New University president named

The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed, upon the recommendation of Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, Harvey G. Stenger Jr. as the seventh president of Binghamton University, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Stenger has been interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University at Buffalo since April 2011.

“Dr. Stenger brings remarkable experience as both an educator and a leader to Binghamton University and the Board is extremely proud to be appointing him to the post,” Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said. “I congratulate Chancellor Zimpher and the search committee for this very promising conclusion; I thank President Magrath for his dedicated service to the campus; and I look forward to working with Dr. Stenger as we move Binghamton University even further into the national spotlight.”

“Harvey Stenger is the innovative leader we have been searching for to lead Binghamton University, one of SUNY’s most highly regarded institutions and one of New York’s greatest assets,” Chancellor Zimpher said. “Dr. Stenger promises to be a dynamic catalyst for the campus and Southern Tier. He is student-focused, holds a deep commitment to the liberal arts, and brings with him the experience necessary to forge critical partnerships within the community and around the globe. I thank the Board for its confidence in Harvey, and look forward to working with him as he takes Binghamton University to the next level of academic excellence and national prominence.”

“Harvey Stenger is a first-rate choice for this first-rate University, where it’s been a tremendous pleasure for me to serve as president of for the second time,” said C. Peter Magrath, who is retiring as president of Binghamton at the end of December. “I know that I am leaving this place that I love in excellent hands. Harvey Stenger’s strong background in teaching, research, and service is evidence of his exceptional abilities, and his understanding of the SUNY system coupled with his administrative experience underscores my belief that he will lead Binghamton University to even greater accomplishments.”

“I am honored to have been chosen as Binghamton University’s next president,” Dr. Stenger said. “Binghamton’s focus on student success and high quality academic and research programs make it one of the finest public universities in the United States. The selection of a university president is a landmark moment in an institution’s history, and I am humbled and honored to have been selected to lead Binghamton at this important time. My goal is to lead the university to even greater levels of excellence by working collaboratively with Binghamton’s impressive faculty, staff, students, alumni, and volunteers. Together, we will develop and implement a plan to strategically advance Binghamton’s position as one of our nation’s top public universities.”

A native of Auburn, N.Y., Stenger arrived at the University at Buffalo in 2006 as dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He is a chemical engineer by training, earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in 1979 and his doctorate in the same discipline from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983. He holds registration as a professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining the administration at UB, Stenger was a professor at Lehigh University’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, where he also served as dean for six years and served terms as co-chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and director of the Environmental Studies Center. While dean, the college launched an award-winning Integrated Product Development program, expanded cooperative education programs, and received the largest gift ever made to Lehigh—$25 million—from P. C. Rossin to establish an endowment and name the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.

While at Lehigh, Stenger also oversaw the founding of the Pennsylvania Technology Alliance, which promotes economic and technology development. His research has focused on hydrogen production, selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides, mercury reaction pathways, catalytic destruction of chlorinated hydrocarbons, and fuel cell modeling and optimization.

Under Stenger’s leadership at the University of Buffalo, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences significantly improved student quality and program rankings at the undergraduate and graduate levels. During his tenure, the size and quality of the engineering faculty increased and the school recruited to its faculty two members of the National Academy of Engineering.

Stenger has led the engineering school’s ongoing $100 million capital campaign, which generated support for the construction of the new 130,000-square-foot Barbara and Jack Davis Hall. In partnership with UB’s dean of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Stenger also launched UB’s innovative new program in biomedical engineering. He has enhanced the school’s student and faculty diversity, and expanded its international programs in Turkey, India, and France.

Stenger is a member of the boards of the Buffalo-Area Engineering Awareness for Minorities and the UB Foundation. He has been honored as a distinguished alumnus of Cornell University; has received multiple awards at Lehigh for student advising, excellence in teaching and unusual promise of professional achievement; and been recognized in Buffalo and from professional associations for his teaching, mentorship, and public and professional service.

Stenger will move to the Greater Binghamton area with his wife, Cathy. His daughter Elisabeth lives, works, and goes to graduate school in New York City, and his daughter Hannah is in graduate school at UB. His state salary will be $385,000, and he will be authorized to receive $50,000 in supplemental compensation from Binghamton University’s allocation of funds within the Research Foundation. Since there is no presidential residence at Binghamton, he will also receive a $60,000 annual housing allowance.

Read a letter from the Presidential Search Committee Co-chairs at http://www2.binghamton.edu/presidential-search/

See a video of Dr. Harvey Stenger discussing his appointment: http://www.youtube.com/binghamtonuniversity#p/a/u/0/cdviKXJdA1s