2015-2016 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.

2016 Winner: Steven Adelson

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.

2016 Winner: SBU Global Innovation Team

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.

2016 Winner: Circle K for CKI Day of Service

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.

2016 Winner: Asian Student Alliance

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.

2016 Winner: Graduate Student Organization

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.

2016 Winner: SAAB Professional Leadership Institute

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.

2016 Winner: Christian Cole

Innovative Leadership Award Honors a student who utilizes creative and innovative leadership to enhance the University community. This can include the creation of new programs, implementation of new ideas, or the utilization of creative problem solving skills.

2016 Winner: Brody Hooper

Most Outstanding Student Organization Award Honors an organization which has been able to fulfill its mission, involve the campus in its purpose, serves a leadership role on campus, is involved in the campus community, is open minded and diverse, has the ability to accept and overcome challenges, and sustains itself in creative ways.

2016 Winner: Student African American Brotherhood

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

2016 Winner: Hillel Interfaith Discussion Series

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.

2016 Winner: Carol Della Ratta

Recreational Leadership Award Honors a student for their outstanding leadership in recreation, including sports and physical well being programs.

2016 Winner: Alexis Parkhurst

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

2016 Winner: Weekend Life Council for Bust-a-Move

Social Program Award Honors an exceptional campus program that has broad-based appeal provides opportunities to meet new people.

2016 Winner: Commuter Student Association for Relax-a-thon

Student Life Enhancement Award Honors an organization for developing and implementing improvements in the quality of student life. This organization fosters positive change within the Stony Brook community with focus on enhancing the student experience through effective programming and/or student activism.

2016 Winner: Cadence Step 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. 

2016 Winner: Caitlin Weisz

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. 

2016 Winner: Ruchi Shah 

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.

2016 Winner: Cheryl Chambers

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.

2016 Winner: Urszula Zalewski

Graduate Student Organization Awards

Distinguished Advisor Award - Dean Taber

Distinguished Advocate Award - Dean Ecklund

Distinguished Service Award - Michael Gusev, Steven Jaret, Thomas Kirnbauer, Oscar Icochea

Undergraduate Student Government Awards

Oustanding Service Award - Taylor Bouraad

Most Dedicated Advocate Award - Drazen Bacarra

Unsung Hero Award - Jan Jaminal

Office Appreciation Award - Thomas Kirnbauer, Liz Frisenda, Gina WIndisch, Denise Eylers, Mary Howley

Emerging Leader Award - Alexander Bouraad

Devotion Award - Danielle Ali, Krisly Zamor

Outstanding Advisor Award - Christine Noonan

Spirit of Leadership & Community Award: Elmer Flores

Health Sciences Association Student Leadership Awards

School of Health Technology and Management Leadership Awards

Athletic Training Program - Samantha Caruso

Respiratory Care Program - Kimberly Villafane

Health Science Program - Peter Freiss

School of Social Welfare Leadership Award - Tiffany Hervas

School of Nursing Leadership Award - Hilary Au

Public Citizen Award - Tiffany Hervas

Most Professional Student Award - Brittany Wilbur

Outstanding Caregiver in a Clinical Setting Award - Ross Stephen

Exceptional Student Award - Joseph Poppa

Stony Brook Spirit Award - Matthrew Pierre

Most Influential Student Award - Kasandra Ortega

Merit Award - Cecelia Kim

Most Altruistic Student Award - Yanyun Lin

Recreational Leadership Award - Francis Gravano

Student Life Enhancement Award - Chantal Brown

Collaboration Award - Franklyn Garcia

Inclusion and Advocacy Award - Alaina Ingram

community Service Award - Caitlin Dowd

Office of Student Activities Distinguished Service Awards

Fraternity and Sorority Academic Achievement Award - Pi Lambda Phi, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

Media Service Awards - Society of Professional Journalists, WUSB Radio, Blackworld