On Thursday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Stony Brook University held a celebratory gathering in the Charles B. Wang Center lobby to thank and recognize Interim President Richard L. McCormick for his leadership during the 2024-25 academic year. 

Over 200 students, faculty and staff attended to show their support and were treated to a wide array of breakfast options to choose from. The lobby featured various tables that offered beverages and breakfast foods such as waffles, fruits and wraps.

Braden Hosch, the interim chief deputy to the president and the vice president for educational and institutional effectiveness, opened the event by welcoming attendees and introducing the seven speakers who shared kind words and fond memories of their experiences with McCormick. 

Hosch first introduced Suffolk County Regional Representative Thalia Olaya on behalf of Gov. Kathy Hochul, to share a few words on behalf of Hochul and present McCormick a letter to thank him for his efforts and hard work at Stony Brook.

“Under his guidance, Stony Brook continued to thrive, not just as a lead research institution but as a place where innovation meets opportunity and where students from all backgrounds can dream bigger and aim higher,” Olaya said. “He has always understood that leadership is not about simply managing institutions, but about building partnerships with students, faculty, business and the [Stony Brook] community.”

McCormick then thanked Olaya and Hochul.

“It has not escaped our attention that [Hochul] is a passionate supporter of public higher education,” McCormick said. “She’s exactly the governor we need right now.”

Afterward, Hosch introduced President of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Nistha Boghra, who gave a speech on behalf of herself, USG and the Stony Brook student body.

Boghra shared that since first meeting McCormick, she has admired his willingness to listen to student concerns.

“From his first day, he recognized [Stony Brook’s] potential, identified [its] limitations and obstacles and has since worked tirelessly to overcome them and secure the resources that our University needs to maintain its momentum in the national rankings,” she said. “Thank you so much for your unwavering commitment to students. You’ve shown us what true leadership looks like and it’s been a pleasure to work alongside you.”

Following Boghra’s speech, Hosch invited Brenda Anderson, the president of the University Senate and a professor in the Department of Psychology, to share endearing words about McCormick.

“We gather [here today] to acknowledge the significant contribution of Interim President McCormick, whose temporary tenure has nonetheless left an indelible mark on our University,” she said. “He embarked on his time here with a genuine curiosity to understand our institution, the dedicated individuals who work here and the students we serve.”

She noted that, as a member of the executive committee of the University Senate, she and other members have appreciated the respect he has shown towards them and their concerns. 

“His transparent communication with the faculty has fostered an environment of trust and mutual understanding,” she continued. “President McCormick will be remembered for his inherent kindness, his keen intellectual curiosity and the wisdom he brought to complex issues of our times.”

Anderson then complimented McCormick for navigating his leadership at Stony Brook while facing many obstacles throughout his term, such as the flooding of dormitories, the revocation of international students’ visas and the termination of numerous research grants. 

“He addressed these challenges with grace and a sincere desire to serve the best interests of the entire community,” she said. “Thank you [McCormick] for the time you have given to me to voice the concerns of the faculty.”

Hosch called up David Wrobel, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to present. He expressed that his admiration for McCormick stemmed from his purchasing of textbooks McCormick wrote when he was an undergraduate student. 

Wrobel expressed the nervousness and excitement he felt when he learned he would work alongside McCormick during his first year serving as a dean. He complimented McCormick’s dedication to the University.

“Your dedication to the research mission, to addressing the campus’s infrastructural challenges and to advancing diversity and social rebuilding have helped us to celebrate and strengthen our community,” Wrobel said. “Thank you for loving our University and reminding us to do the same every day.” 

Afterward, Hosch introduced Wendy Pearson, the vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton. Pearson shared that from the moment McCormick began serving as acting president, he was not only a leader, but a friend who listened and supported those around him.

“Your calm, steady presence and open door really made a difference for my work,” she said. “Our conversations were never rushed; I always felt heard — both for the things I said and all the things I didn’t want to say.”

She then conveyed her gratitude to McCormick for his hard work and efforts to help the Southampton campus feel included in the Stony Brook community. 

Then, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine William Wertheim was invited to share his speech.

Wertheim began by speaking of his excitement to work alongside McCormick due to their mutual love of history. He shared that he was confident that McCormick would be able to use his wisdom to better Stony Brook.

“He walked into the role intent on being more than just someone to hold the fort down, but intent on challenging us to come up with ways to work together to advance Stony Brook,” he said. 

He then emphasized that McCormick has consistently placed the needs and interests of students above all else. Wertheim then thanked McCormick and described his experience working beside him as both an honor and a pleasure. 

Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez followed Wertheim and broke down various traits that he said McCormick does better than “anyone else he has known.”

“Everything is authentic with him. It is connected and it’s real, and people believe him and when you believe in your leader, it’s inspiring,” Lejuez said. 

Once Lejuez finished his speech, McCormick reminisced on his experience as interim president and asserted his gratitude to have served the Stony Brook community. He thanked all the speakers and attendees for their support. 

“This has been and still is the most satisfying and enjoyable year of my professional life,” he said. “We have a culture that is unusual for a big research university, a culture grounded in collaboration and sharing.”

He asserted that Stony Brook consists of a supporting community of remarkable researchers, faculty, staff and students. McCormick emphasized his love and joy in spending time with students at events such as Roth Regatta, the Wolfieland carnival and Light the Brook. 

After sharing his love for Stony Brook’s community, and support for its sports teams and medical research, he then discussed the difficult political climate and its impact on Stony Brook. 

“This is a very special place. But there’s no denying we are in a troubled time. Higher education is under assault in ways we could not have imagined,” he said. “Difficult as the next few years will be, I know that higher education will survive.”

He then closed his speech by thanking those who continue to help Stony Brook thrive with a heartwarming message. 

“I will never forget my time at Stony Brook. I will be watching closely, but from afar, and I will miss you forever,” he said. 

McCormick was then gifted a book filled with photos and memories of his time at Stony Brook along with written messages from those he worked with. 

In an exclusive interview with The Statesman on April 30, McCormick shared that he will be returning to his teaching position at Rutgers University on Friday, Aug. 1.