Stony Brook University began its Fall 2025 semester with the New Seawolf Welcome, a weeklong series of activities designed to introduce incoming students and their families to campus life. The event started on August 18 with move-in days for first-year students, during which President Andrea Goldsmith, along with university staff and students, assisted newcomers as they settled into their dormitories.
Each move-in day featured a Welcome Family BBQ at the Staller Steps and information stations throughout the Academic Mall. These stations provided details about on-campus and off-campus opportunities, including participation from local businesses such as Wegman’s supermarket.
“It’s great being back here,” said Stony Brook alumnus Cory Montijo ’20, who represented Wegman’s. “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.”
Student Health Services also participated in the event by sharing resources available to students. “It’s great to do an event like this,” said Stephanie Van Rossem, nurse practitioner with Student Health Services. “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, noted how these gatherings help new arrivals connect with student organizations: “Welcoming students back this week has been fun, exciting and informative. 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.”
The New Seawolf Welcome included various events such as convocations for new and transfer students, Community Service Day, workshops on navigating university life, fitness classes, arts activities, and Wolfie’s Welcome Celebration held at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium parking lot.
“Welcome Week is an important part of successfully transitioning our new Seawolves to Stony Brook,” said Student Affairs Vice President Rick Gatteau. “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.”
The week aims to ease anxieties about starting college by introducing students to campus resources, setting academic expectations, fostering connections within the university community, promoting academic success, and helping new arrivals build friendships as they begin their time at Stony Brook.
