![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.
Features
Former track standout Garn shining in first year as pro
It’s been 14 months since Jesse Garn competed in his last track & field race for Binghamton University. Like many of his classmates, he has been busy establishing his professional career.
That career, however, is also on the track and has gotten off to an impressive start.
Garn moved three hours east to Westchester County after graduation to begin his professional track career. He joined the New Jersey-New York Track Club and signed contracts with both Flynn Sports Management and the running company Hoka One One.
After blossoming at Binghamton under the coaching of Annette Acuff, Garn is now in just as ideal a situation.
Communications office parlays South Korea ties into feature interview
Fans of Binghamton Athletics will see the latest installment of our feature videos when they watch a two-part series with former baseball standout Scott Diamond. What they won’t see is the series of events that made the interview possible.
Backtrack to 2013, when I was contacted by former communications assistant Anthony Naglieri, who had begun working for Cultural Vistas, a non-profit company in Washington D.C. that specialized in creating exchange opportunities for scholar students in South Korea. The program, called Korea WEST (Work, English, Study, Travel), is part of a mutual diplomatic partnership between the two governments to foster positive relations and create valuable opportunities for talented young South Korean men and women. Anthony was looking to expand the list of host sites in the United States and I agreed to welcome an intern into our Binghamton athletics family. After she spent six months taking English classes in D.C., Solbyol Kim came to Binghamton to begin her six-month internship. One of the first big events she worked was our Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. That year, Diamond was inducted on the heels of his advancement to the highest level of baseball as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.