Alumni, parents, students and community have all been part of Binghamton University’s rapid rise in reputation. The EXCELERATE campaign is a chance for everyone to unite, participate and shape the University’s future.
In the last decade, Alumni Association President Scott Feuer '90 has strengthened the University community by recruiting stellar new students and
helping develop programs that have increased the number of alumni actively connected
to their alma mater. Feuer shares his thoughts on why he is engaged with the University,
why other alumni should be, and what EXCELERATE will mean to Binghamton.
Why have you remained so connected to the University since graduating?
My first alumni involvement was actually not until many years after graduation when
I became an admissions alumni volunteer staffing college fairs at local high schools.
I enjoyed meeting prospective students and their families as well as the admissions
office staff who do an incredible job. I also participated in the annual outreach
program sending personalized emails to admitted students to share my experience and
encourage them to choose Binghamton.
Because of my involvement, I was invited to Binghamton University’s first Alumni Leaders Conference in 2013, where I met one of the co-chairs of the Metro New York Chapter which, at that time, covered Long Island where I live. I asked about holding more alumni events on Long Island and offered to get involved with planning and coordination.
We formed an event committee of Long Island alumni and held our first event at the Huntington Yacht Club in January 2014. On a freezing night in the dead of winter, more than 65 alumni got together to meet President Harvey Stenger and have some fun. I’m still in touch with many of the alumni who attended, some of whom joined our committee to help plan future events. Today, Long Island has its own chapter and holds several events each year. I have made some great friends as well as business contacts through my involvement with the Alumni Association.
Why should alumni support the University?
It feels great to give back to a University where you received a first-rate education
as a springboard to your chosen career. By giving back, you enhance the value of your
degree by supporting programs that help ensure the success of current students and
fellow alumni. Our successes strengthen Binghamton’s reputation as a premier university.
Personally, although I support the University with an annual gift, I find it rewarding
to give back with my time by serving as a volunteer in my local chapter and currently
as president of the Alumni Association.
What does Binghamton have the potential to become as a result of the campaign?
While Binghamton has come a long way over the past 30-plus years since I graduated
— including recently being named as the top SUNY institution — this campaign will
help solidify our position and allow us to provide additional programs, amenities
and scholarship opportunities for students. We will become even more attractive to
top students throughout the United States and internationally.
What current and future initiatives at the University are particularly exciting to
you?
The development of the Johnson City campus where the Decker College of Nursing and
Health Sciences, and our School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are located.
During my college years, I worked as a salesman for Endicott Johnson Shoes at the
Oakdale Mall. At one time, “EJ’” employed 20,000 people in the Johnson City area and
its factory was located in the village.
The last of its factories closed shortly after I graduated and this had a severe impact on the community. Some of the old Endicott Johnson buildings have been redeveloped by the University as part of the new Johnson City campus and it’s exciting to see how Binghamton University is playing a major role in ensuring a bright future for this area. I look forward to seeing Johnson City become a thriving community both for our students and the local community.
As a baseball fan, the new stadium that opened last month is an exciting development on campus and will help attract top athletes from around the country. As our sports programs continue to grow and thrive, Binghamton becomes an even more attractive option for prospective students who are interested in participating in and supporting Division I sports.
