As a lifelong resident of Binghamton, Adam Weitsman has seen Binghamton University benefit the local area. As a way to return that favor, he donated $40,000 toward BU’s Equal Opportunity Program (EOP).

The owner and CEO of Upstate Shredding, the East Coast’s largest privately held scrap metal processor, Weitsman said he felt compelled to donate after watching a close friend go through the program and become a successful businessman. The EOP provides access, academic support and financial aid to low-income and promising students at BU.¶
The money will go to expanding the EOP, which provides academic and career services and counseling, and toward its specific initiatives like the $1M Book Fund that aids participating students with the cost of textbooks.

“There are a lot of very smart, talented people that have faced hardship in their personal lives that affect their readiness and ability to attend college,” Weitsman wrote in an email. “Binghamton University’s Educational Opportunity Program is a great resource that gives those that are willing to work hard and have the academic prowess to excel in school and beyond the chance to succeed. We need more programs like these that benefit those that truly need the help and it is an honor to be able to do our part so that EOP can help even more people.”

According to EOP Director Calvin Gantt, this donation will help students who are eligible for maximum financial aid but still struggle to pay for textbooks and other necessities.¶
“Although most of these EOP students are carrying the maximum load possible, their budget simply does not allow for them to request additional assistance,” Gantt said. “Thus, the donation from Mr. and Mrs. Weitsman will help us to support the efforts of some of these students to meet this very basic need. And, given that this is a longer term problem due to the fact that state and federal aid is not keeping up with the actual costs of college, the EOP department has launched a $1M Book Fund initiative to support students long term.”

Upstate Shredding operates in 16 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania. The company has been a long time corporate citizen and is known to give back throughout the communities they operate in. This is the company’s first donation to BU, and Weitsman said he hopes that it will help increase the EOP’s influence.

“My hope is that the money goes towards further awareness for the program,” Weitsman wrote. “There are a lot of people that I know can benefit from EOP and equally as many folks that can help ensure that the program continues to grow and succeed.”
The EOP has had a very high graduation rate at 76 percent, which is 6 percent higher than the University’s overall rate. According to Gantt, this number will only continue to rise as more and more alumni and contributors like Weitsman give back with generous donations.

“We have had an amazing track record of success at BU, and in order for us to continue to keep our graduation and retention rates up, we have to call upon all of our alumni to support these efforts,” Gantt said. “Again, I recognize that this is not just an issue for EOP students, but many first generation, low-income students that attend BU as well as colleges around the country. The contribution from the Weitsmans goes a long way to helping EOP students realize their full academic potential.”