The Biggest Things Happening at Binghamton in 2024

New and improved buildings

Charlene and Roger Kramer Welcome Center

A new welcome center opening in January will provide visitors to campus with a stunning first impression! Named after Roger G. Kramer ’72 and his late wife, Charlene Kahlor Kramer ’73, LHD ’04, the center will feature a number of seating areas and will give visitors a place to gather information and grab a refreshment.

Pharmacy R&D building

A lot of important research takes place at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and a new addition will help facilitate that important work. Completing in early 2024, the 18,000-square-foot R&D building will support the pharmacy school’s numerous research efforts.

Old Rafuse

Old Rafuse is getting a new lease on life. The building will see a renovation project complete in 2024, making the formerly oldest residential building on campus now – technically – the “newest.”

Library third-floor renovation

The third floor of the Library is being redesigned to meet the current needs of the campus community – the goal is to transform the floor into an innovative and inviting space for study, teaching and research. The new space will include areas for quiet study, collaborative work, instruction, research and the Library’s unique collection. The project is expected to finish in September.

Fieldhouse

Go Bearcats! A new fieldhouse for multiple sports including softball, baseball, soccer and lacrosse is being constructed next to the Baseball Stadium. Work is scheduled to be completed in the fall.

Projects breaking ground

East Gym Addition

We’re upping our fitness game! A two-story, 75,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the East Gym will provide court space, a running track, additional FitSpace (doubling the size of FitSpace), and more! Construction is expected to begin following Commencement, with completion in fall 2025.

Chenango Room/Panera Bread

Panera is coming to Bing! This project will create a space for Panera Bread where Einstein Bagels currently sits and relocate the Chenango Room to a second-floor addition. The project is expected to begin in summer 2024 and take over a year to complete.

New Lecture Hall

In 2022, the University received funding to build a new Lecture Hall/Classroom Building. The $60 million building – which will not replace the current Lecture Hall – will include one 300-seat lecture hall, one-180 seat lecture hall, one 100-seat active learning classroom, two learning studios, 23 general purpose classrooms in sizes varying from 20 to 75 seats, three computer classrooms and an Information Commons. Construction begins in fall 2024.

Plaza Deck replacement

A heavily trafficked area of campus is getting a major upgrade. In summer 2024, renovations will kick off at the plaza deck that connects the Union, Engineering Building, Glenn G. Bartle Library and Technology Hub. Improvements include an expanded seating area amphitheater, realigned walkways, art panels and more.

Newing turf field

Binghamton has undertaken a five-year plan to complete renovations of co-rec facilities and other outdoor recreational spaces across campus, and Newing is next on the list. In 2024, the community will receive a new synthetic turf field, giving students more opportunities to play.

Big campus events

Club Carnival

Binghamton is home to so many clubs, and a new event on Jan. 20 will help transfer and spring-admitted students find out about them! The Club Carnival Spring Involvement Fair, sponsored by Campus Activities and the Student Association, will feature up to 200 student organizations. With a New Orleans Mardi Gras theme, free food, a brass band performance and raffles, it’s sure to be a fun and informative event.

3 food trucks up and running

For the first time, the campus community will have their pick of three food trucks all semester long. The Starbucks truck has been providing students with delicious beverages since 2019, and this fall saw the addition of two new trucks: Global Taco and Caribbean Connection. And starting this spring, student groups and campus departments will have the ability to reserve all three food trucks for on-campus events.

Spring Fling

With rides, games, student tabling, food trucks, performances and more, Spring Fling is the student event of the spring, and 2024’s event is sure to be a blast.

Commencement

This is what it’s all about. Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work, and Binghamton goes all out to celebrate and recognize our graduates. A total of nine ceremonies will take place at the Anderson Center and Events Center from May 9-11.

Move-in and the Flying “B”

We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2028 to campus at the end of the summer! As always, incoming students will come together during Move-in Weekend (Aug. 16-18) to form the giant flying “B” and kick off their college careers!

Homecoming

Homecoming is one of the biggest campus events of the year, bringing together the campus community to celebrate #BingPride! This year’s festivities take place from Sept. 27-29, with signature favorites including the Fall Festival, Downtown Block Party, and TIER Talks. Homecoming will also celebrate our EXCELERATE campaign, highlighting the impact on Binghamton’s excellence, leadership and innovation.

Performances

From student-led plays to touring acts, there is an impressive lineup in the works at the Anderson Center for 2024. The Theatre Department puts on incredible performances each semester, featuring the work of our talented students, and 2024 offers some entertaining productions: Three Sisters, adapted by director Will Pomerantz from the play by Anton Chekhov; and The Light in the Piazza, based on the book by Craig Lucas. Touring acts will grace the stage as well, from nationally recognized magicians like Rob Lake to the Celtic rock band Red Hot Chili Pipers.

New leadership and initiatives

Watson dean stepping down

Binghamton will have big shoes to fill when Distinguished Professor Krishnaswami “Hari” Srihari steps down from his role as dean of the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. Srihari joined Binghamton’s faculty in 1988, where he served as chairman of the Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering. In his more than 30 years at Binghamton, he has played a key role in university-industry partnerships, has pioneered research focused on the use of systems engineering principles in enhancing efficiency in health care delivery, and more.

New Dean of Students

The Dean of Students Office supports students both personally and academically, and the University is happy to welcome Amanda Finch as the new dean of students and assistant vice president of student affairs in 2024. Finch served as associate vice president of student affairs at the State University of New York at Oneonta and brings with her 15 years of experience serving SUNY students.

New Graduate School dean

Terrence Deak, who joined Binghamton in 2001, has been named the next vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. He will begin in this new position Aug. 1. As the vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, Deak will work with the president and provost to revitalize the Graduate School, in order to advance the University’s goals of expanding graduate offerings, increasing graduate enrollment and strengthening graduate education

New Energy New York

2023 was a big year for the Binghamton-led New Energy New York project, which aims to establish the Southern Tier as a battery hub. ​The federal government designated NENY a federal tech hub in October, making it the only awardee in the battery industry. In 2024, the project will continue its work to establish the region as a global leader in energy storage solutions. NENY was selected as one of 34 semi-finalists in the National Science Foundation’s inaugural Regional Innovation Engines competition and is anxiously awaiting a decision on its application.

New degree programs

Binghamton is expanding its degree options in 2024 with exciting new programs. The Department of Social Work will be launching its full-time online Master of Social Work (MSW) program in fall 2024. And the University’s first-degree program in speech is expected to launch in fall 2024, the Master of Speech and Language Pathology (MS-SLP.)

That’s just a sampling of everything we’re looking forward to at the University in the new year. Binghamton is always innovating and working to improve and expand student life, academics, athletics, research, etc., and we’re sure to find out about many new and exciting developments as the year progresses. Keep us posted about big things happening on campus—email us at social@binghamton.edu. Have a fantastic 2024!