Advocacy: 2011/12 Academic Year in Review
Dear University Think Tank Advocates,
The advocacy group hosted two major advocacy events this year: Binghamton University's eleventh annual Advocacy Day at the state capitol in Albany and the third annual Day at the Mall event at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City.
About 60 faculty, staff, students and administrators made the trip to Albany for Advocacy Day, where they met with legislators to talk about Binghamton University's past successes and plans for future growth. Advocates emphasized the excellence of our student body and faculty; the access we provide to a high-quality, low-cost higher education; the innovations Binghamton researchers make that drive economic growth and development; and our overall positive economic impact to the state and region. Teams of Binghamton University representatives met with over 80 legislators, including Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany) and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau), who thanked the Binghamton constituency for visiting and pledged to be helpful.
Back in Binghamton, the Day at the Mall event allowed the University to share some of its programs and talents with the local community. More than 200 Binghamton University faculty, staff and students contributed through a wide variety of displays, hands-on demonstrations and performances.
The advocacy group and Think Tank members also played an important role in supporting Gov. Andrew Cuomo's NYSUNY 2020 plan, which will enable Binghamton to hire additional faculty, research and support staff; increase student enrollment; and make substantial investments in our research infrastructure. The University presented its NYSUNY 2020 challenge grant proposal, which focuses on smart energy initiatives, to the governor and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher in late April. The proposal was received with great enthusiasm and we anticipate its approval soon.
Thank you for being a part of the University's Think Binghamton advocacy group. We now have more than 9,000 Think Tank members, and your support is making a difference.
-- Think Binghamton Advocacy Team
University News and Accomplishments
Spring Commencement
This year the University awarded more than 3,300 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The graduating class included several Fulbright grant recipients, a National Science Foundation Fellow, a Goldwater Scholar and many winners of other prestigious academic awards. Almost two-thirds of the 2,581 undergraduate students at the Spring 2012 Commencement started four or fewer years ago (one of the highest four-year graduation rates among peer universities in the country). They leave Binghamton having contributed more than $3.4 million annually in student volunteer and community services. Although we hate to see them go, we wish them great success in their future endeavors!
View more about Spring 2012 Commencement:
Graduates get a 'letter' from President Stenger
Spotlight on student speakers
2012 Commencement Timelapse
Commencement address videos by honorary-degree recipients:
Paul Turovsky '73
Mary Wakefield
Steve Karmen
Binghamton University to receive over $245,000 federal grant for SUNY Research Award
On June 4, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Binghamton University and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York received a $246,904 grant through the U.S. Department of Education -- National Center for Education Research Program. Binghamton University will use this grant to fund development and, later, for the implementation of a pilot study in a large, economically diverse school district in the Southern Tier region. This study will compare traditional surface-level learning to conceptual mastery when students are using problem-solving skills.
Read Sen. Schumer's complete press release.
New Financial Aid Transparency Initiative announced
State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher joined Vice President Joe Biden in announcing that SUNY is among the first universities in the nation to embrace the Obama administration's new "Know Before You Owe" financial aid transparency initiative.
The June 5 announcement marked the launch of the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet, which will provide prospective students with the type and amount of financial aid they qualify for, and easily compare for them the aid packages offered by different institutions.
Read the SUNY news release.
Jones appointed interim dean of Harpur College
Chemistry Department chair and professor to replace Donald Nieman.
Full story>
Dartmouth official named dean of students
April Thompson to begin Binghamton University duties in August.
Full story>
Donald Nieman named provost of Binghamton University
Current Harpur College of Arts and Sciences dean will assume role effective July 1.
Full story>
Dempsey excited to guide the Bearcats
Tommy Dempsey was introduced as the new men's basketball coach at a news conference at the TAU Bearcat Room in the Events Center on May 25.
Full story>
Two Binghamton University baseball players drafted by MLB
Pitcher Mike Augliera was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 5. Binghamton fireballer Lee Sosa was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 26th round of the draft on June 6.
Van Ingen placed eighth in finals of 1,500 at NCAA Outdoor Championships
In the final race in his illustrious college career, Erik van Ingen placed eighth in the finals of the 1,500 at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 9. In the process, he earned All-America honors for the fourth time in his career, something no other Binghamton athlete has accomplished during the program's 11-year NCAA Division I era.
Full story>
Q&A: Undergraduate Research Center
Vice Provost Donald Loewen, URC Director Janice McDonald discuss new center.
Full story>
Harpur College partners with Chinese school
Zhenjiang high school students spent a week learning about Binghamton University.
Full story>
Research
Study finds flaws in marriage interventions
A Binghamton University psychologist says the U.S. government spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year on 'healthy marriage' programs that don't work.
Full story>
Putting a price on information security
Binghamton's Ali Yayla looks at companies' announcements regarding information security breaches and how these announcements affect their stock price.
Full story>
Faculty News and Accomplishments
Whittingham named distinguished professor
Professor is pioneer in the development of lithium ion batteries.
Full story>
Civil War death toll may be really off
Demographic historian J. David Hacker of Binghamton University talks with Robert Siegel of NPR's All Things Considered about how he arrived at his new estimate of Civil War casualties.
Rex Parker: Puzzle fanatic behind crossword blog
Michael Sharp is a passionate professor of English literature during the day. But at night, he is known as Rex Parker, a prodigious solver of crossword puzzles. Tony Guida of the CBS Evening News tried to take on the crossword wizard.
The genetics of horse racing
Breeding has long been an important part of the fastest two minutes in sports, but even then there's still a chance an owner doesn't know what he/she is getting. Binghamton University Professor Steven Tammariello is working to change that, WICZ-TV reports.
Diane H. Greiwe
Advocacy Communications Specialist
University Communications and Marketing
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902
think@binghamton.edu
dgreiwe@binghamton.edu
607-777-3658
Think Binghamton! Join the Think Tank as an advocate today at http://think.binghamton.edu.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Advocacy: A Year in Review
UNIVERSITY NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Spring Commencement
Binghamton University to receive over $245,000 federal grant for SUNY Research Award
New Financial Aid Transparency Initiative announced
Jones appointed interim dean of Harpur College
Dartmouth official named dean of students
Donald Nieman named provost of Binghamton University
Dempsey excited to guide the Bearcats
Two Binghamton University baseball players drafted by MLB
Van Ingen placed eighth in finals of 1,500 at NCAA Outdoor Championships
Q&A: Undergraduate Research Center
Harpur College partners with Chinese school
RESEARCH
Study finds flaws in marriage interventions
Putting a price on information security
FACULTY NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Whittingham named distinguished professor
Civil War death toll may be really off
Rex Parker: Puzzle fanatic behind crossword blog
The genetics of horse racing
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