![construction on campus](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180830_scienceIV11_jwc.jpg)
IMPROVING CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE
Some of the major improvements to infrastructure completed over the summer are very visible; others are not. Read in this issue about the many major projects completed by Physical Facilities and Information Technology Services, as well as the new programs offered by the University Center for Training and Development.
![academics photo](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180717_PharmBld06_jwc_%281%29.jpg)
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OPENS NEW BUILDING
The opening of the new, $60-million School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University's Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City, N.Y., headlines this quarterly report, but there's also good news about collaborations, external funding and student successes. Read more in this issue.
![Division of Advancement](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180914_bass25_jwc.jpg)
SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES SUPPORT STUDENTS
It takes donors at many levels to make Binghamton University successful, and in this issue of the quarterly report, you can read about a number of them. Whether it's AVANGRID offering full-tuition scholarships and capstone project support, or playing golf to benefit the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, the Division of Advancement works with Binghamton supporters.
![research](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/introblurb_%2815%29.jpg)
BINGHAMTON RESEARCH FUNDING SETS RECORD
Binghamton University reported research expenditures totaling $47.5 million in 2017-18, an increase of about 19 percent from the previous fiscal year. The figure tops 2011-12, the campus’ all-time best year for research funding, when just over $40 million was reported. The new record, which follows several years of steady growth, is an important sign of the campus’ creativity and innovation. Healthcare research accounted for nearly a third of expenditures, with electronics packaging and systems engineering following at about 22 percent.
![student affairs](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180824_BaxterBench02_jwc.jpg)
BAXTER THE BEARCAT BOOSTS SCHOOL SPIRIT
The Division of Student Affairs spent the summer hosting students and families for orientation and preparing for the opening of the fall semester. With some new people on board and some others with new duties, it has been a busy time. Not too busy, though, to show Binghamton University pride, as you'll read about the new Baxter the Bearcat Bench in the University Union in this issue.
![athletics photo](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180919_paintThePaws11_jwc.jpg)
STUDENT-ATHLETES CONTINUE TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY
Student-athletes continue to shine on and off the courts and fields. The Athletics Department sets high academic standards, and student-athletes surpass them across the board. Read about the accomplishments made by student-athletes in their sports and in the classroom – and check out the videos showcasing fall sports and the new women's head basketball coach, Bethann Shapiro Ord, in this issue.
![construction on campus](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180826_sundaze04_jwc.jpg)
HELPING TO MAKE THE CAMPUS MORE INCLUSIVE
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to educate and empower everyone on campus in ways that create a welcoming community. From the Udiversity Educational Institute, that holds trainings for students, faculty and staff, to the Multicultural Resource Center and Q Center, the division's offices that work to build bridges and support students though education and events such as Sundaze, part of its Welcome Week programming. Read about the division's recent initiatives in this report.
![foundation photo](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180815_peacequad02_jwc_%282%29.jpg)
DONOR SUPPORT ADVANCES BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
The Binghamton University Foundation had a successful 2017-18 year, bringing in the second highest amount of cash ever in support of the University. Read the numbers in this issue of the quarterly report, and learn one way the Foundation celebrates its donors.
Alumni update
Binghamton University opened a new ─ and its first-ever ─ Alumni Center in Old O’Connor Hall, which is part of the original Dickinson Community. This former student residence has been transformed into a contemporary space that brings the University’s history and traditions to life, and provides warm meeting spaces where new memories will be made. The Alumni Relations office held an open house for students and parents at the center on Move-in Day in late August. In addition, we welcomed nearly 400 students at an ice cream social that was held the day before the fall semester began. A grand opening of the Alumni Center will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, during Homecoming 2015. This event is free and open to all. If you’d like to attend, call the alumni office at 607-777-2424.
The Alumni Association continued its tradition of providing class year T-shirts to new freshmen on the day they moved into their residence halls on campus. The Class of 2019 T-shirts distributed at the new student picnic ─ and the students’ signing of their class year banner at Orientation ─ are traditions intended to make the new students feel at home at Binghamton and to build their sense of class year pride and identity.
In August, the Alumni Association launched a new regional chapter in Rochester with an event hosted at Constellation Brands by Tom Kane, MBA ‘87, the company’s executive vice president and chief human resources officer; and Tom Mullin ‘73, Constellation’s executive vice president and general counsel. About 60 alumni attended the event, and the chapter leadership ─ Meredith Martin ‘06, Travis Martin ‘07 and Diana Weber ‘13 ─ is actively forming an agenda of future events for alumni who live and work in the region. The Alumni Association now has 14 regional chapters (12 in the United States and two in Asia).
The Alumni Golf Classic was held on July 31, at The Links at Hiawatha Landing in Apalachin, N.Y. More than 120 people ─ including alumni, University staff and members of the Greater Binghamton business community ─ gathered for a day of golf and networking. This annual event supports the endowed Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship Fund, which benefits family members of Binghamton University graduates.