Donor Paul Bertan

Paul Bertan: "One of the Best Things I've Ever Done"

Chances are, you will never find anyone more supportive of public higher education than Paul B. Bertan MS '74, PhD '94.

It's easy to see why. Bertan earned two graduate degrees from Binghamton University and a bachelor's degree from the University at Albany, and has taught chemistry at Onondaga Community College for more than 40 years.

"I think it's very, very important to fund scholarships because I went to school tuition free back in 1953 through 1957," said Bertan, who is now an adjunct professor after retiring a few years ago. He has established several charitable gift annuities at Binghamton that will eventually fund scholarships. "Maybe it's one of the best things I've ever done."

"I think it's fantastically important now to give scholarships for students. Students need scholarships terribly as the cost of higher education keeps increasing." Bertan also wanted to honor the two faculty members he worked closely with in earning his master's degree and doctorate, which is why he established a gift annuity. The Paul B. Bertan/Stanley K. Madan Scholarship honors his major professor for his master's degree and supports a student majoring in physical science, biological science, environmental science or mathematics. The Paul B. Bertan/Gilbert E. Janauer Chemistry Scholarship honors his major professor for his doctorate and supports a student majoring in chemistry.

"Stanley was a fascinating teacher, especially when it came to writing, and a good researcher. In particular, he taught me a lot about analytical chemistry," said Bertan. "Gil Janauer was an enthusiastic professor and a pioneer of a process called active ion exchange."

After spending the better part of 20 years commuting the 70-odd miles between his home in Syracuse and Binghamton, Bertan is impressed with the University's growth and progress since he began his studies. "I think it's a pretty good place," he said with characteristic understatement.

Paul Bertan PhD (Prof Emeritus, Chemistry) passed (on June 21st) the New York State Exam for Pilots and Engineers License (given at the Camillus Canal Museum) after passing the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators online course and serving 60 of the 30 hours experience required. This allows Paul to join the growing list of boat captains on the canal as the canal museum looks forward to having increased traffic over the only navigable aqueduct in N Y State.

This license allows operation of commercial boats up to 10 tons weight on all NY waterways.

Paul thus returns to his days as a Sea Explorer and to his ancestors rafting on the Delaware River and sailing ships from England. Paul's younger brother James BS '64 has a sailing Masters License from the Annapolis Sailing School. ((This in addition to Paul's' private aircraft license.)) Paul was one of the originators of the Camillus Canal Museum, part designer of the museum, part author of the first brochure and one of the builders of the first boathouse before devoting his time to advance degrees at SUNY Binghamton.