The Fall 2025 semester at Stony Brook University began with New Seawolf Welcome, a week of activities designed to help new students and their families get acquainted with campus life. The event started on August 18, featuring two move-in days for first-year students. President Andrea Goldsmith, along with university staff and student volunteers, assisted newcomers as they settled into dormitories.
Move-in days included a Welcome Family BBQ on the Staller Steps and information stations throughout the Academic Mall. These stations introduced students to both campus resources and local businesses. Cory Montijo, a Stony Brook alumnus representing Wegman’s supermarket in Lake Grove, commented on returning to campus: “It’s great being back here,” he said. “Just being on campus again and being here on the academic mall reminds me of so many times I spent out here on campus. It’s surreal coming back representing Wegman’s and seeing the other side of it and reaching out to all the bright-eyed students coming in.”
Students accessed information from various departments during the week. Stephanie Van Rossem, nurse practitioner with Student Health Services, highlighted the value of outreach: “It’s great to do an event like this,” she said. “It provides outreach for the students so that they know the services that are available to them here. It’s so important. A lot of the times students come here and aren’t aware of all the amazing things that we have for them to offer. These tabling events are a perfect opportunity to show them.”
Isobel Breheny-Schafer, assistant director for Student Media and general manager of WUSB radio station, described her experience meeting new arrivals: “Welcoming students back this week has been fun, exciting and informative,” she said. “My student staff and I met so many students and their families from all walks of life. Sharing what our department of student community development does along with the student media office and WUSB radio station and having discussions about becoming a part of the Seawolves community through ‘Belonging at the Brook’ sessions helped create a sense of connection with our new and our returning students.”
New Seawolf Welcome aimed to ease incoming students’ transition by familiarizing them with university resources, setting academic expectations, reducing anxiety about starting college, fostering friendships among peers, and building a foundation for success.
Events during the week included convocations for new freshmen and transfer students, Community Service Day, workshops about campus life navigation, fitness classes, arts-and-crafts sessions, as well as Wolfie’s Welcome Celebration at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium parking lot.
Student Affairs Vice President Rick Gatteau emphasized the significance of these activities: “Welcome Week is an important part of successfully transitioning our new Seawolves to Stony Brook,” he said. “This year’s welcome was filled with learning, community building, service, fun, spirit, and pride. We look forward to an exciting and memorable year ahead and encourage our Class of 2029 and new transfers to get involved in campus life and take advantage of all that Stony Brook offers.”