Binghamton’s Official Photographer Shares His Favorite Photos of 2022
I have had the privilege to photograph all aspects of Binghamton University since 2005, from Move-In Day to Commencement and everything in between. My colleagues and I edit, tag and archive about 10,000 images per year! Each year the Binghamton story has its unique highlights. Here are my favorite 10 photos of 2022 that I think best tell our story. And trust me—it was tough to edit this list down to just 10!
A monster-ously great play
Patrick Saint Ange, Olivia Timmis, Mary Chattin and Yiorgos Stenos starred in She Kills Monsters, a drama/comedy play set in 1995. By far, this was one of my favorite plays I’ve seen that was produced by the Theatre Department. The acting was fantastic, the set design and costumes were astonishing, the story was touching and those 90’s songs rocked!
Opening day at the Baseball Stadium Complex
What can I say about opening day at the new baseball park? WOW! Fans were amazed by the beautiful architecture and came out in record attendance to cheer on the Bearcats. The team won the America East Championship later in the year.
Celebrating first-generation students
I think it’s really special to capture the first of anything at Binghamton, including the University’s inaugural First-Generation College Students Cording Ceremony. Students stood proudly as their names were called at the event that took place a week before Commencement.
The return of the "Flying B"
It takes teamwork from many volunteers to organize the “flying B” class photo. I couldn’t be prouder of my colleagues for pulling off the Class of 2026 B, moments before the rain started. The class photo event is a new tradition that takes place at the beginning of the academic year, when first-year students arrive on campus. The previous two years’ events were canceled due to COVID. This year, however, we prevailed!
Big wins for volleyball
The America East regular season champion Binghamton University volleyball team earns a top spot on this list. First-year head coach Allie Yaeger, pictured here, celebrates her first win. Yaeger and assistant CJ Werneke were voted America East Coaching Staff of the Year after leading the team from last place the previous year to the number-one spot. Tsvetelina Ilieva was named Top Player of the Year, Stefana Stan earned first-team all-conference, and second-team all-conference was given to Anna Sprys, Giulia Bonifacio and Lottie Scully.
A jaw-dropping sunset
If you looked up at the sky the evening of Sept. 30, chances are you snapped a few pics with your smartphone, leaving a few award-winners in your camera roll! I’ve taken many photos from the Peace Quad of the evening sky. Nothing will top what I saw that night!
A moving student moment
Binghamton University students make a huge impact around the world, especially in the Broome County area. Daisy Melanie Villalva, a student at the College of Community and Public Affairs, teaches English as a second language at the American Civic Association in downtown Binghamton. It was incredibly moving watching Daisy show compassion and patience with her students as she mentored them.
Battery team leaders
Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development Per Stromhaug, 2019 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry M. Stanley Whittingham and Assistant Director of Innovation and Economic Development Olga Petrova lead the New Energy New York project that was awarded more than $113 million to establish a hub for battery technology innovation in upstate New York. Photographing Stan, Per and Olga the day before the announcement was exciting! I appreciated their time (over an hour) and the laughs we shared during the shoot!
A Spring Fling proposal
Spring Fling, the last shindig at the end of the year, is the perfect time to let loose before the stress of finals the following week. But is it a place for romance? Alumnus Alex Mancheno’ 16 thought so when he surprised his fiancée, Jean Kreb ’16, by offering his hand in marriage.
Record year for rugby
The Binghamton University men’s rugby team achieved the highest ranking in the club’s history. Pictured here, the team advances to the National Collegiate Rugby D 1-AA national tournament semifinal with a home win, 54-21, against James Madison University, Nov. 19. *This photograph was taken by our intern Seth Johnston, who exceeded our expectations for the past three semesters. Seth graduates from Binghamton this December and we will miss him!
Jonathan Cohen has been Binghamton University’s official campus photographer since 2005.
Have questions, comments or concerns about the blog? Email us at social@binghamton.edu.