MSU will welcome its 21st president Thursday as Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., officially joins the Spartan community.
President Stanley plans to spend the first several weeks in office meeting with students, faculty and staff members.
“I am so excited about MSU’s legacy as the pioneer land-grant university, its remarkable progress over this decade and amazing potential for the future,” he said. “I believe our best days are ahead, and I appreciate the chance to be a part of this extraordinary journey.”
MSU’s new leader will greet participants at orientations for new administrators, faculty and academic staff during his first month on campus. On Aug. 26, he will address new students during Fall Convocation at the Breslin Center.
Also, as one of his first priorities, President Stanley plans on meeting sexual assault survivors from the campus community.
“I know the Spartan community has been profoundly troubled by the events of the past years that have shaken confidence in the institution,” he said. “We will meet these challenges together and build on the important work that has already been done to create a campus culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, accountability and safety.”
The Board of Trustees voted unanimously May 28 to elect Stanley as president after a nationwide search. He had served as the fifth president of Stony Brook University since 2009.
He plans to live at the renovated Cowles House, which will be completed in early 2020. He is married to Ellen Li, M.D., Ph.D., a distinguished biomedical researcher and they have four adult children.