Stony Brook University celebrated the graduating class of 2025 with its annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23 at 11 a.m. in the Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The University conferred a total of 7,640 degrees and certificates at this year’s commemoration.
The event opened with members of the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band walking into the stadium performing. The band was followed by the University’s beloved mascot, Wolfie, and Brenda Anderson, the president of the University Senate and a professor in the Department of Psychology.
Anderson served as the ceremony’s grand marshal and carried Stony Brook’s ceremonial mace as she walked in — a symbol of scholarship and integrity — which was gifted by the Alumni Association.
Afterward, the graduating class poured into the stadium adorned in assorted regalia such as caps, gowns, stoles and cords.
The ceremony’s platform party consisted of honored guests including members from the State University of New York Board of Trustees, the Stony Brook Foundation, the Stony Brook Council, the Alumni Association and numerous executive leadership figures.
Anderson opened her speech by expressing her gratitude and honor to be a part of the ceremony. She then requested those in attendance to rise for the national anthem and introduced Mheco Joy Manlangit, the singer for the anthem and a doctoral voice student in the Department of Music.
Following the national anthem, Anderson individually introduced the speakers and those part of the platform party. She then congratulated the class of 2025 and called on Interim President Richard L. McCormick to give a speech.
“I want [to] especially thank the University faculty and staff, and the families and friends of our graduates,” McCormick said. “All of you have played a key role in the academic success of the scholars we celebrate today.”
McCormick also thanked the Stony Brook community for allowing him to serve as interim president, and described his experience as an honor. Stony Brook University named Andrea Goldsmith, the current dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University, to serve as the next university president starting on Friday, Aug. 1.
“Today is a day of pride and joy for you and your families, for me and for the entire Stony Brook community of faculty, staff, students and alumni, we are all deeply proud of you,” McCormick said. “We have so much to celebrate today, above all the achievements of our graduates.”
He continued his speech by pointing out that each colorful piece of graduation regalia worn by the graduating class and those part of the platform party represent the various disciplines, institutions, degrees and traditions within the academic world — especially at Stony Brook.
McCormick went on to note numerous achievements Stony Brook has accomplished over the last four years, including being named a flagship university and being chosen as the anchor institution for the New York Climate Exchange.
He then called Wolfie up to the stage, who wore a cap and gown. McCormick shared kind words about Wolfie and encouraged the graduating class to be similar to their mascot.
“You reflect the very best of who we are as a community. Always a friend,” McCormick said. “You are authentic, trustworthy and dependable. And so my message to you, our graduates, is this: Be like Wolfie.”
Afterward, he gave the graduates further words of encouragement and emphasized for them to stay connected to Stony Brook as they become alumni.
“As alumni, you now share with us responsibility for ensuring that young men and women in the future will have the same, or even better, opportunities to receive an outstanding education here,” McCormick said. “We want you to be as proud of Stony Brook tomorrow as Stony Brook is proud of you today.”
McCormick then presented Stony Brook University alumnus and Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie, to give a speech.
Heastie shared that rather than giving a traditional speech, he would prefer to tell a story to inspire listeners to learn from it. He reflected on influential figures like his high school English teacher, and the values he gained as a student at Stony Brook.
Heastie shared how support from his English teacher made a lasting impact on him, using the story to encourage the graduating class to do the same for others.
“I just ask that you guys be door openers for somebody else — wherever you go, whatever you do — and you be the best at it,” Heastie said. “Just make sure you open the door for somebody. It doesn’t have to be a friend, it could be a stranger,” he said.
After Heastie, Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez spoke. He began by recognizing and complimenting Stony Brook faculty members for their dedication to their students.
“As faculty, today we celebrate our students’ next chapters to further your education, to embark on your professional journey and live a fulfilling and rewarding life,” he said. “You are our greatest accomplishment, and we can’t wait to hear everything that you will do in the future and as a productive member of society.”
Following Lejuez, graduating student and the Undergraduate Student Government’s (USG) Vice President of Student Life Tanisa Rahman delivered a brief speech. Rahman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in environmental design, policy and planning.
“As we grow into our careers and become successful in our own ways I hope we remember to give back — to lift others the way this University and its people have lifted us,” she said.
Rahman also shared that USG raised $11,800 in donations from over 625 seniors as their Senior Class Gift. She excitedly ended her speech by reminding the graduating class to return as alumni during the annual Homecoming events in October.
“We hope this gift will leave a lasting legacy for the University and the community it serves,” she said. “To my fellow graduates, thank you for your contributions and I look forward to seeing you all at Homecoming in the fall!”
Afterward, Vice President for Student Affairs Rick Gatteau introduced the undergraduate class speaker, Amira Gbagba, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Gatteau shared many of Gbagda’s achievements including her award from the Mathematical Association of America and completing an internship at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
“If you have a dream, chase it. If you’re unsure what to chase, stay curious, try things like I did. Ask questions,” she said. “Congratulations class of 2025 — lo hicimos, we did it!”
The next speaker was Stony Brook University alumnus and Stony Brook University Alumni Association President Errol Cockfield, who opened his speech by recognizing organizations and clubs which he credited in shaping his experience as a student during his time at Stony Brook.
“Stony Brook’s strength has always been its people. Diverse in background [and] united in purpose,” Cockfield said. “We rise from every corner of society and go on to lead companies, solve hard problems and lift up communities. This is a place where talent is discovered, nurtured and launched. We don’t just talk about equity and impact — we live it.”
He asserted that these degrees the graduates earned are not just a credential, but are the key to a lifelong community as Stony Brook alumni.
The Stony Brook Vocalists then sang the University’s alma mater, “Sandy Shore.”
Once their performance finished, Celia Marshik, the dean of the Graduate School, began the presentation by recognizing graduates receiving their master’s degree. Lejuez then followed Marshik by introducing the undergraduate honors candidates.
Afterward, individual deans in the University presented candidates from various colleges and schools. This included the School of Nursing, the School of Social Welfare, the School of Health Professions, the School of Professional Development, the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, the School of Communication and Journalism, the College of Business, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences.
The ceremony ended with Lejuez speaking once again to present all candidates to McCormick and request he confer the degrees and certificates for which each graduate is qualified for.
“Now comes the moment that you’ve been waiting for. As tradition goes, there’s a moment when the graduates are asked to turn their tassels from one side of their cap to the other to signify the earning of degrees,” McCormick said. “You are now graduates of Stony Brook University.”
