Binghamton University at 80: The cornerstones
The Clock Tower, the logos, Commencement, alma maters, and more
Binghamton University is celebrating its 80th birthday in 2026! In honor of 80 years of excellence, Binghamton University Magazine is presenting “80 Things to Love About Binghamton University,” highlighting the people, places, history, and cornerstones. Here are some of the cornerstones that have made the University special.
46. The Clock Tower
The “face” of campus since 2002, the 34,000-pound Clock Tower overlooks The Peace Quad and The Spine. The base of the clock tower is 65 feet tall, and the frame is an additional 75 feet tall. The time is always right for bringing the campus community together outside the University Union.
47. Pantone 342
The color of the Clock Tower, Pantone 342 is the code for the University’s green. It is used for communications materials, athletics, apparel, and other University branding.
48. The logos
49. Baxter!
The Colonials became the Bearcats when Binghamton entered Division I athletics in 2001. Baxter was named during basketball’s Midnight Madness that year following a student vote. A two-time winner of SUNY’s Mascot Madness competition, Baxter can often be seen at athletics events and campus celebrations. A Bearcat of many talents, Baxter played drums and performed with the Kick Line during a recent women’s basketball game.
50. Educational Opportunity Program
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides opportunity and access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students, has been part of the University since 1968. EOP also offers a mandatory, academic-development and campus-orientation summer session for first-year students: The Binghamton Enrichment Program.
51. McNair Scholars Program
Part of the Federal TRIO Programs, The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program prepares underrepresented and financially challenged students for graduate and doctoral studies. Scholars get access to research opportunities, mentoring, and graduate school application preparation and visits.
52. Services for Students with Disabilities
Respect. Inclusion. Equitable access. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office has worked with students, faculty and staff members, and others to ensure accommodations and support since its establishment on campus in 1975. In that year, 20 students were registered with the office (led for nearly 40 years by Jean Fairbairn). Fifty years later, more than 2,500 are connected.
53. Commencement
Binghamton’s first graduation ceremonies at the Vestal campus took place in the East Gym. Today, graduates and their families gather at the Events Center, where schools hold their ceremonies over the course of three days in May. Every graduate gets to shake the president’s hand while walking across the stage before officially becoming an alum.
54. The University Medal
Established in 1991 by President Lois B. DeFleur, the University Medal is the highest honor bestowed by Binghamton University. The medal is sometimes conferred at Commencement to honor achievement and excellence related to Binghamton. Recent honorees have ranged from cherished English Professor Al Vos to actor Billy Baldwin ’85 (above).
55. Move-in days
It’s more than a couple of days of welcoming new and returning students to campus. It’s not just those students saying farewell to family and hello to new friends. Move-in days have become a well-oiled partnership between Residential Life, Campus Facilities, University Police, Parking, student and staff volunteers, and others to make the process as stress-free as possible.
56. Campus tours
57. Harpur’s Ferry
Four fast facts about Binghamton University’s student-run volunteer ambulance service.
• Students needing medical attention at the 1970 Grateful Dead concert was a factor in Sal Caruana ’73, Adam Bernstein ’73, and Jon-Marc Weston ’73 starting the service in 1973.
• The first Harpur’s Ferry vehicle was a hearse purchased for $125. The service’s fleet now includes three state-certified ambulances, three flycars (non-transport, emergency-response vehicles), and three special-response vehicles.
• Harpur’s Ferry is now led by a student chief, two assistant student chiefs, two student captains and two student lieutenants.
• Ten to 15 new members are able to join Harpur’s Ferry each semester.
58. Off Campus College Transport
Another student-run service, OCCT has enabled students and faculty members to get to a campus that has expanded into Binghamton over the past 25 years. Besides shuttle service around campus, OCCT’s “blue buses” provide rides to the University Downtown Center, University Plaza, and Oakdale Commons in Johnson City.
59. Remembering arts greats
Two giants that Binghamton lost too soon: Jean Casadesus was an internationally renowned classical pianist who was an artist-in-residence at SUNY Binghamton from 1965–72 before his death in a car accident. John Gardner was an award-winning author (he wrote Grendel in 1971) who taught at the University and helped establish the creative-writing program before his 1982 death in a motorcycle accident. A recital hall in the Fine Arts Building is named for Casadesus, and a book prize was named for Gardner.
60. Lights … Camera … ‘The Rewrite’
Directed by Marc Lawrence ’81 and starring Hugh Grant, Marisa Tomei, and J.K. Simmons, The Rewrite (2014) is the only major Hollywood film set at Binghamton University. OK, it wasn’t all filmed on campus, but scenes were shot at Recreation Park and the Spiedie and Rib Pit in Binghamton. Lawrence and Grant (above) even came to campus for a film premiere and a Q&A event at a jam-packed Anderson Center.
61. Homecoming
From building tours and TIER Talks to Hall of Fame inductions to soccer-game tailgates, Homecoming Weekend is an opportunity for alumni to reminisce with old friends and discover what’s new on campus. This year’s celebration (Oct. 2–4) will highlight the University’s 80th birthday! For current students, Family Weekend will take place Sept. 18–20.
62. University Fest
Speaking of student fun, the fall University Fest has served as the unofficial kickoff to the semester, with plenty of music, food, rides and tabling on the Peace Quad. The student-organization fair has taken place for more than 33 years. At the other end of the academic year is Spring Fling, held on The Spine between the University Union and Bartle Library.
63. Stepping on the coat
We all know that spring takes a long time to start in Binghamton. The “stepping on the coat” is the University’s signal that winter has (finally) ended. The tradition is believed to have started in 1962 when Larry Kressel ’66 stopped the snow by taking his coat off and jumping on it. The tradition was most recently held in (late) March 2026.
64. Pegasus and The Object
The Pegasus statue (above) has stood in front of the Bartle Library since it was given to the University as a gift from the Class of 1985. A Pegasus sculpture by Nathaniel Kaz was one of Harpur College’s initial “big-display” pieces: It was unveiled in 1960 on what is now the Fine Arts Building. The Object, meanwhile, designed and built by Don Walford ’67, has been an integral part of the Dickinson Community for nearly 60 years.
65. The alma maters
The “Harpur Alma Mater” was written in 1950 by J. Alex Gilfillan, a founding faculty member, head and initially the sole member of the Music Department. His song urges the community of the young liberal arts school to “hail thee Harpur alma mater” as “the hills re-echo thy name.” The same heights would later serve as the foundation of Binghamton University’s official alma mater: “In the Rolling Hills of Binghamton” (written by David Engel ’86).
66. A cappella
Who better to belt out the Binghamton and Harpur alma maters than one of the University’s a cappella groups? The Binghamton Crosbys and The Harpur Harpeggios have been singing since 1983, while The Binghamtonics followed in 1987. Our 10 different a cappella groups have even gathered in Central Park for summer concerts!
67. Theatre productions
Mainstage and studio season productions taking place each semester, providing the campus community an early look at the performance skills of theatre and non-theatre majors alike. The theatre program’s graduates include TV and Broadway great Ruben Santiago-Hudson ’78; his son Trey ’18 (now seen in the HBO TV hit show Shrinking); King of Queens star Victor Williams ‘92; and singer Ingrid Michaelson ’01 (who was seen in May in Paul McCartney's band on Saturday Night Live!).
68. Intramural sports
From old favorites such as soccer and volleyball to newer sports like pickleball and flag football, it’s easy to become a “student-athlete” at Binghamton. OK, maybe not Division I caliber, but add in fitness such as aquatics, hiking, bowling, and bicycling, and there is something for everyone.
69. Clubs and activities
Clubs and recreation have been a part of campus life since the beginnings of Triple Cities College, where students would gather at the Endicott Johnson rec center next to TCC. At Binghamton, club sports such as hockey and rugby have received national awards and accolades, as have competitive groups such as speech/debate and mock trial. Binghamton University now offers more than 450 clubs and organizations with subjects ranging from video games and photography to Taylor Swift and bees.
70. Greek life
More than 50 fraternities and sororities exemplify the five core values at the heart of Greek life: unity, respect, scholarship, service, and leadership. The groups received campus support from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
71. Campus dining
The second half of 2026 will see some changes to the campus-life dining experience. A renovation to The Chenango Room at the center of the Vestal campus will bring a Panera Bread to the building. It is scheduled to open in the fall. The University will also get a new dining partner — Chartwells Higher Education — beginning in June. Chartwells, which serves more than 330 U.S. colleges and universities, replaces Sodexo, a university partner for the past 40 years.
72. Religion
The Binghamton University Interfaith Council epitomizes the importance of religious and spiritual needs on and off campus. Councill members represent varied groups such as Newman House, Chabad of Binghamton, the Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier, Hillel, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, Bahá’ís of Binghamton, and the Binghamton Chinese Christian Church.
73. University Scholars Program
The Binghamton University Scholars Program is a four-year honors program for students of exceptional merit. If you think getting into Binghamton University is difficult, try the Scholars Program. Entry is invite-only. Scholars represent the top 2% of incoming undergraduates at the University: Only 110–130 applicants are enrolled in the program each year. Other option for new students include the First-year Immersion Program and the Source Project.
74. Lyceum
While the top first-year students are beginning their commitment to academic excellence in the Scholars Programs, local retirees are continuing their learning in the Lyceum program. The program, which began in 1988, offers 120 classes on a variety of topics over a three-semester period. A quarter of the program’s attendees are Binghamton alumni.
75. Lake relaxation
Lake Lieberman, the pond behind the Newing and Dickinson communities, was a longtime hangout spot for students. But many let it all hang out at Empire Lake, located in 40 miles to the northwest in Spencer. A product of the short-lived trimester system, the 200-acre site was used for boating, camping, fishing, and (reportedly nude) swimming before being sold.
76. Reaching R1
Binghamton University was first named an “R1” school in 2018–19, a sign of the campus’ strong research portfolio. The designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education indicates that Binghamton spends more than $50 million on research and development annually and awards at least 70 research doctorates each year. The current R1 list includes 187 schools, putting Binghamton in company with elite institutions such as Harvard and Princeton.
77. Entrepreneurship
The 21st century has seen Binghamton University making gains in developing startup companies. At the forefront is the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, located in downtown Binghamton. The Koffman now supports 65 member companies, with 46 companies having graduated from its programs since its launch in 2017. These member companies have also generated $817 million in economic impact, and created 200 jobs in 2025.
78. Pride and rankings
Incoming students forming a “B” for a moving-in days photo. Staff members wearing Pantone 342-colored apparel on Green Day Fridays. Alumni serving as mentors and sharing stories and lessons with the Fleishman Career Center. The campus community can take pride in a “Public Ivy” that Forbes recently ranked as the top SUNY school, a Top 25 public college and the 68th best college nationally.
79. Part of the SUNY team
One of the four State University of New York university centers, Binghamton has emphasized the call of the SUNY charter since joining Triple Cities College joined the SUNY system on Sept. 1, 1950: Providing New Yorkers with opportunity and access to education. “Binghamton reflects the best values of the SUNY system,” Chancellor John King Jr. (above) said during a visit to campus in 2023.
80. The future
What is next for Binghamton University?