Photo by Abigail Wolfenberger

By Abigail Wolfenberger
Managing Editor

Stony Brook University kicked off “Far Beyond” April 20th, a new development that is geared towards advancing the SBU brand.

The goal is to create a brand that not only shows the strengths and achievements of Stony Brook’s community, but is also a brand that the students, faculty and staff can take pride in. It took two years to research how students and faculty felt about being a part of the university and what they wanted their message for everyone outside of Stony Brook. Today, the school is taking its first steps to express the pride and success researchers found many students and faculty feel and want to share with the world.

The brand is based on five pillars: STEMM, value, diversity, stewardship and momentum. Starting at 8:45 a.m. today, massive posters will be placed on certain buildings throughout the main campus. These posters will depict the stories of students, faculty and staff that represent these five pillars, like Jonathan Conyers, a junior from Harlem who is raising his daughter while pursuing a medical degree from Stony Brook.

“I think the stories are amazing because we have amazing stories at Stony Brook,” President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD said. “The kind of research we’re doing, the stories our students tell about obstacles they’ve overcome and the success they’ve achieved at Stony Brook, and the stories of our alumni who’ve come here and done great things after they leave. I think all of that builds pride, and, again, I think the turnout today and the excitement people have talked about when they see these banners really makes me very, very happy.”

Video courtesy of Stony Brook University

No set time frame has been set for the brand’s installment and growth. It’s a long-term process that will continue to develop over time. Today involves launching the redesigned website and poster placement on major campus buildings. However, as time goes on, more advertisements will be placed around campus as well as local train stops, like Hicksville.

“As we progress, it will be rolled out to very important external audiences, so it’ll be rolled out to perspective students, guidance counselors in the area,” Stanley said. We’ll reach politicians. “We’ll reach people in the community. We want them to know about the amazing things that are happening at Stony Brook University, and that this is a place that can take you far beyond your expectations.”

“Far Beyond” comes just one month before graduation. Stony Brook wants to start the launch of the new brand while high school juniors and seniors are looking at college and while the class of 2016 is still on campus.

“We’ll start internally, and that’s what we’re doing today, to get the message out, Stanley said. “Pretty soon when I travel around the country, and someone asks me what I do, I’ll say, ‘I’m president of Stony Brook University,’ and they’ll go, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve heard of that place. I know what it is. It’s great.’ That’s what I’m looking forward too.”