GEARING UP FOR THE NEW SEMESTER
Summer is an extremely busy time for the entire Division of Administration. Not only did the hundreds of construction projects on campus move forward rapidly in the good weather — including the reopening of the University Downtown Center — but Human Resources activities ramped up to be ready for the fall semester; Auxiliary Services finalized a number of changes to accommodate students, faculty and staff, in particular for dining needs; Information Technology Services upgraded the campus network and equipment; and the University Center for Training and Development helped prepare new faculty for the classroom.
GROWTH IN FACULTY AND ENROLLMENT
The approval this summer by Gov. Andrew Cuomo of our NYSUNY 2020 proposal has solidified Binghamton's plans and its ability to grow by 2,000 students and 150 faculty over a five-year period. Our first year of hiring brought us more than 60 new faculty this fall — 34 of them net new tenure-track — and about 500 additional students are on campus as well. Read here about our growth and about how Binghamton University strives for excellence.
NEVER STOP BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
The success of the Bold.Brilliant.Binghamton campaign clearly demonstrates how Binghamton University's alumni, friends and supporters have given back, and also reminds us all of the power of these relationships. You can read about a few of these relationships in this report, and learn about some of the connections the Division of External Affairs makes with our students, alumni, parents and donors.
A LEADER IN WORKING WITH INDUSTRY
Research at Binghamton University leads to new insights, new technologies and new jobs. Multidisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with industry help to ensure that ideas developed on campus have an impact far beyond New York. Indeed, about 10 percent of our research expenditures are funded by corporate partners, which is significantly higher than the national average. The division’s key priorities this year include implementation of the University’s NY SUNY 2020 plan, the development of a high-technology business incubator in downtown Binghamton as well as a continued emphasis on healthcare-related research.
SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS
Our efforts during Orientation, moving students into their rooms and through first-year experience courses are just a few of the ways the Division of Student Affairs supports student success, as you'll read in this report. The goals we've established for the 2012-2013 academic year, which align with the University's Road Map strategic planning process, will help us continue to put students first.
STUDENT-ATHLETES ON ROAD TO SUCCESS
More than 450 student-athletes are representing Binghamton University in competitions and in the classroom during the 2012-2013 academic year. Read about their return to campus in this report, as well as about the new fields and tennis courts, the season schedule for the men's and women's basketball teams and more.
Mike McKercher hired as assistant AD for development
Mike McKercher has started his duties as assistant athletic director for development at Binghamton University, responsible for major gift fundraising on behalf of Bearcats Athletics.
A 1996 graduate of SUNY Cortland, McKercher had been a specialty sales representative for Depomed/Inventiv Health since September 2011. From March 2010-August 2011, he was a pain management product specialist and equipment salesman for Northeast Rehab, Inc.
McKercher worked at Organon/Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals from 2000-2010. While there, he earned numerous awards for his sales performance on both the national and regional level. In 2003, he was named the National High Performer in the Advanced Therapeutics Division.
“We are excited to have Mike join the Bearcats family. He brings a great amount of relationship building and sales skills that will translate very well in his new role,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Dennis Kalina said.
Following his graduation from Cortland, McKercher was a physical education teacher in the nearby Vestal Central School District. Since then, he has been an assistant coach with both college club and youth lacrosse teams.