Ringers provide $1 million lead gift to science campaign

Jerry Ringer, a Mount Vernon native who attended Cornell College because of its reputation for educating future doctors, is helping to ensure the college will continue that legacy with a lead gift to the sciences.

Ringer, a 1959 alumnus, and his wife Carole, an honorary alumna, have given $1 million for the college’s science facilities project.

Cornell’s $35 million science project will more than double the college’s STEM space with the construction, already underway, of the four-story Russell Science Center and renovations of West Science and portions of Law Hall. In just under two years, the college has exceeded $32 million in gifts toward the project, the primary focus of a new campaign, Greater > Than.  

“I chose Cornell because of its reputation for pre-med, a reputation that remains today” said Ringer, who is retired from an ophthalmology practice in Bloomington, Illinois. As a Cornell trustee he was aware of the need for new and renovated science facilities. “I’m glad the college is doing this, and Carole and I are excited to support it.”  

In addition to being one of the lead donors to the science facilities project, the Ringers established an endowed faculty chair, funded the Ringer Recital Studio, and have been major donors to the Thomas Commons, King Chapel, and Law Hall renovations. Jerry is one of the longest-serving members of Cornell’s Board of Trustees, including as Board Chair from 1999 to 2002.

“Jerry and Carole’s generous nature and Jerry’s effective leadership have provided remarkably strong, steady support to Cornell College for years,” said Cornell College President Jonathan Brand. “The college is grateful for their outstanding support of the science facilities project.”

For more information, please contact Public Relations Director Jill Hawk at jhawk@cornellcollege.edu or 319.895.4232.