IMPROVING CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE
Some of the major improvements to infrastructure completed over the summer are very visible; others are not. Read in this issue about the many major projects completed by Physical Facilities and Information Technology Services, as well as the new programs offered by the University Center for Training and Development.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OPENS NEW BUILDING
The opening of the new, $60-million School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University's Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City, N.Y., headlines this quarterly report, but there's also good news about collaborations, external funding and student successes. Read more in this issue.
SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES SUPPORT STUDENTS
It takes donors at many levels to make Binghamton University successful, and in this issue of the quarterly report, you can read about a number of them. Whether it's AVANGRID offering full-tuition scholarships and capstone project support, or playing golf to benefit the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, the Division of Advancement works with Binghamton supporters.
BINGHAMTON RESEARCH FUNDING SETS RECORD
Binghamton University reported research expenditures totaling $47.5 million in 2017-18, an increase of about 19 percent from the previous fiscal year. The figure tops 2011-12, the campus’ all-time best year for research funding, when just over $40 million was reported. The new record, which follows several years of steady growth, is an important sign of the campus’ creativity and innovation. Healthcare research accounted for nearly a third of expenditures, with electronics packaging and systems engineering following at about 22 percent.
BAXTER THE BEARCAT BOOSTS SCHOOL SPIRIT
The Division of Student Affairs spent the summer hosting students and families for orientation and preparing for the opening of the fall semester. With some new people on board and some others with new duties, it has been a busy time. Not too busy, though, to show Binghamton University pride, as you'll read about the new Baxter the Bearcat Bench in the University Union in this issue.
STUDENT-ATHLETES CONTINUE TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY
Student-athletes continue to shine on and off the courts and fields. The Athletics Department sets high academic standards, and student-athletes surpass them across the board. Read about the accomplishments made by student-athletes in their sports and in the classroom – and check out the videos showcasing fall sports and the new women's head basketball coach, Bethann Shapiro Ord, in this issue.
HELPING TO MAKE THE CAMPUS MORE INCLUSIVE
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to educate and empower everyone on campus in ways that create a welcoming community. From the Udiversity Educational Institute, that holds trainings for students, faculty and staff, to the Multicultural Resource Center and Q Center, the division's offices that work to build bridges and support students though education and events such as Sundaze, part of its Welcome Week programming. Read about the division's recent initiatives in this report.
DONOR SUPPORT ADVANCES BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
The Binghamton University Foundation had a successful 2017-18 year, bringing in the second highest amount of cash ever in support of the University. Read the numbers in this issue of the quarterly report, and learn one way the Foundation celebrates its donors.
Academic honors
Eighty student-athletes named to America East All-Academic Team
The America East Conference has released its 2015 Fall Academic Honor Roll and a total of 80 Binghamton student-athletes appear on the list.
All student-athletes that participated in a fall sport sponsored by the America East and earned a GPA of at least a 3.0 for the corresponding semester made the Fall Academic Honor Roll. Binghamton’s fall sports include men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball as well as men’s and women’s cross country.
Binghamton led the America East with 76.9 percent of its eligible student-athletes appearing on the America East Academic Honor Roll.
Of the 80 Binghamton selections, 43 student-athletes were also named to the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll for attaining a minimum GPA of 3.5 during the fall semester.
Earlier in the month, it was announced the entire group of Binghamton student-athletes across all sports had a combined GPA of 3.14 during the fall 2015 semester.
Student-athletes soar to 3.14 GPA in fall
Binghamton student-athletes continued to shine in the classroom in the fall semester. The athletics department’s 400+ athletes achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.14 - the highest mark in two years. It also was the 20th consecutive semester that BU student-athletes surpassed the 3.0 GPA plateau - and the seventh straight term above a 3.1 GPA.
More than 61 percent of the student-athlete body earned a 3.0 or higher and more than 43 percent were above a 3.3.
“We’re very proud of the academic success of our student-athletes, especially the tremendous results achieved this fall,” Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott said. “We continue to raise the bar in the academic arena, and the steadfast commitment and performance of our student-athletes is truly remarkable.”
The women’s cross country team (3.56) captured its fourth straight Team Academic Cup by producing the highest GPA among BU’s 19 teams. Fifteen teams were above the 3.0 mark. The men’s tennis team (3.31) had the highest GPA among men’s teams.
In addition, 178 individuals earned a spot on the AD Honor Roll (3.3 and above) for the fall semester.