Investing in Their Future: Students Express Gratitude at Annual Scholarship Celebration

Behind each scholarship are people who are invested in the future. No one knows that better than Stony Brook University undergraduate and graduate students who have received scholarship and fellowship support. Those students got the opportunity to connect with and thank their supporters on April 22 during the annual Scholarship Celebration.

Excitement was in the air when students boarded the bus on campus to head to Watermill Caterers in Smithtown, as they prepared to meet the people helping them to explore opportunities in their fields. They said the scholarships they received are not just financial support but also motivation to work hard and excel in the classroom and beyond. The scholars, pursuing majors from biology and chemical engineering to music, business management and occupational therapy, welcomed the chance to personally thank their scholarship donors for the confidence and inspiration instilled by that support.

“Tonight is about bringing together two groups of people who mean so much to the Stony Brook community and to each other — our extraordinary students who inspire us all as they prepare to be the next generation of leaders and experts,” said Richard L. McCormick, Stony Brook University interim president. “And our friends. Thanks to their generosity and commitment, more and more deserving students have access to a world-class education here at Stony Brook.”

After dinner and mingling, students and their supporters gathered for a panel discussion on the transformative power of philanthropy in shaping the student experience at Stony Brook. The panel was moderated by Stony Brook Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez and featured longtime donors Gloria Snyder ’72 and her husband, Mark Snyder ’69, as well as current scholarship recipients Merica J. Griffin ’25 and David Mangiameli ’25. 

“We know that these scholarships and fellowships empower our students to focus more of their time and attention on their studies and their goals,” said Lejuez. “It was wonderful to hear Merica, David, Gloria and Mark share their stories of these transformational experiences and their impact.”

The Snyders, who met at Stony Brook, have given over $1 million to support multiple areas across campus, including the Mark and Gloria Snyder Cancer Scholars Fund, which they established in 2018 to support graduate students who will be the next generation of cancer researchers, and the Mark and Gloria Snyder Symposium, which focuses on bringing cancer researchers together to collaborate each year. Their generosity also extends to students in the College of Business, as well as the Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Hillel and the Long Island State Veterans Home. In 2000, the Gloria and Mark Snyder Hillel Center was named for them in recognition of their philanthropy. Both have been past presidents of the Stony Brook Alumni Association Board and recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. For the Snyders, it was incredibly rewarding to connect with the students and be a part of the panel.

“We understand how the financial burden of tuition can affect a student’s academic focus,” said Gloria. “We are proud to support students to help them excel both academically and professionally in their future careers.”

Their commitment to their alma mater runs deep. Gloria chairs the Stony Brook Cancer Center Advancement Council and serves on the Staller Center Advisory Board. Mark serves on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. “We feel a deep connection to Stony Brook — from our time as students to now creating opportunities for future generations of Seawolves,” said Mark.

Griffin is a senior majoring in political science and sociology and the recipient of the William McAdoo Memorial Scholarship Endowment. She was drawn to Stony Brook for its strong social science programs, which provided her with the opportunity to pursue her passion for research examining the intersection of race, identity and politics. “To have scholarships oriented to students like me, with passions like mine, is so important,” said Griffin. “It motivates me to keep pushing forward in my academic and professional journey.” This summer, Griffin will intern at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. She aspires to enter a doctoral program in sociology or political science.

Mangiameli, a health sciences senior, is the recipient of the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Scholarship. He was introduced early on to the world of medicine because his father is a surgeon. However, it was his military service that solidified his ambition to become a trauma surgeon. His research project focuses on pain management practices in the prehospital environment, with the goal of improving paramedics’ efforts to control pain in the field. For Mangiameli, receiving this scholarship is an honor. “Lt. Murphy set himself apart from the rest of us through his grit, determination and selflessness,” said Mangiameli. “Receiving this scholarship in his name motivates me to strive for excellence in everything I do.”

View more photos from the event in our Flickr album.

-Written by Christine McGrath
-Photos by Vanessa Yen