State of the University Address.

The Inauguration of Stony Brook University's seventh president, Andrea Goldsmith, will feature nine days of events from Southampton to New York City, including East and West Campuses, in what promises to be an inspiring celebration of Stony Brook.

From Saturday, April 11 through Sunday, April 19, Inauguration Week will have something for everyone - from academic discussions to arts performances and community activities -honoring Goldsmith's career and focusing on key themes like Women in Engineering, Women in Leadership, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Several distinguished guests will attend and participate in key events, like SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., philanthropist Marilyn Simons, former Stanford University President John L. Hennessy, Anne-Marie Slaughter and Barbara G. Novic, among others.

"It's a moment for us as a university community to join together across disciplines, roles and campuses, and for our guests - in person or joining via livestream - to experience the breadth and impact of Stony Brook in real time," Goldsmith said in her message to the Stony Brook campus community.

The celebration will include the formal investiture ceremony taking place on Saturday, April 18, at the Stony Brook Arena.

Key inaugural events include:

Saturday, April 11, 2026

A Conversation With President Andrea Goldsmith and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr.
12 pm-1:15 pm
Stony Brook Southampton, Duke Lecture Hall in Chancellors Hall
Get Tickets

TONEWALL
7 pm-8:30 pm
Stony Brook Southampton, The Avram Theater
Learn More | Get Tickets
A live performance exploring identity, resilience and community through music and storytelling.

Monday, April 13, 2026

Exhibition Opening Reception - President Andrea Goldsmith: Leadership, Innovation and a Shared Future
9:30 am-10:30 am
Stony Brook University, Charles B. Wang Center, Theatre Gallery
Learn More | RSVP
Explore an installation highlighting the career, leadership and vision of Andrea Goldsmith, and learn how her journey informs the future of Stony Brook University.

Turning the Tide: How Science, Innovation and Partnership Are Driving Meaningful Climate Solutions
6 pm
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York City
A conversation led by President Goldsmith including Sean M. Decatur, president, American Museum of Natural History; Kevin A. Reed, associate provost for climate and sustainability programming and professor, Stony Brook University, and chief climate scientist for The New York Climate Exchange; Lynn Loo, chief executive officer of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation; Daniel Zarrilli, chief climate and sustainability officer, Columbia University; and Jesse D. Jenkins, associate professor, Princeton University, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Andlinger Center for Energy & Environment.
RSVP

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

SUNY AI Symposium at Stony Brook: Scaling the NY AI Innovation Ecosystem
9 am-5 pm
Stony Brook University, Charles B. Wang Center
Register Here
The SUNY AI Symposium at Stony Brook convenes AI leaders, researchers and industry partners to explore emerging developments, applications and the future of artificial intelligence. Includes a 90-minute poster presentation showcasing artificial intelligence research from across SUNY's many campuses

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Presidential Panel Discussions
Stony Brook University, Student Activities Center, Sidney Gelber Auditorium
Join President Andrea Goldsmith for a day of inspiring conversations and thought-provoking panel discussions highlighting women's leadership, innovation and impact. Tickets are required for each session.

Women in Engineering
9 am-10:30 am
Learn More | Get Tickets
This panel will convene leaders from across the engineering profession to reflect on their professional journeys, what exciting technologies lie on the horizon, and how powerful technologies can be harnessed to benefit humanity while avoiding their pitfalls.

Women in Leadership
11 am-12:15 pm
Learn More | Get Tickets
This panel will bring together influential leaders from across business, academia, government and non-profits for an engaging discussion highlighting their experiences along with how to lead in times of disruption and change.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship
3 pm-4 pm
Learn More | Get Tickets
This panel moderated by President Goldsmith will feature student and alumni entrepreneurs discussing their experience in translating bold ideas into real-world impact. The conversation will celebrate innovation along with the power of the university ecosystem to inspire entrepreneurs and support them in their startup journeys.

Shirley Strum Kenny Arts Festival
12 pm-2:30 pm
Stony Brook University, Academic Mall
Learn More
The SSK Arts Festival ignites campus spirit by celebrating the humanities and uniting our community in a powerful showcase of creativity, connection and belonging.

Seawolves Celebrate: A Presidential Toast
6 pm-8 pm
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Union Lobby & UNITI Cultural Center
Learn More | RSVP Here
Join the Office of Student Life for a celebratory toast honoring President Goldsmith ahead of her Investiture. This dynamic event will bring together students and community members to celebrate and welcome our new president, Andrea Goldsmith.
Enjoy performances by student organizations, student art, and an evening filled with food, fun, and celebration.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

High-Tech Health Care: The Mobile Stroke Unit and Robotic Platforms at Stony Brook Medicine
9 am-10:45 am
Stony Brook University Hospital, MART Auditorium and Atrium
The event will highlight SBM's clinical, research and training disciplines; David Fiorella, MD, interventional neuroradiologist, will give a lecture on SBM's Mobile Stroke Unit Program; and a live demonstration will showcase SBM's advanced robotic care and surgical innovation platforms.

The Brain and Healthy Aging: A Walk to Remember
11 am-1 pm
Stony Brook University Hospital, The Brook (Pavilion Corridor)
This event will feature experiential booths along the Brook hallway with audiovisual stations showcasing research on the brain and healthy aging.

Stony Brook's Health Sciences Showcase
2 pm-4 pm
Stony Brook University Hospital, Health Sciences Center Galleria
This showcase, open to the SBU and SBM community, introduces attendees to research, academic and entrepreneurial projects from across Stony Brook's academic units in health and medicine.

Friday, April 17, 2026

Presidential Panel Discussions
Stony Brook University, Charles B. Wang Center, Theatre
Join President Andrea Goldsmith for a day of distinguished lectures and conversations examining transformative research, emerging technologies and the evolving role of universities in shaping the future. Tickets are required for each session.

The Future of Wireless and What It Will Enable
Presented by President Andrea Goldsmith
9 am-10 am
Get Tickets
In this lecture, President Goldsmith will describe what the next generation of wireless technology might look like along with the transformative capabilities these innovations will unlock across society.

Stony Brook's Quantum Frontiers
10:30 am-12 pm
Learn More | Get Tickets
This event spotlights the core achievements and research excellence of faculty across the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and their collaborative advancements in quantum science and technology.

Presidential Lecture: A Conversation With John L. Hennessy
1 pm-2 pm
Learn More | Get Tickets
Join President Goldsmith in conversation with Stony Brook Distinguished Alumnus John L. Hennessy - former president of Stanford University and an internationally recognized leader in higher education - as they reflect on leadership, institutional transformation and the future of the academy.

Saturday, April 18, 2026

The Investiture of Andrea Goldsmith
11 am ceremony
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Arena
Register and Get Tickets Here
Join the Stony Brook University community for the Investiture of Andrea Goldsmith, a historic academic ceremony formally welcoming our seventh president.

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Seawolf Shuffle 5K Run/Walk
9 am-12 pm
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Union & Patio
5K and Fun Run open to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members.
Register Here

Stony Brook University published this content on April 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 06, 2026 at 18:45 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]