University Medal
Established in 1991 by President Lois B. DeFleur, the University Medal is the highest honor bestowed by Binghamton University. The University Medal is given at the discretion of the Binghamton University president to recognize path-breaking achievements and true excellence in one's career accomplishments; a distinguished commitment to Binghamton University, higher education and the pursuit of knowledge; and/or a demonstrated commitment to the betterment of society through exceptional leadership and mentorship of the next generation. Commensurate with other prestigious accolades at Binghamton University, the University Medal is typically conferred at Commencement or other celebratory events to publicly honor the accomplishments of the recipient and recognize the ideals which Binghamton University seeks to foster among its premier students and esteemed faculty and staff.
Previous Medal Recipients
- Eduard Shevarnadze*
Former Soviet Union foreign minister - C. Peter Magrath
American educator and administrator who served as president of NASULGC (now APLU), president of Binghamton University (twice) and president of University of Minnesota - Frederic V. Salerno
Former trustee, State University of New York - Patrick A. Toole
Senior vice president IBM, Inc., and Watson School supporter - Peyton M. Hibbitt*
Co-founder and music director of the Tri-Cities Opera and University adjunct professor - Carmen S. Savoca*
Co-founder and artistic director of the Tri-Cities Opera and University adjunct professor - Richard E. Baldwin*
Former University men's basketball coach - Warren M. Anderson*
Former New York state senator and member of Committee of 100, which helped found Harpur College - Wanda M. Bartle*
Spouse of Harpur College's first president, Glenn G. Bartle - Esther W. Couper*
Spouse of Edgar Couper, Committee of 100 member - George L. Hinman*
Committee of 100 member - James R. Tallon, Jr.
Former New York state assemblyman - Anthony '77 and Beth Terrana '78
Alumnae and University supporters - Clifton R. Wharton, Jr.
Former chancellor, State University of New York - Bert Norman Mitchell
Accountant known for expanding opportunities for minorities in business - You Jong-Keun
Economic advisor to the president of South Korea - Tae-Dong Kim, MA '80
Senior secretary to the president of South Korea for policy and planning - Spyros Mercouris*
Greek political activist, curator and organizer of culture programs - Natasha Pavlopoulou
Greek cultural ambassador - Andrew S. Grossman
Affiliated with Georgian State Dance Company performance at the University - Mark Z. Alpert
Affiliated with the Georgian State Dance Company performance at the University - John B. Slaughter
Electrical engineer and former college president, first African American director of the National Science Foundation - Richard Couper
Son of Edgar and Esther Couper and supporter of education - Katherine Couper Watrous
Daughter of Edgar and Esther Couper and supporter of education - Kenneth C. Lindsay*
Professor of art history, noted for his role as a Monuments Man in recovering art that was stolen during World War II - Soledad O'Brien
Broadcast journalist - John P. Pryor, MD, '88*
Presented posthumously for his selfless care of others - Sushil Kumar Dhiman
Mechanical engineer and Watson College supporter - William E. "Billy" Baldwin '85
Actor and University supporter - William T. Chen
Engineer and Watson College supporter - Ravi M. Gupta '05
Entrepreneur and business owner - Abraham J. Briloff, LHD '84*
American accounting scholar and financial ethicist - Paul Turovsky '73, LHD '12
Financial manager and University supporter - William M. Berical*
Retired vice presient of engieering at BAE Systems - Cheolkyo Kim
Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd. president and CEO and Watson College supporter - Robert Goldstein '94
Visionary leader, author and entrepreneur in the asset management industry and School of Management supporter - Gary Meltzer '85
Accountant and School of Management supporter - Mark Zurack '78, LHD '03
Retired Goldman Sachs partner and managing director and School of Management supporter - Bill T. Jones
American choreographer, director, author and dancer; attended the University - William "Bill" Dunn*
Retired deputy chief of police at Binghamton University - Charles M. Kim '98
Managing partner and founder of Alpine Global Management LLC and School of Management supporter - David Penski '97
CEO of Publicis Media Americas and School of Management supporter - Ruthanne '82, MA '84, and Burton "Bud" Koffman*
University supporters - James R. Brownridge
Retired University radiation safety officer - Svetlana Iyer '01, MSEd '03
Educator and University supporter - Gamal Refai-Ahmed
Thermal management engineer and honorary visiting professor at the University - Michael McGoff '69, MA '74, PhD '80
Retired Binghamton University administrator
*Deceased
