“Good Morning President Stanley, esteemed platform members, faculty, parents, family, friends and fellow students:
Congratulations, Class of 2017!
My name is Jonathan Rodriguez, Senior Class Senator, and I am excited to present this year’s Senior Class Gift. Since the 2004–2005 academic year, the class representatives and the Office of the Dean of Students have given students an opportunity to give back and show their support for Stony Brook University.
Over the years, students have responded, raising thousands of dollars to fund meaningful initiatives on our campus. They have supported scholarships, student life, advanced the reach of the University’s research and service mission, and helped restore communities in times of need.
An important part of the Student Giving Campaign is the Senior Class Gift. For more than a decade, graduating Seawolves have presented a class gift at Commencement as a way of leaving our legacy on campus and thanking Stony Brook for all that it is has given us.
Under the leadership of the Senior Legacy Council, the Class of 2017 has mobilized to continue this important tradition. I would like to thank the members of the Council and ask them to stand in recognition of their good and important work.
As a result of their leadership and vision, more than 500 seniors contributed to this year’s class gift. Each of these super Seawolves can be identified by the red and black generosity cords they’re wearing.
As contributors to the campaign, we not only leave our mark at Stony Brook, we demonstrate our citizenship to the world and actively take the first step in becoming active, loyal alumni.
On behalf of the Senior Class, members of the Senior Class Legacy Council include Megan Cooney, Cameroon Boon, Brody Hooper, Nitasha Sharma, James Vassallo, Bianca Franza, Christina Fluman, Jael Henry and Dorrien Van Dyke. Each have been instrumental in this year’s gift effort.
I am excited to report that the senior class has raised more than $15,000 in support of the Stony Brook Fund for Excellence, excellence funds for all of our colleges and schools, student affairs, student scholarships, the Department of Athletics and the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and many other important parts of our University.
Dr. Stanley, as the Senior Class Representative, I am thrilled to present you with a check made out to the Stony Brook Foundation. We hope that our contribution will allow us to leave a living legacy to the University and community.
To my fellow graduates, thank you for contributing and I look forward to seeing you at Homecoming on October 14, 2017.”
—Jonathan Rodriguez ’17
