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Cathy Barbash (Sitting center) and Susan Barbash (Right sitting) present Stony Brook University Special Collections members Kristen Nyitray (Left sitting), Lynn Toscano (Left) and Jamie Saragossi (Right) a small collection of papers relating to their late activist father Maurice Barbash’s work to stop a proposed 4 lane highway down the spine of the Fire Island and the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS). Photo by John Griffin/SBU

Timed with the 60th Anniversary Establishment of FINS Becoming a National Park 

Stony Brook University Libraries have received a donation of historic documents that outline the battle to stop the construction of a highway on Fire Island while fighting successfully to create the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS), New York. The documents reveal the efforts of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore, the grassroots community campaign that prevented Robert Moses’ plan in the 1960s. The collection was gifted by the Barbash family. Maurice Barbash, the father of Cathy, Susan, and Shepard Barbash, and their uncle Irving Like led the committee’s efforts and organized it.

The collection has historical importance in the establishment of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) and includes committee meeting minutes, press releases, and correspondence with New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Stuart Udall, Secretary of the Interior. The timing of the donation coincides with the upcoming 60th anniversary of the legislation that created FINS as a unit of the National Park Service (September 11, 1964).

“We are very excited to have the papers of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore as a part of Stony Brook University Libraries’ collections. With the upcoming 60th anniversary, preserving and providing access to this collection is of great importance,” said Jamie Saragossi, Associate Dean of Content Services.

These items will become part of the University Libraries’ Special Collections, which oversees and curates the university’s rare books, maps, archival materials, manuscripts, and historical maps. Details about the collection will be accessible via a dedicated webpage, and the papers will be digitized and made freely available online.

“The papers offer first-hand, historical evidence of the remarkable grassroots efforts that protected the natural environments of both Long Island and Fire Island for future generations,” said Kristen J. Nyitray, Director of Special Collections and University Archives, and University Archivist. “The papers are an important addition to Special Collections and highlight our commitment to collect, preserve, and provide access to diverse histories of Long Island.”

About the Campaign

The efforts of community citizen-activists on Fire Island were instrumental in the legislation that formally established the Fire Island National Seashore. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law in 1964, preventing the construction of a proposed highway extending eastward from what is currently Robert Moses State Park.

Cathy Barbash reflected on the decision to donate the collection and its research significance. “We are honored that Stony Brook University has agreed to accept the original minutes of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore and related research and correspondence. The Committee was founded on September 12, 1962, by fourteen volunteer citizens who worked tirelessly for two years to promote the creation of the National Seashore against steep odds. The Committee was founded and co-chaired by our father, Maurice Barbash, and our uncle, Irving Like.”

“This collection is significant because the minutes and other materials document in great detail the strategies, organization, and actions of a group of concerned citizens who came together spontaneously, pooling their intellectual, professional, and social resources to create an effective grassroots movement to fight the destruction of a natural area by creating a common good. The research included in the collection also sheds light on the political backstory and maneuvering between powerful political figures in mid-century America that shaped the overall battle and ultimate success of the campaign for the National Seashore,” she added.

In addition to the papers of the Citizen’s Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore, the collection includes digital files used in the exhibition “Protecting a Ribbon of Sand: The Creation of Fire Island National Seashore,” curated by Susan and Cathy Barbash for the 50th anniversary of FINS at the Fire Island Lighthouse Fresnel Lens Building.

When asked about why the family chose Stony Brook to be the home for the collection, Cathy Barbash said, “We are donating the papers to Stony Brook University for two reasons. First, both Stony Brook University and the Fire Island National Seashore are located in Suffolk County, New York and we believe it is important that these materials are in the library of a major research university so close to their subject matter. Secondly, Irving Like’s papers are already in Stony Brook’s special collections. Because he and our father were the prime movers in this campaign and in other civic causes, we felt it appropriate that the collections belonged together to promote ease of research.”

Susan Barbash added, “The epic battle against Robert Moses’ plan to build a four-lane highway down the center of Fire Island took place in 1964, when my sister Cathy and I were children. Though we had many memories of the role our father Murray Barbash played in the fight against Moses, and subsequent fight for National Seashore designation, we had no idea that the victory over Moses was far from inevitable.”

 

 

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Stony Brook University: Entrance sign

Stony Brook University MAT Program serves a key role in graduating future physics teachers

For the seventh time in nine years, Stony Brook University (SBU) has been recognized by the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) as a member of the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) 5+ Club for its outstanding work in graduating nine physics teachers in the 2022-2023 academic year.

From left, Muxi Liu (Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Physics), Dr. Gillian Winters (Lecturer, MAT Program in Physics), and Daniel Treu (MAT Graduate). Photo by David Genik

This significant feat was achieved through the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, which is part of the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy and administered by the Institute for STEM Education and the School of Professional Development.

“In this science and technology driven modern society, early physics education is increasingly important. In recent years, the Department of Physics and Astronomy has been a national leader in producing well qualified high school teachers through its MAT program, now directed by Professor Angela Kelly,” said Chang Kee Jung, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “We have received the 5+ Club recognition seven out of the past nine years, and in Academic Year 2022-23, we graduated nine new physics teachers, which is an historic record for our MAT program. As the chair of the Department I challenge the program to become a member of the 10+ Club, which is yet to be established. We are very close to the Chair’s challenge goal and I am very proud of our MAT program.”

“The SBU Department of Physics has a long history of excellence in physics teacher preparation, which grew under the stewardship of Dr. Robert McCarthy for many years,” said Angela Kelly, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Institute for STEM Education and director of the MAT Program. “We plan on redoubling our recruitment efforts to reach the Chair’s goal of 10 physics teachers per year to serve secondary students on Long Island and beyond.”

According to the APS and AAPT, graduating more than five physics teachers in an academic year puts SBU in the 99th percentile of all US colleges and universities. With a shortage of qualified physics teachers in the United States, SBU’s MAT program serves as a driver in remediating this shortage. Further, the MAT program was previously identified as a thriving physics teacher education program in the 2018 PhysTEC study of eight exemplary programs in the United States.

 

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Staller Center line-up

By Rita J. Egan

As the air begins to chill, Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is ready to warm up audiences with a variety of exciting performances with its Fall 2024 season.

Alan Inkles, Staller Center director, said planning a season is similar to putting together a puzzle when deciding who to include and working with the artists’ schedules. He added he and his team like to create a season that is a mixture of newcomers and well-known names, which he feels both challenges and entertains audiences.

Record breaking artist Jackie Evancho heads to Stony Brook University on November 23.
Photo courtesy of Staller Center

“What I’ve begun the last couple years is to mix the stars in with what I call discovery shows,” he said. “We’ve got to keep going back to bringing in shows with great, talented people that maybe you might remember them from America’s Got Talent or you may have seen them somewhere. That’s the joy of going to an arts center.”

Among those who have appeared on America’s Got Talent scheduled to perform at the Staller Center are Malevo on Oct. 26 and Jackie Evancho on Nov. 23.

Inkles described Malevo’s show as “high energy.” The dance group from Argentina was a semi-finalist on AGT in 2016. The dancers will perform zapateo, similar to tap dancing, using a type of weapon called boleadora.

Evancho is known for competing as an opera singer and coming in second on AGT in 2010 at the age of 10. Inkles said the artist, now known for singing pop, has created a show that will include opera, pop and Broadway tunes. 

“That will be a fun night,” Inkles said. “That’s something different that I like to bring in.”

Among those appearing at the Staller Center this season will be comedian Wanda Sykes (sold out), Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, musician John Pizzarelli and Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque.

The season will kick off on Sept. 15 with the Emerson Legacy Concert Presents the Han-Setzer-Finckel Trio performing the music of Haydn, Beethoven and Dvorak. The trio continues the tradition of the Emerson String Quartet with former members Phil Setzer on violin and David Finckel playing cello, with the addition of pianist Wu Han.

Entertainers perform on the main stage or recital hall depending on the performance. Inkles said on Nov. 13, “It’s going to be a really cool night at the recital hall.” The night will feature viral star Stella Cole, Postmodern Jukebox’s Benny Benack III and tap dancer Jabu Graybeal for Some Enchanted Evening with Stella Cole. The trio will perform Jazz-inspired selections of Broadway hits spanning the decades.

The Peridance Contemporary Dance Company will take on the Staller Main Stage on Nov. 16. “If you like modern dance … if you want to see amazing movement, if you’re taking dance class, there is ballet, there is tap dancing in it,” Inkles said.

Last year, the Staller Center debuted a new concept showing a children’s movie. At the same time, a live orchestra performed along to the songs with Disney’s Coco. This year, the arts center will show Disney’s Encanto on Oct. 14, with a Latin band playing the musical score. After the viewing, attendees can meet the band members.

“It gives the kids the opportunity to see a live band as well as a movie,” he said.

Changes through the years

For this year’s fall season, like most performance periods, Inkles and his team began planning two years ago when he started traveling around the country to attend shows featuring various artists to see who would be a good fit for the arts center.

After the COVID-19 shutdowns and venues began to open again, Inkles said a decision was made to have a fall and spring season instead of one long performance period due to people tending to go out less after the pandemic. “People aren’t buying in advance as much or as many shows,” he said.

Regarding post-pandemic, Inkles said that out of the other State University of New York campuses with arts centers, the Staller Center is doing better than others audience-wise, and things are returning to normal. “We’re thriving in a time when a lot of our centers have either closed their doors or are doing much, much less,” he said.

Inkles said it’s vital to have such an arts center on campus grounds. For every show, the center makes at least 100 free tickets available to SBU students who wish to attend a performance. “We want to give these students culture and entertainment that they’ve not seen before,” he said. “It’s growth of the future. If we don’t do this, in 20 years there won’t be art centers. People will just be watching on their phones.”

Inkles added he and his team aim to create shows that are good not just for Long Island but also in general.

“When you come to see a show at the Staller Center, in my mind, it is as good, if not better, because the acoustics are great in the recital hall, or our sound system is better than most theaters on Broadway,” he said. “You need to walk out thinking it’s as good, if not better than something you could see in New York City, and that’s sort of my rule of thumb. I’m not looking for something that is pretty good, I’m looking for something that’s really great.”

Calendar of Event

  9/15 — Emerson Legacy Concert at 5 p.m. (RH)

  9/21 — Renée Elise Goldsberry at 8 p.m. (MS)

  9/28 — John Pizzarelli: Stage & Screen at 8 p.m. (RH) 

10/14 — Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Sing-Along at 4 p.m. (MS)

10/18 — Wanda Sykes at 8 p.m. (MS) *Sold out

10/26 — Malevo at 8 p.m. (MS)

  10/9 — Cirque Kalabané: Afrique en Cirque at 7 p.m. (MS)

11/13 — Some Enchanted Evening with Stella Cole at 7 p.m. (RH)

11/16 — Peridance Contemporary Dance Company at 8 p.m. (MS)

11/21 — Starry Nights at 7 p.m. (RH)

11/23 — An Evening with Jackie Evancho at 8 p.m. (RH)

11/24 — ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus’ at 3 p.m. (MS)

  12/6 — Anthony Nunziata: A Broadway Italian Christmas at 8 p.m. (RH)

 12/14 — Caroline Campbell with guest Chloe Flower at 8 p.m. (RH)

RH: Recital Hall

MS: Main Stage

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is located at 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. To order tickets, call the box office at 631-632-2787 or visit stallercenter.com.

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The Stony Brook football team opened up their 2024 season on Aug. 31 with FBS foe Marshall University, falling to the Herd 45-3 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in West Virginia.

The Seawolves (0-1, 0-0 CAA) led the time of possession and ran more plays than the Herd, but were unable to capitalize as the Herd finished with a 549-252 advantage in total yards.

The quarterback duo of Tyler Knoop and Malachi Marshall made their first career appearances for Stony Brook and combined for 158 yards through the air. Knoop got the start for the Seawolves and went 8-of-13 with 62 passing yards, including a 32-yard highlight-play by Jayce Freeman. Marshall went 10-of-20 for 96 yards with an interception and 11 carries.

Freeman led the receiver room by tallying a team-high 52 yards on two catches. West Virginia native Chance Knox made his first career appearance with the Seawolves and had a team-best five receptions. RJ Lamarre and Cole Bunicci each had 25 receiving yards, respectively.

Roland Dempster and Brandon Boria split the majority of the carries, with Dempster gaining 37 yards on 13 carries while Boria gained a career-best 22 yards on eight attempts on the ground. Anthony Ferreli finished with a career-high 14 tackles on the defensive side for Stony Brook, four of them solo, and Chayce Chalmers also tallied a career-best 10 tackles, four of them solo as well. 

Rudy Silvera made his Stony Brook debut this evening and led the team with six solo tackles, finishing with 10 total. Clarens Legagneur recorded seven tackles, while AJ Roberts finished his night with six. Tyson McCloud recorded the first sack of the season for the Seawolves.

On special teams, Clayton Taylor hit nine punts for 392 yards, averaging 43.6 yards per kick and putting two punts inside the 20. Enda Kirby gave the Seawolves three points with a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter. 

“Overall I thought we started strong. I thought we came out with the right mindset. I thought we played hard, we played physical. I like the way our defense played, I thought they wore down as the game went. We were way better on defense than we have been in the past. They had some guys that can run and make plays, that showed up at times,” head coach Billy Cosh said. 

“Offensively, there were moments but we’ve got to be a little more consistent. I thought Malachi did a nice job bringing us a spark. He’s young and he’s going to be a really good player. I like our outfit, I like our team,” he added.

Up next, the team returns home for its 2024 home opener against Stonehill on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. at LaValle Stadium. To purchase season, single game, mini plans or group tickets, call 631-632-9653.

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#21 Alex Fleury during last Thursday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

A tally late in the game was the difference maker on Aug. 29 as the Stony Brook men’s soccer team was defeated by the Rider Broncs, 1-0. The loss drops the Seawolves to 0-2-1 on the season.

Both Stony Brook and Rider kept each other off the scoreboard through the first half with a dominating display of defensive prowess. The Seawolves were able to fire off six shots through the opening 45 minutes on the back of Trevor Harrison.

Stony Brook was able to then tally another six shots in the second half and create a late flurry of possession and pressure, but a backwards pass wrangled by the Broncs’ Bryan Akongo would become the deciding goal for Rider in the 87th minute. 

One of Stony Brook’s best chances of the night came in the 62nd minute, when Alex Fleury fired a shot from the top of the box that ultimately hit the crossbar.

“Overall, from a performance standpoint, I thought we started off a little slow in the first half through the first 10-15 minutes, but then I thought we were pretty good, creating some chances and moving the ball pretty well,” head coach Ryan Anatol stated postgame.

“Second half, we were on top of them for large periods and created some good chances, one hit off the post. We got to score goals and put some of those away. We kept them in the game and then a mistake at this level, you get punished. I’m disappointed with the result, but I thought we defended well and were solid on both sides of the ball. We just have to finish our chances and can’t give up the ball like that,” he added.

The team was back on their home pitch looking for their first win of the season on September 3 as they took on George Washington. Results were not available as of press time.

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Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Medicine

Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) has once again been recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to delivering high-quality patient care across cardiovascular and stroke focus areas. This year marks the 14th consecutive year for Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) (2010 – 2024) and the 11th consecutive year forStony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) (2014 – 2024) to receive the Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – StrokeGold Plus achievement award. For the sixth consecutive year, SBUH received the Get With The Guidelines® – Heart FailureGold Plus quality achievement award. Both awards recognize SBM’s dedication to improving outcomes for patients, meaning reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home.

“This recognition by the American Heart Association underscores the unwavering dedication of our healthcare teams to provide exceptional care for our patients,” said Dr. William Wertheim, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine. “Our continuous recognition over the years highlights our dedication to providing top-tier cardiovascular and stroke care, and we are proud to see the positive impact our efforts have on improving patient outcomes.”

Stroke

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines.

In addition to this year’s Gold Plus achievement, Stony Brook University Hospital once again earned the distinctions of Target: Stroke℠ Elite Honor Roll, Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ Honor Roll for Stony Brook University Hospital.

Heart Failure

Approximately 6 million U.S. adults live with heart failure, a condition that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body. This can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue which is often severe. However, with advanced care, patients can often achieve a better quality of life through lifestyle changes, symptom monitoring, accurate diagnosis, and cutting-edge therapies including state-of-the-art medications and interventions.

The Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center at Stony Brook continues to be recognized for its excellence in patient care, having earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for the sixth consecutive year. This prestigious honor commends hospitals that consistently demonstrate an unwavering commitment to treating patients according to the latest evidence-based guidelines from the American Heart Association. The award further highlights Stony Brook’s Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center’s recognition as Long Island’s only heart failure program to have earned the distinguished Joint Commission Certification for Advanced Heart Failure, a mark of excellence the Center has proudly achieved since 2011. At Stony Brook, the comprehensive heart failure program leverages the most advanced pharmacological therapies, surgical interventions, and breakthrough devices to ensure the highest quality of life for its patients.

Resuscitation

Each year, more than 300,000 adults and children experience an in-hospital cardiac arrest.  Survival from cardiac arrest largely depends on timely medical emergency team response and effective CPR.

Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation was developed to help save lives of patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrests by consistently following the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for treatment as outlined by the American Heart Association. Guidelines include following protocols for patient safety, medical emergency team response, effective and timely resuscitation (CPR) and post-resuscitation care.

Stony Brook University Hospital is also nationally recognized for its commitment to improving cardiac arrest survival rates and received these top-level awards:

  • Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation Gold – Adult
  • Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation Gold – Pediatric
  • Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation Gold – Neonate/Infant

 

About Stony Brook University Hospital:

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) is Long Island’s premier academic health center. With 624 beds, SBUH serves as the region’s only tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute. SBUH also encompasses Suffolk County’s only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center, state-designated AIDS Center, state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, state-designated Burn Center, the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence, and Kidney Transplant Center. It is home of the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbuh.

About Stony Brook Southampton Hospital:

With 124 beds, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) is staffed by more than 280 physicians, dentists, and allied health professionals representing 48 medical specialties. A campus of Stony Brook University Hospital, SBSH offers a diverse array of clinical services, ranging from primary medical care to specialized surgical procedures, including cardiac catheterization, orthopedics and bariatrics. The sole provider of emergency care on Long Island’s South Fork, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is a provisional Level III adult Trauma Center. The hospital includes The Phillips Family Cancer Center, a Heart and Stroke Center, Breast Health Center, The Center for Advanced Wound Healing, Wellness Institute, and 32 satellite care centers throughout the South Fork of Long Island. The hospital is the largest employer on the South Fork with more than 1,200 employees. To learn more, visit www.southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

About Get With The Guidelines:

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

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Reenactors on the grounds of the Three Village Historical Society during Culper Spy Day on Sept. 10. Photo by Joseph Cali

By Heidi Sutton

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Three Village Historical Society and Tri-Spy Tours will host a Revolutionary event — Culper Spy Day. Made possible by title sponsor Heritage Spy Ring Golf Club, it’s the event that every history buff looks forward to.

Now in its 10th year, the annual event is the brainchild of Margo Arceri, who first heard about Washington’s Setauket spies (including her favorite spy Anna Smith Strong) from her Strong’s Neck neighbor and local historian, Kate W. Strong, in the early 1970s. 

Meet Big Bill the Tory at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm on Sept. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of Preservation Long Island

“My love of history grew from there,” said Arceri who today runs Tri-Spy Tours offering walking, bike and kayak tours of the Setauket area. “Everywhere you turn in the Three Villages you are looking at an artifact, and as the historical society believes, the community is our museum and I would really love to put that on the forefront of people’s minds. History is constantly evolving and new information is being discovered everyday. We don’t know what is waiting to be unearthed next and that fills me with excitement.”

The day of spy-related tours and activities was named for the Culper Spy Ring founded by Benjamin Tallmadge of Setauket, which provided General George Washington the information he needed to turn the tide of the American Revolution.

On Culper Spy Day, you will have the chance to visit the places where history was made and visit with area groups to learn about the patriots who risked their lives. 

Visitors can enjoy docent-led tours of historic homes, churches and cemeteries; Colonial cooking demonstrations; Anna Smith Strong’s famed clothesline; and a Revolutionary War encampment and musket firing drills by several militia groups.

There are plenty of children’s activities too including a children’s story hour, a potato sack race, an epic scavenger hunt, invisible ink demonstrations decoding spy names, sending wax sealed letters, making colonial crafts, and building a scale model timber frame house alongside Abraham Woodhull. 

In addition, Revolutionary War artifacts, including George Washington’s original letters to members of his spy ring will be on display in the Stony Brook University Library Special Collections. View a rare surviving letter dated November 8, 1779, between Benjamin Tallmadge and Robert Townsend at the Long Island Museum and explore their  world-famous carriage collection, with ties to Long Island’s Revolutionary War history 

Visitors will have a chance to meet Abraham Woodhull, Big Bill the Tory and Anna Smith Strong as well. 

See history come to life with this self-guided interactive tour spanning the Three Villages and beyond! Start your adventure at the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket and then visit participating locations including the Sherwood-Jayne Farm, Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum, The Long Island Museum, Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, Caroline Episcopal Church, Setauket Presbyterian Church, Setauket Neighborhood House, Patriots Rock, and Stony Brook University. The Setauket Elementary School’s auditorium will also be open for a special viewing of the Vance Locke murals depicting the founding of the Town of Brookhaven. 

All events are free with the exception of the Sherwood-Jayne Farm house tour ($5 adults, free for ages 17 and under) and the award-winning Spies! exhibit at the Three Village Historical Society. Build your own Revolutionary War story and see history come to life at this fun-filled event. For more information, call 631-751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org for a full schedule of events.

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*New this year will be a Culper  5K Race/Walk on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. Presented by Strong Island Running Club and sponsored by the Three Village Dads Foundation, the event will support the Dominick-Crawford Barn History & Education Center. Racers can trace the footsteps of the spies starting at the TVHS Headquarters, through the Old Setauket Historic District, up through battle fields and farmlands, around the churches, past pre-Revolutionary homes, and back to the Museum. Tickets are $30 adults, $10 kids fun run. Sign up at tvhs.org/5k.

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Collegno, tomb 143. Iron 'multiple' belt elements with silver and brass inlay. Photo by Caterina Giostra

Stony Brook Ecology & Evolution professor and an international team complete DNA analysis that provides insight to how communities formed after the collapse of the Roman Empire

A new study of ancient DNA by a team of international researchers and co-led by Krishna R. Veeramah, PhD, of Stony Brook University, provides insight into the development and social structures of European rural communities following the fall of the Roman Empire. The findings, published in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggest that early medieval elites, or those of higher social status, were initially made up of multiple families with distinct genetic ancestries. However, over time these families intermarried and also the local communities integrated genetically diverse newcomers from a variety of different social and cultural backgrounds.

Collegno, tomb no. 150. End element of belt for weapon suspension in iron with silver and brass inlay. Photo by Caterina Giostra

The research team combined paleogenomic, archaeological, and isotopic data to shed light on the community that used a cemetery in Collegno, Italy, as a burial site during the 6th to 8th centuries CE. Researchers sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 28 individuals from the cemetery and incorporated data from 24 previously published genomes. They also studied individuals’ patterns of social mobility, burial patterns, and diet.

“When the Roman Empire collapsed, we did not really know much about how new communities formed, yet many of these communities would go on to be the basis for modern European countries,” explains Veeramah, an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolution in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Director of The Veeramah Lab, which is dedicated the study of evolutionary genomics. “Our study reveals that these elites were genetically surprisingly diverse, and in the process of creating new European communities in the medieval era, families with diverse genetic ancestry would come together to form ruling groups.”

“In 2018, our team published a paper that demonstrated genomic and cultural similarities between Collegno and Szólád, a village in modern Hungary that showed a significant correspondence between individuals with a northern European ancestry in both,” adds Patrick Geary, PhD, of the Institute for Advanced Study.  “Our new study follows the transformation of this Italian community over a century, and shows how new groups moved into and merged with the existing inhabitants.”

The researchers discovered that the Collegno community was initially established by and organized around a network of closely related individuals, likely from several elite families. But over time, they evolved into a single extended lineage spanning at least five generations.

Veeramah and colleagues believe individuals from this lineage had a higher ranking in society based on their richer diets and heavily detailed, and likely more expensively made items they were buried with, such as weapons and elaborate belts [see attached photos].

The findings also show that while the Collegno community was initially established by these elite families, a majority that came from northern Europe, the community later incorporated individuals from other origins and genetic backgrounds into it, including surrounding locals.

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Photo courtesy Stony Brook Athletics

It was a victorious opening weekend for the Stony Brook volleyball team as they secured a five-set win over James Madison University in Harrisburg, PA on Aug. 31.The Seawolves were led by double-doubles from Quinn Anderson, who had 15 kills and 13 digs and Leoni Kunz, who had 12 kills and 16 digs. The win improved the Seawolves’ overall record to 3-0 on the season, their first 3-0 start since the 2006 season.
Offensively, Kunz recorded her 16th double-double of her career while Anderson tallied her first in just her third collegiate outing.  Kali Moore also added 16 kills to help the offense. Torri Henry dished out 48 assists to bring her invitational total to 139. On the defensive end, Julia Patsos chipped in with 19 digs to go with six blocks from Ayanna Pierre Louis.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SET 1 | The Seawolves found themselves in an early deficit, dropping a tough first set 25-12. Stony Brook trailed by as many as 13 points as JMU never surrendered the lead in a set that didn’t have a single tie before the Dukes took control.

SET 2 | Stony Brook rallied after dropping the first set to take the second set 25-21, evening the match at one set apiece. The Seawolves grabbed control of the set lead early on, at 6-5, and held the lead the rest of the way. Stony Brook led by as many as six points at 21-15 before closing out the set, totaling 16 kills while only notching two attack errors in the process. Stony Brook’s front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four JMU attacks in the stanza.

SET 3 | JMU took a 2-1 match lead after taking down the Seawolves in the third set by a score of 25-20. JMU grabbed the advantage for good at 15-14 in a set that was tied up 10 times before the Dukes took over in the second half.

SET 4 | Stony Brook then responded to secure set four 25-23 to force a fifth set. A strong performance on the attacking side led the Seawolves to victory in the set. Stony Brook put together a .378 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set win. After the lead changed hands five times, the Seawolves took control for good at 24-23 and rode that advantage to victory. Stony Brook got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked five JMU attacks.

SET 5 | Down two sets to one, Stony Brook fought back to win sets four and five, culminating in a 15-9 fifth-set victory, to take the match 3-2. The Seawolves took control of the set-five lead at 3-2 and never looked back. Stony Brook ended strong, opening its biggest lead of six points, to finish off the set.

STATS AND NOTES

  • This marked the second time in program history that the Seawolves and Dukes met, and the first time since August 30, 2019. Stony Brook improved to 1-1 all-time against JMU.
  • Freshman outside hitter Quinn Anderson and graduate student outside hitter Leoni Kunz each registered double-doubles in the win.
  • Junior outside hitter Kali Moore had a team-high 16 kills for Stony Brook.
  • Graduate student setter Torri Henry recorded 48 assists in the victory, adding 14 digs, four kills, four blocks, and one ace.
  • Graduate student libero Julia Patsos led the Seawolves with 19 digs.
  • Sophomore middle blocker Ayanna Pierre Louis tied her career-high with six blocks.
  • With the win, the Seawolves start their season at 3-0 overall; the first time since the 2006 season.

“The fight in our group this weekend was incredible,” stated head coach Kristin Belzung postgame. “Today was a cat and mouse match and we made adjustments throughout both offensively and defensively. I’m so proud of our team for competing throughout and taking care of each other.”The team returns to action next weekend as they travel upstate to take on Buffalo, UConn, and Colgate in the Ellis Rowland Memorial Tournament. Friday’s match will begin at 4 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+. Saturday and Sunday both have first serve scheduled for 2 p.m.

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Photo courtesy Stony Brook Athletics
Seawolves Defeat Hornets and Blue Hose in a Pair of Five-Set Thrillers

It was a dominant opening day for the Stony Brook volleyball team as they picked up a pair of five-set victories over Delaware State and Presbyterian at the JMU Invitational on Aug. 30.  The non-conference wins improved Stony Brook’s overall record to 2-0 on the young season.

Offensively, Kali Moore secured double-doubles in both matches to help propel the team past the Hornets and Blue Hose, while Leoni Kunz tallied herself a double-double against Delaware State. Contributing to their success, Torri Henry recorded 91 total assists throughout the two-match day.

The Seawolves began match one trading set wins with Delaware State before finishing it off in the final deciding set. The squad would end on a high note, scoring first and never trailing to secure the victory by a match-high 10-point lead. Kunz (.429) and Moore (.208) led the attack with 20 kills apiece, as Henry totaled 49 assists, Julia Patsos added 26 digs, and Mercedes Motton tied her career-high with seven blocks.

Identical to the first match, Stony Brook and Presbyterian went back-and-forth in their efforts. In the fifth set, the Seawolves once again took the lead and did not falter, closing out the match with a 15-8 deciding score. Moore (.227) had a team-high 23 kills as rookie outside hitter Quinn Anderson (.231) tallied 13 of her own. Ashleigh Woodruff (.450) added a career-high 10 kills against the Blue Hose. Henry led with 42 assists and 31 digs to round out the squad.

MATCH 1: STONY BROOK – 3, DELAWARE STATE – 2 (25-18, 25-27, 25-20, 23-25, 15-5)

  • This marked the third time in program history that the teams went head-to-head and the first time since October 23, 2015. The Seawolves improved to 3-0 all-time against the Hornets, and today being the first match to go five sets.
  • Junior outside hitter Kali Moore registered a double-double with a team-high 20 kills on .208 hitting. She also totaled 13 digs, three blocks, and a pair of assists.
  • Graduate student outside hitter Leoni Kunz also recorded a double-double, the 15th of her career, with a team-high 20 kills on .429 hitting. She added 12 digs, four blocks, and one assist.
  • Reigning CAA Setter of the Year Torri Henry recorded 49 assists in the victory and had a match-high four aces.
  • Graduate student libero Julia Patsos led the Seawolves with 26 digs.
  • Sophomore middle blocker Mercedes Motton tied her career-high with seven blocks.
  • Graduate student middle blocker Abby Campbell had a team-high three aces in the win.

MATCH 2: STONY BROOK – 3, PRESBYTERIAN – 2 (25-16, 14-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-8)

  • This was the first meeting between the Seawolves an Blue Hose in program history.
  • Moore registered her 21st career double-double with 23 kills and 24 digs. She also had three aces, one assist, and one block in the victory.
  • Outside hitter Quinn Anderson led all freshman with 13 kills.
  • Kunz contributed with 12 kills, seven digs, two blocks, and one assist.
  • Sophomore middle blocker Ashleigh Woodruff added a career-high 10 kills.
  • After tallying 49 assists in the first game, Henry dished out a match-high 42 assists and 31 digs. She also had four aces, one kill, and one block.
  • Freshman libero/defensive specialist Zayda Fuertez dug 15 balls in the victory for the Seawolves.

“Starting off the season competing in back-to-back five set matches is incredibly tough,” head coach Kristin Belzung noted postgame. “I thought we fought to adapt throughout both matches and am proud of our fight. To have so many people step up and contribute is something that will be a strength of ours this season.”

NEXT UP
The Seawolves are back in action Aug. 31 as they face off against invitational host James Madison University at 12:00 p.m. This will be only the second meeting between these two teams in program history, as the Dukes earned a straight sweep back in 2019.

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