Two students from Stony Brook University, Walter Benitez and Faria Lorin, have been recognized as recipients of the SUNY Student Sustainability Awards. They are among ten undergraduate students across the State University of New York (SUNY) system honored for their contributions to advancing sustainability on their campuses.
The awards program invited student proposals in several categories, including arts and communication, environmental footprint, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and environmental justice. Both Benitez and Lorin were named SUNY Climate Sustainability Champions and each received a $1,000 award. Students designated as SUNY Climate Sustainability Leaders received $500.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. stated: “I applaud the dedicated SUNY students who are eager to participate and learn about climate and sustainability actions and initiatives. 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 added: “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 development of these awards in his 2025 State of the University agenda as part of broader efforts by SUNY to highlight student-led applied learning projects related to climate action. The initiative aims not only to recognize individual achievements but also encourages greater engagement with sustainability issues across all campuses.
In addition to these awards, Chancellor King has announced other measures supporting sustainability within SUNY. These include launching a cohort of Sustainability Faculty Fellows, forming a Climate Research Task Force, and introducing an Outdoors for All program—all designed to further integrate climate-related education and activities throughout the university system.
The Student Sustainability Awards provide financial support ranging from $500–$1,000 per recipient with a goal of enabling awardees like Benitez and Lorin—and others—to expand campus outreach efforts around sustainability topics.
