Stony Brook University was prominently featured at the 2025 Press Club of Long Island Media Awards. The event, held on June 5 at Fox Hollow in Woodbury, recognized excellence in local journalism across various categories including narrative, video, digital, radio, visual, student journalism, and special awards.
Liza N. Burby from Stony Brook Magazine received several accolades. She won second place for Narrative/Reporter of the Year for her work with the magazine and Newsday. Burby also secured first place in Narrative/Real Estate for AARP Magazine and earned top honors as well as third place in Narrative/Arts for articles published in Newsday. Additionally, she received third place in Narrative/Race and Diversity for her contributions to Newsday.
Beth Squire from SBU News achieved third place in Narrative/Education Reporting with her story titled "Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Stony Brook Student Athletes."
Stony Brook's student journalists also excelled by winning a total of 14 awards. The Statesman garnered eight awards for Student Journalism. This included first place for Best College News Website and first and second places in both Investigative and Narrative/News Story categories. It placed second for Best College Newspaper and secured third positions in both Narrative/Feature story and Narrative/College Newspaper reporter (Mariam Guirgis).
The Stony Brook Press achieved first place honors for both Narrative/Best Magazine and Visual/Magazine cover design while earning second place for Best Website. It took third place in Student Journalism Narrative/News Story.
The Stony Brook Media Group was awarded first place for Student Journalism/Video Feature Package along with a second-place finish for Student Journalism/Best College TV Reporter (Miles Reese).
WUSB-FM won three awards with Play It Forward securing first place in Radio/Solutions Journalism and second position as Podcast. WUSB also claimed third spot in Radio/Environment.
WSHU Public Radio's Long Island News Bureau — affiliated with Stony Brook’s School of Communication and Journalism — won three awards including Best Radio News Station, top Podcast (Off the Path), and second-place finish under Radio/Environment category. The bureau is staffed primarily by SoCJ students who have mentored over 35 interns since relocating to campus back in 2020.
The Press Club of Long Island stands among one of the largest chapters within Society Professional Journalists aimed towards advocating First Amendment rights while promoting ethical standards alongside ongoing member training initiatives.
This year’s award ceremony inducted new members into Long Island Journalism Hall Fame established by PCLI during 2014 comprising John Hildebrand; Ellen Mitchell; Timothy Bolger being recognized inductees this term.