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.
Features
‘Cat Couples: Baseball player Scott Diamond and soccer player Katie Kerrigan
Their relationship survived an early beanball, near continuous separation and endless debate about who was the better athlete … but Bearcat alums Scott Diamond and Katie Kerrigan have prospered and are now enjoying a quieter life with their young son in New York City. But the early years weren’t easy.
Scott and Katie first crossed paths as sophomores at Binghamton during the 2005-06 school year. Katie’s soccer team was in the Events Center weight room in the early morning and Scott would be in there on his own getting his daily workout in before classes. However, he remembers their formal introduction occurring in rather deflating fashion.
“I first introduced myself to Katie at the baseball house,” he says. “I had heard about her through the grapevine so I assumed she might have heard about me. I asked if she knew who I was … and she replied, ‘I have no idea who you are.’”
Swimmer Meyers makes splash in real world
Junior Tyler Meyers is far more than just a Binghamton University student- athlete. He is a member of the Explore, Engage and B You leadership institute, he raised money for a mission trip to Haiti, worked a handful of different internships and managed to keep a 3.86 GPA in Business Administration while balancing swim practices and team meetings, some would say Meyers has a knack for doing it all.
Meyers competes in the backstroke and IM events for the Bearcats. At the America East Championships this past spring, he placed in the top five in three individual events and was a member runner-up 800 free relay team. In addition to being one of the Bearcats’ top swimmers, Meyers finds the time to be highly involved in other things too.
Meyers along with his best friend Randy Paul decided they wanted to find a way to help struggling communities. Paul’s family originated from Haiti so he was aware of the struggle to find adequate educational resources in most cities. Meyers, Paul and a few other friends raised more than $3,500 in 2017-18 to fund a mission trip to Cap Haitian.