DoIT Celebrates Annual PIE Awards

The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) celebrated the outstanding contributions of its staff and partners at the annual PIE Awards on May 14. Standing for Partnership, Innovation and Equity, the awards recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond their daily roles to support the university's mission through technological excellence and collaboration.

The event highlighted how DoIT is not just supporting the university's infrastructure, but actively serving as a foundation for a bold new future. "Bringing our division together to celebrate the accomplishments of our deserving colleagues, as well as to recognize all DoIT employees, IT professionals, and partners who embody our core values was a special moment for all who attended," stated Vice President for Information Technology and CIO Simeon Ananou. "The dedication of each member on our team is actively serving as a foundation for a bold new future at Stony Brook, and I couldn't be more excited to see where the next year will take us."

2026 Award Recipients

This year's award winners represent a diverse cross-section of the IT community, from long-standing leaders to impactful newcomers:

• Partnership - Patricia Friedman, Danielle Cajigas, Richard von Rauchhaupt
• Innovate - Anthony Italiano
• Equity - Gregory Marullo
• Grand Entrance - Joyce Xie, David Cliffe
• MVP - Dan Keenan

Spotlight: The IT MVP

The prestigious MVP Award was presented to Dan Keenan for his instrumental role in the Digital Governance 1.0 project. Recognized for his unwavering dedication and exceptional hard work in navigating Stony Brook's complex landscape to establish a governance process, Dan's work is the perfect example of how DoIT is helping to catalyze Stony Brook's impact.

Colleagues noted that Dan's ability to synthesize complex information and maintain strategic focus have been invaluable in keeping the campus community informed and engaged, effectively bridging the gap between technical strategy and the university's broader mission.

About the PIE Awards

The PIE Awards serve as a reminder that Stony Brook's ambitious goals for 2035 depend on the people working behind the scenes today. Designed to foster a culture of recognition within Stony Brook, the program is inclusive of both IT professionals and campus partners who contribute to the University's goals through innovation, meticulous support, and seamless collaboration. For more information on the winners and the nomination process, visit the DoIT Recognition page.