Scholarships Archives | Giving to Cornell

For Bixby Piccolo Hill ’27, ‘It was always Cornell’

Growing up, Bixby Piccolo Hill ’27 and his three siblings spent a lot of time playing together as a family. He explains that in their TV-free household, the siblings liked to make up imaginary scenarios and play act. When Bixby was in elementary school, his older sister, Parker Piccolo Hill ’25, performed in her middle … Read the full story

By Linda Copman April 10, 2025

Katherine DeRose ’26 finds the perfect fit at Cornell

Were it not for a teachers’ strike that happened decades before she was born, Connecticut native Katherine (Katie) DeRose ’26 might not have thought about applying to Cornell. During her junior year of high school, Katie did a capstone research project on the Bridgeport teachers’ protest of 1978. Teachers there went on strike to protest … Read the full story

By Linda Copman April 2, 2025

“Stay golden” says first-gen student Vianny Lara ’25

In December 2017, Richard Onyejuruwa from the university admissions office hosted an information session about Cornell for prospective students in New York City. Although she was still in middle school, Vianny was all ears. She liked his description of the Dyson School—which he said has a small school vibe within the larger university. Richard, Cornell’s … Read the full story

By Linda Copman February 20, 2025

Building community and legacy in Colorado

In fall 2024, the Cornell Club of Colorado (CCoC) renamed its scholarship in honor of Keo Latel Frazier ’00, the regional club’s former president, who died on June 10, 2024. “We wanted to do our part to carry on Keo’s formidable legacy by ensuring a Cornell education remains accessible to all deserving Coloradans,” says Makenna … Read the full story

By Starr Todd February 14, 2025

Charles Watson ’99 honors father, supports undergraduate affordability

Former varsity punter and Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson ’99 established an endowed scholarship in honor of his father—George Albert Watson.

By AAD Staff January 30, 2025

Helping solve problems—in and out of the lab

When Brendan Kosztyo ’25 was a first-year biological sciences student at Cornell, the pressure of a particularly demanding course was overwhelming. He recalls thinking: “Oh my gosh, there are so many things we have to do. Is it going to get done in time?” Someone told him about the department’s Student Advisors Program, which matches … Read the full story

By AAD Staff January 27, 2025

Cornell opens doors to the world

David Legrand ’23 discovered his passion for art serendipitously when, at the age of 21, he enrolled in HUEH (part of the State University of Haiti) as a sociology major. David recalls doodling during lectures. He drew his classmates’ faces and hands, his professors, and whatever captured his roving attention. “I don’t remember what the … Read the full story

By Linda Copman December 10, 2024

First-generation alumna extends a helping hand to first-gen students

Yahlin Chang ’89 was born in Taipei. When she was a young child, her father moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania to join his extended family. He was a chef and worked in a Chinese restaurant owned by a family friend. Once their father was financially secure, Yahlin and her sister joined their father in Williamsport. It … Read the full story

By Linda Copman October 9, 2024

Afghan scholar says her Cornell education is a dream come true

Mursal Rahim MPA '25 is an Afghan scholar in the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy

By Linda Copman October 1, 2024

From generosity to innovation: Gift shapes generations of engineering leaders

John McMullen never attended Cornell—or any university, for that matter. But when he died in 1921, the dredging magnate left the bulk of his estate to fund engineering scholarships. Over the past 100 years, more than 4,000 Cornellians have benefited from his gift. McMullen scholars have broadened engineering’s impact on society to a degree that … Read the full story

By AAD Staff August 20, 2024