Stony Brook University Celebrates a Year of Gratitude Grams

Thanking Seawolves was the order of the day at the Gratitude Gram celebration December 11 at the Charles B. Wang Center. Photos by John Griffin.

Stony Brook University celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Gratitude Graminitiative by honoring the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff who received Gratitude Grams over the past year, marking a milestone for the university's commitment to fostering a culture of recognition and connection, one note at a time.

The festive celebration on December 11 in the Charles B. Wang Center included food, refreshments, raffle prizes, and photo opportunities with Wolfie. It was a gathering to celebrate Stony Brook's champions - the faculty and staff whose efforts make the university a flagship institution of excellence.

"For 15 months, we worked to create a recognition program that truly reflects the spirit of Stony Brook," said Tasheka Sutton-Young, associate vice president of presidential initiatives, who spearheaded the Gratitude Gram initiative. "Whether you're here because of your collaborative spirit, mentorship, leadership, or simply being an awesome Seawolf, we want to say thank you. You are the backbone of this institution."

Gratitude Grams, part of the Thank a Seawolfcampaign, enable faculty and staff to send personalized notes of thanks to colleagues. In this inaugural year, over 2,000 Gratitude Grams were sent across campus, with more than 1,000 individuals receiving recognition.

Kenya Lewis-Brewer, assistant vice president for people, culture, and engagement, shared highlights from the program:

• Top Three Most Recognized Categories: Engagement and participation, collaboration, and being an awesome Seawolf
• Top Three Departments Receiving Gratitude Grams: Enterprise Risk Management, Vice President for Finance, School of Health Professions
• Top Three Departments Giving Gratitude Grams: Enterprise Risk Management, Executive Office, Office of Administration

Lewis-Brewster emphasized the importance of both giving and receiving. "It's just as meaningful to send a Gratitude Gram as it is to receive one. Every note of thanks contributes to building a stronger, more connected campus community," she said.

The Gratitude Gram program has already garnered accolades, including recognition during the university's accreditation process and a SUNY Innovation Award. Moving forward, the initiative is set to grow under the leadership of Human Resources, which aims to amplify its impact and expand its reach across campus.

As Sutton Young noted, "Sometimes all it takes is a kind word or a simple note to remind someone their contributions are valued. Gratitude isn't just about saying thanks - it's about creating a culture of kindness and respect that uplifts us all."

- Beth Squire

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