HomeARTSStars of Stony Brook...

Stars of Stony Brook University Gala Honoring Dorothy Lichtenstein Raises $7.1 Million to Support Creative Writing and Film Programs

(Stony Brook, New York, April 12, 2018) – Nearly 700 guests gathered on Wednesday evening at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers to honor one of America’s most dedicated and energetic art and education benefactors, Dorothy Lichtenstein, at the annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala.  The philanthropist and wife of the late artist Roy Lichtenstein was recognized for her long-running support of a host of arts, cultural and science initiatives at the University, including the Stony Brook Southampton creative writing and film program, one that provides a vital incubator for students and established writers and filmmakers at campuses on Long Island’s East End and in Manhattan.

Stony Brook University “Stars of Stony Brook” Gala, honoring Dorothy Lichtenstein

Since its inception in 2000, the Stony Broo5k Foundation’s Stars of Stony Brook Gala had raised
$50 million to support student scholarships and a featured academic program of excellence. This year’s Gala adds a new record with over $7.1 million raised, including a $5 million donation from Lichtenstein earmarked to support Stony Brook Southampton’s creative writing and film programs and a variety of scholarships and educational initiatives.

Lichtenstein, a resident of Southampton and New York City who has served as a Stony Brook Foundation, Inc. Trustee since 2008, was saluted by luminaries in the arts and media led by CBS newswoman Jane Pauley and her husband, Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau, who created special art for the Gala invitation and program. IMAX CEO and Stony Brook Foundation Chair and Gala Co-Chair Rich Gelfond, and his wife Peggy, Foundation Chair Emeritus Jim Simons, Stony Brook University President Samuel Stanley, Jr, M.D. and author and Stony Brook Professor Roger Rosenblatt feted Lichtenstein’s contributions in speeches.  A host of renowned authors and Visiting Professors including Amy Hempel, Patty Marx, Melissa Bank, Cornelius Eady,  Susan Minot, and Emma Walton Hamilton were on hand, along with Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, producer of 60 films including Boys Don’t Cry and who also serves as Artistic Director of Stony Brook’s film programs on the Southampton and NY campuses.  Alec Baldwin, Academy Award-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and celebrity chef and The Chew co-host Carla Hall were among the friends who lovingly and humorously toasted the honoree in a video played during the dinner, for her support of efforts that are helping to give birth to a generation of filmmakers, writers and fine artists. Also in attendance were SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson and SUNY Board Trustee Merryl Tisch.

Dr. Samuel Stanley, Dorothy Lichtenstein and Richard Gelfond

 

Roger Rosenblatt and Jane Pauley

 

Veronica Meinhard , James Simons and Kristina Johnson

 

Peggy Gelfond and Ray Kelly

“For well over a decade, Dorothy has helped foster the creativity of a new generation of fine artists, writers, filmmakers and cultural thinkers, ones who are going on from Stony Brook to make our world a fuller, more vibrant place,” said Richard Gelfond, ‘76, Chair of the Stony Brook Foundation and Gala Co-Chair. “Dorothy quietly leads by example, and has been the true hero of the Stony Brook SouthaRicmpton arts program story.”

 

“There are a lot of people coming into the program who wouldn’t normally have access to these kinds of classes, professionals and equipment,” said Christine Vachon, noted Hollywood Film Producer and Artistic Director of Stony Brook’s film programs.  “It’s allowing them to get their stories out there, and that’s really thanks to Dorothy.”

Academy Award-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl concurred stating: “This film program is first class, competitive with Columbia and NYU.  And through it alone, Dorothy is leaving a large footprint on the culture of our times.”

“We’d be nowhere without Dorothy Lichtenstein, we offer her the greatest thanks for her support,” said actor and Long Island native Alec Baldwin,  who has conducted master classes at Stony Brook Southampton Theater Conferences

Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. noted: “It’s a privilege to have the enduring passion, vision and support of Dorothy Lichtenstein. Not only for championing the arts here at Stony Brook, but also for partnering with us in other priority areas such as scholarships and the important work we’re doing in Madagascar and Kenya.  Dorothy is the prime example of a strong and growing number of leaders who are dedicated to Stony Brook University’s noble mission.”

Lichtenstein joined a distinguished roster of scholars, politicians, celebrities and luminaries who have been honored at the Gala including: Former Vice President Joseph Biden, Nobel laureate CN Yang; actors Julie Andrews, Alan Alda and Ed Harris; Renaissance Technologies founder, James Simons; CA Technologies founder Charles Wang; IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond ‘76; and world-renowned conservationists Richard Leakey and Patricia Wright.

 

Lichtenstein has been a passionate advocate for the University’s arts programs at Stony Brook Southampton and at Stony Brook’s Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, the home and studio of artists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner.  Lichtenstein’s philanthropy extends to the University’s programs around the world; she has made significant investments in both the famed paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey’s research on human evolution at Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya and Indianapolis Prize-winning Patricia Wright’s conservation work at Centre ValBio in Madagascar. The depth of her support inspired SUNY to confer Ms. Lichtenstein with an Honorary Doctorate in 2014.

 

Dorothy Lichtenstein is widely known for her position as President of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, established after her artist husband’s death in 1997 to facilitate access to the work of Roy Lichtenstein and the art and artists of his time. One of the most influential and innovative artists of the late twentieth century, Roy Lichtenstein originated the Pop Art movement that altered the history of modern art.  Dorothy Lichtenstein also serves as a board member or trustee of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the Trisha Brown Dance Company, MASS MoCa, and The Parrish Art Museum.

 

Led by Associate Provost Robert Reeves, the Stony Brook Southampton creative writing and film programs gather together graduate and undergraduate storytellers pursuing a broad variety of outlets, under the mentorship of a renowned faculty of working professionals.

 

Creative writing students cultivate their craft by developing original work, while also acquiring the necessary skills to pursue and succeed in their vocation as independent, imaginative poets and authors.   Students in the University’s graduate digital film program, the first in the SUNY history,  focus on screenwriting, writing for television, direction and producing, and gain real-world, hands-on experience with Christine Vachon and her award-winning independent production company Killer Films and other affiliate film production companies.

 

The impact of Stony Brook Southampton programs is reflected in the accomplishments of its alumni in publishing, filmmaking, playwriting and academia, including New York Times best-selling author Helen Simonson ‘08, James Hearst Poetry Prize winner Jordan Franklin ‘17, Stony Brook Assistant Professor in Writing and Rhetoric, poet Michelle Whittaker ‘11, and Women in Film and Video: New England Grand Prize winner Tracy M. King-Sanchez ‘12.

 

In addition to degree and certificate programs, Stony Brook Southampton also presents the celebrated Summer Writers Conference, publishes a renowned literary journal, TSR: The Southampton Review, and manages a wide range of innovative creative writing and film programs including: The Young Artists and Writers Project; The Children Lit Fellows Program; The Audio Podcast Fellows Program; Women in Film Writers Workshop;  BookEnds Post-MFA Manuscript Development; Writers Speak Public Lecture Programs and the Artists-in-Residence Program.

 

About Stony Brook University  — Stony Brook University is going beyond the expectations of what today’s public universities can accomplish. Since its founding in 1957, this young university has grown to become one of only four University Center campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system with more than 25,700 students, 2,500 faculty members, and 20 NCAA Division I athletic programs. Our faculty has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. The University offers students an elite education with an outstanding return on investment: U.S.News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 40 public universities in the nation. Its membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. As part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University joins a prestigious group of universities that have a role in running federal R&D labs. Stony Brook University is a driving force in the region’s economy, generating nearly 60,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $4.65 billion. Our state, country and world demand ambitious ideas, imaginative solutions and exceptional leadership to forge a better future for all. The students, alumni, researchers and faculty of Stony Brook University are prepared to meet this challenge.

Stars of Stony Brook Award

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

More from Author

Valerie Bertinelli Net Worth 2025: An In‑Depth Financial Profile

Valerie Bertinelli is a beloved actress, television personality, and chef whose...

Inside NYC Fashion Trunk Shows 2025: Where Designers and Trendsetters Collide

Trunk shows have taken over New York City’s fashion scene in...

Ludacris Net Worth 2025: How the Rapper Built a Multi-Million Dollar Empire

Christopher Brian Bridges, widely known by his stage name Ludacris, is...

Simon Guobadia Net Worth: A Deep Dive into the Businessman’s Wealth

Simon Guobadia, a Nigerian-American entrepreneur, film producer, and businessman, has built...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Valerie Bertinelli Net Worth 2025: An In‑Depth Financial Profile

Valerie Bertinelli is a beloved actress, television personality, and chef whose career spans decades of entertainment and culinary success. As an Emmy-winning figure and food channel star, she has built a diverse portfolio of income streams. This article explores Valerie Bertinelli’s net worth, how she earned her...

Inside NYC Fashion Trunk Shows 2025: Where Designers and Trendsetters Collide

Trunk shows have taken over New York City’s fashion scene in 2025, offering style aficionados an insider pass to designer previews, limited-edition collections, and behind-the-scenes access. If you’re a trendspotter in NYC, this is your golden ticket to fashion’s most exclusive gatherings. Whether you're a fashion editor, stylist,...

Ludacris Net Worth 2025: How the Rapper Built a Multi-Million Dollar Empire

Christopher Brian Bridges, widely known by his stage name Ludacris, is a rapper, actor, and entrepreneur who has achieved remarkable success across multiple fields. As of 2025, Ludacris's estimated net worth is around $40 million, a testament to his longevity and diversification beyond just music. This article...

Simon Guobadia Net Worth: A Deep Dive into the Businessman’s Wealth

Simon Guobadia, a Nigerian-American entrepreneur, film producer, and businessman, has built a reputation not only for his high-profile relationships but also for his strategic investments and impressive business ventures. Best known for his appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta through his marriage to Porsha Williams, Guobadia's...

Gervonta Davis Net Worth: Inside the Fortune of Boxing’s Knockout King

Gervonta “Tank” Davis is one of the most explosive and marketable fighters in modern boxing. Known for his knockout power, undefeated record, and magnetic presence, Davis has become a financial powerhouse in the sport. From pay-per-view successes to business ventures outside the ring, his net worth has...

Alix Earle Net Worth: Inside the Life of a Rising Digital Mogul

Alix Earle has rapidly become one of the most influential figures in the world of social media. With a massive following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, she has transformed her personal brand into a powerful business. As of 2025, Alix Earle’s net worth is estimated to...

Ice Cube Net Worth: The Legacy and Fortune of a Hip-Hop and Hollywood Icon

Ice Cube is a name that resonates across multiple industries—music, film, business, and activism. From his early days in the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A. to becoming a celebrated actor and film producer, Ice Cube has built a career defined by versatility, bold creativity, and business acumen. As...

Thejavasea.me Leaks AIO-TLP: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What You Should Know

In the increasingly complex landscape of digital data breaches and cyber disclosures, one name that has surfaced with notable attention is thejavasea.me leaks AIO-TLP. This incident has sparked widespread discussion among cybersecurity enthusiasts, digital privacy advocates, and even casual internet users due to the nature of the...

Bill Belichick Net Worth: The Wealth of an NFL Coaching Legend

Bill Belichick is one of the most iconic and successful coaches in NFL history. Known for his strategic mind, stoic demeanor, and unmatched record with the New England Patriots, Belichick has cemented himself as a legendary figure in professional football. Over decades of leadership, his consistent success...

Jennifer Tilly Net Worth: A Look into the Actress and Poker Player’s Wealth

Jennifer Tilly is a multi-talented individual known for her unique voice, memorable acting roles, and surprising success as a professional poker player. Over the years, she has built a diverse career that has led to a considerable net worth. This article explores Jennifer Tilly’s net worth, how...

Unlocking Business Success with Pedrovazpaulo Business Consultant

In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and corporate competition, businesses must consistently adapt, optimize, and innovate to maintain growth and profitability. Navigating such a dynamic environment requires more than just intuition—it demands expertise, strategic insight, and experience. This is precisely where a trusted advisor like pedrovazpaulo business...

Can Twins Cause a False Negative Pregnancy Test?

Have you taken a pregnancy test and gotten a negative result, but something still doesn’t feel right? Maybe you’re experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, or your period is late. Could twins be the reason the test didn’t detect the pregnancy? It’s a surprising idea, but yes, in rare cases,...