http://www2.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php News from Binghamton University en-us inside@binghamton.edu (Inside Staff) Copyright 2012 Binghamton University Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:02:26 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/students-receive-advice-at-faculty-of-color-panel http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/students-receive-advice-at-faculty-of-color-panel#When:20:11:39Z Networking, peer groups among topics discussed by deans and faculty members. Watson School Dean Krishnaswami Srihari encouraged students at the Faculty of Color Panel to embrace the diversity of the University’s campus in an increasingly globalized world. “This campus provides you with a microcosm of what the world is,” he said. “There are over 100 countries represented on this campus. Use that to enhance your ability, not only for teamwork, but also teamwork amongst a really diverse population.” The Faculty of Color Panel, hosted by the Multicultural Resource Center, was held in the Old Union Hall on Feb. 16. Srihari was one of five panelists, including School of Management Dean Upinder Dhillon, Mathematical Sciences Department Chair and Professor Fernando Guzman, Associate Professor and Chair of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Nagendra Nagarur, and Assistant Professor in the College of Community and Public Affairs Robert Palmer. Panelists identified networking as an important goal for a successful professional future. “Now, whether we like it or not, we are in a very flat, globalized world,” Nagarur said. “I think it is very important, when you belong to a minority group, not to isolate yourself, not to create a network of people only within that group,” Guzman said. “If you are able to build a network that is diverse, ethnically and racially, then it will help dilute that sense of isolation, of being separated from the crowd.” To begin their network, students can turn to faculty. “It is important to get to know your professors out of the classroom,” Palmer said. He suggested going to office hours and engaging faculty in meaningful conversations about the subject matter they are teaching. Often times, faculty can act as a mentor for students. Guzman said “having faculty who will encourage you, who will challenge you” will benefit students immensely. “I think it’s really important to get to know faculty,” Srihari said. “If they get to know you, and invest time in you, there is a perceptible change in your academic and professional career.” But, a mentor does not always have to be faculty. “I think you have to, as a student, find the appropriate mentors for you,” Guzman said. Such a mentor could be an older student, or a staff member. “Mentoring is something you should keep throughout your life,” Guzman said. If students are interested in becoming professors, Guzman suggests finding a mentor in a more senior faculty member. “I think it’s very important for students to understand that they’re not just by themselves performing in the classroom,” Dhillon said. Aside from faculty, another way to “enable your success,” as he put it, is to form successful study groups. Peer groups allow students to collectively work on problems, and gain different perspectives. Also, Guzman said explaining a solution to a problem or complex concept not only enables others to understand the subject matter, but in explaining you improve your own understanding of the subject. “Until you explain something to someone else, you haven’t really understood it,” he said. “The peer group is really important,” Palmer said. “Who you surround yourself with will have an impact on how you view education, and how you perform in a classroom.” Panelists encouraged students to go above and beyond what is required in the syllabus. “Don’t be satisfied with the bare minimum requirements,” Guzman said. “If your calculus instructor says to do problems 1-10, do problems 1-10, and then look at problems 11 and 12 and think: ‘Maybe I can do these too.’” Dhillon wants his students to have a “macro” view of their education. “I want my students to view the educational process as much broader than simply getting an A,” he said. Nagarur said he likes to see students read sources beyond what is required. He suggested finding additional material on the Internet, or on the library website. According to Dhillon, overcoming a challenge is an incredible learning success. He described a situation he experienced when he was in graduate school that was challenging for him. “When you’re in these sink-or-swim situations, how you respond to the situation is going to define your life. Your life is going to be full of challenges, but it’s how you respond that’s going to define your future,” he said. One thing Palmer struggled with at his undergraduate institution was the culture of the campus. Being from Philadelphia, he was used to larger cities. The institution he attended was in Shippensburg, Pa. The atmosphere there was very different, and each semester he said he wanted to transfer. But, he got involved and took a more active role in his education. He built critical relationships with faculty, and in the end he did not want to transfer. Srihari spoke about challenges he experienced coming to study in an American institution as an international student. For him, the way classes are taught was very different from the undergraduate institution he attended in India. He said the grading scheme and expectations are all very different. Guzman experienced similar difficulties. Even in his undergraduate institution in Colombia, “one of the difficulties I found a lot was not knowing the ropes,” he said. In a foreign environment, he said it was difficult to learn how things operated at this institution. “As you go through your life, you’re going to see changes. You’re going to see challenges. But don’t let that stop you,” Srihari said. “The only constant you’re going to see (in life) is change.” inside@binghamton.edu (Erica Treventi) Inside Stories Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:11:39 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/bearcats-beat-vermont-for-first-victory http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/bearcats-beat-vermont-for-first-victory#When:20:02:26Z Men’s basketball team takes down league-leading Catamounts. Junior guard Jimmy Gray made a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining and Binghamton men’s basketball held off America East leader Vermont, 57-53, on Feb. 21, from the Events Center, for the team’s first win of the season. The Bearcats (1-26, 1-13 AE) snapped a 27-game losing skid that began with a loss to Vermont in the conference tournament last March. Vermont (19-11, 12-3 AE) entered the night having won 10 straight and 13 of their its 14, including a 20-point drubbing of Binghamton on Jan. 12 in Burlington. Gray’s two free throws capped a frantic final few minutes as the Catamounts seemed poised to spoil another valiant effort by the Bearcats, who saw a 12-point lead dwindle to two with 2:13 to play. But Binghamton stood tall and when the final horn sounded, many of the 2,427 rushed the floor to celebrate with the team. After giving up the game’s first basket, Binghamton took the lead less than two minutes into the contest, led by 10 at halftime and held the throughout the final 38 minutes. The Bearcats led 49-37 with 8:15 remaining - the team’s largest lead of the game and largest of the season. But Vermont used a 14-4 run and when Matt Glass drilled a three-pointer with 2:13 left, Binghamton’s lead was just two, 53-51. On the next possession, Binghamton missed the front end of a 1-and-1 but on the ensuing Vermont possession, sophomore guard Robert Mansell stripped Catamounts forward Luke Apfeld of the ball near the rim and on the other end, Mansell fed freshman forward Ben Dickinson in the left corner. Dickinson, who delivered third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds, drilled a 15-foot jumper to extend the lead to four, 55-51, with 1:03 left. Vermont nailed a jumper in their next possession with 49 seconds left and after an off-balance baseline jumper from Dickinson was off the mark with 20 seconds left, the collective building held its breath. Vermont worked the ball inside and out, needing a two for the tie and a three-pointer for the win. The ball swung out to Glass, one of the league’s best outside shooters who hadn’t missed a shot in the game (6-of-6 FG), including 2-of-2 marksmanship from three-point range. With Binghamton fans on their feet screaming, Glass’ attempt fell short off the front rim and Gray secured the rebound, drawing the foul. With the Events Center hushed in silence, Gray then secured the win with the clutch foul shots.  “To see the happiness on our players’ faces was uplifting,” head coach Mark Macon said. “They played hard, played to the end and deserve this. We played great defense tonight (Vermont entered the game averaging 68 ppg.), ran our offense through and made shots. We’ve been right there in the last 2-3 weeks and we expect to win every game. I applaud these guys ... we are going to bask in this win tonight ... and then we’re moving on to prepare for Albany.” Dickinson hit 7-of-14 field goals and added three assists and a steal in 29 minutes. He scored 10 his points in the first half when the Bearcats made their first five shots and jumped out to a 14-6 lead. Binghamton shot 54 percent in the first half and took a 35-25 lead into intermission. Mansell’s game-high 18 points included 10 in the second half. He hit 6-of-10 from the floor and chipped in two assists, two blocks and two steals. Gray also had a career-high tying two blocks. Binghamton forced 16 turnovers, held Vermont to just 39 percent shooting and won for just the seventh time in 26 all-time games against the Catamounts. The Bearcats drew praise from Catamounts first-year coach John Becker for the their tenacity. “We weren’t ready to play tonight from the jump and credit to Binghamton, they were a tougher team and played harder,” Becker said. “They made a lot of shots tonight, tough ones with the shot clock winding down. We are a young team and I tried to emphasis how tough this game was going to be and I just thought that Binghamton was the tougher team and played better than us tonight.” inside@binghamton.edu (John Hartrick) Sports Features Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:02:26 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/wrestling-team-routs-conference-rival-old-dominion http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/wrestling-team-routs-conference-rival-old-dominion#When:18:31:56Z Bearcats (15-4) set record for season winning percentage. No. 19 Binghamton wrestling celebrated its Senior Night in grand style with a commanding 29-9 win over CAA rival and No. 23 Old Dominion on Feb. 17, at West Gym. The Bearcats (15-4) won seven of the 10 bouts and with the victory in their final dual, Binghamton broke the program’s Division I-era record for highest win percentage in a season (.789), set by last year’s team (16-6, .727). Two pins and two major decisions allowed Binghamton to rack up the points against a strong Monarchs squad that entered the match with five ranked individuals. “This is an important win for team momentum heading into the conference tournament,” head coach Pat Popolizio said. “Old Dominion has had our number over the years so it’s great to turn the tide over a conference rival. Our mindset and focus now has to shift to getting our guys peaking at the right time as we go into the CAA Championship in two weeks.” Before the match, Binghamton honored its three outgoing seniors—Matt Kaylor, Justin Lister and Mike McKeever. Then the Bearcats got rolling with a key win in the opening match. Junior 125-pound Derek Steeley hit a reversal with 1:20 remaining in his match against No. 29 Jerome Robinson. Already holding riding time, Steeley gave up a reversal but earned the escape with 28 seconds left and then fought off a late takedown attempt from Robinson to secure a 7-5 win. After ODU countered with back-to-back wins at 133 (9-4) and 141 (11-4), Binghamton rode the strength of its middle weights to the tune of five straight wins—including two pins and a major—to seal the lopsided win. Junior No. 4 Donnie Vinson began the run with a 15-5 major decision at 149 pounds. Vinson led 12-2 after the first period and compiled five takedowns to lift his record to 30-4, 18-1 in duals. Vinson has lost just twice in 41 duals over the last two seasons (39-2). Lister, ranked No. 9 at 157 pounds in the latest NCAA Coaches’ Panel, recorded his historic 100th win in style with a first-period pin of Jacob Kingett. Lister put Kingett to his back just 20 seconds into the match and ended it shortly thereafter with his 13th pin of the season and 36th career fall. Lister, a 2010 All-American, is now 100-36 in his career, including a 23-5 mark this season. Kaylor, No. 25, continued the run with a solid 8-2 win over No. 21 Tristan Warner at 165 pounds. Kaylor, ranked No. 4 in the CAA, was aggressive from the opening whistle against No. 2 Warner, and built a 5-0 first-period lead thanks to a takedown and back points. He added a third-period takedown and riding time to notch his 110th career win. Kaylor is 22-8 overall. After a decision by freshman 174-pound Caleb Wallace, junior 184-pound Nate Schiedel, No. 20, notched a takedown just over one minute into his match with Billy Curling and ended it with his seventh pin of the season in 1:28. Schiedel improved to 26-7 overall, 14-3 in duals. Freshman heavyweight Nick Gwiazdowski, No. 18, trailed Grant Chapman 2-1 after one before a second-period takedown and subsequent back points gave him control. The true freshman then rattled off five takedowns in the third period to produce the 19-6 major decision. Binghamton now sets its focus on the postseason and its host role for the upcoming CAA Championship on March 3. The event will serve as the NCAA qualifier with numerous Bearcats eying a trip to St. Louis for the NCAA Championship on March 15-17. No. 19 Binghamton 29, No. 23 Old Dominion 9 125 Derek Steeley (BU) dec. #29 Jerome Robinson (ODU), 7-5 133 Scott Festejo (ODU) dec. Patrick Hunter (BU), 9-4 141 #26 Justin LaValle (ODU) dec. Joe Bonaldi (BU), 11-4 149 #4 Donnie Vinson (BU) maj. dec. Brennan Brumley (ODU), 15-5 157 #9 Justin Lister (BU) pinned Jacob Kingett (ODU), 1:07 165 #25 Matt Kaylor (BU) dec. #21 Tristan Warner (ODU), 8-2 174 Caleb Wallace (BU) dec. Brett Miller (ODU), 6-3 184 #20 Nate Schiedel (BU) pinned Billy Curling (ODU), 1:28 197 Joe Budi (ODU) dec. #31 Cody Reed (BU), 3-2 Hwt #18 Nick Gwiazdowski (BU) maj. dec. Grant Chapman (ODU), 19-6 inside@binghamton.edu (John Hartrick) Sports Stories Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:31:56 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/men-finish-third-women-fifth-at-america-east-indoor-track-championships http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/men-finish-third-women-fifth-at-america-east-indoor-track-championships#When:18:22:16Z Hennig wins third straight women's 400 title; van Ingen first in men's 800. Junior Jessica Hennig won her third consecutive women’s 400 title and fifth-year senior Erik van Ingen captured the men’s 800, highlighting Binghamton’s performance in the final day at the America East Indoor Track & Field Championships, which were held at the Boston University Track and Tennis Center. The Bearcat men finished third out of nine teams with 108.50 points while the women were fifth with 74.50 points. Albany repeated as men’s team champions,  while the host Terriers won the women’s crown. “Our team has been through a lot of adversity this year with injuries and staying healthy so we are very pleased with how we did this weekend,” head coach Mike Thompson said. “We were missing some key people but both teams responded with a lot of personal-best performances.” Hennig becomes the first Binghamton female athlete to win three straight America East track and field titles in the same event. On Feb. 18, she rallied to beat out Allison Rogers of Albany with a school-record time of 55.14. She set the previous school record of 55.69 last season. “This one is very special compared to the other two,” she said. “It’s been a rough season staying healthy so the win means a lot to me. Allison and I have pushed each other to run our best times when we compete against each other.” One day after anchoring the winning distance medley relay, van Ingen recorded a first-place time of 1:50.70 to win his sixth career individual America East track title. He also has been part of two first-place relay teams during his career. Also on the women’s side, sophomore Alexis Murray was second in the triple jump (38-10 1/4) and Kaitlin Sullivan was third in the 60 hurdles (8.77). Sullivan has now broken her own school record five times this season. She set the previous mark of 8.79 in the trials on Feb. 17. Junior Ashley AuPont, meanwhile, tied for third in the high jump (5-5 1/4). Elsewhere on the men’s side, graduate student Jesse Fuca was third in the 60 hurdles with a school-record time of 8.20. The old mark of 8.24 was set by Adam Goldberg in 2006. Freshman Cal Michaels was third in the 3,000 while senior Nelson Hall tied for third in the high jump (6-5). Binghamton had a program-best 11 men named to the all-conference team while the six women’s selection represented its highest total at an America East Indoor Meet since they had seven back in 2007. All-conference honors go to the top three finishers in an individual event as well as members of a winning relay team. Up next for Binghamton is the ECAC/IC4A Championships, which will be held March 3-4 back at Boston University. Van Ingen, meanwhile, heads to the NCAA Championships at Boise State on inside@binghamton.edu (Athletics Staff) Sports Stories Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:22:16 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/mens-basketball-teams-rally-comes-up-short-at-radford http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/mens-basketball-teams-rally-comes-up-short-at-radford#When:18:16:24Z Freshman tandem of Dickinson and Richards combine for 27 points. Binghamton men’s basketball trimmed a 16-point second-half deficit to three in the closing 20 seconds but committed the team’s 18th turnover on a potential game-tying possession in the final 12 seconds and suffered a 64-59 loss to host Radford in a Sears BracketBusters series game Feb. 18 from the Dedmon Center in Radford, Va. The Bearcats (0-26) trailed 61-49 with five minutes to play before scoring 10 of the game’s final 13 points to push the Big South-member Highlanders (6-23) to the wire. Freshman forward Ben Dickinson scored four points and junior guard Jimmy Gray added a three-pointer to ignite Binghamton, which shot 48 percent in the second half and held a 39-32 advantage on the glass for the game. Dickinson’s layup off a nice feed from Gray pulled the Bearcats to within four, 62-58, with 2:08 left. But Radford worked for three critical offensive rebounds in a 1:01 span to extend possessions and take time off the clock. After a free throw from junior forward Javon Ralling made the score 62-59 with 18 seconds left, Binghamton began the intentional fouling strategy. The Highlanders obliged by missing a pair at the line with 17 seconds left, giving the Bearcats the ball for a potential game-tying shot. But Binghamton turned the ball over on the trip up court and Radford made 1-of-2 free throws with 11 seconds left to conclude the scoring. The hosts missed 4-of-6 foul shots in the final 17 seconds to keep the Bearcats alive. “What a great comeback after a rough start to the game,” head coach Mark Macon said. “My guys kept fighting ... they do this all the time. This was a good opportunity to get the win and we didn’t but I’m really proud of our effort. It was a turnover here, a rebound there ... and it could’ve been a different result. We had too many turnovers (18) but we will continue to build. You saw two young teams scrapping out there today. The second half was good for our guys and it was our guys off the bench who picked up the starters and kept us afloat today.” Dickinson scored a team-high 14 points and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds in just 23 minutes of action. He was whistled for two first-half fouls and did most of his damage (12 points) in the second frame. Classmate Omar Richards had a strong game off the bench. Richards contributed 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting and added two steals and a block in 23 minutes. Sophomore guard Robert Mansell chipped in 10 points in 19 minutes. As part of the Bracketbusters arrangement, Radford will come to the Events Center in November or December of the 2013-14 season, giving the Bearcats a confirmed home date. inside@binghamton.edu (John Hartrick) Sports Stories Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:16:24 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/presentation-looks-at-innovative-research-and-engineering-projects http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/presentation-looks-at-innovative-research-and-engineering-projects#When:17:31:00Z Watson School's ‘Engineered for Discovery’ will be shown to community groups. A new presentation developed by the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science is offering glimpses of the cutting-edge research and engineering discoveries taking place in the University’s Innovative Technologies Complex (ITC). The intent is to make the presentation available to various community groups in the coming months. The presentation, delivered by James Pitaressi, distinguished teaching professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, made its Southern Tier debut at the Endicott Rotary luncheon on Feb. 16. Developed in a slide format, the presentation, titled “Engineered for Discovery,” focuses on the research being done in the buildings that make up the ITC. From the versatile laboratories in the brand-new Engineering and Science building which encourage researchers to share ideas, resources and techniques, to the multitude of high-level partners that access the Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory (ADL) in the Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging (S³IP) Center, the presentation offers an insider’s look at how local and regional businesses are being assisted through Binghamton’s research and development capabilities. The “Engineered for Discovery” presentation also includes the most current information about the new Center of Excellence building, which is expected to help support collaborative partnerships in energy-efficient electronic systems, systems integration and packaging, flexible electronics, autonomous solar power, advanced materials and sensors, and healthcare/life sciences. “Researchers in the Watson School and throughout Binghamton University are working on cutting-edge research that is helping move innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace,” Pitaressi said. “And the ITC plays a key role in consolidating our expertise and resources in a way that fosters even more discovery and innovation. This presentation allows us to showcase some of those efforts and the potential that these ideas and innovation bring to the University and our community.” An initiative spearheaded by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell), the presentation not only showcases some of Binghamton’s current projects but also serves to demonstrate how the University’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit impacts the Southern Tier. “Binghamton University is one of the finest research institutions in the state. I asked them to develop this presentation so the community could better understand the exciting research being done at the Innovative Technologies Complex,” said Lupardo, chair of the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology. “This is a great way to strengthen the relationship between the campus and the community. I also hope the presentation will be used by educators to inspire students and encourage them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).” Earlier this year, Lupardo talked about the presentation at the White House during a national meeting with prominent educators and policy makers as they discussed how colleges and universities can build and strengthen their community partnerships. inside@binghamton.edu (Inside Staff) Inside Stories Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:31:00 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/staff-administrators-learn-at-student-affairs-day http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/staff-administrators-learn-at-student-affairs-day#When:17:21:32Z Sessions examine social media and connecting academics to student success. Student Affairs Day, held Feb. 10 in the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center, provided members of the various offices in the division the opportunity to cultivate new skills and develop different ways of working with students. “The goal was to have an opportunity to connect the graduate students in the Student Affairs program with staff in the Student Affairs division and with concepts that are important to Student Affairs,” said Chris Knickerbocker, director of Student Affairs Assessment and Strategic Initiatives. “We can always try to be better, and I think initiatives like this are wonderful to bring conversations together,” said Jason Lane, director of education studies at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government at the University of Albany and the event’s keynote speaker. The program featured several information sessions, including a panel featuring Lane, School of Management Dean Upinder Dhillon, Department of Student Affairs Administration Chair Mary Ann Swain and Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose. The panel focused on bridging the gap between academics and Student Affairs. Rose encouraged collaborations across the lines drawn between faculty and Student Affairs. “They’re all integrated, of course there should be collaboration, more than that they should be fused together,” he said. With funding for higher education decreasing, Rose said resources need to be used more effectively. He believes an effective use of resources is to develop skills employers look for in young talent, which includes communication and workplace skills. “Students had good subject matter skills, but they didn’t have good workplace skills,” Rose said. Dhillon also spoke about skills beyond the “hard skills” normally taught in the classroom. He believes students need to have a “macro” view of success, which for him not only includes academic success, but professional success. “I tell my students: ‘I want you to be a professional as soon as you come into the School of Management, rather than after you graduate,’” he said. “Academics are a necessary condition for success, but it’s not sufficient.” He suggested that although students have knowledge of subject matter, the number one skill alumni mention they wish they had learned is communication, both written and verbal. Dhillon also talked about the changing culture of business, moving from the Western way of doing business to the Eastern. But, “there aren’t many textbooks in business that are written in the Asian perspective,” he said. To combat this, the School of Management offers classes in doing business in India, China and other Eastern nations. Dhillon said the global trends are “forcing us to look outside.” According to Lane, another place academics and Student Affairs mesh is in understanding what the world is like on a global scale. Swain also placed a focus on the intersecting interests of Student Affairs and faculty. She believes the places these two different sectors in a research institution should intersect include in developing self-control, responsibility, initiative and accountability. According to Swain, faculty should also be more involved outside of the classroom. “I want the faculty to really do very well in the classroom and to care deeply about engaging the students while they’re in class and not just being a ‘sage on stage,’” she said. For Swain, negative attitudes prevent collaboration, as do unrealistic expectations of one another. To foster the connection between Student Affairs and academics, Swain encouraged both sides to adopt the language of the other department. “They’re more likely to listen to you,” she said. Other information sessions focused on one way to adopt an entirely different kind of language and means of communication: social media. The program featured two information sessions on social media: “2 Tweet or Not 2 Tweet,” and “Social Media Assessment.” The “Social Media Assessment” session, presented by Knickerbocker and Jennifer Keegin, associate director for campus activities, discussed ways to effectively use social media and analyze whether or not students are responsive. Keegin and Knickerbocker demonstrated different ways to use Facebook, and how to use its Insights feature which gives information about how often people view the page and provides demographics about users. The presentation mainly focused on the effectiveness of social media, and whether or not the students look to various pages as a source of information. From an outsider’s view, Lane believes the University is on the right track with combining Student Affairs and academics, and encouraging the all-around success of the students. “The more I learn about what’s happening here at Binghamton, the more I think this is a fantastic place, and I think Student Affairs has done very well,” he said. inside@binghamton.edu (Erica Treventi) Inside Stories Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:21:32 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/paul-taylor-dance-group-to-spend-three-weeks-at-binghamton http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/paul-taylor-dance-group-to-spend-three-weeks-at-binghamton#When:20:31:11Z Taylor 2 residency to feature performances, classes on and off campus. One of America’s premier dance troupes will bring the power of the art form to Binghamton University and the community over the next three weeks. The Taylor 2 Dance Company will have a residency at the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts from Feb. 20 to March 9. The residency will culminate with a performance at 7 p.m. March 8, at the AC-Chamber Hall. Two nights later, the main Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform with the University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at the Anderson Center. “I hope people are both educated and entertained by Taylor,” said Gary Pedro, executive director of the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts. “There is a very appreciative and sophisticated audience for dance in Binghamton. I think (the residency) will be mutually beneficial.” Paul Taylor, a legendary choreographer, formed Taylor 2 in 1993 to not only bring his lifetime of masterworks to smaller venues, but also to teach and interact with communities and people of all ages and abilities. Taylor 2 features six dancers, and its current tour has taken the group from North Carolina to Florida to Taylor’s alma mater, Syracuse University, said Bridget Welty, the production manager for Taylor 2. Residencies include participating in college dance and movement classes, working with dance students and instructors from the surrounding community, and performing for the public. “Dance is so immediate and has so much of an expressive power,” said Ruth Andrien, Taylor 2 rehearsal director. “Many people we have danced for have never seen modern dance, in particular. They see dance on television, but they may not be used to looking at a work that has a concept. We’re often opening people’s eyes to what is not only dance, but to look at dance from an outside vantage point like you would look at a sculpture or a painting. It has all of that power.” The residency plan began to develop after the Paul Taylor Dance Company performed on campus in fall 2009. Both the Taylor group and Binghamton University were enthusiastic about the idea of a first-ever residency at the Anderson Center. “This time they thought March (2012) would be a better fit,” Pedro said. “It would give the orchestra extra time to work on the pieces, and it would lead into the Taylor season at Lincoln Center in New York.” The Anderson Center would later receive two separate grants from the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation to partially fund the residency and the Paul Taylor Dance Company’s March 10 performance. “They wanted to see not only that we were doing things on campus, but also reaching out to the community and some under-served populations,” Pedro said. “So we tried to show them that we are reaching out to the broader community and trying to cultivate new audiences.” Pedro and his staff set up an extensive schedule for Taylor 2 that features visits to local dance studios such as Upstate Dance & Arts Center in Endwell, Dancescapes in Johnson City and The Dance Shoppe in Vestal; workshops at Binghamton High School and the Broome Urban League; and performances at United Methodist Homes and Binghamton University Day at the Mall. The Anderson Center team also has worked to make studio space and sound systems available for classes, and they plan a meet-and-greet and campus tour for Taylor 2. “It’s been one of the most challenging things I’ve undertaken since I’ve become director,” Pedro said. Another component of community outreach is a shadowing program, in which local dancers (usually high-school age) work with Taylor 2 and showcase what they have learned with a public performance at the end of the residency. The 18-member “shadow” group will perform Taylor’s classic “Aureole,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. “We see the students when they start, and three weeks later we’ve seen how much they’ve grown as artists,” Welty said. “It’s amazing to guide them in that short amount of time. The dancers help them with their alignment and different things. It’s something that’s life-changing for these artists.” Although Taylor 2 will spend much of its time helping dancers on and off campus, there are several events open to the public, starting with a screening of an Oscar-nominated documentary about Taylor. The 1998 film “Dancemaker” will be shown for free at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the AC-Chamber Hall. Other events are: • Feb. 25: A free performance at Binghamton University Day at the Mall, 1 p.m., Oakdale Mall Center Court in Johnson City. • March 2: A free performance at First Friday, 6-8 p.m., Broome County Arts Council, 81 State St., Binghamton. • March 8: Shadow program performance, 7 p.m., followed by a Taylor 2 performance at 7:30 p.m., AC-Chamber Hall. Tickets: $10. • March 9: A free lecture by dance critic and historian Suzanne Carbonneau, who is working on a biography of Paul Taylor, 4-6 p.m., Casadesus Recital Hall (FA-117). “This is a fairly intensive thing happening here,” Pedro said of the residency. “We’re really happy to bring it here, and I hope people will take advantage of the opportunities.” Andrien said she hopes the residency generates more interest in dance and helps people understand what is involved in the art, while showcasing the “vibrancy and relevancy” of Taylor’s works. “Paul Taylor has been called the greatest choreographer of all time,” she said. “He is definitely part of the fabric of American dance. The work is so diverse — from dark and mysterious to stately and luminous. He considers the dancer to be a light beam: You light up the stage. “When people see these works, they are very moved. They not only want to look at it, they actually want to dance. The art form of dance is something we really hope to share.” inside@binghamton.edu (Eric Coker) Inside Features Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:31:11 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/eating-aware-committee-uses-films-seminars-to-educate-public http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/eating-aware-committee-uses-films-seminars-to-educate-public#When:20:17:56Z Volunteer group will also offer health fair, sprint triathlon this spring. The University’s Eating Awareness Committee has developed a spring programming schedule that highlights the variety of issues the group is working to educate the campus community about. “It’s evolved over the past 10 years into something much bigger, much more broad than just eating problems,” said Jennifer Wegmann, lecturer in Health and Wellness Studies and a member of the committee. “Our mission is to provide education, outreach and resources to faculty, students and the community in terms of eating disorders, body image, exercise and nutrition.” Helping students maintain healthy and balanced eating habits has become a necessary part of campus life. The American Journal of College Health reports that 13.6 percent of women and more than 3 percent of men on U.S. college campuses display eating-disorder symptoms, Wegmann said. Enter the Eating Awareness Committee, which consists of representatives from University departments and offices such as health and wellness studies, athletics, health services, the University Counseling Center, nutrition services, Campus Recreational Services and Residential Life. Sarah Thompson of health and wellness studies is the committee chair. The committee not only utilizes campus resources from those offices and departments to help students, but also partners with local counselors and clinics to assist those in need. The EAC also features two student representatives who, in turn, lead a student subcommittee that offers its own events and programs. “I think we’ve caught people’s attention over the last several years,” Wegmann said. “We have no funding stream, but we’re able to do wonderful things.” The spring EAC schedule of events is: • Feb. 23: “Miss Representation,” 6 p.m., AC-Chamber Hall. Free and open to the public. The film and panel discussion with local experts will address the concepts of how youth are being sold the concept that girls and women’s value lies in their beauty, sexuality and youth. • Feb. 29: “Fake, Fact, or Fiction? Analyzing Popular Culture’s Images of Beauty and Behavior,” 6 p.m., UU-120. Free and open to the public. This program will explore the impact of cultural-and media-based messages on men and women’s thinking and behavior and help guide participants in how to navigate, survive and thrive in an increasingly media-based world. • March 8: “Someday Melissa,” 7 p.m., UU-Mandela Room, free and open to the public. A film screening and Skype discussion with Judy Arvin, who will share the story of her daughter’s death and the warning signs of eating disorders. • March 23: 6th Annual Health Fair, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., West Gym, free and open to the public. Sample healthy food and drink, participate in exercise sessions and health screenings, enjoy a chair massage and more. • April 21: 3rd Annual Sprint Triathlon, 9 a.m., West Gym. The EAC’s major fund-raising event, the sprint triathlon is a 400-yard swim in the West Gym pool, followed by a 10-mile bike through the Vestal area and a 5K run on campus. Wegmann sees great potential for growth in the Sprint Triathlon event, as its participants have been split between community members and faculty/staff. Wegmann herself was one of several faculty members who took part last year. “It’s an untapped area,” she said. “There are lots of runs and races. But the beauty of (the Sprint Triathlon) is it is people who are just starting out. It’s perfect. The training is reasonable: a quarter-mile swim, a 10-mile bike ride and a 5K. As a beginner, it’s really attainable. People are seeing that and getting excited about that.” The Eating Awareness Committee’s services and programs demonstrate that “there’s no end to what we can do,” Wegmann said. “We include everybody and make it about every issue,” she said. “Whether it’s nutrition, eating disorders, body building, compulsive exercise or dieting in general, we try to hit it all.” inside@binghamton.edu (Inside Staff) Inside Stories Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:17:56 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/panelists-offer-watson-students-career-secrets http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/panelists-offer-watson-students-career-secrets#When:20:39:22Z Representatives from four companies give advice on eve of job fair. Be confident, know what you want and go get it. That was the key advice offered by four panelists at the Employer Career Secrets for Watson Students event on Feb. 8. “Figure out what you want and find ways to get there,” said Dave Bolotsky, founder of UncommonGoods and a Binghamton University alumnus. In addition to Bolotsky, the panel featured representatives from Microsoft, General Dynamic Electric Boat and Unison Industries. Students packed the room in the new Engineering and Science Building to hear the panelists’ advice on how to make effective use of the Job and Internship Fair on Feb. 9, making a good first impression and finding a job or internship. They also mentioned current openings at their respective companies. Jineen Seirup of Microsoft and Chris Halbert of General Dynamic Electric Boat are both recent college graduates. They described their experiences to the students in detail. Seirup said she was asked to interview with Microsoft after attending a job fair at her college. She had several local interviews, followed by a technical interview in Redmond, Wash. About the technical interview, she said: “They really want you to know what you’re doing, and why, and they want to know how you approach (the problem).” Halbert had a similar experience. He, too, was recruited from a job fair and secured a position before graduation. Halbert did not have much internship experience, but in his interview, he talked about what he learned from his senior project. “Even if you didn’t have an internship, you can still land a job,” he said. However, Dawn Thomas, the representative from Unison Industries, placed importance on internships and co-ops. “Having technical skills is useful,” she said. She recommended students try industrial internships that link to their desired career, and do whatever they can to hone their skills. If students are unable to find an internship that directly relates to their career goals, she suggested applying the skills used in alternate internships, and telling employers how that relates to the position. To make a positive first impression at the job fair, panelists suggested practicing a 30-second “elevator speech” to confidently tell employers about not only career goals, but relevant experiences. Thomas said students should think of something that makes them stand out to employers, so when they sift through the large stack of resumes, their name will stick out in the employer’s mind. Bolotsky said “brevity” is the key to a good “elevator speech.” Since there are so many people at large job fairs, he said keeping the speech short, but effective, is important. Once the students have impressed recruiters with their confident speeches and have been asked to interview with companies, panelists suggested not to hide past mistakes, but to embrace them. “Truthfully tell them why you failed, and what you learned,” said Thomas, adding that employers want to see that although you fell off the horse, so to speak, you got back on. Many students asked questions about being rejected. “Don’t get discouraged if you didn’t get hired right away” Seirup said. Often, she said, the perfect job takes time to find, but eventually it will come. “Embrace rejection,” Bolotsky said. He told students not to be shy about “putting yourself out there,” and to look at finding a job with a positive attitude. “You’re the same person after they’ve rejected you as you were before they did,” he said. Several students were concerned about being overqualified for various positions, and how to deal with that in an interview. “If you have a credible reason for taking a job you’re overqualified for and there is room for growth, that’s fine,” Bolotsky said. However, if students are overqualified for a position and the only reason they applied is because there was nothing better available, Bolotsky said many employers would not hire them. To avoid a situation such as this, panelists told students to evaluate their skills, abilities and knowledge, and put those things forward to sell themselves. inside@binghamton.edu (Erica Treventi) Inside Stories Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:39:22 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/art-museum-to-highlight-binghamton-nyc-architecture http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/art-museum-to-highlight-binghamton-nyc-architecture#When:21:15:13Z ‘The Landmarks of New York’ opens March 8; ‘Postcards’ on display through semester. The historic architecture and buildings of New York City and Binghamton will be celebrated this semester in two separate exhibits at the University’s Art Museum. Opening March 8, “The Landmarks of New York” is a traveling exhibition based on the book of the same name by noted writer/activist Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel. The book, published by the State University of New York Press, features photos and descriptions of more than 1,200 landmarks and more than 100 historic districts that have been recognized by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The exhibit, which opened last fall at SUNY Plaza in Albany, will be in FA-213 through March 31. An opening reception will take place from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 8. Diamonstein-Spielvogel will attend the opening reception and sign copies of her books, which will be available for sale. “I thought it would be a great idea to have this kind of exhibit at the museum,” said Jackie Hogan, assistant director of the Art Museum. “I really wanted (Diamonstein-Spielvogel) to be at the reception. … I’m looking forward to meeting her.” “The Landmarks of New York” inspired Hogan to curate an exhibit that would pay tribute to Binghamton and its past. “Postcards: Binghamton Architecture” is now on display on the first floor of the Art Museum (FA-179) and will remain there through June 1. The exhibit offers postcard views of dozens of Binghamton landmarks from the early 1900s. “I wanted to have an exhibit that would complement ‘The Landmarks of New York,’” Hogan said. “I wanted to push Binghamton, because Binghamton is so important. Instead of taking photos now, I went back further to show the past. The past is so important. Some of these buildings are still standing today.” The framed prints feature sites such as the former New York State Inebriate Asylum, the Arlington Hotel, the old Press Building and the Kilmer Building. One postcard shows a small, single-building City Hospital that would eventually become Binghamton General Hospital. Another postcard shows the entrance to Ross Park with writing under the photo that says: “We’re going to play ball in about half an hour.” “One of the interesting things of this particular time is that people could not write on the back of the card where the address was,” Hogan said. “They could only write on the front or over the picture.” Some postcards even misspell Binghamton as “Binghampton.” “It was a lot of fun looking at these postcards,” Hogan said. “I enjoyed looking at all of the old buildings. They have so much character.” Also at the Art Museum this semester are new display cases on the first floor. This has enabled the museum to renovate and expand “The Ancient World” permanent display. The cases allow most of the museum’s original artifacts from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, China and the Americas to be shown all of the time. “Our goal is to present the entire world,” said Silvia Ivanova, registrar and curator of education. “You can see the continuations of certain traditions and you can see the uniqueness of certain cultures. Because of this installation, we are able to show the evolution of certain artifacts and bring everything together as one.” Among the highlights of “The Ancient World” is a Mesopotamian brick donated by the late Kenneth C. Lindsay, Art Museum founder and professor emeritus of art history. It was one of the first objects to enter the museum’s permanent collection, Ivanova said. Also on display are ancient Chinese earthenware bowls and a replica of an original map of the known world in the 16th century. “We wanted to replicate it and make it bigger because this is a map that shows all of the continents,” Ivanova said. “Other maps focus on Europe and Asia or parts of Africa. We are reproducing it because it connects the different parts of ‘The Ancient World’ exhibit.” FA-179 is also hosting a “Red Chalk Drawings” exhibit. For the first time, the 10 red chalk drawings from the museum’s permanent collection will be displayed together. Red Chalk was a popular drawing tool used by European artists in the 16th and 17th centuries. FA-213, meanwhile, will host “Highlights of New Acquisitions,” dozens of objects that have entered the permanent collection from alumni and museum supporters. “Highlights” will be on display through Feb. 18, before giving way to “The Landmarks of New York.” inside@binghamton.edu (Inside Staff) Arts Features Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:15:13 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/wrestling-team-turns-back-no.-22-hofstra http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/wrestling-team-turns-back-no.-22-hofstra#When:16:30:55Z Bearcats win six of 10 bouts in front of alumni contingent on Long Island. Binghamton wrestling won six of 10 bouts to secure a 24-12 victory over No. 22 Hofstra on Feb. 12 from the Mack Physical Education Center in Hempstead. In front of a contingent of alumni supporters, the No. 19 Bearcats (14-4) used three major decisions and a clinching pin at 197 to beat the Pride (10-3) for the third straight year. Back-to-back-to-back majors from the heart of the lineup gave the Bearcats the lead for good. Junior 149-pound Donnie Vinson, ranked No. 4 in the country, got things going with a 9-1 win. Vinson (29-4, 17-1 duals) used an early takedown and three back points to forge a 7-1 lead after the first period. He cruised to the eight-point win to push Binghamton ahead, 7-6. Senior 157-pound Justin Lister followed with a 9-1 major of his own. Lister, ranked No. 9 in the latest NCAA Coaches’ Ranking, scored a takedown 36 seconds into his match, added a second-period reversal and two more takedowns in the third plus considerable riding time. Lister improved to 22-5 overall, 14-3 in duals. Senior 165-pound Matt Kaylor, ranked No. 25, expected to see 15th-ranked reigning All-American P.J. Gillespie, but the Pride juggled their lineup and Kaylor took advantage of the matchup with a 17-5 major decision over Vince Varela. Kaylor (21-8, 13-5 duals) racked up four takedowns in the first period and seven for the match. His major gave Binghamton a 15-6 lead in the team scoring. With Hofstra’s strategy in place, freshman 174-pound Caleb Wallace was left to battle Gillespie but held him to a 9-2 decision, giving the Bearcats the edge on the switch and making the team score 15-9. Junior 184-pound Nate Schiedel, No. 20, suffered a 1-0 decision against No. 9 Ben Clymer with Clymer’s third-period escape the lone point of the match. Schiedel was battling in the closing 30 seconds and Clymer was hit with a stall warning, but Schiedel couldn’t record the needed takedown and the Pride pulled to within three, 15-12. At 197, sophomore Cody Reed clinched the win with a second-period pin. Reed (20-11, 10-6 duals) collected a first-period takedown and a second-period reversal before ending his match against Tim Murphy at 3:21. It was Reed’s first pin of the season. Freshman heavyweight No. 18 Nick Gwiazdowski capped the victory with a 4-1 decision over Paul Snyder. Trailing 1-0 entering the third period, Gwiazdowski (22-6, 12-3 duals) recorded an escape to tie, a takedown with 1:25 left to forge ahead and added riding time for the final margin. Junior 133-pound Patrick Hunter (16-13) gave the team three big points in the second bout of the afternoon. Hunter trailed No. 26 Jamie Franco 3-0 with just 1:09 left in the match, but rallied for three third-period takedowns and came away with an 8-6 overtime win. Trailing 5-4 and giving away riding time, Hunter produced a tying takedown with just two seconds left in the match to force overtime. He then scored a takedown with 37 seconds left in the extra period for the win. “I’m extremely pleased with our performance today,” head coach Pat Popolizio said. “It was one of our better matches of the year and beating a program like Hofstra, with their history and tradition, is great for our program and very rewarding for the guys. Individually, Patrick Hunter’s win was huge. He lost to that kid in November and reversed the decision this time, which will give Patrick a lot of confidence heading into the conference tournament. Cody (Reed) had the big match of the day, earning the pin to secure the dual for us. Now we’re excited to go into Senior Night on Friday and give Justin (Lister) and Matt (Kaylor) a good send-off. They have poured their hearts and souls into this program and they deserve a special celebration that night.” The Bearcats host fellow CAA member and No. 23 Old Dominion in the regular-season finale at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at West Gym. No. 19 Binghamton 24, No. 22 Hofstra 12 125 No. 12 Steve Bonanno (Hofstra) dec. Derek Steeley (Binghamton) 10-5 133 Patrick Hunter (Binghamton) dec. No. 26 Jamie Franco (Hofstra) 8-6 (ot) 141 No. 25 Luke Vaith (Hofstra) dec. Joe Bonaldi (Binghamton) 6-1 149 No. 4 Donald Vinson (Binghamton) major dec. No. 24 Justin Accordino (Hofstra) 9-1 157 No. 9 Justin Lister (Binghamton) major dec. Tyler Banks (Hofstra) 9-1 165 No. 25 Matt Kaylor (Binghamton) major dec. Vicente Varela (Hofstra) 17-5 174 *No. 15 Paul Gillespie (Hofstra) dec. Caleb Wallace (Binghamton) 9-2 184 No. 9 Ben Clymer (Hofstra) dec. No. 20 Nathan Schiedel (Binghamton) 1-0 197 No. 31 Cody Reed (Binghamton) pinned Tim Murphy (Hofstra) 3:21 285 No. 18 Nick Gwiazdowski (Binghamton) dec. Paul Snyder (Hofstra) 4-1 * ranked at 165 lbs. inside@binghamton.edu (John Hartrick) Sports Stories Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:30:55 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/van-ingen-places-fifth-in-wanamaker-mile-at-millrose-games http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/van-ingen-places-fifth-in-wanamaker-mile-at-millrose-games#When:16:39:14Z Two-time All-American qualifes for NCAA Indoor Championship. Fifth-year senior Erik van Ingen placed fifth overall in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games, which were held Feb. 12 at the New York City Armory. His time of 3:56.37 was a school-record and met the qualifying standard for the NCAA Indoor Championships, which will be held March 9-10 at Boise State. Furthermore, van Ingen placed second overall among the six college runners in the meet. “We couldn’t ask anything more from Erik tonight,” assistant coach Annette Acuff said. “This was a very competitive field and while we were hoping for 3:55, he still ran better than he ever has.” Matt Centrowitz won the race in a facility-record time of 3:53.92. The old mark of 3:54.98 was set by Ireland’s Mark Carroll in 2000. In second place was Miles Batty of BYU, who broke the NCAA record with a time of 3:54.54. The previous NCAA record of 3:55.02 was set by German Fernandez of Oklahoma State in 2009. Van Ingen has now qualified for six NCAA Championship meets during his career. In addition to three indoor meets, he also took part in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championships as well as the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships. Last year, he was fifth in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Meet and sixth in the 1,500 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Batty won the indoor mile title, while Centrowitz won the 1,500 as a collegian at Oregon. The Wanamaker race marked the third time in his career that van Ingen has broken four minutes in the mile. After winning the 2010 Penn State National Open with a time of 3:59.41, he lowered his school record to 3:57.11 in winning the Boston/Valentine’s Meet last year. While van Ingen was at the New York City Armory, the rest of the track team took part in the Cornell/Kane Invitational on Feb. 12. There were five first-place finishes recorded by the Bearcas in the non-scoring meet. On the women’s side, junior Ashley AuPont won the women’s high jump and freshman Alexx Baum took top honors in the women’s triple jump. Both of them met the ECAC-qualifying standard. Also recording an ECAC-qualifying mark was sophomore Camille Ginyard, who was second in the pole vault (11-9 3/4). In the women’s 60 hurdles, senior Kaitlin Sullivan broke her own school record in the 60 hurdles for the third time this season. She placed second overall in a time of 8.82. Her most recent record of 8.84 was recorded at the Cornell Upstate Challenge back on Jan. 22. Later in the meet, Sullivan was part of the first-place 4x400 relay team, which also included sophomores Kathleen Klein and Erica Kisel as well as freshman Mallory Clark. Leading the Binghamton men’s squad were freshmen Jesse Garn and sophomore Ben Snodgrass. Garn took top honors in the 800, with a time of 1:54.37. Snodgrass, who transferred from Portland during the winter break, captured the 3,000 in a time of 8:36.42. inside@binghamton.edu (Athletics Staff) Sports Stories Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:39:14 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/gwiazdowski-bearcats-beat-bloomsburg http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/gwiazdowski-bearcats-beat-bloomsburg#When:21:03:42Z Freshman heavyweight breaks tie with victory in final bout. Binghamton wrestling (13-4), ranked No. 19 in the country, split 10 matches with visiting Bloomsburg (15-7) but utilized a technical fall and major decision to earn an 18-15 win on Feb. 9 from West Gym. The match was deadlocked at 15-15 heading into the final bout at heavyweight. Freshman Nick Gwiazdowski, No. 18 in the country, racked up five takedowns plus riding time for a 12-5 decision to give the Bearcats the deciding three team points. “It was a solid performance overall,” head coach Pat Popolizio said. “We had a couple of key individual losses but impressive performances from our guys who won. It was a big win for Gwiazdowski and our team. Nick is a true freshman and that win is a great sign for him heading forward.” Bloomsburg won the first two matches at 125 and 133 to forge ahead 6-0. Freshman 141-pound Joe Bonaldi put Binghamton on the board with a 5-3 decision over Derek Shingara, who entered the night with 19 wins. Bonaldi (15-13) stretched a 3-2 lead with a takedown with 56 seconds remaining in the match and held on for the key win. Junior 149-pound Donnie Vinson, ranked No. 4, was in control from the start and cruised to a 14-1 major decision over Bryce Busler, who is No. 29 in the latest NCAA Coach Ranking. Vinson (28-4, 16-1 duals) needed just two takedowns and recorded eight back points and a commanding 3:10 of riding time. In a high-scoring affair between two ranked foes at 157, Bloomsburg’s No. 9 Frank Hickman overcame a 4-2 third-period deficit to storm past 10th-ranked Justin Lister, 13-10. Hickman attacked for five takedowns in the third period and despite more than two minutes of riding time, Lister dropped to 21-5 overall, 13-3 in duals. Senior 165-pound Matt Kaylor collected five takedowns en route to an 11-6 decision. Kaylor raised his record to 20-8 overall, 12-5 in duals. Junior 184-pound Nate Schiedel, No. 20, looked strong in a 20-3 technical fall. Schiedel (25-6, 13-2 duals) led 2-0 before registering three takedowns in the second period and two more takedowns and subsequent back points in the third to end the bout with 31 seconds remaining. After a Bloomsburg decision at 197, the stage was set for Gwiazdowski. He shot in for a single leg takedown 50 seconds into the match and added another with 19 seconds left in the period to take a 4-1 lead after one. An escape by Zachary Walsh made it 4-2 before Gwiazdowski added another takedown with 26 seconds left in the second to push ahead 6-3 entering the third. Two more Gwiazdowski takedowns and 1:24 of riding time gave the freshman a seven-point final cushion and the pivotal three team points. Up next is a bragging-rights away tilt Feb. 12 at CAA rival Hofstra - in a battle between the last two CAA team champions. The Pride is ranked No. 22 in the poll and won the 2011 conference crown. A home encounter with fellow CAA member and No. 23 Old Dominion finishes off the dual season on Feb. 17. No. 19 Binghamton 18, Bloomsburgh 15 125 Sean Boylan (BL) dec. Derek Steeley (BU), 10-5 133 Nick Wilcox (BL) dec. Patrick Hunter (BU), 12-6 141 Joe Bonaldi (BU) dec. Derek Shingara (BL), 5-3 149 #4 Donnie Vinson (BU) major dec. Bryce Busler (BL), 14-1 157 #9 Frank Hickman (BL) dec. #10 Justin Lister (BU), 13-10 165 Matt Kaylor (BU) dec. Chris Smith (BL), 11-6 174 #19 Mike Dessino (BL) dec. Caleb Wallace (BU), 5-1 184 #20 Nate Schiedel (BU) tech fall Sam Shirley (BL), 20-3 (6:29) 197 Richard Perry (BL) dec. Cody Reed (BU), 7-4 Hwt #18 Nick Gwiazdowski (BU) dec. Zachary Walsh (BL), 12-5 inside@binghamton.edu (John Hartrick) Sports Stories Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:03:42 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/strong-second-half-helps-womens-basketball-team-defeat-vermont http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/strong-second-half-helps-womens-basketball-team-defeat-vermont#When:15:01:21Z Holmes scores game-high 17 points; Rebane adds 15 points and 12 rebounds. Senior point guard Andrea Holmes finished with a game-high 17 points and senior forward Viive Rebane turned in a 15-point, 12-rebound performance, powering Binghamton (12-13, 6-6 AE) to a 54-43 victory over Vermont (9-16, 3-9 AE) in an America East women’s basketball game on Feb. 8 at the Events Center. With the victory, the Bearcats concluded their three-game home stand with a pair of victories. Holmes, who is now averaging a career-high 14.4 points per game, has poured in 40 points the past two games. Rebane, meanwhile, reached double figures in rebounding for the fourth time in five games en route to recording her 19th career double-double. Also reaching double figures in scoring was senior guard Orla O’Reilly, with 11 points. The game-high in rebounds, however, was turned in by sophomore Jasbriell Swain. She grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with six points, six assists and a pair of steals. She has now reached double figures in rebounding three times in the past five games. “We are very happy with the win,” head coach Nicole Scholl said. “This was a game we needed and I was very pleased with how our team came out to start the second half. We definitely raised our intensity.” Down 24-23 at the break, Binghamton started the second half on an 11-1 blitz in the opening 6:06 to go up 34-25. After being held scoreless in the first half, O’Reilly led the way with seven points during in the six-minute stretch. From there, Binghamton built its lead to as much as 50-33 with 5:31 remaining before emptying the bench in the closing minutes. Defensively, the Bearcats held Vermont to just two field goals in the first 16 minutes of the second half. inside@binghamton.edu (Athletics Staff) Sports Stories Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:01:21 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/preus-reflects-on-years-as-personal-safety-advisory-committee-chair http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/preus-reflects-on-years-as-personal-safety-advisory-committee-chair#When:19:55:12Z Professor/faculty master has stepped down from longtime leadership position. Anthony Preus believes the University’s Personal Safety Advisory Committee succeeds in making the campus a safer place. “We do have an impact because other people do care about it,” he said. “When we get input, the administration knows there are others concerned.” Preus, a professor of philosophy and faculty master of College-in-the-Woods, who chaired the committee for more than 20 years, stepped down in September 2011. He is, however, still a member of the committee. The PSAC advises campus administration regarding safety issues, primarily those of sexual assault. The committee produces a report each year compiling issues brought up by concerned members of the campus community, and findings from the committee’s “campus by night” walks each semester. “It’s a way for the campus community to express concerns and put pressure to get done what needs to get done,” Preus said. “It’s our job to reduce the ‘scary’ things on campus.” Over the years, the committee has served as a sounding board for safety-related issues, including issues of sexual assault and substance control, which according to Preus can get “complicated.” “What can you reasonably do? You can tell people to watch out, to look out for each other,” he said. Complications aside, Preus believes the committee’s success is due in part to representation from people who can “deal with stuff immediately,” including members of Physical Facilities and University Police. “If there’s a problem, they can take care of it right away,” Preus said. If the committee notices a light out, or a broken railing, for example, Physical Facilities will fix it. Some things, though, are not quite as easy to fix as a broken railing. Pedestrian safety is a major concern on campus. “You have how many thousands of students, and they’re all walking,” Preus said. “The place is full of pedestrians!” One area Preus believes is particularly dangerous is what he refers to as the “Appalachian Trail,” otherwise known as the path coming down the hill from Mountainview College toward the paid visitor parking lot. On one of the PSAC’s “campus by night” tours, Preus said they saw a young man walking down the hill in flip-flops, even though the hill was slippery. Preus identified this as dangerous. According to Preus, another pedestrian hazard is the location of bus stops, such as the one near Academic A. Students who take BC Transit buses to campus must then cross the street to get to class. To Preus, this is dangerous. And yet, Preus believes the campus is safe. “We do really well,” he said. “We worry that there’s going to be some kind of a problem, but we really haven’t had problems.” William Ziegler, associate professor of computer science and the current chair of the PSAC, attributes this to Preus. “We’re at a pretty safe place,” Ziegler said, in reference to the campus. “Tony has done a fantastic job.” Preus looks forward to a future with Ziegler as chair. “I think it’s great to have him because he’s an engineer,” Preus said. “He’s made a lot of really interesting changes I think are great.” Ziegler, however, believes he has big shoes to fill. “Some people work at Binghamton University, and some people are Binghamton University,” Ziegler said. “Tony is the University. He doesn’t just work here. You can never replace Tony. He is an institution.” inside@binghamton.edu (Erica Treventi) Inside Stories Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:55:12 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/acclaimed-novelist-jonathan-franzen-to-visit-campus http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/acclaimed-novelist-jonathan-franzen-to-visit-campus#When:19:08:56Z Center for Writers events also include Pulitizer-winning poet C.K. Williams. The Binghamton Center for Writers’ spring series of events will be headlined by the winners of the Binghamton Book Awards in Fiction and Poetry.  Jonathan Franzen, National Book Award winner and New York Times-bestselling author, received the John Gardner Fiction Book Award for his novel “Freedom,” while C.K. Williams, a Pulitzer Prize winner as well as a National Book Award winner, was awarded the Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award for his collection, “Wait.”  Both will be visiting Binghamton University in March.  All of the events are free and open to the public. Jonathan Franzen’s reading will be at 6:15 p.m. March 7 in the Mandela Room of the University Union.  Books will be available for sale and a book signing will follow the reading.  The author of four novels (“Freedom,” “The Corrections,” “Strong Motion,” and “The Twenty-Seventh City”),  Franzen has attracted a list of prestigious honors and recognitions from New York Times bestselling author to National Book Award winner to Oprah’s Book Club pick (twice). Last year when “Freedom” was published, Time Magazine featured Franzen on its cover, along with the tagline “Great American Novelist.” Franzen’s appearance will be the only one scheduled in that time slot. The other four events of the series will be on specific Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. in S1-149. The Binghamton Center for Writers’ Spring Readers’ Series will open on Feb. 21 with a visit from Minrose Gwin.  Gwin is the author of the novel “The Queen of Palmyra,” a Barnes and Noble Discover New Writers pick, and also the memoir “Wishing for Snow” (both from HarperCollins).  “The Queen of Palmyra” has been praised as “the most powerful and lyrical novel about race, racism, and denial in the American South since To Kill a Mockingbird.”  It is a story about knowing, and not knowing, brutality and tenderness, set in Civil Rights-era Mississippi. Franzen’s event will follow Gwin’s and then at 8 p.m. March 20, the Center will welcome C.K. Williams, winner of the 2011 Milt Kessler Binghamton Poetry Book Award for his latest collection, “Wait.”  Author of nearly a dozen books of poetry and five books of translations, Williams is the recipient of the National Book Award (for “The Singing,” 2003), the Pulitzer Prize (for “Repair,” 1999), and the National Book Critics Circle Award (for “Flesh and Blood,” 1987). On April 17 the Readers’ Series will feature Binghamton University alumnus Katherine Arnoldi, the author of the Juniper Award-winning short story collection, “All Things Are Labor,” as well as the multiple award-winning graphic novel, “The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom.” Arnoldi is newly returned from a Fulbright Fellowship year in Paraguay researching the Mennonite community there for the new novel she is working on. The final reader in the Spring Readers’ Series will be poet Marilyn Nelson on April 24.  Nelson has just been named recipient of The Poetry Society of America’s highest award, the Frost Medal, presented annually for “distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry.” She is the author or translator of 14 books, including “The Cachoeira Tales, and Other Poems”; “The Fields of Praise,” which was a finalist for the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN Winship Award; and “The Homeplace,” which won the 1992 Annisfield-Wolf Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award.  Her biography, “Carver,” includes poems about her own father’s experience as a Tuskegee Airman. In addition to the Readers’ Series, the Center for Writers, with the support of the Dean of Harpur College of Arts and Science, will offer a “doubleheader” Writing Life event from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, with Vivian Shipley of Connecticut Review and Jim Reese of Paddlefish, in UU-252 (located near the Susquehanna Room).  The Writing Life Series features an informal conversation with working writer/ editors discussing craft, publishing and the writing life.  It is an opportunity for students, faculty and community members to learn about publishing and to meet directly with editors.  Connecticut Review is a literary magazine associated with the Connecticut State University system; they publish poetry, short fiction, and essays, while Paddlefish, the national literary journal from Mount Marty College, publishes poetry, short/short fiction or non-fiction (1,500 words or less), graphic fiction, nonfiction, illustrated essays, graphic memoir and narrative documentary photography in all genres and styles. Links to the readers’ biographies and the journals’ web pages, to interviews and work samples for the readers, and other types of further information can all be found at http://readers-series.binghamton.edu.  You can reach the Center for Writers at 777-2713 or cwpro@binghamton.edu. These series are funded with support from the Binghamton University Department of English and the Office of the Dean of Harpur College. inside@binghamton.edu (Inside Staff) Arts Stories Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:08:56 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/student-dancers-to-perform-a-broken-key http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/student-dancers-to-perform-a-broken-key#When:15:27:33Z Original production will open Theatre Department's spring schedule of shows. Natalie Carabello and Jasmine Carrig were ecstatic to learn that the first Main Stage Theatre production of the spring semester would be a dance show. “I almost had a heart attack because I’m a senior and this is my last chance for something like this,” Carabello said. “It’s been really cool.” “Dance has always been my favorite hobby, so hearing that there would be a main stage show made me think ‘I have to audition for that,’” said Carrig, a junior. “I’m excited I got into it: This has been the most fun experience I’ve had in college.” Carabello and Carrig are two of the 10 dancers who will be featured in “A Broken Key.” The show will be on the Osterhout Concert Theater stage at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. Tickets are $10, general admission; $8, faculty/staff/senior; and $6, students (with ID). “A Broken Key” – an original dance production choreographed by JoEllen Kuhlman – offers 10 scenes that each represent a “key” in the story. Those keys take the audience on a journey from love and marriage to jealousy and healing to moving on to new stages. “Every person can take things differently,” said Kuhlman, who teaches jazz, modern and tap at the University. “I call the first (scene) ‘The Key of Captivation,’ which means falling in love. It fits the music and the story we are telling. Our story is generic enough that you can see it however your mind takes it.” “It’s a visually appealing collection of dances with an emphasis on athletic capability and stamina,” sophomore dancer Nicole Dlug said. The show’s range of movements makes it a good fit for both dance fans and novices, Carabello said. “A lot of (the show) is modern- and contemporary-based,” she said. “We have the standard, classical variety of movement, but it’s updated. So if you’re not really someone who goes to dance regularly, you don’t have to worry about whether or not we’ll be your cup of tea.” The students started rehearsals in the fall semester, but ran into a challenge when faced with a long holiday break. “We have a lot of partnering and that was new to some of them,” Kuhlman said. “And because everyone has a different background in training, we had to work to blend the styles together.” “Everyone brings their own elements to the show,” Dlug said. “What Jo did that was really wonderful was pick some of the styles we are best at and made sure to highlight them in each of our dances.” Kuhlman said the dancers’ talents have been instrumental to the show’s development. “I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “I rely on them a lot. I choreograph for them. It’s not like I come in and say, ‘You’re going to do this, this and this.’ I like to collaborate and make sure things fit.” The dancers said have also gained an appreciation for what it takes to put on a main stage show, especially on the technical side. “A Broken Key” is student-designed,  with Glenn Pepe as scenic designer, Mike Gallaher as lighting designer and Barbara Delo as costume designer. “That’s unusual for a Main Stage performance done by the department,” said Josh Spodick, a senior who serves as stage manager and assistant lighting designer. “I’ve always thought the best way to learn is by doing, so it’s definitely been a good experience for all of us.” “You can read textbooks all day, but until you have your own design and you can see how the dancers interact with it, you can never really learn,” Pepe said. The cast and crew are looking forward to showcasing “A Broken Key” to audiences that will include fellow students, community members and younger dancers from the region. They hope another dance show will be on the schedule next year and that dance will grow at Binghamton University. “The feeling you get from live performance is unlike anything else,” Pepe said. “You can’t get it from movies or TV. I think all of us remember seeing our first dance show or musical. It’s something to remember forever.” “I already see more people looking forward to taking dance classes here,” Dlug said. “From there, they can build their technique and audition for shows like this. “I feel like we are definitely going to go above and beyond and impress everybody.” inside@binghamton.edu (Eric Coker) Arts Stories Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:27:33 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/binghamton-university-named-fourth-best-value-among-u.s.-public-colleges http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/binghamton-university-named-fourth-best-value-among-u.s.-public-colleges#When:19:44:16Z Princeton Review releases 'Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges for 2012.' Binghamton University is the nation’s No. 4 “Best Value Public” college for 2012, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company profiles Binghamton University in its newly-published book, “The Best Value Colleges: 2012” and on its website at http://www.princetonreview.com/best-value-colleges.aspx. In its profile of Binghamton, the editors at The Princeton Review praise the school for its “top-tier academics and palatable sticker price” and in quotes from student surveys, the University is described as where students are ”saving money while also getting an amazing education.” “We commend Binghamton University and all of the extraordinary colleges on our 2012 ‘Best Value Colleges’ list for all they are doing to keep costs down and/or offer generous aid to applicants with financial need – all while maintaining excellent academic programs,” says Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior VP/publisher and lead author of “The Best Value Colleges: 2012 Edition.” “The Best Value Colleges: 2012 Edition,” subtitled “The 150 Best Buy Colleges and What It Takes to Get In,” features profiles of 75 public and 75 private colleges with detailed information about their campus culture, facilities and financial aid offerings. Of the 75 schools in each group, the top 10 colleges are ranked 1 to 10, and the remaining 65 are listed in alphabetical order. The “Best Value Colleges” list and information about the schools are also posted on a dedicated area of USATODAY.com, which has been the Princeton Review’s online publishing partner for this project since 2009. USA TODAY’s site features an exclusive database that allows users to view in-depth details about the schools by clicking on an interactive map. Users can explore criteria including cost of attendance and financial aid data, enrollment size, location and The Princeton Review’s analysis of why it chose each school as a “Best Value.” The Princeton Review selected its “Best Value Colleges” schools based on institutional data and student opinion surveys collected from 650 colleges and universities the company regards as the nation’s academically best undergraduate institutions. The selection process analyzed more than 30 data points broadly covering academics, cost and financial aid. Cost and financial aid data came from The Princeton Review’s fall 2011 surveys of school administrators. Data on academics came from its fall 2010 through fall 2011 surveys of school administrators. Data from students attending the schools over these years included their assessments of their professors and their satisfaction with their financial aid awards. inside@binghamton.edu (Inside Staff) Inside Stories Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:44:16 +0000 http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/new-recreation-center-draws-rave-reviews http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/new-recreation-center-draws-rave-reviews#When:19:31:29Z Students, faculty, staff, community members try out renovated facility. The Binghamton University campus community is excited about the opening of the newly renovated Recreation Center, and Janice Bennett, associate director of Campus Recreational Services, believes that the new facility has exceeded everyone’s expectations. “There has been a lot of positive feedback so far,” she said. “People are amazed that it was possible for the inside to look so different.” The Recreation Center at the East Gym reopened its doors Jan. 28, following an extensive 18-month renovation. Plans for the revitalization, which have been in the works since 2005, called for a full-blown internal transformation. The plans aimed to create an all-inclusive facility that would provide improved quality of fitness and wellness services. Membership fees were waived during the first week, allowing attendees a trial run of the offerings. “In our grand opening week we’ve had about 1,000 visitors each day,” Bennett said. “It’s been a real melting pot of people so far. Students, faculty, staff and community members have shown up. Everyone is excited to come in and try it out.” The $14 million project transformed the facility into a contemporary fitness center, with enough space to meet the needs of both the campus and the community. “We were overcrowded before,” Bennett said, “but now we’re more capable of serving everyone.” The FitSpace area, which sees the most foot traffic, was expanded from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet. “Seeing FitSpace more than twice the size it used to be is mind-blowing,” said Zach Nersinger, a second-year graduate student. As a member of the Campus Recreation Advisory Board, he has been able to observe this project evolve from the beginning. “Watching it all come together has been huge for me,” Nersinger said. “The transformation is just incredible.” The expansion of FitSpace has provided room for double the amount of cardio- and strength-training equipment. “The amount of equipment in here now is great, especially in the cardio section,” said Robert Vermilye, a sophomore accounting major who works at the front desk. “From what I’ve seen, it’s definitely been able to draw many more students.” The Cardio Theater technology implemented in FitSpace encourages a high-energy workout environment, with each machine containing a personal screen. The Expresso bikes offer an interactive workout experience, allowing you to challenge your friends to a virtual race and to post your results to Internet outlets such as Twitter. In addition to FitSpace, there are now more than 100 group exercise classes offered every week, three times the amount provided in the past. The most popular classes, such as yoga, spinning or zumba, are offered about 25 times per week. “We set up extra classes on peak hours so we can accommodate more people,” Bennett said. “Now instead of just one class, we have three classes going on at once. There is something that’s convenient for everyone.” The pool and gymnasium were also given major updates, revamped and modernized in ways that will significantly improve their everyday use. The locker rooms off of the pool area offer more individual storage lockers, and the physical design caters to personal privacy. The removal of the bleachers in the gym makes the most of the space, providing more room to move around. “The gymnasium looks amazing,” Nersinger said. “It’s never empty — there’s basketball going on almost nonstop. With a gym like this, we’ll be able to offer more club sports.” The aesthetic changes in particular have managed to make an immediate impact on visitors. People are surprised at the extent of the visual differences. There is a clear attention to detail that people find impressive. “I like the overall look of the place,” said Christine Willock, a sophomore majoring in biology. “I didn’t think it would look so nice. Having FitSpace overlook the pool is a cool feature, too.” The new facility now also has the resources to offer high-quality wellness and fitness services to the community. “We’ve caught the attention of the community,” Bennett said. “It will be interesting to see if we get more memberships from people outside of the campus.” Nersinger believes that the new center has the potential to become a staple of the community. “I definitely think that community members will come here,” he said. “This place rivals anything else available. There isn’t anything else like it.” inside@binghamton.edu (Christine McKeown) Inside Stories Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:31:29 +0000