"For 2022, we wanted to create a holiday message that not only shared an uplifting message, but also helped engage and bring together our community by inviting them to actively participate in the video's creation. Our concept was to show that by working together, our community can do anything.
We arranged for more than 150 students, faculty, staff and administrators to join in painting an "impromptu" holiday mural of "peace, love and Stony Brook" on an outside wall. Our goal was to show our spirit and unite our two sides of campus by painting a wall near the entrance to a tunnel that connects East Campus (hospital) with West Campus. We sent out invitations via email, social media, advertising and word-of-mouth. Our community responded and came out to paint, interact with each other and have fun over the course of two days. Our university president, deans and mascot also joined in helping, and our president shared her wishes for a happy and healthy new year at the end of the message.
The message was sent in early December via email, social, newsletters, and websites to our internal and alumni communities. The video was universally well received, but what was even more important was how the process of creating the video made all our community members feel included and valued."
From the Judges
The creativity and engagement of this video were truly impressive, and it's clear that a lot of hard work and thought went into its production. The video's message was powerful and impactful, and the way it was executed kept viewers engaged until the very end. The inclusion of a narration for the visually impaired was a thoughtful and important detail that demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
