His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, received the Stony Brook Council University Medal at an event held on September 20 at Stony Brook Southampton. The award recognizes his efforts in climate action, environmental advocacy through faith, and fostering interfaith dialogue.
The event, titled “Oceans of Hope: The Green Patriarch Recognizes Stony Brook Southampton’s Marine Sciences Mission,” took place at the Avram Theater and was sponsored by Kokolakis Contracting. The University Medal is considered the highest honor given by Stony Brook University for individuals who have made significant contributions to the university and its community.
Known internationally as the “Green Patriarch” due to his longstanding commitment to environmental issues, His All-Holiness has worked to highlight climate change impacts—especially among marginalized communities—and has addressed the moral dimensions of environmental challenges. Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith highlighted these achievements in her remarks during the ceremony.
“It is for these reasons that we are so honored to celebrate him today with the university’s highest honor, the Stony Brook Council University Medal, in recognition of his tireless efforts, taking the lead among all religious leaders in his concern for the environment,” said Goldsmith.
Goldsmith also referenced Stony Brook’s own initiatives in sustainability and research, especially through its School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). She pointed out conservation projects such as those focused on Shinnecock Bay.
“Stony Brook shares the commitment of His All-Holiness in taking steps toward creating a more sustainable world and encouraging dialogue and action among our peers,” Goldsmith said. “As president of Stony Brook, I’m so proud of the work that we’ve accomplished and I am committed to continuing to support our Southampton Campus and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences on these globally significant initiatives, and the people and work that they inspire.”
After receiving his medal from Goldsmith and Stony Brook Council Chair Kevin Law before an audience including local officials, members of tribal leadership from the Shinnecock Nation, area residents, and representatives from university governance bodies, His All-Holiness commented on ongoing conservation efforts:
“The oceans, the rivers and streams now need our help,” he said. “Here at Stony Brook, you are making most significant contributions to the healing of our waters that they so desperately need. We are honored by your bestowal of the University Medal to our humble person as a sign of the solidarity we share in the protection of the environment.”
The program included a boat tour led by professors Ellen Pikitch and Christopher Gobler from SoMAS through Shinnecock Bay’s Hope Spot—a designation granted by Mission Blue in 2022 after years of scientific restoration work led by Pikitch, Gobler, and Bradley Peterson. This makes Shinnecock Bay New York State’s first Hope Spot; other regions with this status include areas like Antarctica’s Ross Sea.
Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives at Stony Brook Southampton, acknowledged both global leadership on environmental responsibility as well as regional collaboration: “In honoring a global leader whose work has illuminated the sacred responsibility we all share to care for our environment, it is fitting that we also acknowledge the original stewards of this land, the Shinnecock Indian Nation,” she said. “The Shinnecock have long been leaders in caring for the land and waters of this region, and their collaboration with Stony Brook University researchers that led to designation of Shinnecock Bay as a Mission Blue Hope Spot is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together.”
Patriarch Bartholomew has previously been recognized with honors such as being awarded $1 million Templeton Prize for his integration of faith-based perspectives into scientific discussions about environmental stewardship. His visit coincided with both Orthodox Day of Environment on September 1st and announcement regarding next year’s Templeton Prize recipient.
