Clear Skies Ahead

There’s a moment just before a plane takes off when everything aligns — the pilot focusing on the horizon ahead, the engines throttling up, the runway clearing, the wide-open sky. It’s a moment defined by clarity and motion, when preparation and anticipation give way to infinite possibilities.

This issue of Stony Brook University Magazine captures a university in that moment. With President Andrea Goldsmith at the controls, Stony Brook is moving above and beyond the expected, embracing bold aspirations that will drive discovery and redefine what a public research university can do.

Across these pages, you’ll see how our community is accelerating forward with purpose and momentum. In Soaring Aspirations, we revisit the historic week celebrating President Goldsmith’s inauguration through photography. With more than 20 events showcasing the impact of our students, faculty and staff on our campus and the world, the week’s activities reflected the breadth and energy of the Seawolf community.

That spirit of engagement extends beyond those celebrations. In Taking Flight, we follow the daring adventures of Paul Shepson and John Mak, two professors in atmospheric sciences, as they take to the skies in their own aircraft to gather critical climate data from high above the Earth.

Our flightpath also extends to South Korea, where academic and industry partnerships are advancing Stony Brook’s reach. In Propelling Global Momentum, we highlight our Freshman Launch Year study abroad program, SUNY Korea as an expanding hub for international education, and the role of our alumni who are driving progress across Korea’s technology sectors.

Closer to home, two faculty members embody the strength of community at Stony Brook: Shoshana Hershkowitz, who directs the University Chorale, uniting voices in performance and friendship, and Janet Clarke, who brings the library to students through teaching and mentorship.

Alumni, donors and students unite in The Perfect Match, a story highlighting the relationships that support student success and help advance patient care across Stony Brook Medicine. In Decoding the Science of Decision, our political science faculty use data, psychology and real-world experience to help students understand how people make decisions that shape the world.

Together, the stories in this issue reflect a shared trajectory: one grounded in excellence, driven by curiosity and a readiness to say yes to new opportunities. So say yes to exploring our online issue for more exclusive content, including a recap video from inauguration week and a closer look at the community within the University Chorale.