Stony Brook University student Samuel Rosner was selected as a State University of New York Emerging Leader Award recipient. Rosner, a senior biology major with intentions to apply to medical school, has been invited to represent Stony Brook University at the SUNY Student Leadership Institute at the SUNY Student Assembly Conference November 2 through November 4 in Syracuse, New York.
The SUNY Emerging Leaders Award acknowledges students who have demonstrated significant leadership within their campus and/or community. This new award recognizes current emerging leaders and provides an incentive for them to continue to develop their leadership skills throughout their college career and beyond. Students selected for this award have demonstrated their leadership based on one or more of SUNY’s six big ideas: entrepreneurial century, seamless education pipeline, healthier New York, energy smart New York, vibrant community and the world.
“I am extremely shocked and humbled to win such an award as this,” said Rosner. “I am truly proud to be representing Stony Brook within the SUNY school system by winning this award.”
Rosner successfully balances a rigorous academic schedule with a high level of involvement in community and campus activities. He serves as president (previously vice president) of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and is a teaching assistant for an undergraduate course in cancer biology. Through NRHH, Rosner has successfully organized several large campus wide programs that focus on public health. He helped coordinate The Sunrise Shaves fundraiser, where students were sponsored to shave their heads in an act of empathetic solidarity with young cancer patients. More than $6,5000 was raised and went to support the Stony Brook University pediatric oncology unit’s research and medical activities. Rosner also serves as acting co-coordinator for this year’s Stony Brook Bone Marrow Registry Drive, which seeks to increase the number of students, faculty and staff to voluntarily be entered into the potential live-saving database. Moreover, as chair for the NRHH Civic Engagement Committee, he is organizing this year’s ‘Tis the Season fundraiser, which has typically raised more than $20,000 to help provide gifts for underprivileged children as well as other local charities.
“Sam possesses maturity and warmth that enable him to lead in a calm, confident manner. He has a way of bringing people together that is unassuming and motivating,” said Jerrold L. Stein, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. “Students, faculty and staff look to Sam as a bright leader with tremendous potential.”
Rosner is a familiar face on campus, as he also serves on the Residence Hall Association executive board and is an active Stony Brook Community Pledge Leader, helping to co-coordinate Stony Brook’s Community week, which helps to involve students in creating a caring and supportive campus community.
“Sam is one of the most humble people I know,” said NRHH chapter advisor Julie Lekstutis, “He makes such a huge time commitment to campus life and his community, and he is incredibly passionate about every project he works on. He is a visionary leader, it’s never about ‘I’.”
Fellow student and NRHH member Rob Drago said, “He has worked tirelessly to forge new relationships between University departments and NRHH while encouraging e-board and general body members to achieve their full potential. Sam is a true leader who is among the best at bringing out the true potential of others. “
Rosner has been invited to attend the SUNY Student Leadership Institute along with Emerging Leaders from across New York State at the beginning of next month at the Double Tree in Syracuse, New York. The State University is offering a series of workshops, including but not limited to ethics, networking skills and effective communication. Those who attend all the workshops will receive a certificate of leadership achievement endorsed by the State University. Author and national speaker Julie Gaver will give the keynote.
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