Stony Brook University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) held its first annual awards ceremony on January 21. The event aimed to recognize faculty and staff for their achievements in research, teaching, and service. CEAS Dean Andrew Singer emphasized a comprehensive approach to acknowledging excellence.
“Today, we honor those in our college who have excelled in research, teaching, and service,” Singer said at the Hilton Garden Inn with nearly 80 attendees present. “This is a newly reimagined event, and I hope you are as enthusiastic about it as I am.”
The ceremony included recognition through the Millionaires Club and the Millionaires Elite Club for faculty leading notable externally sponsored research projects. These clubs require new grants or expenditures exceeding $1 million within a fiscal year.
“We celebrate faculty who exemplify our research mission and align with our vision of advancing the human condition through impactful research,” said Singer.
A key part of the event was introducing the TREES Awards (Teachers Rated Excellent Educators by their Students), which honor faculty based on student course evaluations for inclusive and innovative teaching practices. “Our TREES awardees are planting seeds of excellence in our students’ future,” noted Singer.
Mei Lin (Ete) Chan-Lo from the Department of Biomedical Engineering received multiple awards including TREES Awards for two consecutive years and an Excellence in Faculty Service Award. She expressed appreciation: “It’s very nice to know that people within CEAS recognize us for the work we’ve been doing. Recognition in a formal way is always appreciated, and it helps us to continue growing professionally. This doesn’t stop here — it’s just the beginning.”
The ceremony also highlighted service contributions from faculty and staff ensuring smooth operations at CEAS.
“Service often goes unnoticed because it happens when everything runs smoothly,” said Singer. “Today, we recognize those who continually give of themselves without asking for much in return. We could not CEAS the day without you.”
Additional awards acknowledged mentorship, diversity leadership, professional service, along with overall excellence in various domains. Two new honors introduced were the Dean’s Excellence Professorships for Research and Teaching.
“This event underscores our shared commitments to research, teaching, and service,” concluded Singer. “It promises to be an annual celebration of excellence.”
— Beth Squire