A Night of Gratitude: Students and Their Supporters Connect at the 2026 Scholarship Celebration

Creating a scholarship does more than help students afford a college education. For supporters of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, it forges a connection with scholarship recipients that extends beyond financial support, opening doors to new opportunities and expanding what’s possible for their future. Those connections were on full display on March 5 during this year’s Scholarship Celebration at Flowerfield Celebrations in St. James.

Excitement and gratitude filled the room as students mingled with the donors who have helped make their educational journeys possible. From engineering and computer science to biology and dentistry, scholars shared their research, networked and personally thanked their supporters for the confidence, empowerment and inspiration their generosity instilled in them.

“Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know our students, and I’m continually inspired by their talent, drive and sense of purpose,” said Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith. “When our supporters invest in our students’ potential, they open doors to opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. Tonight’s celebration is a powerful reminder of how deeply these relationships shape our students’ journeys at Stony Brook and beyond.”

Allison Nicolas ’27, a pre‑med biology major, spoke at the celebration and reflected on how the Richard Gelfond Scholarship has shaped her Stony Brook experience. With this support, she’s immersed herself fully in campus life — performing with the University Orchestra, volunteering at Stony Brook University Hospital, conducting research in an infectious disease lab and exploring career pathways through a Career Center externship. Each opportunity, she shared, has helped her grow as both a student and a future physician.

“This scholarship reminds me that I belong here and that I should take every opportunity available to learn and grow,” said Nicolas. “It’s given me the confidence to explore new experiences and discover what kind of physician, and person, I want to become. I’m so grateful to everyone who believes in students like me.”

For scholarship supporters like Thomas and Margherita (Terry) Sexton, connecting with the students they support is deeply meaningful. Both graduates of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Sextons have spent decades teaching and mentoring Stony Brook students, opening their eyes to how many students balance rigorous coursework with significant financial and family responsibilities. 

“These students work so hard and do so well in their classes, we wanted to do something to help them,” said Thomas R. Sexton ’79, PhD, who has been part of the College of Business faculty since 1977. “They have such great ideas about what they want to do in their future, and we want to be able to help them in any way to achieve their goals.” 

Their desire to ease those financial burdens led them to establish the Thomas R. and Margherita T. Sexton Endowed Scholarship for Academic Excellence While Facing Significant Obstacles, supporting College of Business students who demonstrate resilience and determination.

At this year’s celebration, the Sextons met two of their recipients — Sister Mary, a senior business management major with a specialization in finance and accounting, and Shania Squires, a senior with a dual major in business management and psychology — bringing their commitment full circle. 

“Speaking with Sister Mary and Shania reminded us why we created this scholarship,” said Terry Sexton BS ’85, MS ’88. “I was willing to make a sacrifice and deplete my retirement savings if it meant shining even a small light in the life of a student who has struggled just to study at Stony Brook. The rewards of that are great, and evenings like this, when we can share stories with the students we support, make it all worthwhile. After so many years at Stony Brook, it is meaningful and joyful to meet the students who are carrying this community forward.”

Click here for a full photo gallery from the Scholarship Celebration.