The Biggest Things Happening at Binghamton in 2025

Improved buildings and areas

The revamped library is opening up to students

Libraries are changing with the times and ours just took a big step toward the future! The third floor of Bartle Library has been redesigned into an innovative and inviting space for study, teaching and research. Along with a sleek, open-floor look, the revamped floor features areas for quiet study, collaborative work, instruction and research. The new Digital Scholarship Center will create a community of practice for research and activities in the digital realm on campus. We’re excited about the possibilities this massive makeover will provide to students!

The Plaza Deck is getting greener, safer and snazzier

What’s the Plaza Deck, you ask? Well, it’s the area that connects the Union, Engineering Building, Bartle Library and the Technology Hub, and it’s one of the most highly trafficked spots on campus. Renovations kicked off here last summer. When it’s complete (expectations are for November), there will be an expanded seating area, improved walkways and art panels. It will not only be nice to look at, but will improve safety and accessibility and add more green space!

We’re kickstarting construction on a new Lecture Hall

The Lecture Hall is one of the core academic buildings on campus, and we’re excited to introduce another to campus! The 60 million, four-story Lecture Hall/Classroom Building will include three-tiered lecture halls with seating for up to 625 students. Work is expected to start this spring, with completion scheduled for August 2027. This is a game-changer for campus and we can’t wait to see it all come together!

The East Gym is transforming

Physical fitness is an important aspect of college life, and Binghamton students will soon have more opportunities for health and wellness thanks to a major renovation underway at the East Gym. This two-story, 75,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the gym will provide court space, a running track, additional FitSpace (doubling the size of FitSpace), and more! Construction kicked off in summer 2024 and is expected to be complete by May 2026. Also, FitSpace will see the replacement of cardio machines this year, with more stair climbers and higher-intensity cardio equipment.

Science 3 is getting an upgrade

As technology evolves and Binghamton’s focus on research expands, the need for new spaces in the sciences is paramount. With that in mind, our Science 3 building will see the completion of the first phase of a major renovation early this year. This project renovates almost 45,000 square feet of space in the middle portion of the building, and will eventually provide new labs, classrooms and offices.

Work begins on a revamped Chenango Room – and Panera!

Binghamton will soon have new dining options when the much-anticipated renovation of the Chenango Room kicks off early this year. The project will relocate the Chenango Room to a second-floor addition – which will include event space, a terrace and outdoor eating. Panera Bread will be located in the space formerly occupied by Einstein Bagels. Construction is expected to be completed in April 2026.

Mountainview is getting a turf field

Students in the Mountainview College residential community will have more opportunities for outdoor play this year with the addition of a synthetic turf field. The field comes as part of the University’s five-year plan to complete renovations of co-rec facilities and other outdoor recreational spaces across campus, which included the addition of Newing’s turf field in 2024.

Big changes for Bing icons

We’re saying goodbye to President Stenger

After 13 years in the position and with so much work accomplished during his tenure, Harvey Stenger is stepping down as president of Binghamton University. President Stenger made the announcement in October 2024 and a search is underway to find his replacement. Since taking the job, he has helped cement Binghamton’s status as a premier public institution. Thanks for all you’ve done, Harvey. We wish you the best!

Our Nobel Prize winner is being knighted

Binghamton will be home to a real-life knight! Stan Whittingham, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 for his work in developing the lithium-ion battery, has been named a Knight Bachelor “for his services to research in chemistry.” Whittingham will be knighted by King Charles III on Jan. 15, after which we can refer to him as Sir Stanley!

New statues

We’re honoring abolitionist Harriet Tubman

Noted abolitionist Harriet Tubman lived not far from Binghamton, in Auburn, N.Y., and we’ll soon honor her legacy at the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail, a public trail highlighting the Underground Railroad and key abolitionist meeting places that opened in 2023. The Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity will unveil the statue, designed by artist Zoe Dufour and shown here, at the University Downtown Center on March 21, right around Harriet Tubman Day.

We’re getting a new Bearcat

A statue, that is! The binturong/bearcat has been Binghamton’s official mascot since 1999, and we’re going to honor our favorite popcorn-scented mammal with a special new statue! We’ve got a fierce-looking Bearcat down at the Events Center and a friendly-looking Baxter statue outside the Bookstore, but this new statue will bear the likeness of a real-life binturong. It will be located at the Admissions Center, too, welcoming prospective students and families to campus!

New schools and programs

The School of the Arts is in full effect

We value the arts tremendously at Binghamton, and we’re excited to mark the School of the Arts’ first full year of operation with Director Christopher Robbins. The new school provides opportunities for students to explore their creativity in five award-winning programs: Art & Design, Art History, Cinema, Music and Theatre.

Our nursing school is getting a unique new minor

Exciting things are in store for Binghamton’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Science in 2025! The School of Applied Health Sciences will offer a new minor this year called Arts in Healthcare. The minor will be available to undergraduates from any school or college at Binghamton. Stay tuned for more details!

We’re furthering our commitment to health

The health of our students is of the utmost importance to the University, and we’re making a further commitment to that by signing on to the Okanagan Charter, an International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. The charter calls on post-secondary schools to embed health into all aspects of campus culture.

Big-time events and entertainment

Student organizations will get a mid-year spotlight

Binghamton is home to so many clubs and we’re excited to bring back the Club Carnival for a second year! This event serves as a mid-year University Fest, giving students a second chance to learn about the hundreds of interesting and exciting clubs available on campus.

We’ll have a blast at Spring Fling

Spring Fling is the student event of the spring semester, and we can’t wait to celebrate in 2025. As always, there will be fun rides, yummy food, electrifying musical performances and more!

We’ll congratulate the Class of 2025…

Class of 2025, here we come! Binghamton will confer degrees to thousands of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates during Commencement, which takes place at the Anderson Center and Events Center from May 15-17. This is the real cap to the academic year and we’re so exited to honor our hardworking grads!

…and welcome the Class of 2029!

The campus completely transforms during Move-in, when new and returning students come to their home away from home. We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2029 and take the iconic flying “B” photo from above!

We’ll show our #BingPride

Homecoming is one of the biggest campus events of the year, bringing together the campus community to celebrate school spirit! This year’s festivities, which take place from Sept. 26-28, will include favorites like the Fall Festival, Downtown Block Party, and TIER Talks, as well as new additions. Come on out and celebrate with the Bing community!

The Anderson Center will deliver amazing entertainment

From student-led plays to touring acts, there is an impressive lineup in the works at the Anderson Center for 2025. The Theatre Department puts on incredible performances each semester, featuring the work of our talented students, and 2025 offers some entertaining productions: an adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It, directed by Lisa Rothe; The López Danza Theatre Project, a collaboration between Binghamton students/faculty and world-renowned Costa Rican choreographer Rogelio López; The Most Massive Woman Wins, directed by Abdul Razak Mohammed; and Bull in a China Shop, directed by Keaton Hemminger. In addition, touring acts will take the stage and entertain, including Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond and iLuminate.

An Olympian will make a triumphant return

The Binghamton community watched with immense pride and excitement as Emily Mackay ‘21 competed in the Olympic Games in Paris in summer 2024, and they’ll get a chance to see her speak on campus when she returns for the annual Celebration Women’s Athletics Luncheon on Feb. 24! This marks the 20th year of the CWAL – and what a way to celebrate!

That’s just some of the many big things in store for Binghamton this year! Know about something noteworthy, fun or fascinating happening in 2025 that we missed? Email us at social@binghamton.edu.