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Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Vol. CI, Issue 30-31 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
Stenger delivers State of the University address “Happy” was the theme as Stenger discussed new funding, a new BAP program and more. Brandon Ng news intern
Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger gave his annual State of the University address on Tuesday. The theme of Stenger’s speech was “happy.” Highlights included an announcement of the largest scholarship gift in BU history, an expansion of the Binghamton Advantage Program (BAP), the usage of federal and state funding for increased hiring, progress on existing and conceived infrastructure projects and the impact of the new SUNY chancellor, John B. King Jr. The new scholarships, funded by an anonymous family and totaling $37.5 million, will be divided into a $25 million endowment for undergraduate students and a $12.5 million endowment for graduate students in the arts. Stenger hailed it as “a good day for [BU].” The undergraduate scholarship will be implemented gradually, with 25 incoming freshmen receiving funds until “the program reaches a steady state of 100 scholarships awarded per year,” according to the press release. Of the 25 students, 20 will receive $10,000 per year for four years, while five will receive approximately
$30,000 per year for four years, both requiring the maintenance of a minimum GPA. The graduate scholarship will cover the full tuition for 15 incoming graduate students “with exceptional skills in the performing, writing and visual arts until the program reaches a steady state of 30 scholarships per year.” Stenger also provided details about the gradual integration with SUNY Broome Community College (BCC), emphasizing that it will not be a merger, but rather an expansion of the BAP program that currently allows students to live at BU and attend classes at BCC. “[BAP transfer students] are the highest graduating cohort of students on campus,” Stenger said. “What if we were to admit students into a BAP 2.0, where instead of living here, they live [at BCC], take their courses there and enjoy all their student activities [at BU].” Stenger stressed the impact federal and state funding would have on University operations. BU will receive $6.5 million from SUNY to hire faculty to grow external research, which will add to the 55 tenure-track faculty that joined the campus community last fall. In addition, BU will receive $63.7 million from the federal government and $50 million from New York State to establish a national hub for lithium-ion battery manufacturing, development and production in Endicott, NY. Distinguished Chemistry Professor M. Stanley
provided by jonathan cohen/university communications & marketing Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger delivered his annual address on Tuesday.
Whittingham, a Nobel Prize winner, will lead the project. An update on BU’s “EXCELERATE: Moving at the Speed of Binghamton” campaign, which launched in April 2022 with a goal of raising $220 million, was
Men’s basketball cruises past Bulldogs at home BU returns to second in AE with 84-67 victory, ends two-game losing streak. Johnny Yang sports intern
The Binghamton men’s basketball team hosted Bryant on
Saturday afternoon, looking to get back into the win column after losing its previous two games to Maine and Vermont, respectively. After establishing its offensive prowess early and playing shutdown defense for 40 minutes, the Bearcats broke their winless streak, soundly defeating the Bulldogs 84-67 in
front of packed stands. “It was night and day from our last two games,” said Binghamton head coach Levell Sanders. “We were able to come out today and do all of the things that we spoke about … Guys were able to execute the game plan.”
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megan patterson staff photgrapher Senior guard Dan Petcash scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds during Binghamton’s 84-67 win over Bryant on Saturday.
ARTS & CULTURE
also provided. Priorities of the initiative include greater investing in scholarships to “make the exceptional accessible,” expanding faculty research and programs with national implications and “ensuring an exceptional education” through
internships and hands-on learning. The campaign has raised $160 million in received or committed funds, not including the new donation by the anonymous family.
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‘Empresses in the Palace’ showcases traditions The festival blends the beauty of Chinese traditions and modernity. Jamie H. Nguyen
assistant arts & culture editor
Last Sunday, the Mandela Room was decked out with red and gold decorations for the Spring Festival Event: “Empresses in the Palace.” Set on the first day of the lunar calendar, this event was a collaboration between Binghamton University’s Chinese Scholar and Students Association (CSSA) and Chinascope. The event created a space for students of Chinese descent to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Erika Ji, publicity chair of CSSA and a junior majoring in psychology, wrote about the long and difficult journey behind the event’s organization, which started during the fall 2022 semester. “It’s hard to organize the meeting time for winter break, especially since some of our E-Board members travel to foreign countries with different time zones,” Ji said. “Due to the effect of [COVID-19] … most of our members have never experienced this event.” This lack of direction led the CSSA E-Board to revolutionize the event, eventually landing on the theme “Empresses in the Palace,” which was based on an internationally famous TV series
OPINIONS
set in the Qing Dynasty with the same title. The theme was expressed through the traditional Qing Dynasty clothing worn by CSSA staff, and guests were encouraged to wear their own garments from any time period. Apart from the typical catered food, activity stations for cultural experience were set up around the room, such as paper-cutting for window decoration, couplet writing and fortune telling, where attendees flocked to try their luck for the year of the Rabbit. The opening performance was a jihong dance performed by Xutong Shi, a junior majoring in theatre. In her flowy pastel outfit, Shi captured the audience’s attention immediately with just a short number. She then performed an intricate and graceful solo dance named “Remembering Old Friends.” BU’s Kung Fu Club was the next performer, bringing their crowd pleaser, the lion dance, amid the energetic beats of drums and cymbals that projected throughout the whole hall. The two black-andwhite beasts interacted with the audience like real animals, letting people pet their heads and getting down like dogs. With their moving eyelids, floppy ears and moving mouths, it is as if they were actual animals despite the obvious people puppeteering them.
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SPORTS
Kilmer Mansion shows off local artists,
On-campus pizzas ranked from worst to best,
Contributing columnist Kathryn Lee raises concerns about the “dupe” trend,
Binghamton wrestling loses close match against Navy,
Swimming and diving teams claim victory on senior day,
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