Alumni stand by Cornell in challenging times

Alumni, parents, and friends came together to support Cornell students and stay connected during fiscal year 2020 despite numerous challenging factors, including a global pandemic and economic crisis. The university received $712 million in new gifts and commitments—the third-highest total ever raised at Cornell in a single year—from over 39,000 alumni and student donors. This … Read the full story

A timely investment: supporting student health

Members of the Class of 1955 recently celebrated their 65th Reunion. These octogenarians have also been steadfast supporters of Cornell Health. In 2015, the Class of 1955 and Peter Schluter ’55 gave a $100,000 gift to name a room in the new Cornell Health facility. In July 2020, the class responded to the call again, … Read the full story

A&S alumnus establishes scholarship for Black students

A $1 million gift from Robert ’92 and Carola Jain to the College of Arts and Sciences will support Black A&S students with demonstrated need, and others who enhance Cornell’s diversity, equity and inclusion. The Robert ’92 and Carola Jain Cornell Promise Scholarship meets a critical need at a moment when the COVID-19 pandemic has … Read the full story

Cornell Outdoor Education expands student access

With a steady 6,000+ student participants each year, few other university programs touch as many students as Cornell Outdoor Education (COE). Founded in 1972, COE has recorded more than 200,000 enrollments over nearly five decades. COE offers over 130 separate courses taught by 200 student instructors and 11 full-time staff members, and includes physical facilities … Read the full story

Dyson student access and experience braced by alumni gifts

Dyson alumni have stepped up in the last year with scholarships and emergency funding to provide access to Dyson and the best possible student experience once here. Current-use funds have helped many through the 2019-2020 academic year, ensuring that “inability to pay isn’t a barrier to participation,” says Tim Oonk ’86, executive director of Alumni … Read the full story

Access Fund eased pandemic’s burden on students

Raven Schwam-Curtis ’20 had seen the coronavirus coming: She visited China and South Korea on a research trip over winter break, when the first cases were being reported there. But she was still confronted with financial and emotional disruption when the pandemic forced Cornell to abruptly suspend classes in mid-March and switch to remote learning … Read the full story

Success for Cornell’s sixth Giving Day

With $7,053,386 raised from 10,145 donors in just 24 hours, Cornell Giving Day brought Cornell community members together from all over the world to join in giving. “Philanthropy has been essential to Cornell’s success since 1865,” said Fred Van Sickle, vice president for Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD). “Giving Day is a unique opportunity for … Read the full story

Countdown to Giving Day 2020

March 12, 2020, will mark Cornell University’s sixth Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising celebration in which Cornellians come together to support the areas they care most deeply about and to engage in some friendly competition. Last year, colleges and units participated in a “Raise the Bar” challenge, competing against themselves to increase their number of … Read the full story