From Gifts to Growth: How Giving Day Has Impacted Stony Brook University

On March 25, the State University of New York at Stony Brook will hold its eighth annual Giving Day — a celebration of 24 Hours To Empower Every Seawolf. This tradition continues to grow stronger each year, with last year’s more than 3,800 supporters contributing over $1 million. Our Seawolf community continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting student success, research and innovation. But beyond these numbers lies the true meaning of Giving Day — the lives changed and the opportunities created across our university.

An Unstoppable Giving Day Leads to Real Impact

Over 150 funds were supported during 2025’s Be Unstoppable Giving Day, including programs across student experiences, academics, medicine and athletics. As a result of last year’s generosity, Seawolves across the university were able to pursue new opportunities, expand programs and receive crucial support that made a real difference. 

Here are just a few examples of how that generosity came to life.

Stony Brook Seawolves Pantry: Nourishing Seawolves in Need

In 2025, the Stony Brook Seawolves Pantry welcomed a wave of support from 37 donors, raising $1,600 on Giving Day, helping supply nearly 800 essential items for students, faculty and staff facing food insecurity. With these gifts, the pantry refreshed its main location, expanded fresh food offerings — including dairy products — and introduced more culturally significant options. Each visit is different, with some Seawolves taking only a few items and others needing 10 to 15.

The additional support from Giving Day helped ensure that every visitor could find what they needed, relieving stress and allowing them to focus on school, work and their well-being.

Student Emergency Support Fund: A Lifeline for Students in Crisis

For students facing unexpected financial hardships, the Student Emergency Support Fund steps in to offer a critical bridge when other aid options are exhausted. In 2025, 23 donors contributed $2,374, supporting six students experiencing such hardships that would have disrupted their academic pursuits. For these students, the funds were more than financial support — they provided stability and peace of mind, allowing them to move forward in their academic careers without interruption.

Speech-Language Pathology Program: Hands-On Learning and Professional Growth

The generosity of 166 donors raised $5,235 last Giving Day to the School of Health Professions Speech-Language Pathology Program, directly enriching the education of 47 graduate students preparing to positively influence their communities. First-year students worked with standardized patients, practicing clinical skills and professional communication in realistic scenarios that bridged the gap between classroom learning and real-world care.

Additionally, 16 students attended the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, including three students who were given the opportunity to present their research for the first time. For many, it was their first chance to participate in a national professional conference — an experience that expanded their understanding of the field, strengthened their confidence and deepened their sense of belonging.

Stony Brook Men’s Lacrosse: Fueling Performance and Competitive Excellence

Giving Day also strengthened Seawolves in competition, like the Stony Brook Men’s Lacrosse team, which received $9,026 last year to support its 48 NCAA Division I student-athletes. Gifts focused on enhancing fueling and nutrition both at home and on the road, providing consistent access to performance-based refreshments to strengthen preparation, energy levels and recovery. This support kept the team’s new locker room refrigerator stocked throughout the season along with improving travel nutrition during long bus trips and tight schedules.

A portion of last year’s gifts also helped the team’s performance with its new video editing system, ScoreBreak. Having real-time sideline video playback access during games allowed coaches and student-athletes to make immediate adjustments to elevate their overall performance.

Department of Ecology and Evolution: Empowering the Next Generation of Ecologists

Helping Seawolves advance their research and careers, 66 supporters contributed $9,400 last Giving Day to the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Ecology and Evolution. These gifts supported graduate student research to understand and protect nature — funding travel and equipment along with the annual retreat that showcases graduate student research. Students tracked invasive species, measured vegetation health in restored salt marshes and conducted field work at far-flung sites from the Friday Harbor Laboratories to the Amazon. Each contribution empowered students to advance research that benefits both Long Island and the broader world.

Every Gift Matters

Behind each of these stories, and many more like them, is a powerful reminder: Every gift matters. Last year, donors’ average giving was around $120, but together, those gifts became so much more. With each contribution, matching funds and challenges were unlocked throughout the day to provide additional funding, amplifying support for programs across campus. Seawolves from 47 states and 14 countries came together for a truly global show of pride and generosity, proving that no matter the distance, Seawolves stick together.

“Stony Brook played such an important role in who I am today,” said Angelica Scanu ’16, MBA ’19. “When I participate in Giving Day each year, I know I’m helping students who are working just as hard as I once was. Seawolves help each other, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do that in a very meaningful way.”

Empowering Every Seawolf in 2026 Starts Now

Now, it’s time to do it all again. On March 25, Seawolves everywhere will unite for 24 Hours To Empower Every Seawolf and turn their generosity into opportunity. More success stories like these will come to life as we unite to make a real difference across campus.

Over 120 programs and funds await this year, giving Stony Brook supporters the power to impact the area that shaped their own Seawolf story, whether that’s a fund that supported them in a time of need, a research program that sparked their curiosity, an athletic team that fostered teamwork and a competitive spirit or an academic program that launched their career path. By directing their gift to the program that matters most to them, they can help write the next success stories and bring new opportunities to life for current and future Seawolves.

Join us on March 25 and be part of the pride, momentum and impact that define Giving Day. Together, we can empower Seawolves everywhere and shape what’s next for Stony Brook.

Visit givingday.stonybrook.edu to make your impact.

–Kristina Brandt