Mountainview College students got a glimpse of Binghamton University history through time machines, performances and first-hand accounts Monday night.
Bing-ginnings, a two-hour program held by the staff of Hunter Hall, was part of a series of programs developed by the staff of the different Mountainview buildings with their fellows.
The idea for the program was first proposed at the end of last semester.
‘We did a lot of research for the program,’ said Katherine Chala, a junior psychology major and Hunter resident assistant. ‘We went through the Pipe Dream archives and based our skits off of what we found.’
Bing-ginnings was part performance and part lecture. The performance included attendees being led into a time machine by Chip the Robot and taken back in time to see what life has been like at Binghamton University through the different ages.
‘Students march on the [Couper] Administration Building!’ Chala yelled, while dressed as a protesting student from the 1970s.
Topics covered in the skits included Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to campus during the 1960s, and, in recent times, the creation and construction of Mountainview.
‘This was definitely the most creative program I’ve seen,’ said David Byrnes, a sophomore math major, after exiting the time machine.
After a trip through time, guest speakers shared stories from their long careers at BU. Those present included Director of Campus Life David Hagerbaumer, Faculty Master of College-in-the-Woods Dr. Tony Preus, Faculty Master of Hinman College Al Vos and Hunter Hall’s fellow Hily Delancy.
The participants recounted stories of his favorite and oddest memories at Binghamton University. Tales varied from the 1996 SA election rigging scandal of Anthony J. Benardello and the school’s $3,000 beer budget for Orientation before the drinking age increased to 21.
Speakers were also asked how they felt about how the student body had changed over the years.
‘It’s too quiet on this campus,’ said Vos, who has worked at BU since 1970. ‘The whole tenure of campus has changed. I miss the ’70s ‘ we need more of that idealism.’
Hagerbaumer reminded attendees that while BU already has a rich history, the institution is still developing.
‘Binghamton University is still finding its identity,’ he said. ‘We’re still young.’