VESTAL, N.Y. – For the majority of the 81 Binghamton senior student-athletes, their athletic careers have already ended. This past weekend, however, they wore the Bearcat green one final time.

It was graduation weekend on campus and over a three-day stretch, the Bearcat seniors wore their Binghamton caps and gowns as they received their diplomas. The Events Center has been their home for four years so it was only fitting that their last weekend as students was spent in the same building.

"We are very proud of all of our graduating student-athletes," Binghamton Athletic Director Patrick Elliott said. "We thank them for all they have done for our athletic department and Binghamton University and are confident they will achieve great things in the future."

Senior women's tennis player Tiffany Dun gave one of the student speeches at the Harpur College graduation ceremony on Saturday afternoon. She is the fourth Binghamton student-athlete in eight years to give a commencement address, following Michelle Eberhart (track & field) in 2012, Jessie Rubin (women's tennis) in 2013 and Shavonna Hinton (cross country and track & field) in 2015. 

Also giving a student commencement speech was Binghamton softball team manager Chelsea Strong. She spoke at the Harpur College ceremony on Saturday morning.

For the five seniors on the Binghamton baseball team, however, the focus now returns to athletics. The Bearcats host the America East Tournament this coming week and the Bearcats are the No. 3 seed entering the event. Their first game takes place on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. against No. 6 Hartford. 

PLEASE NOTE: At the Harpur College commencement on Saturday morning, an honorary degree was awarded to humanitarian and student-athlete advocate Patricia Saunders (Class of 1965). She was award a Doctorate of Humane Letters.