Stony Brook Students Earn SUNY Climate Sustainability Awards

Two Stony Brook University students - Walter Benitez and Faria Lorin - are among the 10 recipients of the SUNY Student Sustainability Awards.

The awards recognize undergraduate students throughout the SUNY System for the work they have done to advance sustainability on their campuses. Students submitted proposals in awards categories including arts and communication, environmental footprint, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and environmental justice.

Benitez and Lorin were each named SUNY Climate Sustainability Champions, and received $1,000. SUNY Climate Sustainability Leaders each received $500.

"I applaud the dedicated SUNY students who are eager to participate and learn about climate and sustainability actions and initiatives," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "Our exceptional students are leading the way, and I am proud to celebrate them for the work they have done to advance the understanding of climate and sustainability on their campuses through the Student Sustainability Awards."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Thanks to the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY's students can undertake opportunities to learn about and promote sustainability on their campuses. Congratulations to the recipients of this year's Student Sustainability Awards, we are proud of their ongoing efforts to support sustainability on their campuses, and throughout the SUNY System."

Chancellor King included the development of the Student Sustainability Awards in the 2025 State of the University agenda. The awards are part of SUNY's ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate students' applied learning projects and to advance SUNY's leadership in climate and sustainability. The SUNY Student Sustainability Awards provide between $500 to $1,000 to give students the opportunity to expand their reach on campus and engage other students interested in sustainability.

The SUNY Student Sustainability Awards are part of Chancellor King's ongoing commitment to sustainability throughout the SUNY System. The awards support the SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan's commitment to engage students on sustainability issues. To further support sustainability in the SUNY System, Chancellor King has also announced the inaugural cohort of Sustainability Faculty Fellows, the SUNY Climate Research Task Force, and the launch of SUNY's Outdoors for All program.