Donor Spotlight: Robert Ioanna ’00
In April, Binghamton University launched EXCELERATE: Moving at the Speed of Binghamton. The University’s most ambitious campaign in its history will invest in people and priorities that make Binghamton a home to excellence, leadership and innovation. Alumni, parents, students and community all have fueled our rise in enrollment and reputation. EXCELERATE is an opportunity for everyone to unite, participate and shape the University’s future. Some alumni who give back financially to the University share why this is a value they hold dear. Click here to donate.
Robert Ioanna ’00 feels his career started to take off dramatically just after his junior year at Watson College. That’s when he found an internship in HVAC. Back in Binghamton for senior year, he switched from an aerodynamics to an HVAC elective.
“That class put me three to four months ahead of other starting graduates, and I have never looked back,” says Ioanna, chief technical officer for Syska Hennessy Group in New York, a global leader in designing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
Ioanna chose Binghamton University because his sister, Grace Bischoff ’94, was an alumna, and because of the excellence and reputation of Watson College. He said his senior year presented him with another incredible opportunity. His capstone project was a suitcase test assembly for Texas Instruments. His group worked directly with the company’s engineers to test machine subassemblies through the use of a programmable logic controller.
“It was a great feeling going into their office, setting this up in their lab and running a test overnight,” he says. “I left that experience thinking if this is what work is going to be like, I’m going to have a lot of fun in my career.”
As Ioanna has advanced in his career, he has remained connected to Watson. He is co-chair of the college’s Metro New York Advisory Board, providing guidance to students and supporting fundraising initiatives. He hires several mechanical and electrical engineering graduates from Watson each year. Syska Hennessy launched a diversity and inclusion program and actively supports the Watson College Scholars’ efforts to increase diversity.
“I feel very fortunate in my career to have been given the educational foundation Binghamton provides,” Ioanna said. “I credit a lot of my success to it and have a desire to give others the same opportunity. At the time I graduated, it was very difficult to find a job and, unfortunately, many of my friends were not able to find one like I was.
“As a graduate, you are linked forever to your school. Like anything in life, pride in your accomplishments and gratitude for those who have helped you along the way bring you that feeling of fulfillment. Watching the school grow in reputation and stature — and helping to make that happen — should bring all alumni pride.”