Stenger discusses growth with SOM alumni

During his first appearance at a School of Management alumni event, President Harvey Stenger shared his ideas on the Binghamton University of the future. In remarks to a group of more than 100 alumni on April 4 at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, Stenger said he’ll work this summer with vice presidents, deans, and campus committees on building a roadmap for the University and defining what a “premier public University” should be.

Stenger wants the University to grow, yet maintain a high-quality academic experience. He says the faculty and student sizes will increase, but would keep to a ratio of 12:1 – a figure much more in line with private schools than state-supported institutions.

“I think this will greatly improve the quality of the education we deliver, the esprit de corps of our students and their loyalty after they leave,” Stenger said. “I don’t believe Binghamton University should be much larger as an undergraduate institution. I think it’s an outstanding size right now.”

Stenger said, in addition to carefully growing, Binghamton University needs to re-emphasize the role of the teacher-scholar and give faculty the resources necessary to excel in both endeavors.

“I think that Binghamton has had a great history of balancing research and teaching,” Stenger said. “I want to make sure that every faculty member we hire is not only an outstanding teacher but also a world-renowned scholar.”

Stenger praised SOM for producing scores of accomplished alumni. He said he always considered the school a fierce competitor during his time as interim provost at the University at Buffalo. SOM Dean and Koffman Scholar Upinder Dhillon encouraged the alumni in attendance to remain involved with the school.

“To help us achieve great things, we always look to you for support. When you have an internship or full-time opportunity, think of Binghamton,” Dhillon said.

Marc Bekerman ’89, a Long-Island based attorney and member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, echoed those sentiments.

“I encourage you to think about how your time and talents can help the University community. We all have a role in helping Binghamton realize its tremendous potential for growth,” he said.

The event was sponsored by Robert Eicher ’81, the School of Management, and the Binghamton University Alumni Association.