Annual Light the Brook Celebration Kicks Off Holiday Season at Stony Brook

The Stony Brook University community gathered on the Academic Mall for the annual Light the Brook celebration November 3. Photos by John Griffin.

Stony Brook University's eighth annual Light the Brook celebration attracted the largest crowd in its history to help kick off the holiday season on campus.

With triple the attendance of last year's celebration, Light the Brook brought together students, faculty and staff on November 3 to enjoy an evening of treats and student performances before illuminating the Academic Mall.

Rick Gatteau, Stony Brook's vice president for Student Affairs, told the story of how Light the Brook came to be, when a small group of students bought some string lights and lit up the tree in front of the psychology building.

"They came to me and said, 'we really want to do something to brighten the campus during these months when it's cold, dark, and depressing,'" said Gatteau, as he addressed attendees gathered at the administration fountain. "It started in a very small way and we lit up the tree and had an a capella group perform. Since then it's gotten bigger and better every year."

This year's event featured grills to make s'mores, club tabling, light-themed crafts, hot chocolate and, of course, the lighting ceremony. The crowd was also treated to performances by the a cappella groups the Pipettesand the High C's, The Vocalists, an all-gender vocal group, and Music & Medicine, a student group who performs at hospitals, nursing homes, and childcare centers.

"This crowd is the largest group I've ever seen for Light the Brook," said Gatteau. "Our strength at Stony Brook is the community that we build together, and there's no better way to celebrate community than at events like this."

From left: Vice President for Student Affairs Rick Gatteau, USG President Sarah Elbaroudy and Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith.

Gatteau also thanked the Stony Brook Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and the Division of Student Affairs, who co-sponsored the event.

"This event is one of my favorite traditions at Stony Brook, because it captures everything that makes this university so special - the energy, the unity and the sense of belonging that we create together," said USG President Sarah Elbaroudy '27. "When you look around tonight, you'll see hundreds of lights and faces from every corner of campus, each representing the power of our community. What makes Stony Brook shine isn't just what we're about to light, but the people who make this campus feel like home through our differences and our shared purpose. We've built a campus defined by resilience, compassion and pride. Whether you're a first-year student or senior getting ready to graduate, a faculty member, a staff member or a member of the community, you're part of a story that's much bigger than yourself, and one that continues to grow brighter every year."

"Light the Brook is an example of what a special university this is," echoed Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith. "No matter what happens, we bond together and we celebrate the amazing light of Stony Brook University. "No matter what's happening, how hard your finals are, or what's going on in your work or families, we can come together and make light happen here at this university."

Goldsmith described her introduction to Stony Brook and the significance of community-building traditions like Light the Brook.

"The first day I came to Stony Brook was in the middle of winter in January," she recalled. "It was a very cold day, but everyone I met was so warm and so welcoming. Tonight, and in the space of the dark winter months that are to come, these lights remind us that we are a community that exudes warmth to everyone around us, and I want to thank you for giving me that incredibly warm welcome that I've experienced here at Stony Brook. And that's really what these lights represent; warmth, togetherness and the power of this community."

"Light the Brook gives us a community of warmth, light and connectedness as we enter the colder months of the year," said Aneil Persaud, assistant director of Student Affairs Events and Initiatives. "It has been really exciting seeing the growth of this program, now showcasing more student performances, lighting and of course, hot chocolate, than ever."

"Every light that's about to turn on represents the people who make this university come alive," said Elbaroudy. "Light the Brook is a symbol of community, of showing up for each other, celebrating one another, and remembering that the heart of Stony Brook is in its people. And when we count down tonight, we're not just lighting the fountain, we're lighting our collective spirit as Seawolves tonight. May this light carry us through finals, through winter and right into the new year, as a reminder that no matter what we're facing, we're never alone."

- Robert Emproto