I think for many individuals in the Political Science and Public Policy Program, across campus, in planning organizations, and across different levels of government in New York State, there is one name that comes to mind when asked who is the most influential figure who shaped Long Island; Lee Koppelman. He is one of the most groundbreaking figures in his field, and many students at Stony Brook had the chance to learn and grow with his guidance in the Public Policy Program. After touching the lives of thousands of students until he was over 90, Professor Koppelman sadly passed after teaching for decades in a building that he helped design and develop with the governor's office at the beginning of Stony Brook's legacy. Professor Koppelman taught at Stony Brook until the end of his life, and we must honor his memory and his impact on Stony Brook University.

Though the current name of the SBS building is not "inconsistent with the mission" of the University, there is a different criteria set forth by the renaming committee that makes this renaming more important. Currently the SBS building represents nothing in its namesake. The committee states that "Naming a campus space for an individual or an organization is an important decision because this honor signifies a connection between the namesake and Stony Brook University". The connection between Professor Koppelman and Stony Brook University is more profound than any donor or supporter as he spent his life dedicated to the success of not only Stony Brook, but the legacy it generates through its students. There is no individual who exemplifies the impactful connection one can have to Stony Brook more than Professor Koppelman.

As a titan of planning, and one of the most impactful faculty members Stony Brook has ever seen, it is more pertinent than ever to propose the idea of changing the name of the SBS building to the Lee Koppelman Social Sciences Building. I cannot imagine a more fitting way to honor his memory than placing his name on the building he built to improve education here at Stony Brook.