Board Initiatives and Noteworthy Projects

Broome Community College Foundation

Establish the Roger Kresge Foundation Scholarship Fund, in perpetuity, which will provide financial need-based scholarships to Broome County residents that have graduated from a Broome County High School within the last five years.

UHS Foundation and Binghamton University Foundation:

The Roger Kresge Foundation, in recognition of Dr. James E. Lee’s thirty plus years of dedicated commitment and service to the Kresge Foundation, approved two grants in accordance with Dr. Lee’s request.

1. UHS Foundation

Provide grant support for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wilson Hospital to be used specifically to purchase NICU equipment to include a NICU Isolette and Two Infant Cardio/Respiratory Monitors.

2. Binghamton University Foundation

Establish the Dr. James E. Lee Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarships to Broome County residents pursuing a graduate degree in education.

RISE – SOS Shelter:

The Roger Kresge Foundation, in recognition of Roberts Carey’s long-term service on the Foundation Board and as legal counsel, approved a grant in accordance with Mr. Carey’s request, To support the creation of a children’s reading room area in the domestic violence shelter to include: construction of the space, wall graphics and decor, furniture and age appropriate books.

Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park

Support the ReZoovenation Initiative at the Binghamton Zoo to address infrastructure, safety and security issues and equipment upgrades.

Kopernik Observatory

1.

Fund a 20-inch telescope facility and the purchase of  a 20-inch F/8 Optical Guidance Systems RC Cassegrain Telescope, a research-grade telescope, which would allow Kopernik to further its mission “to offer hands-on investigations using advanced telescopes, computers and other tools, encouraging the discovery of the wonders of the Universe”. Students from Binghamton University, SUNY Broome and many local school classes utilize the telescope, and facility, to augment their course programs. Children and families are able to use the telescope through the education programs offered at Kopernik as well as with the Friday night programs for night sky observation.

2.

Support the purchase of a Finger Lakes Instrumentation (FLI) ProLine CCD Camera (monochrome), which is permanently mounted to the 20-inch telescope; and a filter system and compatible software to greatly improve the acquisition capability and quality of images taken through the Kresge Telescope.

Empire College Foundation

Establish and contribute to the Roger and Mary Kresge Memorial Scholarship fund, in perpetuity, in memory of Roger a graduate of Empire College, which will provide financial need-based scholarships. All recipients must be enrolled in a degree program at the Binghamton Unit of Empire College.

Pathfinder Village Foundation

1.

Contribute to the building of the Kennedy Willis Information and Conference Center on Down Syndrome. At the time this would be the first and only comprehensive center for information related to the care, treatment and needs of Down Syndrome individuals, in the world. The Center would coordinate any and all current and ever-changing resources and information. It would also provide the opportunity to study the unique living and working Village of Pathfinder. This would become a facility where professionals, students and families would be able to access information, counseling and training.

2.

Establish the Roger Kresge Scholarship Fund, helping to provide the security for individuals living at Pathfinder Village to be able to remain at the Village throughout their lifetime regardless of the families’ financial ability to fund their care.

Binghamton University Foundation

1.

In recognition of Darwin R. Wales long-term service on the Kresge Foundation Board and as legal counsel (since inception), establish the Darwin R. Wales Scholarship Fund, in perpetuity, to provide scholarships to Broome County residents attending Binghamton University.

2.

Establish the Roger and Mary Kresge College of Community and Public Affairs Scholarship Fund, in perpetuity, to provide financial need-based scholarships to Broome County residents seeking a degree through the College of Community and Public Affairs at Binghamton University.

3.

Fund the Kresge Center for Nursing Research and create an endowment for the purchase of research equipment and to fund research projects in the School of Nursing at Binghamton University.

Roberson Museum and Science Center

1.

Fund the unique opportunity for Roberson to exhibit the original draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, written by Abraham Lincoln.

2.

Fund the creation of the Confluence of Two River Exhibit and the accompanying educational programs.

3.

Support funding for the Audubon exhibit and accompanying educational programs.

4.

Support the development and design of educational programs and materials, including staff development and workshops for area teachers, and to coordinate with the Daniel’s Story: Remember the Children, on loan from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Children’s Home

Provide funding toward the building of a new Kresge Educational Facility on the Children’s Home Chenango Street campus.