Does Stony Brook University have what it takes to be the best of Long Island? This year’s big election may be over, but Stony Brook students can still vote for their school in the 2013 Best of Long Island contest. For the past eight years, the Bethpage Federal Credit Union and “The Long Island Press” have held an annual contest that allows Long Islanders to nominate and vote for the best of Long Island in categories ranging from arts and entertainment to education.
The contest, which had humble beginnings as a yearly column featuring picks by editors, has grown to feature more than 5,000 nominees in unique categories from best eye care specialist to best local theater group to best concert venue. This year, Stony Brook has been nominated for 11 of the more than 360 awards. In 2012, the “best college president” category was added to the contest, which Stony Brook’s own President, Samuel L. Stanley Jr., won. He has been nominated in the same category this year. Under the education category, Stony Brook has also been nominated for “Best College Sports Program” and “Best LI College or University.” Last year, Stony Brook was named best on Long Island in both of these categories.
In the health and wellness category, Stony Brook University Hospital has been nominated for best hospital and the Long Island State Veteran’s Home, located on the Stony Brook Campus, was nominated for best adult day care. Neither of these facilities have won in these categories before.
Under services, Stony Brook’s child-care center, located across from the South P Lot, was nominated. The child-care facility has also never been recognized in this contest before.
Even as a school that is known for its science program, SBU is up for five awards in the arts and entertainment category. Stony Brook mascot Wolfie Seawolf has been nominated for best mascot. Last year, Wolfie came in second to QuackerJack from Long Island’s minor league baseball team, The Long Island Ducks. The Stony Brook Film Festival, which is held over the summer at Stony Brook’s Staller Center for the Arts, has also been nominated for “Annual Event/Festival.” The Staller Center is up for both best concert venue and local live theater. Last year, the Nikon Center at Jones Beach won best concert venue, and the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts won for best local live theater. Stony Brook University’s radio station, WUSB, was also nominated this year.
The voting for the 2013 Best of Long Island awards started back in October, and voting will end on Dec. 15, 2012. To vote, head over to bestof.longislandpress.com/voting and cast your ballot for the best of Long Island. A voting app for mobile phones, which can be downloaded via iTunes, was also introduced last year. Voting is limited to once per day. The winners of the contest will be announced in January 2013 for the start of the New Year.
