Ben Lee will be here, too!

On Tuesday, August 26, at 8 p.m. Ingrid Michaelson, with special guest, Ben Lee, will perform at Binghamton University’s Anderson Center. Both singers’ music has been featured on the television show Grey’s Anatomy. Inside seats are $17 for students and $25 for the public. Lawn seats are $10 for students and $15 for the public. For tickets and information, call: 607-777-ARTS or visit: anderson.binghamton.edu.

Binghamton University has received top recognition by The Princeton Review in its first-ever “Green Rating” of colleges. One of only 11 colleges recognized by this rating, Binghamton University is the only SUNY institution named to the honor roll.

For a long time Binghamton University has been making efforts to combat pollution and global warming through on-campus initiatives, and now has been formally recognized for its efforts. In all offices across campus there has been a major push to conserve energy, recycle, and “work green.” Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur says, “Our entire campus works very hard on our environmental efforts and this achievement truly reflects our commitment to sustainability.”

The “2009 Green Rating Honor Roll” salutes six public and five private institutions that each received Green Rating scores of 99 (the highest score). Along with Binghamton University, the honor roll includes Arizona State University at the Tempe campus; Bates College (Lewiston, ME); College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, ME); Emory University (Atlanta, GA); Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA); Harvard College (Cambridge, MA); University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH); University of Oregon (Eugene, OR); University of Washington (Seattle, WA); and Yale University (New Haven, CT). 

The 2008 Empire State Games have returned to Binghamton University’s campus. 

More than 5,000 athletes of all ages will competing in athletic events on campus and in the local community over the next 5 days. Some of the top athletes in the United States will be competing in events such as basketball, track and field, wrestling, baseball, and soccer.

The purpose of the games are to:
1. Encourage wholesome athletic competition among the residents of New York State, particularly the youth;
2. Foster incentive for the improvement of amateur athletics in New York State;
3. Develop public recognition of the dedicated amateur athlete.

So if you are in the Binghamton area this weekend make sure you come out and support some great athletes!

There is often confusion over whether or not “Baxter the bearcat”, Binghamton’s beloved mascot is a friendly sports fan or a wilderness terror?? 

When strangers ask me what a bearcat is I usually come back with an elaborate story about a predator of the forest that feeds on weak prey and roams the nature preserve on Binghamton’s campus. The reality is according to local zoologist Mike Janis, “In all honesty, they’re nothing like your mascot, their head is cat-like, the walk is bear-like, and they smell like Fritos.” However, Binghamton’s president Lois B. DeFleur has a different view, “the bearcat is a symbol of strength and power.” I guess the point is that whatever your opinion is on Baxter the bearcat, he will always be found roaming the stands and sidelines supporting Binghamton University athletics! 

Binghamton University is currently hosting the world’s largest Synchronized Swimming Championships. The 2008 Esynchro Age Group National Championships kicked off June 28th and runs through July 5th. The U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team will perform an exhibition, to show off their anticipated Olympic Games routines, on Tuesday, July 1st at 8 p.m. in Binghamton’s West Gym. Ticket prices are only $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

Binghamton University All-American Rory Quiller is set to head to the US Track and Field Olympic Trials in Oregon this weekend.

I like many people from the Binghamton University community will be glued to the television on Friday night to watch Rory Quiller pole vault his way into school history. Rory will be competing against the best that America has to offer in his quest for Beijing. I have known Rory for several years now and I can tell you that not only is he a tremendous athlete, but also a genuinly great person. So Friday night at 8:50 EST get in front of a tv or on the internet and root on Rory!

No matter what your taste buds are fiending, there’s a restaurant for everyone just minutes from Binghamton University. 

Since moving to Binghamton a year ago, I’ve been surprised to find how many truly excellent restaurants are here - and so close to campus! Binghamton University sits on Vestal Parkway, and all of the following are right on the parkway, five minutes or less from the university.

Best Specialty Restaurants:
Indian - Moghul
French, Continental, and Thai - P.S.
Japanese - Fuji San (right across the street!)
Asian fusion - Lemongrass

For local flavor:
Spiedie and Rib Pit (if you don’t know what a spiedie is, try one here!)
Nirchi’s Pizza
BG’s (Italian/American fare - right next to campus!)

Or, if you’re more into chains, we’ve got:
Panera Bread
Moe’s
Olive Garden
Red Lobster
Denny’s
Coldstone
Subway
Pizza Hut
Outback Steakhouse
Wendy’s
IHOP
Applebee’s
T.G.I. Friday’s
and more!