BINGHAMTON, NY – The SUNY Business and Education Cooperative of the Southern Tier (SUNY BEST) will host a presentation, titled “Transactional to Transformational Change: Connecting Communities and Universities Sustainably,” at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sep. 6 in room LN 1324C of the Continuing Education and Outreach Department on the Binghamton University campus.

This presentation, which is free and open to the public, will explore how the growth of the localization and sustainability movements provides a useful prism through which to view the historical challenges and opportunities of engaging colleges and universities in transformational community development. Successful models will provide a rich contextual backdrop to explore how anchor institutions of higher education can become strategically engaged catalysts for the kind of change many communities desperately need.

David Currie, executive director for the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition, will draw on his skills and experience in marketing, sales, fund-raising and organizational development, acquired over 35 years in entrepreneurial and corporate settings in the hospitality, food, health services and nonprofit sectors. For the past 20 years, Currie has been involved in different aspects of community organizing and development. Initially as a volunteer, then as the first Director of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition (BRSC), Currie has played a key role in the formation of this organization over the past four years.

Pre-registration is required at http://ceo.binghamton.edu/bande/. For additional information, e-mail dhulbert@binghamton.edu. Directional signage will be visible for those entering the main entrance of the campus from the Vestal Parkway. Parking is available at the visitors’ paid lot, across from Bartle Library and in the parking garage behind the Couper Administration building.

SUNY BEST is a volunteer group comprised of senior staff members from key economic and educational institutions in the Southern Tier. The group works to forge strong alliances, strengthen industry specific needs and provide information and outreach for business.