Scholars Give Back!

Scholars know the importance of giving back.  They hold leadership positions and are heavily involved in the administration of the following organizations that leave lasting impacts on Binghamton University, the surrounding community, and beyond:

Alpha Phi Omega: a professional co-ed fraternity (not a social fraternity) focused on community service and leadership
       • Several Scholars are members of this professional  fraternity

Autism Speaks: a campus initiative that furthers the mission of Autism Speaks by engaging the campus and local community through awareness, education and fundraising to positively affect the lives of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder
     • Three Scholars currently serve on the Executive Board as      President, Vice President and Treasurer

Best Buddies: a nationally chartered organization that promotes the social integration of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
     • The Binghamton chapter was founded by a team of all Scholars, who now serve on the executive board

Boys and Girls Club: an organization that connects Binghamton University students to the Binghamton community, specifically its children and youth
     • A Scholar currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Board

Colleges Against Cancer: a national collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to fighting cancer, volunteering for the American Cancer Society, and improving college communities by instating and supporting programs of the American Cancer Society

Education Steering Committee: a student run committee that determines the coursework for the Education Minor at Binghamton University, organizes events and provides academic support for students
     • A scholar currently serves on the Advisory Board as a Student Coordinator

Food Co-op: Educate students on sustainability and prepare vegan alternatives to encourage a plant-based lifestyle
     • Several Scholars lend their efforts to the Food Co-op

Habitat for Humanity: an organization that raises awareness of the housing crisis that affects individuals in our local community, our country, and the world
     • A Scholar is currently serving as Treasurer

HackBU: an organization that fosters students' programming skills and connects them with industry professionals and recruiters

Harpur's Ferry: an organization committed to providing a high standard of care to students, faculty and staff when any medical emergency arises
     • Eight Scholars are currently lending their efforts in this organization

Interfraternity Council: a council that promotes brotherhood and unity among all social fraternities, through programming geared towards character building, leadership development and the nurturing of responsibility and accountability among men
     • A scholar currently serves as Vice-President

International Language Association: an organization that encourages and stimulates conversations between Binghamton students in languages other than English
     • A Scholar currently serves as the Head Italian Language Coordinator

Intramural Sports: a program that provides students with the resources and opportunities to play and compete various sports
     • Several Scholars take part in Intramural Sports and serve as leaders on their teams

• A Scholar is president of Wishmakers on Campus. This student organization fundraises for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Mi Phu Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity: provides service through music, demonstrated by sponsored blood drives, performances at nursing homes, and volunteer events at schools
     • A scholar currently serves on the executive board as the Service Chair

Newing College Council: a student-led organization that governs the Newing residential community
     • Every year, several Scholars are elected to serve on the Council to help enhance the college experience for all Newing residents

Physics Outreach Program: a program that holds weekly science demonstrations at local elementary schools to teach and encourage interest in the field of science

Red Cross: a service group that helps the Red Cross fulfill its humanitarian mission of preparing for, preventing and responding to emergencies.

Relay for Life: a student run, 12-hour fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society
     • Over the past four years, over 50 Scholars have been heavily involved in the planning and fundraising of this event
     • Over the past three years, The BU Scholars team has raised over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society

The Society of Women Engineers: an organization that works to prepare female Engineering students with the necessary skills, experiences and networks to further their professional experiences
     • There are currently two Scholars on the executive board, serving as the Internal Events Coordinator and Fundraising Chair

Student Ambassador Program: a student run volunteer organization that serves as a medium through which prospective students can connect with current students, one-to-one
     • A scholar currently serves as the Program Coordinator, overseeing over 400 student volunteers
     • Several other Scholars volunteer their time for events

Tau Beta Pi International Engineering Honor Society: encourages excellence within the engineering profession
     • A scholar currently serves on the Executive Board as the Secretary

Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society: provides students interested in Law with various internships, hands-on experiences, trips to law schools and law firms to provide a strong foundation for Law
     • A Scholar currently serves on the Executive Board as Treasurer

Tour Guide Program: a program made up of stand-out Binghamton University students whose goal is to make prospective students and their families feel welcome and at home on campus
     • 14 Scholars currently serve as tour guides year round on the Binghamton campus

Women in Business: Build community of aspiring businesswomen, bring recruiters to campus, organize office visits
     • A scholar is currently serving on the executive board as Vice-President

Scholars give back to the Binghamton community and beyond through various events held by both the Scholars Program and the Scholars Council. Some examples of past Community Service events hosted by Scholars students are listed below:

• Food Drive during Scholars Thanksgiving for CHOW and M-Eals
• Freshmen Move In Community Building Events by Scholars Student Mentors and Council
• Letter Writing to Veterans
• Nature Preserve Clean Up
• Habitat for Humanity Shack-A-Thon
• Letters to Santa-Thon
• Boo at the Ross Park Zoo
• Pen Pals with George F Johnson Elementary school in Endicott, NY
• Revitalizing the IBM Glen in partnership with the Waterman Conservation Center
• Susquehanna River Clean Up
• Tree Planting at the University Downtown Center
• All Saints' Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen
• Handicapped Children's Association in downtown Binghamton
• Project Paw, a local animal shelter in Binghamton