Ask a Seawolf Winter 2025

November 7, 2025

7.75k

Words of wisdom from our Seawolves community.

What experience shaped who you are today?

“During my senior year, I battled testicular cancer. But with my family, teammates and Stony Brook’s athletic community behind me, I was taught you simply can’t ruin my day.”

— Franco Vanderka ’14, Partner, 2X Baked Labs; Founder, “The Oven Podcast”

“Growing up near Fire Island gave me a great appreciation for our coasts, but witnessing the destructive forces of Superstorm Sandy sparked my curiosity and interest in this field.”

— Michael Itzkin ’16, Assistant Professor, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

“Growing up in a big family taught me discipline and the value of humor. I’ve learned to roll with challenges and not sweat the small stuff.”

— Elizabeth Caniglia, MOU Administrator, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

“We are the sum of our experiences — collectively these taught me to value hard work, collaborate extensively and honor the contributions of others.”

— Braden Hosch, Vice President, Educational and Institutional Effectiveness, Office of the President and Office of the Provost

“Balancing academics and work taught me discipline, time management and adaptability — qualities that continue to guide my career and personal growth.”

— Erika Lorentzson ’24, Coordinator, Lifelong and Athletics Engagement, University Advancement/Athletics

“As a first-generation graduate in 2024, I learned that adversity builds character. The perseverance, resilience and growth I developed proved that even the toughest challenges can lead to limitless opportunities.”

— Kevon Barrett ’26, MS in Journalism candidate

“Leaving China for the U.S. 40 years ago, immigration gave me the gift of seeing the world through more than one lens.”

— Agnes Weiyun He, PhD, Professor, Department of Asian and Asian American Studies

“Watching my Haitian immigrant parents sacrifice their time and earnings to support my educational journey.”

— James Pierre-Glaude ’06, ’10, Assistant Dean, School of Health Professions

“Being offered a position as an adjunct professor teaching courses I took as an undergraduate student. Now I work full time in the department I graduated from!”

— Ashley Cervino’20, ’23, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Health Professions

“I was injured during high school, which led me to quit my sport and become more involved in school leadership, opening my eyes to issues I focused my advocacy on. “

— Patterson Summers ’26, BS in Political Science candidate

“SBU employment afforded me the opportunity to earn my master’s in HR management at a nominal cost. This transformed my professional and personal trajectory, and for this I am forever grateful.”

— Megan Alberti, Department Administrator, Department of Anthropology

“Being a Southampton Seawolf, I’ve had the opportunity to build deep connections with students, faculty and staff due to our small campus size.”

— Margaret A. Sheryll, Director of Southampton Operations

“Being part of an incredible team during the COVID pandemic. That taught me how to rely on my colleagues and deliver care in the most demanding and uncertain circumstances.”

— Eric J. Morley, MD, Chief Quality Officer, Stony Brook Medicine

“I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2012 and served for 13 years. That transformative experience instilled resilience and discipline, lessons I continue to apply to challenges in civilian life.”

— Jane York ’19, ’24, Coordinator, Office of Military and Veteran Student Services

“From third-world roots, I believed in my ability to thrive. Now I’m a resilient first-gen pre-med and content creator.”

— Shanell Rollon ’27, BS in Biochemistry and BA in Media/Art/Culture candidate

“Field trips with my high school environmental science class sparked my love for fieldwork and demonstrated how interdisciplinary science better explains real-world problems and guides effective solutions.’”

— Kaitlin Giglio, Educational Program Developer, Collaborative for the Earth

“Encountering the law of attraction shifted my mindset. Visualizing my goals daily made me feel lighter, more creative and less discouraged by failure, as if I’d already succeeded.”

— Melissa N. Thornton ’25, Post-Award Coordinator, Program in Public Health