Stony Brook University’s annual Graduate Awards Ceremony, held May 20 in the Student Union Ballroom, celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of graduate students, faculty and program leaders across a wide range of disciplines. Hosted by Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Celia Marshik, the event recognized individuals who exemplify excellence in research, teaching, mentorship and service to the university community.
This year’s ceremony carried particular meaning, as many of the honorees began their graduate studies between 2019 and 2021, a time defined by remote learning, pandemic related shutdowns and overall, widespread uncertainty. Their achievements reflect not only academic distinction but also the resilience, adaptability and perseverance that define Stony Brook’s graduate community.
Celia Marshik opened the ceremony with reflections on that era, noting, “These students triumphed not only over the usual challenges of graduate study and research, which are legion, but over the difficulties of beginning graduate school at that anxious time.” She continued, “Today we will hear about students and their work in ways that will encourage, enrich, and even delight you. The joy we will witness throughout this event will leave you with a lighter heart.”
The ceremony also honored faculty and staff whose behind the scenes efforts keep graduate programs thriving as graduate program directors. Rebekah Burroway, lauded for her exemplary leadership as a graduate program director in the Department of Sociology, was praised by Professor Nicholas Wilson for her rare combination of strength and care. “She has the remarkable capability to strike balances I’ve never seen before: administrative acuity and discipline; tough love and ‘real talk’ when required; over-and-above support when needed,” he said. “Rebekah’s is a kind of glue for our collective life, truly prima inter pares.”
Several of this year’s honorees also participated in the Distinguished Doctoral Colloquium earlier this week on May 19, where they presented concise, engaging overviews of their dissertation research. These included Julia Brown (English), Ian Outhwaite (biochemistry and structural biology), Jason Michael Withorn (chemistry), and Shuting Xiang (materials science), each showcasing the depth and diversity of scholarship being pursued across the Graduate School. Shuting Xiang also served as the student speaker at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.
Reflecting on the quality of the presentations from the Distinguished Doctoral Colloquium, Dean Celia Marshik remarked, “It’s hard to think of a group working on more important projects.” She continued, “What was even more remarkable was how clearly they presented their research to a diverse audience across campus.
Among the honorees was PhD candidate Jason Michael Withorn, recognized for his exceptional contributions to research and mentorship as a President’s Award to Distinguished Doctoral Students recipient. Professor Elizabeth Boon from the Department of Chemistry spoke about Withorn, saying, “He’s a dedicated and accomplished researcher. He’s a fantastic mentor. He’s an amazing citizen, and a fantastic communicator. You can’t spend more than a few minutes talking to him about science without understanding that he has a deep and intense passion for it. He’s driven to learn.”
Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez closed the event with a reminder of the broader significance of graduate education: “This event truly highlights our students’ accomplishments in ways that are both aspirational and deeply meaningful.It’s important not only for their own personal growth and development but also for society, whether through advancing fundamental knowledge, which is valuable in itself, or by making tangible contributions that strengthen our community. This kind of work is what helps Stony Brook not just claim the title of a flagship university but genuinely earn that honor.”
For more information visit the Graduate School website and Facebook.
2025 Graduate Awards Recipients
Alumni Association Doctoral Summer Fellowship
Genevieve Ruzicka, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Alumni Association’s Dean’s Choice Award for Leadership
Donal Thomas, History
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring by a Faculty Member
Marie Huffman, Linguistics
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching by a Faculty Member
Simone Brioni, English
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service by a Graduate Program Director
Rebekah Burroway, Sociology
Dorothy G. Pieper Award
Ria Rajan, Studio Art
Dorothy G. Pieper Award (Honorable Mention)
Danielle Henneborn, Studio Art
Faculty-Staff Dissertation Fellowship
Caitlin Blackwell, Ecology and Evolution
Felix Fonseca Quesada, Linguistics
John Marburger III Fellowship for Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Megan Helen McDuffie, Physics and Astronomy
Joyce Turner Dissertation Fellowship
Lauren Morrison, Social and Health Psychology
Madeline Fusco Fellowship
Grace Wivell, Linguistics
Mildred and Herbert Weisinger Dissertation Fellowship
Kenneth Hanson, Linguistics
President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student
Miriam Ambrosino, Philosophy
Santiago Cordero Misteli, Mathematics
Hannah Judson, Sociology
Maria Medin-Doce, Hispanic Languages and Literature
John David Storment, Linguistics
Imogene Welles, Ecology and Evolution
President’s Award to Distinguished Doctoral Students
Julia Brown, English
Dylan Galt, Mathematics
Ian Outhwaite, Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Jason Michael Withorn, Chemistry
Shuting Xiang, Materials Science
Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees Dissertation Completion Endowed Fellowship
Danielle Lucksted, Sociology
Magdalena Markowska, Linguistics
Ariek Norford, Ecology and Evolution
Kaya Turan, Department of Art, Art History and Criticism
Kristin Walker, Clinical Psychology
Congratulations to all!!! So happy for this uplifting news!