From the Director's Chair, cont'd...

As we close the book on Homecoming 2003 and think about future Homecomings, the perennial questions surface: What could, and should, Homecoming be? What does it mean to Binghamton University? What does it mean to alumni? Should it be for alumni, students, or both?

To help answer these questions, Vice President Tom Kelly has formed a University-wide committee to take an in-depth look at Homecoming and the BU traditions (both real and potential) that help define it. Our committee will solicit advice systematically over the next several months. We'll ask many of you to respond to a variety of questions about Homecoming when we survey a randomly selected cross-section of alumni. In addition, we invite all alumni to share your thoughts and ideas about Homecoming in an e-mail or letter.

What are the traditions or events you recall? Sharkey's spiedies? Stepping on the Coat? Passing of the Vegetables? The big blue bus? Co-rec football? Newing Navy? The Rat? Professor Kadish? The Tombs? Lake Lieberman? Vestal Steak House? Pat Mitchell's? Harpo? The Persian Gulf war? The energy crisis? The blizzard of '93? Reminiscing is fun for alumni, and it's a vital element of Homecoming. But such a coming-together can also be a time to reinvigorate the soul and mind to help face the future. Can we offer programs -- serious and/or social -- to help prepare for the future?

Would you consider returning here as a speaker, panelist or counselor? Can you offer advice, information or networking contacts to fellow alumni when you come "home" for Homecoming?

Perhaps you can share an experience that illustrates an ideal Homecoming. What event would make a visit to your alma mater irresistible? What do you want to know about the changes that are making BU a better place?

Enough questions for now... let's hear some answers. Write soon to me at alumni@binghamton.edu or to Box 6000, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.

Regards,

Richard Heck
Director of Alumni and Parent Relations
rheck@binghamton.edu

P.S. We extend a warm welcome to the senior class of 2004 and their families. You are about to become our newest group of alumni. Each senior will receive a copy of the Binghamton Alumni Journal and will be invited to subscribe to Alumni Connect, our e-newsletter. We hope you'll share these publications with other students and encourage them to stay connected, too.