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.
Susannah Gal named interim dean of libraries
Provost Donald Nieman has appointed Susannah Gal, professor of biological sciences, interim dean of libraries, effective June 16.
“Susannah is an outstanding academic leader,” Nieman said. “She has a collaborative approach, understands the profound changes taking place in the delivery of research and scholarship, listens well, and communicates effectively with students, faculty and staff.”
“I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity to learn more about our libraries and the faculty and staff there who provide superior services for the University community,” said Gal. “I look forward to helping them prepare for their new leadership in the coming academic year.”
Gal joined the Binghamton University faculty in 1994, after earning a PhD at Johns Hopkins University and completing post-doctoral fellowships at the National Cancer Institute, the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel, Switzerland, and Michigan State University.
Trained as a biochemist, Gal focuses her research on DNA-protein interactions, new protein labeling methodology, new drug testing and DNA computing. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy as well as industrial sponsors.
Gal has served Binghamton University as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and chair of the University’s Fulbright Committee. She was on leave from 2012-14, to serve as a program director for the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and for the Division of Graduate Education at the National Science Foundation.
Gal will serve while a national search for a new dean takes place during the 2014-15 academic year. She succeeds John Meador, Jr., who accepted a position as founding dean of libraries at the University of Alabama at Birmingham after serving as Binghamton University’s dean of libraries for 11 years.