![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.
Feature stories
AD Elliott previews 2014-15 year (radio interview)
With the 2014-15 athletic year starting up at Binghamton, Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott was a guest on Roger Neel’s WNBF Morning Show this past Friday. He touched on a variety of topics from the excitement of the year starting to the new staff hires as well as the continued academic excellence of BU’s student-athletes.
The Bearcat women’s soccer team kicked off their season at home against Temple on Friday. The men’s soccer team launches its 2014 campaign on Friday at Bucknell while the volleyball team heads out to California this weekend for its season-opening tournament at Loyola-Marymount.
Women’s basketball participates in Chillin’ for Charity fundraiser (video)
Women’s soccer celebrates 10-year anniversary of historic season
Ten years ago the women’s soccer team did something nobody expected them to do. After failing to qualify for the America East tournament in each of the two previous seasons and being relegated to 8th (out of 10) in the Coaches’ Preseason Poll, the Bearcats produced a magical season in 2004. Still a very young Division I program under the direction of seventh-year coach Jeff Leightman ’95, BU turned the tables on its conference foes and produced numerous achievements:
- Program’s first America East regular season and tournament titles
- Program’s first NCAA Division I tournament appearance
- 14-6-1 record (6-3 in conference play)
- Five all-conference selections and Coach of the Year
- Ranked as high as No. 4 in the Northeast
The seeds for the title run were sown in the previous two years, when talented Bearcats teams won a combined 18 games but were stifled by America East foes. The 2002 team strung together a seven-game unbeaten streak and the 2003 team won five of its first seven games before ultimately missing a postseason berth by one goal. Binghamton’s inability to turn tight games into conference wins prompted the league’s coaches to put BU eighth in the 2004 poll, one spot lower than the team’s 2003 finish.
The Bearcats surged through a 6-1-1 record in their non-conference slate, but they had done that before. The real test awaited in October.