Stenger delivers State of the University address

“Happy” was the theme as Stenger discussed new funding, a new BAP program and more.

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

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 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.