The Voice

“He has been a champion within the union for freedom of speech, academic freedom, rights of privacy, and freedom of assembly.”

Accolades of that sort from his fellow faculty members helped to pave the way for Michael Zweig of Stony Brook to be named this year’s recipient of the Nina Mitchell Award for Distinguished Service, the union’s highest honor.

“He has been instrumental in making our union a vital part of the wider union community, forging relationships and strengthening our ties to the AFL/CIO and with the union struggle to improve the lives of all workers,” wrote one of his Stony Brook colleagues.

President Barack Obama recently recognized two UUP members with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award is the highest honor bestowed by the federal government to researchers in the early stages of their careers.

Honored were Elizabeth Boon, an assistant professor of chemistry at SUNY Stony Brook, and Scott Craver, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Binghamton University. Winning researchers receive a grant of $200,000 per year for up to five years to further their study in support of critical government missions.

PECASE winners are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology, and for their commitment to community service.

“UUP has always been proud of the work undertaken by its members,” UUP President Phillip Smith said. “Now the rest of the nation knows about SUNY’s outstanding young researchers.”

Blind 4-year-old Khrysti Wolfskill swims with student Marrianne Mullarkey in Stony Brook's Adapted Aquatics program.