Light the Brook Ignites Holiday Spirit and Stony Brook Pride

The Stony Brook University community came out to Light the Brook on November 4. Photos by John Griffin.

Stony Brook University kicked off the holiday season November 4 with its seventh annual Light the Brook celebration, transforming the Academic Mall with a display of lights around trees and poles to honor student achievement.

The event was organized by the Undergraduate Student Government(USG) and co-sponsored by the Division of Student Affairsand SBU Eats.

Several student and university leaders addressed a large group of attendees who gathered to celebrate the Seawolf community.

The festivities began by the administration fountain, where attendees enjoyed guest speakers, club tabling, hands-on activities, and performances by Music in Medicine, the Pipettes, and SBU Flow. Participants were treated to festive giveaways, crafts, hot chocolate, and desserts.

As 5:15 pm approached, the crowd counted down to the illumination of the Academic Mall. Rick Gatteau, vice president for Student Affairs, reflected on how far the event had come since it began seven years ago.

"Who's excited for the seventh annual Light the Brook?" he began. "I was here for the very first Light the Brook. When our student leaders said we're going to do our first Light the Brook and light a tree on campus. So they went to Home Depot, bought some string lights and strung them over a tree in front of the Psych A building, and we had a musical group sing. Now, seven years later, look at this amazing crowd - it's just gotten bigger and better every year."

"This is so important for our community at Stony Brook," he added. "It speaks to the joy, the love, and the care we have for each other. We're all Seawolves, and I'm so happy we get to celebrate together in this moment."

SBU Interim President Richard McCormick also shared his pride in the university's sense of community. "This is my first Light the Brook, the beginning of the holiday season at Stony Brook. We have two wonderful months coming up, and thanks to our student government, campus looks especially beautiful tonight," he said as he admired the lights. "I'm really proud of you, and proud of our university - Light the Brook!"

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